Cultural Commission

CITY OF DANBURY CULTURAL COMMISSION 256 Main Street Danbury, Connecticut 06810 203 797 4508 September 19, 2022 Minutes of the Meeting Meeting called to order, in person and as a video conference call, by Chairman Harvey Center at 6:30 pm with Commissioners: John Cherry, John Cooke, Alma Faham, Cheryl Hill, Ed Moore, Perry Price, Gregory Smith, and Coordinator Gregory Wencek. Absent: Mary Burke. Presentation of Minutes The Minutes of the August meeting were presented. GSmith points out a typographical error in the name at the motion to adjourn. A motion by GSmith to accept the minutes as corrected, seconded by PPrice. Passed by voice vote with one abstention. Correspondence EMail: Archives 101 instructional class registration is now open for Tuesdays in October.sponsored by the Connecticut League of History Organizations: A series of conversations with the parking authority to set up Park(ing) Day: Invitation from Citycenter Danbury Arts and Aesthetics committee who would like to invite Cultural Commission members to participate in a large-scale community art project planned for October. Mail: Stanley L. Richter Association for the Arts grant application Phone: Reports on events, DCC sponsored ● Danbury Concert Association ○ Maxim Lando, piano - Sunday, September 18⋅3:00 – 4:30pm HCenter: Magnificent. Mr. Lando played a wide range of music. ● Richter Park 50th anniversary HCenter: To commemorate the anniversary of the creation of the park. There was cake and performances by Musicals at Richter. Unfortunately there was poor attendance. ● Park(ing) Day September 16, 2022 “Turning a parking space into a city Park” GWencek: Approximately a dozen people stopped to sit in the “park” and partake of the coffee and donuts. A few groups said they would like to participate next year. Danbury events not sponsored by the Commission ● San Gennaro Italian Festival Wednesday, September 7⋅5:00 – 11:00pm Daily, until Sep 12, 2022 AFaham: It was nice. There was a variety of food and music. JCooke: noted there was a good crowd. ● Danbury Music Centre ● Danbury Museum ○ Guided Tours of 4 Danbury Museum Historic Buildings on our Main Street campus ○ Guided Tours of the Ives Homestead ○ The outdoor exhibit panels are installed ● Danbury Railway Museum ● City Center Danbury ○ Dancing Under The Stars August 25 ○ Farmers Market - Friday, June 24⋅10:00am – 2:00pm until Oct 29, 2022 Minutes of the Meeting Page 1 of 5 Approved: October 24, 2022 NOTE: Additional and supporting information can be found in the files at the Commission office.  CITY OF DANBURY CULTURAL COMMISSION 256 Main Street Danbury, Connecticut 06810 203 797 4508 ● Palace Theater Danbury ● Galleries ○ Gallery of the Visual and Performing Arts Center WCSU Westside campus, 43 Lake Ave. Extension ○ Gallery at Still River Editions 128 E Liberty St. ○ in VIEW project Main Street Danbury ○ WCSU Upcoming events See addendum Coordinator’s Report ● Applications for Connecticut Funding Opportunities Working with Sue Kaminiski in Finance to shepherd the Commission’s applications through to the Legislative Council ■ The Supporting Arts Grant Program has a minimum $1,000 award. ■ The CT Cultural Fund Operating Support Grant has a minimum $5,000 award. ○ I attended a CT Cultural Fund Operating Support Grants Info Session with CT Humanities on Wednesday, September 07, 2022 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ■ This is the second year for this program with ½ as much funding as last year ■ All qualifying applicants get funded at least $5,000 ■ This program is also to assist identifying to the State where funding is needed ■ The grant award may be used for personnel expense ● The Coordinator is now the contact point for ADA requirements and because recipients of Endowment funds are required to certify that their programs and activities are and/or will be conducted in compliance with the Endowment's regulations implementing Section 504 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): ■ The Endowment estimates the average time to complete this application is four (4) hours per response. (There are 15 responses in the Workbook.) ● Commission Podcast outreach ○ First session recorded. Still needs an intro and outro to be produced and then added before posting. PPrice will offer suggestions. ● Request authorization for a total of $64.80 for Park(ing) day ○ Purchased “Grass” rug to add to my chairs and patio umbrellas ○ Coffee and donuts: Box ‘O Joe and 50 Munchkins ● Designs for Danbury ○ Waiting for Corporation Council review of the rules ○ Need review of the judges’ letter ● Mosaic committee requests Commissioners to volunteer: ○ Citycenter Danbury Arts and Aesthetics committee would like to invite Cultural Commission members to participate in a large-scale community art project planned for October. Minutes of the Meeting Page 2 of 5 Approved: October 24, 2022 NOTE: Additional and supporting information can be found in the files at the Commission office.  