Cultural Commission

CITY OF DANBURY CULTURAL COMMISSION 256 Main Street Danbury, Connecticut 06810 203 797 4508 July 22, 2024 Minutes of the Meeting Meeting called to order by Chairman Harvey Center at 6:30 pm with Commissioners: John Cooke, Siubhan Fallon, Cheryl Hill, Jan Maria Jagush, Ed Moore, Deepti Nagaraja, Gregory Smith and Coordinator Gregory Wencek. Absent: Alma Faham,and Perry Price. Presentation of Minutes ● The Minutes of the June meeting were presented. A motion by GSmith to accept the minutes as presented, seconded by JCooke. Passed by unanimous voice vote. Appeals from Community groups: 1. Danbury Museum and Historical Society $17,000 for the 150th Birthday International Celebration by Brigid Gurtin: Executive Director, Michele Amundsen: Asst. Director, Laura Flatchbart President Danbury Music Centre. 2024 is a good year for Music. The Museum was participating in the Marian Anderson renaming of a Philadelphia concert Hall by displaying some of the artifacts from the collection. This year also marks the 150th anniversary of Charles Ives’ birth in Danbury. An international performance program is being produced by the Museum and the Music Centre. Performers and dignitaries from Canada and Mexico will be in Danbury to participate, joining local artists in the Ives Concert Hall at Western Connecticut State University’s Ives Hall in honor of Ives. This is the only Ives event in the North East United States. The week’s programs should be free to the public for maximum participation and inclusion. A focus is for younger audiences. Interest is intense and seating is limited. The Museum is working on providing a closed circuit TV to accommodate a larger audience, which will incur an increase of performance rights. This grant request is to cover the cost of the performers, $17,000. The rest of the $42,000+ of expenses will be covered by other grants and donations. In addition to the performances there will be Master Classes offered and other events are in the works. DNagaraja: Why is this request so large, in the wake of the large addition to the Museum’s budget this year? BGurtin: The Museum Authority is not fully funded by the City. The Mayor used American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) state funding for some of the shortfall in the previous year and they are still underfunded for this year. This Ives program is over and above any of the ‘usual’ programs offered by the museum. Public Comment: None. Communication: EMail: Make Music Day, Events listings Mail: Thank you note from Brian Walsh, Music Scholarship recipient at Danbury High School Reports on DCC sponsored events ● Poetry reading and Open Mic Third Thursday July 18 6:30pm Minutes of the Meeting Page 1 of 6 Approved: July 22, 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 GWencek: There were 12 audience members with 3 Commissioners: JCooke, AFaham, and SFallon. A nice turnout and a good event. ● Musicals at Richter ○ Disney's Beauty and the Beast - Musicals at Richter Weekly on Sunday, Friday, Saturday, until Jul 20, 2024⋅8:30 – 10:00pm EMoore: his night was canceled by rain. SFallon: The performance was good. AFaham and DNagaraja also attended. DNagaraja concurred that the show was good. ○ Fairy Tale Theater - Musicals at Richter Saturday, July 6⋅10:30am – 12:00pm ■ JULY 6 SLEEPING BEAUTY ■ JULY 13 THE FROG PRINCESS ■ JULY 20 LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD THE KASOGANAGA -- a tale from the Andes Mountains ■ JULY 27 THE LITTLE MERMAID by Hans Christian Andersen Danbury events not sponsored by the Commission ● Danbury Music Centre ○ Hat City Flutes Anniversary Concert - Danbury Music Centre Friday, June 21⋅7:30 – 9:00pm ○ Silent Film Night – Buster Keaton’s “Sherlock Jr.” with live musical accompaniment Danbury Music Centre Saturday, July 20⋅8:00 – 9:00pm ● Noteworthy - Family Concert Sunday, June 23⋅7:00 – 8:30pm ● Flag Raising in celebration of Lebanon American Day Sunday, June 30⋅12:00 – 12:30pm ● Candlewood Fireworks Saturday, June 29⋅6:30 – 10:30pm ● FREE MOVIE NIGHT - Danbury Parks and Recreation ⋅Tuesday, 8:45 – 10:15pm ○ July 2: Migration ○ July 9: Under the Boardwalk ○ July 16: Trolls Band Together Town Park Closed for the day ○ July 23: How to Train your Dragon ● Christel Davis Memorial Outdoor Summer Carillon Concerts - Saint James Episcopal Church Wednesday ⋅1:00 – 1:30pm ○ July 3: Kristin O'Connor Vece Former Carillonneur at Saint