Cultural Council

FITCHBURG CITY CLERK Jun 20 2023 5:15 pm FITCHBURG CULTURAL COUNCIL MINUTES THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2023 FITCHBURG ART MUSEUM, 165 ELM STREET 5:00 PM Members Present: Tamar Russell Brown, Liz Murphy, Shara Osgood, Audrey Pendleton-Chow, A.J. Tourigny Meeting Called to order 5:15 pm by Tamar Opening remarks: Tamar introduced FCC members and asked Representative Kushmerek to provide opening remarks. Input Survey: - We have June through August to determine grant priorities. - These grant priorities will be focused on by FCC for the next funding round What kind of arts, sciences, and humanities cultural programs (events, projects, training, etc.) would be important to have in our community? - Art therapy events - Screenwriting for FATV - Set up foreign films for public viewing - More cultural events - Anything involving art and mental health - Dance - classes, group of folks who want to create - Silent disco’s - Storytelling and spoken word in alignment with mental health - Military-style concerts at the common - Rock Around the Rock event What types of arts, science, and humanities cultural programs would you, your family, and or community benefit from? - Sensory-friendly - Focus on multi-generation events - More pop-up exhibits - Rock-Walk trying to tie in the amphitheater at the top of Rollstone hill, sculpture park, the graffiti park, etc. - Revolving Mural - Adult night at a public park It's important to prioritize programs geared toward the following demographics in Fitchburg:  - Artists of color, stakeholders who develop diverse art, make them more visible - Indigenous communities - having events raising awareness - Engaging the youth, asking them what interests them. Create a club, like “Club 490.” - Battle of the Bands for the Youth - Researching performance areas within the downtown - Indigenous people's information and groups in this area. Comments/Questions Any churches not being used that could be repurposed for venue space? First Parish church has space and theater space. They are actively looking for people to put projects and events together. Talk to the pastor Will Darcangelo. Audrey noted the community calendar: http://FitchburgCulturalCouncil.simple.ink has all of our events. All surveys need to be in by August 1, 2023. Public meeting adjourned at 6:03PM