Cultural Commission

CITY OF DANBURY CULTURAL COMMISSION 256 Main Street Danbury, Connecticut 06810 203 797 4508 May 20, 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, Jan Maria Jagush, Ed Moore, Deepti Nagaraja, Perry Price, Gregory Smith and Coordinator Gregory Wencek. Absent:Cheryl Hill. Presentation of Minutes The Minutes of the April meeting were presented. A motion by AFaham to accept the minutes as presented, seconded by PPrice. Passed by unanimous voice vote. Appeals from Community groups: 1. Musicals At Richter, $8,900 for 40th summer season by Robert Bria, Executive Director. The problems from the storm damage (hurricane knocked trees down demolishing the stage) and COVID-19 (pandemic) are diminishing. The schedule of programs is trending back to earlier levels: children’s programs and 3 shows. The lawn area is being renovated as part of the Richter Authority program.Construction should be finished by June but there is currently no place at the park to rehearse. Expenses are high as the rebuilding enters the third phase, which will include lighting updates. There is a matching grant initiative now to raise $40,000 to pay down the capital debt. The hope is to expand in future seasons to include performances from the CT Ballet and the Danbury Symphony. The lawn seating capacity has been reduced by the renovations to 300. JMJagush: do corporations buy blocks of seats? RBria: not recently. JCooke: Are there local sponsors? RBria: Yes and the list is expanding. 2. CityCenter - Withdrawn until the May meeting due to lack of application submitted. Public Comment: Communication: EMail: Commission projects: Make Music Day, Literary contests, Cleanup Day volunteers Reports on DCC sponsored events ● Jane Jacobs Walk - May 4 with 9 attendees ● Awards ceremony for Literary Contest Thursday, May 16⋅6:00 – 7:30pm ● Danbury Music Centre ○ Danbury Concert Chorus: Credo: I Believe! - Saturday, May 4⋅4:00 – 5:30pm ○ Community Band at the Charles Ives Birthplace Museum - Saturday, May 11⋅3:00 – 4:30pm ● Danbury Concert Association - Neave Trio: violin, cello, piano, May 19⋅3:00 – 4:30pm SFallon: Very good program ● S.L. Richter Association for the Arts - 2024 spring series ○ Roger Post Jazz Quartet Sunday, April 28⋅3:00 – 4:30pm EMoore: as always, a good show ○ Recital - Tobias Steymans Sunday, May 5⋅3:00 – 4:30pm ○ Sophia Agranovich - Piano Solo Sunday, May 12⋅3:00 – 4:30pm Minutes of the Meeting Page 1 of 6 Approved: June 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 ○ Catoonah Street Jazz, May 19⋅3:00 – 4:30pm EMoore: Was under the tent. 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 ● Danbury Railway Museum SFallon: First time going. An interesting collection. Very enjoyable. The Turntable is open to ride. ● Danbury Library ● Music at the Ridge - Joe Jencks May 5 4:00 – 6:00pm ● Saint Peter Church - Organ recital with New York City organist, Janet Yieh - 7 at Seven April 26 7:00 – 8:30pm ● City Center Danbury ○ Downtown Chowdown - City Center Thursday, May 2⋅11:30am – 1:30pm until June 27 ○ Fashion on Kennedy - CityCenter Saturday, May 18⋅11:00am – 3:00pm ● Palace Theater Danbury ● Go Public Gardens Days May 10-19, 2024 ● 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 ○ Die Fledermaus - WCSU Saturday, May 4⋅2:00 – 3:30pm ○ Jazz Festival weekend April 27⋅7:00 – 8:30pm EMoore: A fun time. Upcoming events See addendum. Coordinator’s Report 1. LAST CALL Iviono Brothers embroidered apparel. The order will go in early in June. 2. Literary awards went well, with technical glitches. The audio and video capture failed. Still images OK. 3. Poet Laureate announced at the Literary awards. 4. Walking tour May 4 to highlight theater buildings in Downtown had 9 participants. 5. Continued work with Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut for Arts and Culture Concierge Meetings. May 29th 5 PM Danbury Museum, 43 Main Street Co-host: Dby Cultural Commission, GWenck 6. Video research with Alma progressing. Project re-direct to another focus - “Did You Know?” a. Rather than produce short videos about the downtown architecture, the focus shifts to “interesting” sites throughout Danbury. 7. Derek Piotr’s CD from Fieldwork Archive is available soon. How many Commissioners would like a copy? 8. Hours logged this month: 58 excluding tonight with SCHEDULED 36 9. Website visits 217 ; 89 Desktop 125 mobile page views 367 . Minutes of the Meeting Page 2 of 6 Approved: June 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. Newsletter subscribers 191 up 1 from last month. Old Business: 1. Remove “Designs…” and leave on Creative Ideas. - GSmith SEE - Growth Ideas Committee 2. Community Enhancement award - AFaham a. Request up to $250 budget TABLED for additional discussion in June b. Next steps i. Future meeting - Nominations of groups who have done positive things for Danbury. Visit the ‘new’ Maker Space, as research, May 22 at 12:30. AFaham has details. ii. Committee will meet in June iii. Recommendations at June Meeting JMJagush suggests considering a “bowl” rather than a desk plaque for the award. 