James's Danbury, CT ○ July 10: Carla Staffaroni Carillonneur at Riverside Church New York, NY ○ July 17: Austin Ferguson Carillonneur at Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN ● Danbury Museum ○ Guided Tours of 4 Danbury Museum Historic Buildings on our Main Street campus ○ Guided Tours of the Ives Homestead ● Danbury Railway Museum Railway Post Office Dog Day - Saturday, July 13⋅10:00am – 4:00pm ● Danbury Library ● City Center Danbury ○ Downtown Chowdown - City Center Thursday, May 2⋅11:30am – 1:30pm until June 27 ○ Summer Concert series Apollo’s Band Friday, July 5⋅7:00 – 10:00pm ○ Summer Concert series Anchor Management Friday, July 12⋅7:00 – 10:00pm ○ Farmer's Market Danbury Saturday, June 22⋅10:00am – 2:00pm Weekly on Saturday, until Oct 20, 2024 JMJagush: In the event of rain the Farmers Market moved to the 4th floor of the Patriot Garage. ● Palace Theater Danbury ○ Sons of Skynyrd - The Palace Danbury Saturday, July 13⋅8:00 – 9:30pm ● 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. ■ First Ladies Paintings by Tina Sarno April 9 until Jun 29, 2024 ■ Surface Tension Photographs by Catherine Vanaria July 8 - September 27, 2024 ● in VIEW project Main Street Danbury ● WCSU Minutes of the Meeting Page 2 of 6 Approved: July 22, 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 See addendum. Coordinator’s Report 1. Make Music Day 2024 a. Still need a post mortem to be scheduled to document the work John Fazio Jr. has done. b. Grant income will be dispersed in August, Invoice from event coordinator received. c. Ask to re-authorize the vote to spend the Grant. 2. Carillon concerts continue this July 24 and 31. SFallon: Commissioners GSmith, AFAham, SFallon and Coordinator GWencek attended the 1st concert at the Library plaza. The event was nice but hot. 3. I am preparing an explanation of how the budget reports are made and how to read them. SFallon is assisting. 4. Video project “Did You Know?”with Alma progressing. Scripts written and the first few shot with releases every few days. 5. Sidewalk chalk soon. Postpone until Sept 13, a good day for CityCenter 6. Meeting will be set up with IT re: redesign of website Meghan Teata assisted by DNagaraja and SFallon. DNagaraja asked to be the lead for this project. GWencek will contact FGentile to update him. 7. I will be meeting with Laz of City Centre to coordinate schedules. 8. Creating a Cultural Center in Danbury 2007.pdf 9. Hours logged this month: 71 with SCHEDULED 36 10. Website visits 151 from 147 ; 75 Desktop 72 mobile. Unique views 129 . 11. Newsletter subscribers 189 down 1 from last month. 12. City Hall digital sign board graphics dimensions are: 1080 x 432 px, and must be a jpg file. Old Business: 1. Revisit the compensation amount for the Coordinator. The amount approved, breaks down to an amount with pennies. The Coordinator asks that the amount be reduced to $15,600 so the monthly amount is even. Moved by GSmith to reduce the Coordinator’s payment from $16,000 to $15,600 to make bookkeeping ‘neater’. Seconded by EMoore. DISCUSSION: CHill suggests raising the amount to $16,800 which also results in ‘rounded’ payments. GWencek: More funds should be spent on projects less on administrative expenses. CALLED: Passed by 4 yes 3 no, show of hands vote. 2. Reauthorize the disbursement of the State Make Music Day grant funds. Moved by JMJagush to authorize the disbursement of the Make Music Day grant income on make music day expenses as allowed. Seconded by SFallon. DISCUSSION: EMoore: asked what happens to the funds if not approved? GWencek: They will be returned to the State. There are specific allowable items to which these funds can be applied. CALLED: Passed by unanimous voice vote. Growth Ideas Committee 1. Award ordered and presentation date to be determined. Minutes of the Meeting Page 3 of 6 Approved: July 22, 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 New Business 1. Documentation: Deepti Nagaraja - Can the Coordinator make available routine business and contact information so as to reduce the number of times Commissioners have to ask the Coordinator for that information. GWencek: All documents are kept in the City’s Google Drive and Information Technology also has access to all information. The Coordinator will make a separate folder in the City’s Google Drive directory which can be shared with Commissioners. It is also noted that much of the information is ‘public’ and is already available through the City website. Action on Grant Requests 1. Danbury Museum and Historical Society $17,000 for the 150th Birthday International Celebration. Moved by JMJagush to grant $4,000 for the project. No second Moved by CHill to grant $10,000 for the project, seconded by EMoore DISCUSSION: EMoore: Why don’t we give the full amount? HCenter: This amount is close to 20% of the entire budget available. SFallon: we want to have money for other things during the year. JMJagush: this is the first month of the new fiscal year. The Commissioners must pace the giving amounts. SFallon: With the increased amount in this year’s budget we could give the full amount and still fully fund everyone else to last year’s levels. JMJagush: this is spending too fast. EMoore: This is a one time event. HCenter: This is Danbury and it is an Ives event. CALLED: 5 yes and 2 no, by show of hands. Other Business: JCooke would like to pursue a concert by “On the Trail”. The Consensus is to proceed. Motion to adjourn at 7:46 Made by SFallon. 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: 843 1938 7242 Passcode: 816120 One tap mobile: Dial by your location +1929436843 1938 72427# US (New York) +1 929 436 2866 US (New York) Meeting ID: 843 1938 7242 Passcode: 816120 Meeting ID: 843 1938 7242 Passcode: 816120 The meeting started at 6:30 and was not recorded by the Commission. Minutes of the Meeting Page 4 of 6 Approved: July 22, 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 Farmer's Market Danbury Saturday, June 22⋅10:00am – Acoustic Alchemy - The Palace Danbury 2:00pm until Oct 20, 2024 2 Ives St, Danbury, CT 06810 Saturday, July 27⋅8:00 – 9:30pm The Palace Danbury 165 Main St, Danbury, CT 06810 * Disney's Beauty and the Beast - Musicals at Richter Weekly on Sunday, Friday, Saturday, until Jul 21, 2024 * Ballet Under the Stars - Connecticut Ballet Musicals at Richter 100 Aunt Hack Rd, Danbury, CT Monday, July 29⋅7:00 – 8:30pm 06811 Richter Art Center 100 Aunt Hack Rd, Danbury, CT 06811 * Fairy Tale Theater - Musicals at Richter Christel Davis Memorial Outdoor Summer Carillon 10:30am – 12:00pm Weekly on Saturday, until Jul 28, Concerts - Saint James Episcopal Church 2024 Wednesday, July 31⋅12:00 – 12:30pm Musicals at Richter 100 Aunt Hack Rd, Danbury, CT George Matthew, Jr. Carillonneur Middlebury College 06811 and Norwich University Middlebury, VT St James Episcopal Church 25 West St, Danbury, CT * Third Thursday Poetry 06810 Thursday, July 18⋅10:30am – 12:00pm Danbury Cultural Commission 256 Main St, Danbury, CT Trailblazing concert - Western Connecticut Youth 06810 Orchestra Saturday, August 10⋅7:00 – 9:00pm FREE MOVIE NIGHT - Danbury Parks and Recreation WCSU, Ives Concert Hall, 181 White Street, Danbury, Tuesday, July 23⋅8:45 – 10:15pm How to Train your 06810 Dragon DANSEREYE - THE FIFTH TEMPERAMENT - Ballet Christel Davis Memorial Outdoor Summer Carillon OPENING Saturday, August 10⋅7:30 – 9:30pm and Aug Concerts - Saint James Episcopal Church 11, 2024 Wednesday, July 24⋅12:00 – 12:30pm MainStage Theatre 43 Lake Avenue Extension Danbury, John Widmann Carillonneur at The Joseph Dill Baker CT 06811 Memorial Carillon Frederick, VA St James Episcopal Church 25 West St, Danbury, CT Acoustic music Concerts 2024-2025 - Music at the Ridge 06810 Sunday, August 11⋅4:00 – 6:00pm Fred Small Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Danbury Chamber Music Intensive - Danbury Music Centre 24 Clapboard Ridge Rd, Danbury, CT 06811 Thursday, July 25⋅7:30 – 9:00pm *Grease - Musicals at Richter *Events sponsored by the Commission OPENING NIGHT Friday, July 26⋅12:00 – 1:30pm Weekly on Sunday, Friday, Saturday, until Aug 11, 2024 Visual Galleries: 100 Aunt Hack Rd, Danbury, CT 06811 Still River Editions Summer Concert s - CityCenter 128 East Liberty Street, Suite 3, Danbury, CT Friday, July 26⋅7:00 – 10:00pm Not Sorry Ives Street Green, Ives St, Danbury, CT 06810 Trailer Box Gallery 12 Francis J Clarke Circle- Bethel Ct. Danbury International Festival - CityCenter Saturday, July 27⋅1:00 – 9:00pm THE GALLERY at the Visual & Performing Arts Center Ives Street Green, Ives St, Danbury, CT 06810 WCSU, Westside Campus Western Connecticut State University Minutes of the Meeting Page 5 of 6 Approved: July 22, 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: July 22, 2024 NOTE: Additional and supporting information can be found in the files at the Commission office.