Cultural Commission

CITY OF DANBURY CULTURAL COMMISSION 256 Main Street Danbury, Connecticut 06810 203 797 4508 April 22, 2024 Minutes of the Meeting Meeting called to order by Chairman Harvey Center at 6:30 pm with Commissioners: John Cooke, Alma Faham, Siubhan Fallon, Cheryl Hill, Jan Maria Jagush, Ed Moore, Perry Price, Gregory Smith and Coordinator Gregory Wencek. Absent: Deepti Nagaraja. Attending from the public: Brailyn Rodriquez, chairperson of the Mayor's Community Advisory Committee (MCAC) on Arts and Culture. Presentation of Minutes The Minutes of the March meeting were presented. A motion by GSmith to accept the minutes as presented, seconded by PPrice. Passed by unanimous voice vote. Appeals from Community groups: 1. Salt and Light Ministries $1,500 for Juneteenth by Jacqueline Elam, BOD Treasurer. Annual event celebrating the rich history of African Americans through music, art, dance, poetry, food and song. This is the 3rd year where 3 groups have consolidated to offer one larger program. The Museum is participating as well with an exhibit. All funds go to the event, managed by volunteers. Vendors pay $50 /table and not-for-profits are no cost to participate. Any financial surplus goes toward next year’s event for down payments. There are plans to move indoors for inclement weather. 2. CityCenter - Withdrawn until the May meeting due to lack of application submitted. Public Comment: Brailyn Rodriquez, Chairman, MCAC asking for promotional assistance with their public survey. Also opines that there could be more City sponsored public events provided for citizens, such an open mic night. Communication: EMail: Commission projects: Make Music Day, Literary contests, Cleanup Day volunteers Reports on DCC sponsored events ● Danbury Music Centre ○ Big Band Dance and Concert - Danbury Music Centre Saturday, April 13⋅7:30 – 9:00pm ○ Danbury Community Orchestra Violinist Deni Bonet - Danbury Music Centre Friday, April 19⋅7:30 – 9:00pm ● Live reading of "Sunshine" by Danbury High School students Wednesday, April 3⋅7:00 – 8:30pm ● S.L. Richter Association for the Arts - 2024 spring series ○ Kristen Plumley, Matthew Ciuffitelli, & David Maiullo Sunday, April 14⋅3:00 – 4:30pm HCenter: These were top notch performers. ○ Rebecca Eng and Florence Liu Sunday, April 21⋅3:00 – 4:30pm EMoore: There was a good crowd. A good performance. ○ Roger Post Jazz Quartet Sunday, April 28⋅3:00 – 4:30pm Danbury events not sponsored by the Commission ● Danbury Music Centre Minutes of the Meeting Page 1 of 6 Proposed: April 24, 2024 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 ● Danbury Museum ○ Guided Tours of 4 Danbury Museum Historic Buildings on our Main Street campus ○ Guided Tours of the Ives Homestead ● Danbury Railway Museum ● Danbury Library ● Music at the Ridge - The Kennedys April 7 4:00 – 6:00pm ● City Center Danbury ○ Easter Festival - City Center Saturday, March 30⋅2:00 – 6:00pm ○ Holi Festival - CityCenter Saturday, April 6⋅12:00 – 3:00pm ● Palace Theater Danbury ● Galleries ○ Trailer Box Gallery ○ Gallery of the Visual and Performing Arts Center WCSU Westside campus, 43 Lake Ave. Extension ■ The MFA Thesis Exhibition: Six graduate students will present their thesis work this year: Amy Caco, Lucy Gallagher, Taylor Green, Andrew Mark, William J Parrott III, and Denise Rosa. Feb 21 – April 6, 2024 ○ Gallery at Still River Editions 128 E Liberty St. ■ First Ladies Paintings by Tina Sarno April 9 until Jun 29, 2024 ● in VIEW project Main Street Danbury ● WCSU ○ The Donkey Show: A Midsummer Night's Disco April 5 until April 14 ○ The Crucible Friday, April 19 until Apr 29, 2024 Upcoming events See addendum. Coordinator’s Report 1. Budget hearings a. Council Ad hoc Committee voted to approve the Mayor’s proposal at $84,000 for this Commission. b. The Cultural Commission spoke in favor of the budget at the Council Public hearing - Minutes are not yet available online 2. Literary awards will be May 16 in White hall, as has been the tradition. a. Short Stories Judge is again Dr. Oscar De Los Santos from Westconn. b. 5 from DHS and 2 from IHS for a total of 7 c. Poems is again Judge Dr. Brian Clements from Westconn. d. 52 from DHS, 19 from ACE, 6 from IHS for a total of 76 e. The Master of Ceremonies will be Tom Zarecki of Westconn. 3. Next Walking tour is May 4 step off at 10 A.M. to highlight theater buildings in Downtown. A few participants have already signed up. 4. Continued work with Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut for Arts and Culture Concierge Meeting, May 29th 5 PM at the Danbury Museum, 43 Main Street. Co-host: Danbury Cultural Commission, GWencek 5. Work continues on the redesign of the follow up form to include new data points like where an audience comes from and age range information. 