Cultural Commission

CITY OF DANBURY CULTURAL COMMISSION 256 Main Street Danbury, Connecticut 06810 203 797 4508 August 26, 2024 Minutes of the Meeting Meeting called to order by Chairman Harvey Center at 6:30 pm with Commissioners: Alma Faham, Siubhan Fallon, Jan Maria Jagush, Ed Moore, Deepti Nagaraja, Gregory Smith and Coordinator Gregory Wencek. Absent: John Cooke, Cheryl Hill, and Perry Price. Presentation of Minutes ● The Minutes of the July meeting were presented. A motion by AFaham to accept the minutes as presented, seconded by GSmith. Passed by unanimous vote. Appeals from Community groups: None Public Comment: Two people attended, together. Pam Brown noted: She finds nowhere someone can go to express their culture. She and her friend are looking for activities in Danbury. They are also looking for a Grant to establish an art program based on Main Street. Communication: EMail: Brailyn Rodriguez - Request for Guidance and Assistance with Garden of Lights Event, Volunteers for CT Building BigE, IT re: Website design, Simar Kaur re: youth Poet Laureate, Arts funding for schools and students, WCSU Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration, Press releases and newsletters, Mail: Thank you from Music Centre and Garden Club to Chairman Center Phone: Music Centre re: September agenda and reporting requirements, Artist looking for assistance to rent space for an art school on Main Street In person: Shaun Ratchford re: cooperation among departments and commissions, Reports on DCC sponsored events ● Poetry reading and Open Mic Third Thursday July 18 6:30pm ● Musicals at Richter ○ Grease - Musicals at Richter Weekly on Sunday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, until August 10, 2024⋅8:30 – 10:00pm EMoore: went to Grease at Musicals At Richter. It was a good show. SFallon also went to Grease and concurs that the performance was good. Both lament the number of ‘rain-outs’ this season. ○ Fairy Tale Theater - Musicals at Richter JULY 27 10:30am – 12:00pm THE LITTLE MERMAID ○ Seussical Jr - Summer Youth … Workshop at Musicals at Richter, August 15, 16, & 17⋅7:30 – 9:00pm Danbury events not sponsored by the Commission ● Danbury Music Centre ○ Chamber Music Intensive August 5 - 16. Concert August 16 7:30 - 8:30pm ● Western Connecticut Youth Orchestra ○ AN EVENING OF CHAMBER MUSIC - Friday, August 2⋅7:00 – 8:30pm ○ Charles Ives Music Festival ORCHESTRAS - Thursday, August 8⋅7:00 – 8:30pm ○ Trailblazing concert - Saturday, August 10⋅7:00 – 9:00pm Minutes of the Meeting Page 1 of 7 Approved: September 23, 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 ● Annual Italian Festival - Amerigo Vespucci Lodge August 2, 3, & 4⋅various times ● San Gennaro festival - CityCenter August 21 – 25, 2024 Commissioners SFallon, DNagaraja, AFaham attended over the week. It was bigger and better than previous years. It is growing in popularity. ● Ecuadorian Independence Day Flag raising Saturday, August 10⋅10:00 – 10:30am ● FREE MOVIE NIGHT - Danbury Parks and Recreation ⋅Tuesday, 8:45 – 10:15pm ○ July 23: How to Train your Dragon ● Christel Davis Memorial Outdoor Summer Carillon Concerts - Saint James Episcopal Church Wednesday ⋅1:00 – 1:30pm ○ July 24: John Widmann Carillonneur at The Joseph Dill Baker Memorial Carillon Frederick, VA ○ July 31: George Matthew, Jr. Carillonneur Middlebury College and Norwich University Middlebury, VT ● 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 Railway Days - Railway Museum Sunday, August 4⋅10:00am – 4:00pm ● Danbury Library ● The BookSmiths Shoppe - Book Signing ○ You Thought It Was More: Book Signing and Live Band Party Friday, August 9⋅7:00 – 8:30pm ○ Author Anastasia Mills Healy 100 Things To Do In Connecticut Before You Die August 24⋅1:30 – 3:00pm ● Acoustic music Concerts 2024-2025 Fred Small - Music at the Ridge Sunday, August 11⋅4:00 – 6:00pm ● City Center Danbury ○ Danbury International Festival - CityCenter Saturday, July 27⋅1:00 – 9:00pm ○ Summer Concert series ⋅7:00 – 10:00pm ○ Farmer's Market Danbury Saturday, June 22⋅10:00am – 2:00pm Weekly on Saturday, until Oct 20, 2024 ● 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 ○ DANSEREYE - THE FIFTH TEMPERAMENT August 9 & 10⋅7:30 – 9:30pm Upcoming events See addendum. Coordinator’s Report 1. Make Music Day 2024 Final Grant report submitted 2. Musicals at Richter closed Grease after rain forced schedule changes. 