Cultural Council

FITCHBURG CITY CLERK Mar 07 2023 9:56 am FITCHBURG CULTURAL COUNCIL MINUTES MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2022 IDEALAB, 717 MAIN STREET 4:30 PM In attendance: Tamar Russell Brown, Audrey Pendleton-Chow, Liz Murphy, Shara Osgood, A.J. Tourigny, Eileen Berger, Joe Bowen (ex-officio) Call to Order: Meeting called to order at 4:40 pm by Tamar. New Membership: Treasurer’s Report: Grant Coordinator’s Report: FATV Grant Reviews ● Application 26248 ○ Motion to move 26248 forward for funding made by Audrey, seconded by Liz ○ Audrey, withdrew the motion, and needs more information from the applicant. ● Application 40914 ○ Motion to move application 40914 forward for funding made by Shara, seconded by Liz. ○ In favor: 0 ○ Opposed: 5 ● Application 43695 ○ Motion to move application 43695 forward for funding made by Audrey, seconded by Shara ○ In favor: 5 ○ Opposed: 0 ● Application 33986 ○ Motion to move application 33986 forward for funding made by Liz, seconded by Audrey ○ In favor: 5  ○ Opposed: 0 ● Application 30401 ○ Motion to move application 30401 forward for funding made by Audrey, seconded by Shara. ○ Audrey withdrew the motion, reaching out to the applicant to get a letter of support from Fitchburg Public Schools. ● Application 41416 ○ Motion to move application 41416 forward for funding made by Eillen, seconded by Audrey ○ In favor: 5 ○ Opposed: 0 ● Application 42221 ○ Motion to move application 42221 forward for funding made by Shara, seconded by Eileen. ○ In favor: 4 ○ Opposed: 0 ○ Abstained: Tamar ● Application 40840 ○ Motion to move application 40840 forward for funding made by Audrey, seconded by Eileen ○ In favor: 5 ○ Opposed: 0 ● Application 38857 ○ Motion to move application 38857 forward for funding made by Eileen, seconded by Shara ○ Audrey withdrew the motion, need to connect with creative cities. ● Application 29191 "Fitchburg Military Band's 2023 Summer Concert Series” ○ Motion to move 29191 forward for funding made by Audrey, seconded by Liz. ○ Speaking to the motion: Eillen - applies every year, we may not be able to fund the full amount, but has a good project. ○ In favor 6 ○ 0 opposed ● Application 37411 “Fitchburg Military Band's Holiday Concert” ○ Motion to move 37411 forward for funding made by Liz, seconded by A.J. ○ Speaking to the motion: Audrey, year not clarified: 2023? Did not have a venue commitment letter. Joe, we can accept the proposal without a Venue commitment letter, if we choose to vote tonight. Eileen, he has two proposals - perhaps only fund one. Joe, that decision can be made during the funding process.  ○ In favor: 6 ○ Opposed: 0 ○ Tamar will ask for venue commitment letter. ● Application 34713 “Kosmic Kelly's Science Workshops” ○ Motion to move 34713 forward for funding was made by Eileen and seconded by Shara ○ Speaking to the motion, none ○ In favor: 6 ○ Opposed: 0 ● Application 34350 “Film & Media Career Pathway: Bridging the Opportunity Divide for Underestimated Diverse Youth” ○ Motion to move 34350 forward for funding by Shara, seconded by Liz. ○ Speaking to the motion: Audrey, no commitment letter. Eileen, does anybody know who this organization is? ○ In favor: 0 ○ Opposed: 6 ○ Shara withdrew her motion, Tamar to reach out to get the additional information and a commitment letter from the high school. ● Application 32925 “Summer Concerts” by Friends of Coggshall Park ○ Motion to move 32925 forward for funding made by Eileen, seconded by A.J. ○ Speaking to the motion: Audrey - we have funded this project multiple years. Shara - curious about the multiple concerts. Audrey - Friends of Coggshall and Fitchburg Military Band apply through different applications and relate to different events. ○ In favor: 6 ○ Opposed: 0 ● Application 43969 “Boys & Girls Club Afterschool and Summer Music Classes” ○ Motion to move 43969 forward for funding made by Audrey, seconded by Eileen. ○ Speaking to the motion: Audrey - was Groton Hill once Indian Hill? ○ In favor: 6 ○ Opposed: 0 ● Application 44328 “Creating a Spanish-language Educational Brochure” ○ Motion to move 44328 forward for funding made by Shara, seconded by Eileen ○ Speaking to the motion: Audrey - program coming from Community Development Dept. Liz, yes I will abstain from voting. ○ In favor: 5 ○ Opposed: 0  ○ Abstention:1 ● Application 46565 “First Thursday Live Painting Days” ○ Motion to move 46565 forward for funding made by Audrey, and seconded by Eileen ○ Speaking to motion: Audrey, Monique great community partner, a great way to activate Mill Street. Shara - I’m unclear if the $600 goes towards artists or her to do the work. Tamar - this is for herself. Liz - she needs to not be working for inTown if she is working through this grant. Joe - I like to recommend this be withdrawn, she would like to come before the council to discuss another grant from ○ Audrey withdrawn motion - we will ask Monique to attend the next meeting to provide further information ● Application 33884 “Johnny Appleseed Visitor Center Cultural Components” ○ Motion to move 33884 forward for funding made by A.J. seconded by Shara. ○ Speaking to the motion: Tamar Johnny Appleseed Trail Association A.J. If they do get funding, there