Arts Commission

Minutes of the Meeting June 26, 2019, 7:00 p.m. Room 208, 245 deKoven Drive, Municipal Building Middletown, CT Present Also Present Absent Cassandra Day, Chair Sebastian Giuliano Barbara Arafeh Julia Faraci, Secretary Council Member David Bauer Franca Biales Kisha Michael, John Basinger Lee Godburn Arts Commissioner Joyce Kirkpatrick Pamela Steele Crystal Laffan Charlotte McCoid, Vice Chair Robert Santangelo, councilmember (arr 7:19pm) Cheryl Hale (Poet Laureate) 1. Call to Order – Chair Day called the meeting to order at 7:04 pm. 2. Public Session a. Lauryn Wendus, Marketing and Community Outreach, and Andrew Pirsky, Owner of Fred Astaire Dance Studio, Middletown, attended to discuss their plans for a Para dance program at their studio, and to discuss establishing relationships and community partnerships. Para dancing has been added to the Paralympics, and their studio staff is in process of receiving certifications and training. They discussed some of the challenges starting this program, including obtaining the custom-designed dance wheelchairs, and financial limitations of participants. They hope to find support from local companies. The Commission suggested that Wendus and Pirsky connect with Ingrid Eck from Sustainable CT, who will speak later during public session. The Fred Astaire reps and the Commission discussed the MCA’s role in assisting with connecting with partnerships and sponsors, and getting the word out. b. Marcella Trowbridge had questions for the Commission concerning the ARTFARM grant application. She asked why awarded funds were returned to the General Fund. Godburn explained that the Commission’s job is to spend City money properly, and to make recommendations to the Common Council. In addition, the past cycle was not a normal one, because of the timing of the retirement of the former Arts Coordinator and the onboarding of the current one. This is why the funds were returned to the General Fund at the end of the Fiscal year. Noting that ARTFARM is Middletown’s only resident theater company, and citing ARTFARM’S track record and international reputation, Trowbridge asked why the Terpsichore project did not receive the requested funding. Godburn responded that each project is reviewed as if it is brand new. He added that based on Oddfellows’ capacity, the project may have been more cost effective if presented in a larger venue. Trowbridge countered that the performance could not have been presented at Middlesex or Wesleyan; she noted the limitations of the proscenium theater at MHS Performing Arts Center. Other commissioners commented that they would have wanted to see more information in ARTFARM’S application, and that the plans for “Terpsichore” were not sufficient. Trowbridge explained the nature of ensemble generative work, being work done in progress. Trowbridge said that she loves and wants to serve her chosen community. ARTFARM is committed to inclusion and effecting social change. She commented that the Commission should look at what is being funded if Middletown is to be an arts destination. She also asked that electronic interviews be allowed for future grants panel interviews. The Arts Coordinator noted that ARTFARM’S has not been processed, and asked Trowbridge how to proceed. ARTFAR, stated to accept the grant awarded and the Arts Coordinator will process the grant. c. Ingrid Eck from Sustainable CT discussed collaboration with the Arts Commission. The Commission clarified its role as an advisory body; Eck was advised that any procedural issues should be addressed through the Arts Office and the Arts Coordinator. Eck reviewed Sustainable CT’s initiatives, including streamlining procedures for artwork and performance in public spaces. Eck was advised that the Downtown area was the defacto arts district. Other Sustainable CT initiatives were discussed; *attached.  Eck, who is graduating from Wesleyan, will be ending her internship at Sustainable CT and moving on, and she will pass along this information to her successor. 3. Minutes a. May 22, 2019 Godburn moved to accept the changes and approve the minutes as revised; seconded by Giuliano. Day, Faraci, Godburn, McCoid, Steele, Giuliano voted aye, with Biales abstaining; motion passed. 4. Approval of Agenda Godburn moved to approve the agenda as written, seconded by Biales, motion passed unanimously. 