3. Meeting with Shaun Ratchford, Parks and Rec director re: cooperative projects ie: park(ing) day a. Welcomes cooperation. If DCC wants to attend any events and hand out fliers we are welcome., just let him know when. b. Is committed to Park(ing) Day 4. Posting to Flipboard, how is it going? 5. New grants are available for schools. An eMail was sent to Dr. M. Obre, Fine Arts chair, and Superintendent letting them know. Minutes of the Meeting Page 2 of 7 Approved: September 23, 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 JMJagush: A good contact at the Board of Education is Theresa Buzaid (buzait@danbury.k12.ct.us) 6. Sidewalk chalk canceled for this season. I will reschedule for late spring 2025. 7. Meeting with IT re: redesign of website with Meghan Teata to be lead by DNagaraja 8. I will be meeting with Laz of City Centre to coordinate schedules when he returns from vacation.. 9. I am working with SFallon is to make a new Budget report. 10. Office computer was out of service, but repaired by IT 11. Business supports the arts breakfast is October 10. 12. Request for help with starting a Garden of Light event at the Danbury Museum project resulted in my sharing the proposal with the Museum Director, Brigid Gurtin, and both of us agree the proposal needs much more work. It appears to be fully Artificial Intelligence (AI) generated and lacks specifics needed for success. The Museum also does not think their garden is appropriate for this type of project. Both of us are willing to work with Mr. Rodriguez to help improve his proposal. 13. Hours logged this month: 55 with SCHEDULED 36 14. Website visits last 30 days 81 from 151 ; 59 Desktop 19 mobile. Unique views 78 . 15. Newsletter subscribers 188 down 1 from last month. 16. Meeting the goals stated in the Finance budget document a. Improve incoming Grant application process - charter revision to eliminate council vote b. Provide Equalable advocacy, and increase Diversity - video shorts running c. Explore participation with the CT Office of Film, Television & Digital Media - CT Legislature did not eliminate film credits this session. d. Continue to increase the participation of younger audiences - working with Parks dept. e. Sponsor events - Did you know… f. Expansion into the community - on going 17. Using EV Charging Stations to Drive Traffic to Main Street with Charge Deals - was zoom recorded and is available for Commissioners to view. Commissioners noted there are chargers in the municipal parking garages and the Mall. Old Business: 1. Re-approve payment for 250 brochures from Bethel Printing $115.00. Brochures have been delivered and are stored in the stationary closet. MOVED by EMoore to approve the payment, Seconded by SFallon. No DISCUSSION. CALLED: Passed. 2. Did You Know… video series on track. The Museum noted that there are a few factual mistakes in some videos. The Museum Director asked to fact check the scripts before recording. AFaham will make a best effort to comply. 3. Website redesign (DNagaraja) The Commission’s website is difficult to navigate and needs to be de-cluttered. City IT Director has put the Commission in touch with a contractor (Albert) who can be hired to redesign a website. So far he has provided an estimate of $1.600. A second contractor also estimates $1,600 for the work. No designs have been proposed or offered. The proposal is based on a website with 5 tabs. A third estimate will be secured and can be discussed at the next meeting. SFallon is assisting. The Coordinator would also like to help. Frank Gentile, IT Director said the City would not be able to host the Commission’s site. Minutes of the Meeting Page 3 of 7 Approved: September 23, 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 Growth Ideas Committee (AFaham, GSmith) 1. The Community Enhancement Award has been delivered. Innovation Center proposes January 2025 as the date of ceremony. They also requested the name on the award to be “Maker Space” but the Committee told them that their request came in too late as the award has already been made. The Commission will use that name on future publicity for the award. New Business 1. Participation with City Center to place a scarecrow on Main Street Commissioners are generally agreeable. AFaham will not be available and DNagaraja will make every effort to help. 2. Budget report update (SFallon) SFallon described her updated financial report. The Coordinator will begin to transition to the new system. 