6. Video research with AFaham progressing. Expect releases to start in May 7. Poet Laureate announcement should come from the Mayor soon. 8. Hours worked in March: 50; in April: 57 (as of 4/22) with SCHEDULED 36 hours 9. Ongoing training : Senator Murphy Grant availability seminar 4/15. Minutes of the Meeting Page 2 of 6 Proposed: April 24, 2024 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 10. New pricing from Iviono Brothers, same items as last year if any commissioner would like to buy their own shirt or hoodie. Old Business: 1. TABLED until May “Designs for Danbury ”ad hoc Committee to review ideas to stimulate cultural and artistic growth in the City being prioritized. Serving on the Committee are GSmith, AFaham, and JCooke. 2. TABLED until May Commission achievement award - AFaham 3. Marketing a. Retractable sign - EMoore and JMJagush Order submitted. Waiting for delivery. Also ordered was a table runner - both donated by JMJagush. Growth Ideas Committee: 1. TABLED until May Prioritize ideas from Commissioner's input for Mayoral discussion New Business: 1. Find an historian to conduct a tour(s) of our cemeteries drawing an audience — GSmith GSmith: invisions a tour going from cemetery to cemetery in the City. JMJagush: Woodbury conducts a tour around Halloween, which could be done here. COMMENT: plan for Halloween or Day of the Dead. 2. Approve Funding for Connecticut Open House Day ($50), Neighborhood Walk ($25), Web site URL Registration / Hosting ($250), Sidewalk Chalk Day ($25) Moved by AFaham, seconded by CHill, to allocate $350 for the projects proposed. DISCUSSION: These amounts are to cover incidental expenses, the web site is the most important. CALLED: Passed by unanimous voice vote. Action on Grant Requests: 1. Salt and Light Ministries $1,500 for Juneteenth. Moved by CHill to approve $1,000 for “Juneteenth”. Seconded by AFaham. DISCUSSION: CHill: the previous request was thought to be low and this program should be supported. CALLED: Passed by Unanimous voice vote. Other Business 1. JCooke proposes a project to use the winning entries of the literary contests, placing the works onto posters and making them viewable in business windows and lobbies. 2. SFallon proposes asking students to redesign the Commission’s website. MCAC is also working on a website which will highlight the cultural and artistic events in Danbury including a calendar. 3. SFallon notes a working relationship with Connecticut Institute for Communities would be helpful. 4. JMJagush notes she published a survey to get an understanding of how residents ‘feel’ about Downtown Danbury. In response to that questionnaire she is also, personally, working on a project to add decorative lighting to historic buildings and other ornamental lighting to downtown. Motion to adjourn at 7:40 Made by CHill. Passed by Unanimous voice vote. Minutes of the Meeting Page 3 of 6 Proposed: April 24, 2024 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 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 Meeting ID: 882 6830 4488 Passcode: 816120 One tap mobile: Dial by your location +19294362866,,88268304488# US (New York) +1 929 436 2866 US (New York) Meeting ID: 882 6830 4488 Passcode: 816120 Meeting ID: 882 6830 4488 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 6 Proposed: April 24, 2024 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 Large Jazz Ensembles - Western Connecticut State Organ recital with New York City organist, Janet Yieh - 7 University at Seven Saint Peter Parish Sunday, March 24⋅7:00 – 8:30pm Friday, April 26⋅7:00 – 8:30pm Veronica Hagman Concert Hall 43 Lake Avenue Ext. St Peter Church 104 Main St, Danbury, CT 06810 Danbury, CT 06811 * Roger Post Jazz Quartet - 2024 spring series Richter Easter Festival - City Center Association for the Arts Saturday, March 30⋅2:00 – 6:00pm Sunday, April 28⋅3:00 – 4:30pm Ives Street Green, Ives St, Danbury, CT 06810 Richter Association-The Arts 100 Aunt Hack Rd, 06811 Danbury, CT 06811, Holi Festival - CityCenter Saturday, April 6⋅12:00 – 3:00pm Ives Street Green, Ives St, Danbury, CT 06810 *Events sponsored by the Commission * Chang Ho Lim & Rachel Choo - Violin & Piano Duo - Still River Editions 2024 spring series Richter Association for the Arts MOM UPDATES: The Photographs Sunday, April 7⋅3:00 – 4:30pm January 13 - March 29, 2024 Richter Association-The Arts 100 Aunt Hack Rd, Where: 128 East Liberty Street, Suite 3, Danbury, CT Danbury, CT 06811 Description: Photographs by Bruce George Wingate 128 East Liberty Street, Danbury, Connecticut Concerts 2023-2024 The Kennedys - Music at the Ridge Sunday, April 7⋅4:00 – 6:00pm Trailer Box Gallery Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Danbury 12 Francis J Clarke Circle- Bethel Ct. 24 Clapboard Ridge Rd, Danbury, CT 06811 WCSU ART ALUMNI EXHIBITION * Big Band Dance and Concert - Danbury Music Centre THE GALLERY at the Visual & Performing Arts Center Saturday, April 13⋅7:30 – 9:00pm WCSU, Westside Campus Danbury Music Centre 256 Main St, Danbury, CT 06810 * Kristen Plumley, Matthew Ciuffitelli, & David Maiullo - Western Connecticut State University 2024 spring series Richter Association for the Arts Sunday, April 14⋅3:00 – 4:30pm Richter Association-The Arts 100 Aunt Hack