Cultural Commission

CITY OF DANBURY CULTURAL COMMISSION 256 Main Street Danbury, Connecticut 06810 203 797 4508 February 27, 2023 Minutes of the Meeting Meeting called to order as a video conference (due to the Mayor's declaration of level 2 Snow emergency), by Chairman Harvey Center at 6:30 pm with Commissioners: John Cooke, Alma Faham, Cheryl Hill, Ed Moore, Gregory Smith, and Coordinator Gregory Wencek. Absent: Mary Burke, Perry Price, and John Cherry. (PPrice was not informed in time to divert him from the in person meeting) Presentation of Minutes The Minutes of the January meeting were presented. A motion by JCooke to accept the minutes as presented, seconded by GSmith. Passed by unanimous voice vote. Correspondence EMail: CityCentre, Finance Dept., Music Centre, Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut, Irene Sherlock re: appointing a Poet Laureate Mail: invitation to WCSU Entrepreneur of the Year Award Phone: Reports on DCC sponsored events ● Danbury events not sponsored by the Commission ● 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 ● Music at the Ridge February 5 ⋅4:00 – 6:00pm ● Danbury Library ● Danbury Railway Museum ● City Center Danbury ● 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 ○ Sip & Paint - WCSU Fri, Feb 3⋅7:00 – 9:00pm ○ Rodgers and Hammerstein's Allegro - Friday-Sun, February 24⋅8:00 – 10:00pm until Mar 5, 2023 Upcoming events See addendum Coordinator’s Report 1. Government Entity meeting for determination of continuing Commissions (a 4 year cycle) Minutes of the Meeting Page 1 of 5 Approved: March 27, 2023 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 a. Meeting held February 22 resulting in the Council committee recommending continuing the Cultural Commission until June 2027 b. Next step is a public hearing and then vote of the full City Council 2. Meeting with Derek Poitr a. The documentary filming was done on Friday February 24 and Feb. 26. b. Recording sessions for the public booked, publicity released, sign up form available 3. Meeting with Lisa Scales of the Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut (CAWC) a. Meetings about cooperation between CAWC and the Commission, and defining a Cultural District (as defined by the State) in Danbury. 4. Meeting with Lazaro Chavez of CenterCity Danbury a. Cooperation between the Commission and CenterCity b. Calendar - of note: Danbury International Festival July 29 & 30 c. The Commission and CenterCity will host Sidewalk Chalk day July 15 5. Meeting with rMedia a. First of a few fact finding meetings to determine if the Cultural Commission can/should act as a film commission as well. b. Most needed is a first contact location. Create a ‘one-stop-shop’ for producers. Remove friction. c. The Coordinator will reach out to GloPaul Productions and HatCity Pictures next 6. Designs for Danbury a. Additional discussion with Corporation Counsel about partnering with another group (such as Chamber of Commerce, CityCentre, or CWAC) where they provide the rules and the Commission provides the prize. The coordinator will explore this path. 7. Discussion with Irene Sherlock, re: the appointment of Poet Laureate a. A draft process document is ready for discussion. 8. Make Music Day a. Project coordinator John Fazio Jr. looking for a contact at Savings Bank of Danbury. b. By staggering performance times and locations, people will be directed to go from one end of Main Street to the other at least once. c. Planning to get instructors (for the library location). d. Danbury Music Centre planning a jam session at the Green prior to the evening concert. e. Websites for information and for signing up are almost ready for launch https://www.makemusicday.org/danbury/ f. Make Music Day Grant application ■ Request sent to Finance 1/30/232 for inclusion on the March Council agenda ■ Application sent after I explained again the Council meeting comes after the grant closing date. 9. CT Humanities grant created invoice #CCF-74723 a. Finance Department meeting scheduled Monday 2/27 to define for the process to make grants available to the Cultural Commission 10. Public Art - Organic Public Art presence (GSmith/PBS) a. The Coordinator was directed to a PBS news segment about downtown art exhibits for ideas which might translate for use in Danbury. Minutes of the Meeting Page 2 of 5 Approved: March 27, 2023 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 11. Update on Commission Objectives (as defined in the City Budget proposal 2023/24 a. Provide Equalable advocacy, and increase Diversity - meeting with Lisa Scales set up b. Explore participation with the CT Office of Film, Television & Digital Media - w/ rMedia c. Continue to increase the participation of younger audiences - no action d. Sponsor events - Question project w/ CAWC e. Expansion into the community - attend seminars: Main St. & A.I.R.