Arts and Humanities Council of Falls Church

Page 1 MINUTES OF the Arts and Humanities Council (A&HC) of Falls Church Approved 11-16-23 PURPOSE OF MEETING: To discuss arts and humanities matters across the City of Falls Church. DATE OF MEETING: October 19, 2023 (Next Meeting: November 16, 2023 at 9:30 am) PLACE OF MEETING: Dogwood Room, City Hall 1. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY: Laura Connors Hull at 9:34 am 2. THOSE PRESENT: NAME LIAISONS Member: Maureen Budetti, Falls Church Arts Ed Henderson, Historical Commission Member: Laura Connors Hull, Creative Cauldron Keith Thurston (virtual), CATCH Foundation Member: Elise Neil Bengtson, Chamber of Jessie Labukas, MRSPL Commerce Regan Davis, FCCPS Member: Ronald Anzalone, Victorian Society Letty Hardi, City Council Member: Ellen Gross, VPIS Member: Katharine Stewart, Friends of Cherry Hill Member: Nikki Graves Henderson, Tinner Hill Staff Member-at-Large: Ari Autor Holly Irwin Mike Guy (virtual) ABSENT Member: Lapha Havan, VLAC Member-at-Large: Russ Mardon Member-at-Large: Mary Sellers TOPICS OF DISCUSSION: . 3. Organization Round Table Members representing Falls Church Arts, Chamber of Commerce, Friends of Cherry Hill, City Council, VPIS, the Library, FCC Public Schools, Victorian Society, Historical Commission, CATCH Foundation, Creative Cauldron, and Tinner Hill gave updates. 4. Minutes for Approval For the September 21, 2023 meeting minutes, there being no corrections, Ron moved to approve the minutes; Maureen seconded. Unanimously approved. 5. Ongoing Business A. Review of Public Art Administrative Procedures – At previous meeting, Council members asked a subcommittee of three (Holly, Ron and Keith) to do a final edit to correct for typos, spelling, grammar, repetition. Ron compiled edits that he and Holly worked on and those were sent ahead of the meeting. Keith took Ron’s version, made further edits, and sent to Holly the morning of A&HC meeting. Keith gave an overview of his edits. He explained that it has taken several years to develop the pro- cedures and language came from a lot of different sources. Some of what Keith did was to consolidate 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 like information, e.g. criteria. He feels there should be one section to explain the different ways public art comes to the City, whether donated, City-initiated, or as part of a development project. Holly noted that in November we should get word on funding for two new public arts projects and will need the procedures in place. A final document should be sent to City Council for approval before the next A&HC meeting. There was lengthy discussion of certain sections in the two versions. For example, the issue of small- scale, temporary City-initiated public art pieces in City buildings or offices, such as the Library or one of the schools. These City offices have review procedures in place for this kind of art, such as paintings or prints hung on the walls. Would they be required to follow the procedures in this document? Letty reminded the Council that the procedures are not “set in stone” and can be amended. Members discussed having another meeting before our next meeting, and then approving by email vote but approval for the procedures document cannot be voted on electronically. Members discussed whether the A&H Council would be willing to vote on Ron’s version as a “pilot” or preliminary document? Maureen moved that the Council accept the October 19, 2023 version of the Public Art Administrative Procedures as reviewed and edited at this meeting; and that we review the edits suggested by Keith and potentially revise the document in the future. Ron seconded. The following members voted Yes on this motion – Laura Connors Hull, Nikki Graves Henderson, Maureen Budetti, Katharine Stewart, Ellen Gross, and Ron Anzalone. Ed Henderson, a non-voting member, voted Yes. B. Art Wrap Project Update Mike created a “Call to Art” asking for art wrap proposals that Holly will send out. 6. New Business A. “VisitFallsChurch” Letty reported on a “VisitFallsChurch” website that is being developed by EDA staff with grant funds. They are bringing in an outside firm to lead the project and looking to the A&H Council for content. This led to a brief discussion about the Art Walk. It has been successful in identifying and publicizing public art in the City. Is there a way to have a walk or trail to publicize the City’s restaurants, entertainment and music venues, historic sites, etc? 7. ADJOURN Elise moved to adjourn, and Ed seconded. Unanimously approved. MEETING ADJOURNED AT: 12:46 pm 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).