Rd, The Donkey Show: A Midsummer Night's Disco - WCSU Danbury, CT 06811 Friday, April 5⋅8:00 – 10:00pm Weekly on Sunday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, until Apr * Danbury Community Orchestra Violinist Deni Bonet - 15, 2024 Danbury Music Centre Studio Theatre - Visual and Performing Arts Center at Friday, April 19⋅7:30 – 9:00pm WCSU 43 Lake Avenue Extension Danbury, CT Visual & Performing Arts Center 43 Lake Ave Ext, Danbury, CT 06811 The Crucible - WCSU Friday, April 19⋅8:00 – 10:00pm until Apr 29, 2024 * Rebecca Eng and Florence Liu - 2024 spring series MainStage Theatre - Visual and Performing Arts Center Richter Association for the Arts at WCSU 43 Lake Avenue Extension Danbury, CT 06811 Sunday, April 21⋅3:00 – 4:30pm Richter Association-The Arts 100 Aunt Hack Rd, Danbury, CT 06811 Minutes of the Meeting Page 5 of 6 Proposed: April 24, 2024 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 Available Grants: The Elizabeth L. Mahaffey Arts Administration Fellowship is currently closed EMPOWER Grant Program is currently closed Walmart Overview The General Operating Support for Theaters and Performing Community Grants range from a minimum of $250 to Groups program is currently closed the maximum grant of $5,000. Strategic Partnership Grants are currently closed The Artists Respond program Closed until 2025 Organizations must submit an online application to be ● Program guidelines and application available in late considered for funding. spring or early summer 2025. The 2024 grant cycle begins Feb. 1, 2024 and the ● Application deadline in late summer 2025. application deadline is Dec. 31, 2024. American Theater Wing Applications may be submitted at any time during this The American Theatre Wing Training Scholarships funding cycle. Please note that applications will only CLOSED remain active in our system for 90 days, and at the end of this period they will be automatically rejected. The Andrew Lloyd Webber Initiative CLOSED Organizations may only submit and/or receive 25 Grant funding can be used for: applications. Essential resources and equipment fundamental to arts education, Areas of Funding: (Partial list) specifically focused on enhancing learning in the area of theatre. Quality of life: Improving access to recreation, arts Classroom Resources Grants CLOSED. or cultural experiences for low income individuals Teachers can apply directly for resources they need to build and enhance their program in order to best nurture young talent in their and families in the United States schools. This can be musical instruments, lighting equipment, sound Education: Providing after school enrichment, equipment, or costumes, to name a few examples. tutoring or vocational training for low income Songwriting Challenge Closed individuals and families in the United States National Theatre Company Grants Closed http://giving.walmart.com/walmart-foundation/co Jonathan Larson Grants CLOSED mmunity-grant-program The grant is awarded to musical theatre composers, lyricists, and librettists, or writing teams, early in their career, to support artistic endeavors and safeguard long-term music writing careers. State of CT Artist Fellowship Program Closed until spring ● Program guidelines and application available in late Americans for the Arts spring or early summer 2024. Creative Spirit Fund Closed ● Application deadline in late summer 2024. Every Child Art Experience - CLOSED The Every Child Art Experience grant is a $2,500 award given directly US Congress to schools to support taking students to an out of school art Congressional Art 2-24 Competition OPEN experience. Experiencing and participating in art is an essential part The deadline is Friday March 29, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. of creating strong communities and developing healthy, engaged, and creative students. Understanding that not all students have equal access to the arts, this program seeks to close the gap in access and CT Humanities Upcoming Grants Deadlines prioritizes school in Alliance and Opportunity Districts. More March 1: Sponsorships up to $2,000 information on Alliance and Opportunity. February 23: Quick Grants $250-$4,999 Connecticut Arts Endowment Fund (CAEF) - CLOSED April 26: Planning Grants $5,000-$25,000 Funds may be used for operating expenses, to ensure the long-term April 5 Implementation Grants $5,000-$35,000 stability of Connecticut’s arts industry by providing funding to April 5 Capacity Grants $1,500-$9,999 organizations. The Supporting Arts grant program CLOSED General operating support to help Connecticut’s arts organizations and municipal arts departments cover programmatic costs associated with their mission-related work. This type of grant is flexible and gives the grantee the ability to use the funds where they are most needed. The Connecticut Arts Endowment currently closed Minutes of the Meeting Page 6 of 6 Proposed: April 24, 2024 NOTE: Additional and supporting information can be found in the files at the Commission office.