Arts and Humanities Council of Falls Church

Page 1 MINUTES OF the Arts and Humanities Council (A&HC) of Falls Church Approved 5-18-23 PURPOSE OF MEETING: To discuss arts and humanities matters across the City of Falls Church. DATE OF MEETING: April 20, 2023 (Next Meeting: May 18, 2023 at 9:30 am) PLACE OF MEETING: Dogwood Room, City Hall 1. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY: Laura Connors Hull at 9:32 am 2. THOSE PRESENT: NAME Staff Member: Maureen Budetti Name: Holly Irwin Member: Laura Connors Hull Member: Elise Bengston (virtually) Member: Ronald Anzalone Member: Ellen Gross Member: Katharine Stewart Member: Mary Sellers Member: Ariadne Autor ABSENT Member: Nikki Graves Henderson Liaison: Jacqueline Connors Liaison: Regan Davis OTHERS PRESENT: Jessie Labukas (Library Liaison), Letty Hardi (City Council Liaison), Russ Mardon (guest) TOPICS OF DISCUSSION: 3. Organization Round Table Members representing VPIS, Mary Riley Styles Library, Historical Commission, Chamber of Commerce, Victorian Society, Friends of Cherry Hill, Falls Church Arts, Creative Cauldron, City Council, and the Art Walk project gave updates on their organization and upcoming events. 4. Minutes for Approval: For the March 16, 2023 meeting minutes, Jessie’s last name was corrected to Labukas; Keith Thurston was added as present. No other changes were submitted. Holly Irwin moved to approve the minutes; Ron Anzalone seconded. Unanimously approved. 5. Ongoing Business: A. Art Wrap Update Holly reported that recruitment for a Project Manager for the Art Wrap project is moving forward. It is a temporary full-time position, with $20,000 allotted. The person hired will develop procedures including how artists will be asked to submit their work. B. Social Media Update A person to coordinate social media and other publicity efforts for the A&HC organizations is under consideration for next year’s budget. The Council needs to discuss what it is we want The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This document will be made available in alternate format upon request. Call 703 248-5014, (TTY 711). Page 2 the person to do. Laura suggested we establish a subcommittee for Outreach/Communications to work on these efforts now, before the position gets funded. Ariadne Autor volunteered to chair the subcommittee, and Keith, Mary Sellers, and Laura volunteered to serve on the Committee. Keith suggested that we invite Susan Hillson of Falls Church Arts to join. He also provided some background on the idea, explained what had been tried before, and outlined some of the challenges when this was tried before. There was a question about what the City Communications office can do for the A&HC organizations to publicize events. If it is an event that the entire A&HC is putting on (rather than 1 or 2 of the organizations), then the City will publicize it. C. Review Strategic Plan Reviewed the Plan identifying what parts are being addressed and areas we need to work on. Laura will send the latest Strategic Plan to Holly. Ron suggested putting it on our website. 6. New Business: A. Appoint Chair and Vice Chair a. Several members spoke on the nomination of Laura Connors Hull to be Chair and Ron Anzalone to be Vice Chair. Maureen Budetti nominated Laura to be Chair, Ellen Gross seconded. Approved unanimously. b. Ellen nominated Ron to be Vice Chair, Maureen seconded. Approved unanimously. B. Potential A&HC Volunteer Event Maureen asked the A&HC to discuss the broader issue of volunteer recruitment for various non-profits on the Council, and steps to take to bring more volunteers to each of our organiza- tions. Discussion involved a specific City-wide volunteer recruitment day, publicizing the need for volunteers in social media and print outlets, creating print materials or buttons to distribute, and having a “Volunteer Falls Church” website such as “Volunteer Fairfax.” Laura asked that we send info to Keith of what volunteers are needed for. Ari offered to work on a postcard and/or website updates for this effort. We asked Maureen to come up with the next steps for the overall effort in order to discuss further at our May meeting, including what we need to assess in terms of volunteer needs. C. Art Walk/World Art Day Review - • Mary reported on a successful celebration of World Art Day on April 15. • Letty reported that 20 Art Walk signs are up now. Print maps are being distributed. 7. Additional Business Mary heard from her contact with the “Vietnamese Literary and Artistic Club”. Holly will look into whether we can add this person as a “Member” organization of A&HC. Letty is looking for highschoolers who need externships and would want to work on the storm drains painting project. Maureen announced that next Cherry Hill Newsletter will be coming out in May. Applications for the next CATCH Foundation grant cycle will be due soon. MEETING ADJOURNED AT: 11:18 am SIGNATURE OF RECORDER: Katharine Stewart The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This document will be made available in alternate format upon request. Call 703 248-5014, (TTY 711).