5. Remarks from the Chair Day expressed appreciation for the Commissioners’ attention and consideration through the extended public session. 6. Old Business a. Budget Report Not finalized – The Arts Coordinator is processing contracts. Books close June 26. b. Program Update i. Arts Calendar – Michael will post critical events like Summer Sounds on the website and Page 3 of the Calendar. July’s Page 4 features a notice of PosiGen for SustainableCT. ii. Grants Grants will be paid next week. iii. Fireworks Festival / Summer Sounds a. Fireworks Festival Over $ 4,000 will be earned from food vendor fees. All contracts have been paid. Pizza and bottled water will be supplied for the musicians, using $150-200 from vendors fees. Everything is ready to go; raindate is Sunday. iv. Kids Arts 2019 New T-shirts are ready. Staff training starts today, June 26. Camp starts on July 1. 7. Committee Reports a. Executive Committee – No report. b. Public Art Committee i. MCAAAA Award Godburn arranged the showcase. Labels created for 2019 MCAAAA Awardees; 2018 art to be returned. ii. Palmer Field Sculpture – No report. The AC was asked to compile a list of points to consider for the professional services contract, which she submitted to Rohan Manning, Chief Management Analyst; *attached. iii. Adis Halilovic painting  Contact was made with the CFO of CVH who was interested in the piece. Halilovic was asking $4,000 for the piece; CVH decided not to purchase. iv. “Carmela” painting by Abby Carter Carmela Murphy, subject of a painting recently purchased for the City Collection, passed away in early June. At a PAC meeting held on June 19, discussion of request by Zipf family to purchase painting. City Art cannot be sold from the collection; however, the artist agreed to allow production of a print for the Zipfs. Carmela’s son was allowed to borrow the painting to be displayed at Ms. Murphy’s funeral services. The subcommittee will address future contracts for purchases and loans from the City Art Collection, and copyright procedure. c. Nominating Committee Slate of Officers was presented: Cassandra Day and Charlotte McCoid were nominated to continue as Chair and Vice Chair respectively; Pamela Steele was nominated to serve as Secretary. Quorum is necessary at July meeting for vote. d. Planning and Projects – i. Open Air Market will take place August 25 from 8am to 4pm. Michael will order supplies and work with Godburn to order a banner. e. Music Committee – No report. f. Public Relations Committee – No report. g. Poet Laureate Committee – The Poet Laureate has reached out to the Middletown High School English Department, and will reconnect in August. 8. New Business a. ArtsNet90 – Middletown has been proposed to be the site host for the August meeting of the Shoreline Arts Alliance ArtsNet90 meeting. b. Grants Process and Revisions – The Subcommittee will meet after July 10. 9. Announcements a. Fireworks Festival, June 29 – will include great music, face painting. Rain date Sunday, June 30. 10. Adjournment Godburn moved that the meeting be adjourned, Giuliano seconded. Meeting adjourned at 8:48 pm. Respectfully submitted, Julia Faraci Secretary Middletown Commission on the Arts Attachments: *3.2 Supports Arts and Creative culture.pdf, Sustainable CT initiatives *Professional Service Contract Notes cc: Town Clerk Mayor Daniel T. Drew  ATTACHMENTS *Professional Service Contract Notes 1. World renowned sculptor artist and accomplished entrepreneur of sculpture artistry. http://www.classic-sculpture.com/?page_id=26 2. Graduate of the University of Pittsburgh; double major in Art and Anthropology. 3. Master sculptor artist of clay material who creates life like figures to be casted in bronze. 4. Works of art display full emotion, athleticism and general composure of the memorialized figure. 5. Artists’ portfolio consist of the following memorialized athletes installed: a. Roberto Clemente, PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA http://www.classic- sculpture.com/?portfolio=roberto-clemente b. Jackie Robinson, Journal Square, Jersey City, New Jersey http://www.classic- sculpture.com/?portfolio=jackie-robinson c. St. Peter Neri, Pittsburgh and Vatican City http://www.classic-sculpture.com/?portfolio=st- peter-neri 6. Vendor is deadline focused. *3.2 Supports Arts and Creative culture.pdf, Sustainable CT initiatives See attached document