3. Move to add additional funding to Literary Contests for 2 additional Honorable Mention awards (total $100) and $25 for frames and certificates. Moved by AFaham to increase the budget for the Literary awards by $125 to include 2 additional Honorable mention awards and other misc expenses like the cost of the certificate frames. Seconded by PPrice. DISCUSSION: none CALLED: Passed by unanimous voice vote. 4. Request a motion to authorize the Coordinator with the approval of the Chairman, to make final adjustments to the budget allocations to match the City Finance Department allocations guidelines. Moved by JMJagush to approve the request for budget adjustment. Seconded by SFAllon and JCooke. DISCUSSION: EMoore: How close is the Commission budget to the City? GWencek within few hundred dollars. The exact City amounts are not known until just before the close of the fiscal year. EMoore: As long as the ‘adjustment doesn’t go past $1,000 the plan is acceptable. Request calling a special meeting for a large change. CALLED: Passed by unanimous voice vote. Growth Ideas Committee 1. “Creative Ideas” 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. New Business 1. Discussion of budget allocation Fiscal Year 2024/25 - SFallon Suggest a review of how to allocate the increased budget for FY 2024/25. It might be good to increase the percentages allocated to new projects rather than increasing amounts to existing organizations or individuals. Action on Grant Requests: 1. Musicals At Richter, $8,900 for 40th summer season by Robert Bria, Executive Director. Moved by JCooke to grant $7,000 to Musicals at Richter (MAR). Seconded by PPrice. Minutes of the Meeting Page 3 of 6 Approved: June 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 DISCUSSION: If the budget adjustment has a surplus it should be given to MAR.JMJaguish: This appears to undermine the previous vote to allow the Coordinator and Chairman to make the decision. EMoore: this would be for less than $1,000 of re-allocations by the Coordinator/Chairman. CALLED: Passed by unanimous voice vote. Other Business: JCooke: Will proceed with the Poems in Windows project. He will provide and distribute winning poems and stories to downtown businesses for placement in their windows. With the Commission logo on top of an 11X17 inch paper the works will increase awareness of the Cultural Commision and the students who have provided their works for this endeavor. Motion to adjourn at 7:58 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 Meeting ID: 890 2998 0558 Passcode: 816120 One tap mobile: Dial by your location +19294362866,,890 2998 0558# US (New York) +1 929 436 2866 US (New York) Meeting ID: 890 2998 0558 Passcode: 816120 Meeting ID: 890 2998 0558 Passcode: 816120 The meeting started at 6:30 and was not recorded by the Commission. Minutes of the Meeting Page 4 of 6 Approved: June 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 * Chauncey Street Blues Band - 2024 spring series Ultimate Rock Tribute Experience - Danbury Ice Arena Richter Association for the Arts Saturday, June 15⋅7:00 – 8:30pm Sunday, May 26⋅3:00 – 4:30pm Danbury Ice Arena, 72 Delay St, Danbury, CT Danbury Museum 43 Main St, Danbury, CT 06810 * Make Music Day - Cultural Commission * Art & Culture Concierge - Cultural Alliance of Western Friday, June 21⋅11:00am – 9:00pm Connecticut Wednesday, May 29⋅5:00 – 6:30pm Danbury Museum & Historical Society 43 Main St, Summer Concert s - CityCenter Friday, June 21⋅7:00 – Danbury, CT 10:00pm Ives Street Green, Ives St, Danbury, CT 06810 Choral Vespers with the St. Peter Parish Choir - 7 at Farmer's Market Danbury Saturday, June 22⋅10:00am – Seven Saint Peter Parish Friday, May 31⋅7:00 – 8:30pm 2:00pm until Oct 20, 2024 2 Ives St, Danbury, CT 06810 St Peter Church 104 Main St, Danbury, CT Hat City Flutes Anniversary Concert - Danbury Music Danbury Street Festival - CityCenter Centre Friday, June 21⋅7:30 – 9:00pm Saturday, June 1⋅12:00 – 6:00pm Danbury Music Centre, 256 Main Street, Danbury, CT Main Street Danbury, CT Concerts 2023-2024 Reggie Harris - Music at the Ridge Sunday, June 2⋅4:00 – 6:00pm Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Danbury *Events sponsored by the Commission 24 Clapboard Ridge Rd, Danbury, CT 06811 Still River Editions * Danbury Centre Strings - Danbury Music Centre First Ladies Paintings by Tina Sarno April 8 - June 28, Sunday, June 2⋅7:30 – 9:00pm 2024 Where: 128 East Liberty Street, Suite 3, Danbury, CT WCYO Spring Concert Sunday, June 2⋅4:00 – 5:30pm Description: First Ladies is an exhibition of oil paintings Visual & Performing Arts Center 43 Lake Ave Ext, by Tina Sarno of Silvermine, Connecticut. Sarno began Danbury, CT painting the series in 2018 at the suggestion of a friend, and she has painted over thirty-five to this date. Greek Experience Festival - Assumption Greek Orthodox Church community June 7 – 9, 2024 Trailer Box Gallery Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 30 Clapboard 12 Francis J Clarke Circle- Bethel Ct. Ridge Rd, Danbury, CT WCSU ART ALUMNI EXHIBITION Summer Concert s - CityCenter Friday, June 7⋅7:00 – THE GALLERY at the Visual & Performing Arts Center 10:00pm Weekly on Friday, until Aug 16, 2024 Ives Street WCSU, Westside Campus Green, Ives St, Danbury, CT * Connecticut Open House Day 2024 Western Connecticut State University Saturday, June 8⋅10:00am – 2:00pm * Danbury Symphony Orchestra: Annual Young People’s Concert - Danbury Music Centre Sunday, June 9⋅3:00 – 4:30pm WCSU, Ives Concert Hall, 181 White Street, Danbury, CT Minutes of the Meeting Page 5 of 6 Approved: June 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 NBC Local Impact Grant - 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 Approved: June 24, 2024 NOTE: Additional and supporting information can be found in the files at the Commission office.