Arts Commission

Middletown Commission on the Arts Minutes of Meeting – July 25, 2018 City Hall, Room 208, 245 deKoven Drive Present Also Present Absent Lee Godburn (chair) Kisha Michael, acting arts coordinator Joe McCarthy Cassandra Day (secretary) Crystal Laffan Councilman Sebastian Giuliano Barbara Arafeh Councilman Bob Santangelo Marc Pettersen (vice chair) Franca Biales Joyce Kirkpatrick Julia Faraci Charlotte McCoid Call to Order Godburn called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. at City Hall Room 208 Public Session – John Kilian told commissioners Middletown is becoming the live music capital of Connecticut. He’d like to see live music every day of the week at businesses on Main Street. The selling point would be it grows patronage at restaurants, bars, other venues Minutes Day made a motion to approve minutes as written, Kirkpatrick seconded; carried unanimously Approval of Agenda Motion to approve agenda by McCoid, seconded by Santangelo, all voted for except Giuliano, who abstained. Remarks from the chair “It’s been a long two years,” Godburn said. Old Business a) Budget Report – No change in budget since April 18 report, Godburn said b) Program Update i) Arts Stakeholders Group – No report ii) Kids Arts - Teeny Tiny Troupe now starts at age 5, Michael said, and the kids touch upon circus skills, acrobatics and the arts. The Children’s Circus is Aug. 3 at 5 p.m. at Macdonough School. This is the 30th year, she said. iii) Fireworks / Summer Sounds - There was a barge fire that cut the display short by 3 minutes, Giuliano said. Michaels said vendors were very happy with the event - she spoke to them afterward. Biales said there was a great turnout. Michael said a couple of vendors showed up without a permit and were asked to move outside the event zone. Discussion ensued about how the permit process should give vendors a placard to display in their truck window. Michael said Summer Sounds’ unstellar attendance was due to lack of a publicity campaign, something she’s working on. There were 25 at the first concert; 21 the second. Michael also talked to Deb Moore about the Wadsworth Mansion Wednesday night concerts, which attract hundreds, about what to do to bolster attendance at Summer Sounds. Godburn said the group will continue the conversation for next summer’s concerts. iv) Poet Laureate – No report v) Municipal Building – Franca said she has received no response from public works on decluttering the lobby beyond their first meeting. The item will be removed from future agendas.  vi) Facebook - Michael, who is getting more familiar with the platform, adds events to the page at the end of her day. vii) Make Music Day - No report c) Other – No other Committee Reports a) Executive Committee – No report. b) Public Art Committee – Artists Janine Janecki and Abby Carter have been paid for their works to be added to the city arts collection. Kirkpatrick said Carter’s piece is supposed to go on loan. Godburn asked her to consult with the city attorney to see if that is OK. McCoid said commissioning the sculpted busts of Pomfret and Way needs to go ahead. Public works wants both done by the same artist. McCoid said the artist must be able to sculpt sports figures. Godburn asked the committee to meet. c) Nominating Committee – Godburn said we should wait until a new coordinator is hired to take action. d) Planning and Projects Committee – Godburn said the panel will meet Aug. 1 at 6:00 p.m. to talk about the Open Air Market and see what supplies are needed. The event is Aug. 26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., a Sunday. e) Music Committee – No report f) Public Relations Committee – No report g) Poet Laureate Committee – No applications received yet. Faraci reported Tony Conner, Susan Allison’s teacher, declined to apply, saying he hates bureaucracy; and Karen Torop declined to apply as well, saying she’s too busy. Commissioners have been reaching out to many individuals and groups to solicit candidates - library, poetry society, Wesleyan, MxCC, Rennie McQuillan, etc. Giuliano suggested the panel not rush to fill the opening, rather wait for quality candidates because there is no rush. Michael said she’d send the poet laureate call to the arts stakeholders. Roy Lisker was mentioned as a possible candidate. The Poet Laureate Committee will meet Aug. 20 at 6 p.m. Laffan moved the application deadline date to Friday Sept. 21. h) Other - none New Business a) Other: Giuliano made a motion to accept the slate (Day, chair; Petterson, vice chair; McCoid, secretary) as presented. Biales seconded, passed unanimously. Godburn passed the gavel to Day. A motion was made to cancel the August meeting but hold the Poet Laureate Committee in its stead in August. Santangelo seconded; unanimously passed. Miscellaneous a) Announcements – Faraci reminded commissioners the Hartford Ballet summer dance caravan at MxCC is July 28th at 7 p.m. and it’s free. Adjournment: Godburn made a motion to adjourn the meeting; McCoid seconded; Godburn declared the meeting adjourned at 8:36 p.m. The next meeting is the fourth Wednesday in September. Respectfully submitted, Cassandra Day, MCA secretary