Public Art Committee

Durham Cultural Advisory Board PUBLIC ART COMMITTEE Meeting, February 25, 2014, 8:00 a.m. Rand Board Room, Durham Arts Council DRAFT MINUTES Members Present: _X_ Joanne Andrews _X_ Kathy Bartlett _X_ Sherry DeVries _X_ Steven Gatlin _X_ Heather Gordon _X_ Lucy Grant _X_ Mark Hough ___ Noel James ___ Jessica Moore _X_ Chris Ogden _X_ Kenneth Rodgers ___ Karen Slotta OEWD Staff Present: _X_ Peter Coyle Also Present: Dan Ellison, Lisa Miller The meeting was called to order by Chair Mark Hough at 8:02 a.m. Heather Gordon made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 28 meeting with corrections proposed by Kathy Bartlett. Kenneth Rodger seconded the motion. The motion, passed unanimously. Hough introduced a discussion of the aps project. The Cultural Advisory Board discussed the idea of separating the app project from the inventory project. He reported that questions of how dynamic an app would be with approximately 80 identified works were raised by the CAB. How do we keep an app fresh and engaging and how can it have a “life” so that it will be interesting and used? Hough suggested that a representative of the EverWondr site be invited to a future committee meeting to look at ways of using that site as a potential alternative. Gordon commented that an app as such is less important than having a quality repository for information from the inventory. Bartlett suggested that the inventory should be the committee’s focus, while an app might be a more appropriate subject for the Cultural Advisory Board. Hough noted that the committee should make sure that we do not try to overlap with or duplicate the EverWondr site. Sherry DeVries suggested that it might be practical to have a joint meeting of the CAB and the committee for a presentation about EverWondr and its capabilities. Chris Ogden reported that the domain names “Durhampublicart.com” and “Durhampublicart.org” could be purchased for $10 or $15 each, and could be worth doing to protect the city’s future use of those names. Peter Coyle will look into doing that. The committee discussed the EverWondr site, it capabilities and problems that some members of the community have encountered in accessing and using it. Hough noted that, as a tool for the Durham Convention and Visitors Bureau, the EverWondr site is focused on tourism not on local residents. Bartlett indicate that she will create a written inventory list of local public art, based on the committee’s research, so that it can be included in the “welcome bag” for the Bull City Sculpture Show in May, 2014. She will do a draft and turn it over to Jackie Macleod, the president of the show’s sponsor, Liberty Arts, for duplication. DeVries suggested that the Durham Arts Council might be able to pay for hosting a domain. She will talk to the Arts Council’s IT provider. Hough reported that Liberty Arts has asked if a member of the Public Art Committee could serve on the Bull City Sculpture Show planning committee. Heather Gordon expressed interest and will get back to Hough about whether or not she will be able to serve. Ogden moved and DeVries seconded a motion a pilot project – a Wordpress for the existing inventory information on the DCVB web site. It passed unanimously. Ogden offered to take the photographs. Hough reported that Brenda Miller Holmes has presented the preliminary design information for the Civil Rights Mural to the Cultural Advisory Board. Coyle discussed the mural’s contents and the design process. The use of the west wall of the Durham Convention center, facing the Durham Arts Council site, Coyle reported that the County Commissioners have approved the location. It will go to the City Council for approval in March or early April. Peter Coyle reported that the Board of County Commissioners would be voting February 10 on a recommendation by the County staff that the Civil Rights Mural be installed on the west wall of the Durham Convention Center, a facility jointly owned by the City and County. If the Commissioners approve the recommendation, a similar recommendation will be submitted to the City Council in early March. Hough reported that the Cultural Advisory Board has appointed a committee to look at the specific issues relating to public art murals. Hough reported that the Cultural Advisory Board has requested that the committee work on an RFP for temporary public art installations. Coyle will circulate a draft for committee review. Hough opened a discussion of committee goals for the coming year. He noted that Karen Slotta has developed a list for discussion and suggested that the committee review her suggestions at it next meeting. Joanne Andrews suggested that the committee needs to be more pro-active and become more involved in advocacy. Steve Gatlin suggested that there be more networking with stakeholders. DeVries suggested that the committee have its own membership on the Public Art Network and participate in PAN meetings. We should be looking at what other cities are doing and considering best practices based on their experiences. Chris Ogden suggested that the committee look at guidelines for signs accompanying public art works and at the use of QRS codes on signs. The meeting adjourned at 9:40 am.