(diversity inclusion) 12. Commission projects a. Literary Contests - underway b. Audio Drama - Planning has been started for Dracula in the spring c. Podcast interviews - will resume in March d. Sidewalk Chalk Art - partner with CityCenter e. City walking tours each quarter starting in the Spring partner with Danbury Museum f. Public Gardens Week May 12-21, 2023 photo shoot request partner with CityCenter g. Pothole art partner with City Public Works h. Make Music Day Mini-Grant of $1,000 applied for 13. Commissioners are invited to attend MACRICOSTAS, Entrepreneur of the Year award $300/table $35/individual Honoring Erik Landegren and Jonathan Soares 3/29 7:15AM @ Ethan Allen Hotel Appeals from Community groups: None Old Business 1. Discussion - Naming a Poet Laureate for the City (tabled from January) DISCUSSION: New Business 1. Approve Dues for Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut (CAWC) $120 MOTION: by GSmith to pay $120 for membership with CAWC. Seconded by AFaham. DISCUSSION: HCenter: What are some advantages of membership? GWencek: promotes cooperation among groups and individuals in Danbury and throughout the region. CALLED: passed by unanimous voice vote. 2. Approve Budget for Jane Jacobs Walk $275 ($250 for Danbury Museum, $25 refreshments) No Motion to proceed. DISCUSSION: AFaham would like details about what is presented by the docent. Also discussed is the route and length of the walk. GSmith wondered if a “tram” could be employed to make the tour easier for people who are not fully mobile. TABLED: The coordinator will research sidewalk transportation and obtain details from the Museum. JCoke will research the HART trolly. 3. Approve Budget for Podcast interview of Arts leaders program host up to $200 CLARIFICATION: The coordinator would like to hire an interviewer to facilitate starting this project. The sooner the Commission can build promotion of arts and cultural organizations the sooner the quality of life in Danbury can expand. The Coordinator does not have expertise for this project. Minutes of the Meeting Page 3 of 5 Approved: March 27, 2023 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 MOTION: by AFaham to allocate up to $200 for an Arts/Cultural organization interview series. Seconded by CHill DISCUSSION: HCenter: What project will this allocation cover? GWencek: The plan is to interview the leaders of Danbury’s arts organizations where they will explain their groups and how they intersect with the community. After the artists, the interviews will include cultural groups. The funding is for ‘gas’ reimbursement for the program host, Mimi Kelly, who lives out of town. JCooke wants to include a light lunch in the allocation. CALLED: Approved by unanimous voice vote. 4. Discuss printable brochure (JCooke) This was tabled many months ago. A draft has been circulated among the Commissioners and edits were discussed. The Coordinator will continue editing. JCooke will acquire quotes for printing. Action on Grant Requests: None Other Business ● JCooke: Contact at Danbury Savings Bank is Stacey Singer ● Commissioner Alma Fahan has a gallery opening Merch 2, 2023 at 120 Main Street Danbury ● EMoore: Western Connecticut State University has a good Jazz performance series ● AFaham: What is needed to start the Pothole Art project? The Coordinator will inquire with the Public Works, and Highway Departments and the Traffic Commission. Motion to adjourn at 7:40 Made by JCooke. 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 Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87101163457?pwd=K2JjbFpsQzk1d3N2NDdrSUtndzY3UT09 Meeting ID: 871 0116 3457 Passcode: 816120 One tap mobile: Dial by your location +19294362866,,87101163457 # US (New York) +1 929 436 2866 US (New York) Meeting ID: 871 0116 3457 Passcode: 816120 Meeting ID:871 0116 3457 Passcode: 816120 If the Zoom video connection is lost, call the backup phone conference at 1 605-475-4120 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: March 27, 2023 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 Concerts 2022-2023 - Music at the Ridge Sunday, February 5⋅4:00 – 6:00pm Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Danbury 24 Clapboard Ridge Rd, Danbury, CT 06811 Trailer Box Gallery 12 Francis J Clarke Circle- Bethel Ct. Western Connecticut State University Rodgers and Hammerstein's Allegro - WCSU Dept. of Theatre Arts Friday, February 24⋅8:00 – 10:00pm weekends, until Feb 26, 2023 Visual & Performing Arts Center, MainStage Theatre, 43 Lake Ave Ext, Danbury, CT 06811, USA 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/ *Events sponsored by the Commission Minutes of the Meeting Page 5 of 5 Approved: March 27, 2023 NOTE: Additional and supporting information can be found in the files at the Commission office.