Arts and Humanities Council of Falls Church

Page 1 Minutes of the Arts and Humanities Council (A&HC) of Falls Church Approved October 19, 2023 PURPOSE OF MEETING: To discuss arts and humanities matters across the City of Falls Church. DATE OF MEETING: September 21, 2023 (Next Meeting: October 19, 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: MEMBER LIAISONS Maureen Budetti, Falls Church Arts Keith Thurston, CATCH Foundation Laura Connors Hull, Creative Cauldron Ed Henderson, Historical Commission Elise Neil Bengtson, FC Chamber of Commerce Regan Davis, FCCPS Ronald Anzalone, Victorian Society Jessie Labukas, MRSPL Ellen Gross, VPIS Letti Hardi, Falls Church City Council Lapha Havan, VLAC Nikki Graves Henderson, Tinner Hill Foundation GUESTS Ari Autor, Member at Large Sally Gillette Russ Mardon, Member at Large Mike Guy (virtual) Mary Sellers, Member at Large STAFF Holly Irwin 3. ORGANIZATION ROUND TABLE Members representing Falls Church Arts, Falls Church Village Preservation and Improvement Society (VPIS), Falls Church Chamber of Commerce, Victorian Society, Friends of Cherry Hill, Mary Riley Styles Public Library, Falls Church City Public Schools, Vietnamese Literary and Artistic Club (VLAC), and Creative Cauldron gave updates. 4. MINUTES FOR APPROVAL For the August 17, 2023 meeting minutes, there being no corrections, Ron moved to approve the minutes; Maureen seconded. Unanimously approved. 5. ONGOING BUSINESS A. Public Art Administrative Procedures Sally Gillette, Falls Church City Attorney, was present at the meeting. Discussion was held regarding a variety of issues related to public art, including private art on private property, but that is publicly viewed. Is it possible to regulate private art? This is possible, but it’s tricky since it’s a First Amendment right. Need to make sure the rules are the same as the ones for political signs. It is something that is hard to get just right. 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 Content neutral messaging - rules apply no matter what you’re looking at (size, location, how it is lit, density of expression, is temporary or permanent, is it on or off site, digital or non-digital) There are ways to regulate art without talking about the content of the expression. Need to compare and contrast any regulations on art against the City’s other regulations. Global - we need more authority/decision making for approval of art. Signage is not advisory; it’s decisional? Keith - According to the American Planning Association, the difference between art and signage does not exist Can we add quality or experience to the ordinance? How would outdoor art be maintained over time? Are there Professional standards for the artwork? Regulations on how art is moved or relocated? Who owns the art – the artist or the property owner? Density of art allowed in a geographic area? Do we want to add a section about regulating art on private property? The Policy comes first; then the ordinance: a policy has more leeway; ordinance is more technical/specific. Can art be regulated like a structures? And follow the same ordinance guidelines? Are we creating a policy? Is the comprehensive plan policy or just guidelines? Risk tolerance? City Council needs to discuss and provide direction and input. How does FCC regulate First Amendment rights? “Expression” can be regulated in a content neutral manner. Role of AHC - are we the final decision makers for public art approval? B. Public Art Policy Document - Details/Editing We need to make the document more consistent based on first 3 pages that are already approved. Can we sync the definitions in the policy at the beginning and end of the document? We need to get as much done in the document in advance; changing regulations after art has been created/installed looks reactive. Can we approve the document based on first 2 sections and add content about the 3rd at later time? Maureen, Keith & Ron will provide edits in the next few days so we can move the document forward. How do we get closure on this document? Can we pass a vote electronically? C. City’s 75th Anniversary There are 2 public art projects related to the 75th Anniversary that cannot start until the AHC policy document is completed and approved. They are being held up by our process. D. Art Wrap Update 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 3 Mike Guy gave an update on the utility box art wrap project. Falls Church is a very walkable community. The location of the utility boxes were chosen so that the art will be highly visible to pedestrians, bikers, and those in cars. Mike is reaching out to artists who have a connection to Falls Church with the purpose of creating intentional art that is an exploration of Falls Church City. 6. NEW BUSINESS There will be a 75th Anniversary program during the Falls Church Festival at 11am. The commemorative logo will be unveiled. MEETING MOVED TO ADJOURN BY MAUREEN. SECONDED BY RON. MEETING ADJOURNED AT: 11:03 am SIGNATURE OF RECORDER: Regan Davis 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).