3. Save the Date Wednesday October 30 5:30 PM Danbury Cultural Collaboration (SFallon). SFallon is working with the Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut to bring Danbury cultural and Artistic groups together to discuss working together for common goals. The Museum is hosting the Oct 30 meeting. MOVED by SFallon that the Cultural Commission take a lead role in hosting Danbury groups in a discussion of mutual cooperation. Seconded by EMoore. DISCUSSION: Is a budget required? Most likely $100 for refreshments. That funding is best paid as a reimbursement. A “catchy” name is needed for this meeting series, to assist marketing. CALLED: Passed by unanimous voice vote. Other Business: GSmith would like to discuss the Scholarship program next month. DNagaraja concurs. The Onboarding Document has been updated to include what constitutes a meeting. Motion to adjourn at 7:48 Made by DNagaraja. 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: 898 1537 7217 Passcode: 816120 One tap mobile: Dial by your location +19294362866,,89815377217# US (New York) +1 929 436 2866 US (New York) Meeting ID: 898 1537 7217 Passcode: 816120 Meeting ID: 898 1537 7217 Passcode: 816120 The meeting started at 6:30 and was not recorded by the Commission. Minutes of the Meeting Page 4 of 7 Approved: September 23, 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 Summer Concert series Apolo’s Band - CityCenter 100 Aunt Hack Rd, Danbury, CT 06811 Friday, August 30⋅7:00 – 9:00pm Ives Street Green, Ives St, Danbury, CT 06810 * PARK(ing) Day - with the Parking Authority and Parks and Recreation Farmer's Market Danbury - CityCenter Friday, September 20 Saturday, August 31⋅10:00am – 2:00pm Park(ing) day is a global, public, participatory project Ives Street Green, Ives St, Danbury, CT 06810 where people across the world temporarily repurpose curbside parking spaces and convert them into public The Midnight Rock Show - The Palace Danbury parks and social spaces to advocate for safer, greener, Saturday, August 31⋅8:00 – 9:30pm 165 Main St, and more equitable streets for people. Danbury, CT 06810 256 Main Street Danbury, CT 06810 Farmer's Market Danbury - CityCenter Yesterday, The Las Vegas Beatles Show - The Palace Saturday, September 7⋅10:00am – 2:00pm Danbury Ives Street Green, Ives St, Danbury, CT 06810 Friday, September 20⋅7:30 – 9:00pm 165 Main St, Danbury, CT 06810 * Sunday Series Concerts: The Roarin' Ramblers - Richter Association for the Arts Farmer's Market Danbury - CityCenter Sunday, September 8⋅3:00 – 4:30pm Saturday, September 21⋅10:00am – 2:00pm 100 Aunt Hack Rd, Danbury, CT 06811 Ives Street Green, Ives St, Danbury, CT 06810 Acoustic music Concerts 2024-2025 Mustard's Retreat - * Concert Series: Cecile Licad, piano - Danbury Music at the Ridge Concert Association Sunday, September 8⋅4:00 – 6:00pm Sunday, September 22⋅3:00 – 4:30pm Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Danbury Visual & Performing Arts Center 43 Lake Ave Ext, 24 Clapboard Ridge Rd, Danbury, CT 06811 Danbury, CT 06811 Pints & Pours - Charter Oak Brewing and Taproom * Sunday Series Concerts: Roger Post Quartet - Thursday, September 12⋅6:30 – 8:00pm Richter Association for the Arts 39B Shelter Rock Rd, Danbury, CT 06810 Sunday, September 22⋅3:00 – 4:30pm 100 Aunt Hack Rd, Danbury, CT 06811 Street Fest 2024 Friday, September 13⋅12:00 – 5:00pm Irish Festival - CityCenter Western Connecticut State University 181 White St, September 28 – 29, 2024 Danbury, CT 06810 Farmer's Market Danbury - CityCenter The Young Dubliners - The Palace Danbury Saturday, September 28⋅10:00am – 2:00pm Friday, September 13⋅8:00 – 9:30pm Ives Street Green, Ives St, Danbury, CT 06810 165 Main St, Danbury, CT 06810 The Jersey Tenors - The Palace Danbury Farmer's Market Danbury - CityCenter Saturday, September 28⋅7:30 – 8:00pm Saturday, September 14⋅10:00am – 2:00pm 165 Main St, Danbury, CT 06810 Ives Street Green, Ives St, Danbury, CT 06810 * Sunday Series Concerts: Berkshire Jazz * Sunday Series Concerts: Taekwon-Do Orchestra - Richter Association for the Arts demonstration - Richter Association for the Arts Sunday, September 15⋅3:00 – 4:30pm Sunday, September 29⋅3:00 – 4:30pm 100 Aunt Hack Rd, Danbury, CT 06811 Minutes of the Meeting Page 5 of 7 Approved: September 23, 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 *Events sponsored by the Commission Visual Art Galleries Still River Editions Surface Tensions an exhibition of recent underwater photographs by Catherine Vanaria. July 8 - September 27, 2024 128 East Liberty Street, Danbury, Connecticut