Arts and Humanities Council of Falls Church

Arts and Humanities Council of Falls Church Meeting January 19, 2023 Meeting Minutes - In Person Meeting Falls Church City Hall - 300 Park Avenue - Dogwood Room Members Present: Laura Connors Hull, Ari Autor, Ron Anzalone, Mary Sellers, Ellen Gross, Maureen Budetti, Jessie Labukas, Katharine Stewart (virtually), Nikki Graves Henderson (virtually), Ed Henderson (virtually) Liaisons: Elise Bengston, Regan Davis, Keith Thurston (virtually), Letty Hardi (virtually), Jacqueline Connors (student representative), Holly Irwin, Scarlett Williams Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Laura Hull at 9:35 am. Laura suggested that the discussion of the Public Art Policy be moved to the beginning of the agenda in order to have ample time for review. Laura gave a shout out to Ron Anzalone and Scarlett Williams for their efforts in incorporating suggestions and line edits into the document from the December meeting. Public Art Policy Review: Keith Thurston provided background information about the evolution of the document and the reason for having a formal public art policy in the City of Falls Church. The intention of the policy is to inspire people and give a mechanism for individuals and developers to incorporate more public art in the community. Approval of such policy will: ● Provide guidance for developers and City staff on how to incorporate public art into new and existing development ● Provide a clear policy for City Council on the role of the Arts & Humanities Council ● Transition the AHC from a “definitional” role to a more action-oriented one ● Encourage more public art within the City A roundtable discussion was held to review bullet points and ensure consistency of construction (grammar) in specific sections of the policy. Highlights are below: Core Values - Section 2.2 ● Discussion on using “Storytelling” vs “History” as a Core Value. We need to define the meaning of the word “Storytelling” in relation to this policy and to AHC. Storytelling has a specific definition in the museum community. ● Should Equity be moved to the top of the Core Values list? Goals - Section 2.3 ● Move Economic Growth & Prosperity from the beginning to the end of the Goals list  ● Add a goal to highlight the opportunity for the artist: ○ Public Art should foster a climate for artists to create and thrive. ○ Art is a value for the City of Falls Church. ○ Cultivate a climate in which art and its creators are respected, supported and recognized as central to the full life of the community. Policy and Procedures for City-Initiated Art - Section 3.0 ● Should there be different Policy and Procedure sections for City-Initiated art vs public art included in new development? ● Legally, AHC has very narrow limitations, but could be a resource for developers early in the process Roles and Responsibilities - Section 3.2 ● Discussion on permanent vs temporary art and visual vs performing art ● Public Art is art that is imposed on the community, rather than a choice. ● Should we tighten up the roles and responsibilities of AHC in relation to new development, City commissioned art, and the City’s existing art collection? ● Revise bullet point #3 to read: ○ Helps identify appropriate locations for works of art within the City. It was agreed that Council Members would thoroughly review the document before the next meeting. Arts & Humanities Council Business: Welcome to Holly Irwin, the new liaison to the AHC from the City. Holly has worked in the museum field for 7 years. She is well versed in best practices with museums and collections and emphasized the importance of language and using words as a form of education (in regards to the Public Art Policy). AHC needs to nominate a new Chair and Vice-Chair. Committee members requested descriptions of each of these roles and to formalize this process going forward. Round Table Discussion: Falls Church City Council Letty Hardi was on her way to Richmond for a VA General Assembly meeting. She is trying to extend the option of holding virtual meetings into the future to allow greater flexibility and participation. Public Art Walk Members at Large, Ari Autor and Mary Sellers, are spearheading an “Art Walk” that will be held to promote awareness of public art in the City of Falls Church. Tasks include getting quotes for the plaques, writing descriptions of each art piece, finalizing the date of the event in April and recruiting volunteers to assist on the day. Any organization that would like to be more involved can reach out to Mary. Mary Riley Styles Public Library Jessie Labukas reported that the library is implementing a 5-year strategic plan. Incorporating more public art in and around the building and as part of programming is a priority. Falls Church City Public Schools Regan Davis reported that Promenade is in full swing on Friday nights at the middle school. This is a 5-week series of dance and etiquette classes offered to each grade. The Falls Church Education Foundation has funded an “Artist in Residency” program that will be led by former art teacher, Mark Robarge. The first projects will be created and permanently displayed at Meridian High School. Meridian High School band members will be taking a trip to Nashville, TN in March. Students raised over $7K through their M.U.S.I.C. Days fundraising efforts. Meridian High School chorus members will be taking a trip to Orlando, FL in April. Choral Boosters sold poinsettias in December to raise money for the trip. Village Preservation and Improvement Society Ellen Gross reported that VPIS has submitted a letter to the City Council stating their belief that there is an imbalance in funding for City vs. Non-City projects. VPIS has a collection of books on Falls Church City history they would like to donate within the community - library, schools, Cherry Hill Farmhouse, etc. Please contact her if you would like to have any of the books for your organization. Falls Church Chamber of Commerce Elise Bengston reported that the Chamber is in the process of collecting anniversary dates for nonprofit organizations and businesses located in the City. The annual Chamber Gala will be held on Wednesday, March 29 at The State Theatre. The theme will be “Bootleggers Ball” with live music, gambling tables, prohibition-era cocktails and the annual auction. Victorian Society Ron Anzalone reported that the Victorian Society is teaching Promenade dance classes for students at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School. The Victorian Society also hosted a photo parlor for guests at Watch Night, complete with 1890’s costuming and props. He estimated that 60+ groups of people had their photos taken. CATCH Foundation Keith Thurston reported that outdoor activities and events for Watch Night 2022 were canceled due to inclement weather. This was the first time they have had to cancel the larger event for this reason. Indoor events were still held at the Falls Church Episcopal. Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation Ed and Nikki Henderson are working with Jamie Sample and Falls Church City Public Schools to incorporate the history of the City of Falls Church into the school curriculum. The MLK Day March was held on January 16 and was very successful. Land owners who lost property in 1922 when Lee Highway was developed were recognized. A presentation was given at the Falls Church Episscopal on Restorative Justice and How to Be a Non-Racist. New history sidewalk stampings have been completed on South Maple Avenue. Falls Church Arts Maureen Budetti reported the current Falls Church Arts show is “Color Love” and will run from January 14 - February 26. Art classes are quite full. They continue to look for additional space for classes and workshops. Falls Church Arts is working with Sheri Mural at Meridian High School on development of a new scholarship program for graduating art students. Creative Cauldron Laura Hull reported that the Passport To The World of Music series is taking place January-early February. Tickets are available online. Falls Church Parks & Recreation Scarlett Williams reported that CATCH grants are in the reimbursement phase. Special Events applications for Memorial Day are open with the City. Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 11:46 am