CITY OF DANBURY CULTURAL COMMISSION 256 Main Street Danbury, Connecticut 06810 203 797 4508 ● Make Music Winter 2022: Next Steps, Free Instruments are available. The Commission has no plans to participate in the Winter session. ● Commission potential projects ○ Scarecrow decorating contest- CityCenter ? - NO ○ CityCenter Mural project - some interest from Commissioners ○ City walking tours each quarter starting in the fall ○ Visual art get togethers Appeals from Community groups: S.L. Richter Association for the Arts $10,000 Richard Teasdale, Treasurer, for the 2023 Concert and Artistic Season The project is to present high-quality artistic performances to the public on Sunday afternoons during the 8 weeks of Spring (April/May 2023) and the 8 weeks of Fall (September/October 2023) seasons. Two visual art shows with cash prizes are planned during Spring and Fall. The hope is to return to “normal” following the limited in-person events during COVID19. The largest expenses are rent, $2,000 a year, and Artist fees estimated at $11,400. The plan is to expand the audiences through additional advertising. The Board has applied and will continue to apply for additional grants. HCenter noted that the Start time for Sunday events has been moved to 2:00 PM. RTeasdale noted that it is for the Fall season so that the audience can leave before nightfall. HCenter: asked the approximate size of the paid membership. RTeasdale noted approximately 80. Dues rates include: $20 for seniors, $30 for Senior couples, $30 for individual membership. Old Business 1. Designs for Danbury The Corporation Counsel should be contacted to reply to the request for Rules review. The letter asking the potential judges to volunteer should include the Rules, as approved. Tentative dates now are: Starting October 1, expect acknowledgement of interest by October 19, with entries deadline November 30, and announce winners December 31. 2. Commission outreach podcast series to continue HCenter asked Commissioners who want to participate to contact the Coordinator. The recording can be done anywhere and takes not more than 45 minute. New Business 1. Moved by PPerry to reimburse Gregory Wencek a total of $64.80 for Commission expenses for Park(ing) Day: $27.63 for a “astroturf” style carpet as the floor of the park from Lowe’s, and $37.17 for refreshments consisting of coffee and donut holes from Dunkin Seconded by GSmith. DISCUSSION: Coffee and donuts were consumed. The carpet will be in storage for future events. CALLED: Passed by unanimous voice vote. Minutes of the Meeting Page 3 of 5 Approved: October 24, 2022 NOTE: Additional and supporting information can be found in the files at the Commission office.  CITY OF DANBURY CULTURAL COMMISSION 256 Main Street Danbury, Connecticut 06810 203 797 4508 Action on Grant Requests: S.L. Richter Association for the Arts $10,000 Richard Teasdale, Treasurer, for the 2023 Concert and Artistic Season Moved by PPrice to grant $5,000 for 2023 Concert and Artistic Season. Seconded by GSmith. DISCUSSION: HCenter: There is a good variety in the musical offerings. Richter Arts works hard to bring talented performers and audiences to the City. GSmith observed they had not used all of the grant award form last year. It was noted that not all programs ran at full capacity due to COVID19 restrictions. CALLED: Motion to grant $5,000 to Stanley L. Richter Association for the Arts passed by a 5 in favor 2 opposed voice vote. Other Business ● JCooke asked about an article in the Patch in which the Commission was not mentioned regarding the Danbury Brass Band concert. Noted was that the press doesn’t always include all of the information they have in a story. ● Commissioners asked the Coordinator to prepare a letter advising the Mayor that the Cultural Commission is working on a Marian Anderson memorial. Motion to adjourn at 7:14 Made by PPrice. Passed by Unanimous voice vote. NOTE: Corporation Counsel has provided the Clerk's office with the following... Current as of 3/16/20: Effective with Gov. Lamont's Executive Order No. 7B issued on 3/14/20, the requirement of public attendance at all meetings of public agencies is suspended. Meetings are to be held remotely by conference call, videoconference, or other technology, provided that (in summary): 1) the public has the ability to view or listen to each meeting or proceeding in real time by phone, video or other technology. Therefore the Commission office had set up a video conference call which started at 6:15 on Monday evening. Commissioners and the public connected to Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84487446152?pwd=M3AyR1I4MlpkdVNXdXJzYUlDeTM5UT09 Meeting ID: 844 8744 6152 Passcode: 157711 One tap mobile: Dial by your location +19294362866,,84487446152# US (New York) +1 929 436 2866 US (New York) Meeting ID: 844 8744 6152 Passcode: 157711 Meeting ID:844 8744 6152 Passcode: 157711 If the Zoom video connection is lost, call the backup phone conference at 1-605-475-5950 Access Code: 816120 The meeting started at 6:30 and was not recorded by the Commission. Minutes of the Meeting Page 4 of 5 Approved: October 24, 2022 NOTE: Additional and supporting information can be found in the files at the Commission office.  CITY OF DANBURY CULTURAL COMMISSION 256 Main Street Danbury, Connecticut 06810 203 797 4508 Upcoming events Addendum * Pre-Halloween Concert - Danbury Brass Band Trailer Box Gallery Sunday, October 30⋅2:00 – 3:30pm 12 Francis J Clarke Circle- Bethel Ct. Coming in October - Cathy Vanaria * Andrew Armstrong and friends, Piano - Danbury Concert Association City Center Danbury Sunday, October 30⋅3:00 – 4:30pm Danbury 's Farmer's Market Friday, July 1⋅10:00am – 2:00pm Weekly on Ride the Pumpkin Patch Train - Danbury Railway Friday, until Oct 29, 2022 Museum On the five weekends of October Dancing Under The Stars - Danbury City Center Thursday, Sep 30 9 ⋅6:30 – 8:30pm Still River Editions Patriot Garage Danbury, CT 06810, USA 128 E Liberty St Suite 3, Danbury, CT 06810 The Inner Sanctums by GENE MOORE *Events sponsored by the Commission Jul. 9 - Sep. 30, 2022 Lord of Yourself by Elisa Flynn Charles Edward Ives - Birthday Thursday, October Oct. 8 - Dec. 23 20 (148 years) OPENING RECEPTION Oct. 8, 2 PM - 4 PM Western Connecticut State University https://www.eventbrite.com/o/visual-and-performi ng-arts-center-at-western-connecticut-state-unive rsity-6275173871 https://www.wcsu.edu/art/category/art-events/ https://www.wcsu.edu/svpa/events/ Minutes of the Meeting Page 5 of 5 Approved: October 24, 2022 NOTE: Additional and supporting information can be found in the files at the Commission office.