Arts and Humanities Council of Falls Church

Page 1 MINUTES OF the Arts and Humanities Council (A&HC) of Falls Church Approved 2-15-24 PURPOSE OF MEETING: To discuss arts and humanities matters across the City of Falls Church. DATE OF MEETING: January 18, 2024 (Next Meeting: February 15, 2024 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 LIAISONS Member: Maureen Budetti, Falls Church Arts Keith Thurston (virtual), CATCH Foundation Member: Laura Connors Hull, Creative Cauldron Jessie Labukas, MRSPL Member: Elise Neil Bengtson, Chamber of Regan Davis, FCCPS Commerce Justine Underhill, City Council Member: Ronald Anzalone, Victorian Society Member: Ellen Gross, VPIS Member: Katharine Stewart, Friends of Cherry Hill Staff Member: Lapha Havan, VLAC Holly Irwin Member-at-Large: Ari Autor Mike Guy (virtual) Member-at-Large: Russ Mardon Member-at-Large: Mary Sellers Guest Long Hoang, VLAC ABSENT Nikki Graves Henderson, Tinner Hill Ed Henderson, Historical Commission TOPICS OF DISCUSSION: . 3. Organization Round Table Members or liaisons representing VLAC, Library, VPIS, Chamber of Commerce, Falls Church Arts, Friends of Cherry Hill, Creative Cauldron, City Council, FCC Public Schools, and the CATCH Foundation gave updates. Members-at-Large Ari Autor, Russ Mardon, and Mary Sellers also gave updates. 4. Minutes for Approval For the November 16, 2023 meeting minutes, there being no corrections, Maureen moved to approve the minutes; Ron seconded. Unanimously approved. 5. Ongoing Business A. Public Art Projects Update – Holly & Mike City has posted the RFP for artists to submit proposals. Mike sent the RFP to local universities, schools, and artists he is connected with; and posted it on Instagram. Holly asked that we share the pdf she sent with our networks and on social media. The Communications team is working on a marketing packet. After artists send their portfolio, sketch or visual, and 250-word statement; Mike and Holly will screen the proposals with special attention to artists with ties to Falls Church City. They will select and send some to A&HC for review at Feb. meeting. 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 B. Art Day and Art Walk Planning – Mary Mary is eager to get input from the A&HC. Although April 15 is World Art Day, we are celebrating on April 13. Mary sees her role as coordinator/facilitator. There are not any city funds for programming. Member organizations can highlight events already on their calendar, i.e. opening night for Chicks from Heaven at Creative Cauldron or an evening reception at Falls Church Arts. The Friends of Cherry Hill is printing a compilation of articles about artworks in the Farmhouse. Other ideas included a scavenger hunt and creating an artwork that could involve people of all ages. The Victorian Society discussed a printed piece of all the Victorian style buildings in the City. Feel free to send ideas to Mary, ideally before the Feb A&HC meeting. 6. New Business A. Founders II Public Art Recommendations – Holly The City Council and Planning Commission have sent the A&H Council their proposal on the public art piece to be installed at Founders II, i.e. River Grass and would like a formal recommen-dation from the Council about it. At the A&HC meeting in June 2023, representatives from the developer and an artist presented 3 ideas for the artwork. River Grass was not the one that we felt was the strongest, or most appropriate for a variety of reasons whereas the A&HC felt very positive about the other 2 sculptures proposed. We decided to send a letter from Laura Connors Hull to the Planning Commission with our comments and recommendations, explaining that we disagree with the River Grass choice, and listing our reasons. Keith volunteered to compose the letter. After members reviewed the text and there was further discussion, Ron moved that the A&HC approve the proposed letter to the Planning Commission on the River Grass artwork. Ari seconded the motion. The letter was approved unanimously by the following: Ron Anzalone, Ari Autor, Elise Neil Bengtson, Regan Davis, Ellen Gross, Laura Connors Hull, and Katharine Stewart. B. Proposed Changes to Arts & Humanities Program – Holly Holly proposes changes to two things in the Arts and Humanities grant program - 1) new eligibility criteria for submitting grants applications and 2) makeup of the Grant Review Committee (GRC). Holly explained the rationale for the changes and members discussed the pros and cons. Holly asked for input on responsibilities and criteria for those who serve on the Grant Review Committee. It was suggested that we give more time for discussion, find out what other jurisdictions are doing, and postpone making changes until one of our upcoming meetings. 7. ADJOURN Elise moved to adjourn, and Ron seconded. Unanimously approved. MEETING ADJOURNED AT: 11:36 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).