Catherine Vanaria combines her love of swimming with her artistic practice. At times, the texture of the water resembles brushstrokes, abstracting the figure slicing through the surface, and the result has vibrant presence. Trailer Box Gallery 12 Francis J Clarke Circle- Bethel Ct. THE GALLERY at the Visual & Performing Arts Center Promised Land/Tierra Prometida: Lisa Elmaleh and Guests On view Sept 12–Oct 13, 2024 43 Lake Ave Extension, Danbury, CT 06811 Western Connecticut State University The New Works Festival! - CenterStage, WCSU Student Organization Saturday, September 7⋅4:00 – 8:00pm Veronica Hagman Concert Hall 43 Lake Avenue Extension Danbury, CT 06810 Promised Land/Tierra Prometida: Lisa Elmaleh and Guests Opening Reception: Thurs, Sept 12, 2024 6:00–8:00 pm THE GALLERY at the Visual & Performing Arts Center 43 Lake Ave Extension, Danbury, CT 06811 Street Fest 2024 Friday, September 13⋅12:00 – 5:00pm Western Connecticut State University 181 White St, Danbury, CT 06810 Minutes of the Meeting Page 6 of 7 Approved: September 23, 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: Strategic Partnership Grants are currently closed The Artists Respond program Closed until 2025 ● Program guidelines and application available in late Walmart Overview spring or early summer 2025. Community Grants range from a minimum of $250 to the maximum ● Application deadline in late summer 2025. grant of $5,000. Organizations must submit an online application to be considered for American Theater Wing funding. The American Theatre Wing Training Scholarships The 2024 grant cycle begins Feb. 1, 2024 and the CLOSED application deadline is Dec. 31, 2024. Applications may be submitted at any time during this funding cycle. The Andrew Lloyd Webber Initiative Deadline is Please note that applications will only remain active in our system for 90 days, and at the end of this period they will be automatically September 25. rejected. Grant funding can be used for: Organizations may only submit and/or receive 25 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 or cultural Classroom Resources Grants Deadline Sept 29. experiences for low income individuals and families in the United Teachers can apply directly for resources they need to build and States enhance their program in order to best nurture young talent in their Education: Providing after school enrichment, tutoring or schools. This can be musical instruments, lighting equipment, sound vocational training for low income individuals and families in the equipment, or costumes, to name a few examples. United States Songwriting Challenge Closed http://giving.walmart.com/walmart-foundation/communit National Theatre Company Grants Deadline September y-grant-program 6th Jonathan Larson Grants Deadline Sept 27 State of CT The grant is awarded to musical theatre composers, lyricists, and librettists, or writing teams, early in their career, to support artistic Artist Fellowship Program Deadline 9/20/24 endeavors and safeguard long-term music writing careers. ● Program guidelines and application available in late spring or early summer 2024. Americans for the Arts Every Child Art Experience - Deadline: 9/30/24 Creative Spirit Fund Closed The Every Child Art Experience grant is a $2,500 award given directly to schools to support taking students to an out of school art experience. Experiencing and participating in art is an essential part US Congress of creating strong communities and developing healthy, engaged, and Congressional Art Competition Closed 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 information on Alliance and Opportunity. November 1: Quick Grants $250-$4,999 Connecticut Arts Endowment Fund (CAEF -Deadline: November 1: Planning Grants $5,000-$25,000 12/15/24 November 1: Implementation Grants $5,000-$35,000 Funds may be used for operating expenses, to ensure the long-term November 1: Capacity Grants $1,500-$9,999 stability of Connecticut’s arts industry by providing funding to organizations. NBC Local Impact Grant - CLOSED 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. EMPOWER Grant Program Deadline: March, 2025 The Elizabeth L. Mahaffey Arts Administration Fellowship is currently closed The General Operating Support for Theaters and Performing Groups program is currently closed Minutes of the Meeting Page 7 of 7 Approved: September 23, 2024 NOTE: Additional and supporting information can be found in the files at the Commission office.