should be physical advertising funded by FCC. ○ In favor: 6 ○ Opposed: 0 ● Application 44539 “TGP- The Book Club / Podcast” ○ Motion to move 44539 forward for funding made by Shara, seconded by Eileen ○ Speaking to the motion: Liz - Is there a specific group of Fitchburg Kids? It looks like the program is happening in Leominster. Audrey - the budget is for only 50 books for 50 people. Is this book club for just one book? The project will take place at the Gardner’s Spot in Leominster, with no venue commitment letter. ○ In favor: 0 ○ Opposed: 6 ● Application 38188 “Henry the Juggler Performance” ○ Motion to move 38188 forward for funding made by Eileen, seconded by Audrey ○ Speaking to the motion: Liz Boys and Girls club does serve a large number of Fitchburg youth. Audrey, they have a venus commitment letter. ○ In favor: 6 ○ Opposed: 0 ● Application 37359 “Art/Beautification/Public Benefit” ○ Motion to move 37359 forward for funding made by Eileen, seconded by A.J. ○ Speaking to the motion: Previous application, work in Rollstone park.  ○ In favor: 6 ○ Opposed: 0 ● Application 40945 “Henry Hikes To Fitchburg Workshop Media” ○ Motion to move 40945 forward for funding made by Eillen, seconded by Liz ○ Speaking to the motion: Audrey, no venue commitment letter for FATV. ○ Eileen withdraw motion so that Tamar may get a venue commitment letter ● Application 35529 "The Roaring 2020's Jazz Combo” ○ Tabled - Tamar to reach out for commitment letter ● Application for 39301 "20th Annual Fitchburg Blacksmith Art & Renaissance Festival” ○ Motion to move 39301 forward for funding made by Audrey, seconded by Liz ○ Speaking to the motion: Audrey although we need a letter of commitment, this an expected event every year. Achla has done this for 20 years ○ In favor: 6 ○ Opposed: 0 ● Application 33128 “Holiday Lights at the Upper Common and Main Street” ○ Motion move 33128 forward for funding made by Shara, seconded by Eileen. ○ Speaking to the motion: Audrey - Bill is a great volunteer for the city. Joe - this event happened last night and went very well. ○ In favor: 6 ○ Opposed: 0 ● Application 35015 “Always Remember - Showcase from the world premiere” ○ Motion to move 35105 forward for funding, with the provision of a venue commitment letter made by Audrey, seconded by Shara ○ Speaking to motion: Liz this is a virtual presentation, not in person. Audrey, sharing to other communities, but only applied for funding through FCC ○ In favor: 0 ○ Opposed: 6 ● Application 37231 “Hip Hop Chair Dance for Seniors!” ○ Motion to move 37231 forward for funding, with the provision to get a venue commitment letter, made by Audrey and seconded by Eileen. ○ Speaking to the motion: Audrey, the applicant has been part of FCC. ○ In favor: 6 ○ Opposed: 0 ● Application 37286 “I am Autistic I am Fantastic”  ○ Motion to move 37286 forward for funding, with the provision to get a venue commitment letter, made by Audrey and seconded by Eileen. ○ Speaking to the motion: ○ In favor: 6 ○ Opposed: 0 ● Application 38305 “Nashoba Symphonic Band” ○ Motion to move 38305 forward for funding made by A.J., seconded by Liz. ○ Speaking to the motion: Audrey, Nashoba is in Bolton. ○ In favor: 0 ○ Opposed: 6 ● Application 42259 “Mural for military veterans” ○ Motion to move 42259 forward for funding, with a provision to get a letter of support, made by Audrey, seconded by Eileen. ○ Speaking to the motion: Audrey - vague application. Liz - the answer to the question, if they do not get the full funding from FCC, is concerning. Shara, does not have the confidence to get the project complete. ○ In favor: 0 ○ Opposed: 6 ● Application 37632 "Honk, Jr.” ○ Motion to move 37632 forward for funding made by Eileen, seconded by Shara. ○ Speaking to the motion: ○ In Favor: 6 ○ Opposed: 0 ● Application 40965 “City of Angels” ○ Motion to move 40965 forward for funding made by Eileen, seconded by Audrey ○ Speaking to the motion: ○ In favor: 6 ○ Opposed: 0 ● Application 34328 “Knock on Wood, acoustic folk-rock duo” ○ Motion to move 34328 forward for funding made by Audrey, seconded by Eileen. ○ Speaking to the motion ○ In favor: 6 ○ Opposed: 0 ● Application 40832 “Hands On Nature Series: Birding, Amphibians, and Owls” ○ Motion to move 40832 forward for funding made by A.J., seconded by Shara ○ Speaking to the motion:  ○ In favor: 6 ○ Opposed: 0 ● Application: 33330 “Spring at the Symphony” ○ Motion to move 33330 forward for funding, with the provision to get a venue commitment letter, made by Audrey seconded Eileen ○ Speaking to the motion: Audrey, concert at St. Bernard’s as a venue. Shara, they applied for various funding from other local CC’s, are they also performing at other venues? Joe - based on the application, one concert, at STB, for 500 people - and STB serves a population that is outside of Fitchburg. Tamar - the Thayer Symphony Orchestra is no longer here, and this orchestra is filling that void. Audrey agrees with Joe on his interpretation. ○ In favor: 6 ○ Opposed: 0 ● Applications 38693, and 43540 tabled until the next meeting. Vote: Approve 11/15/22 Meeting Minutes: To be done at the 12/17/2022 meeting Adjournment: - Motion to adjourn made by Audrey, seconded by Liz - In favor: 6 - Opposed: 0