Arts Commission

Minutes of the Meeting Wednesday, October 23, 2019, 7:00 P.M. Room 208, 245 deKoven Drive Middletown, CT Present Barbara Arafeh Julia Faraci John Basinger Franca Biales Joyce Kirkpatrick Crystal Laffan David Bauer Lee Godburn Sebastian Giuliano, Council Member Charlotte McCoid, Vice Chair Pamela Steele, Secretary Robert Santangelo, Council Member Also Present Kisha Michael, Art Coordinator Absent John Basinger David Bauer Cassandra Day 1. Call to Order - 7:06 p.m. 2. Public Session – None 3. Minutes a. September 25, 2019 Motion to approve by Seb Giuliano, seconded by Lee Godburn, approved unanimously. 4. Approval of Agenda a. Motion to approve agenda as written by Seb Guliano, seconded by Franca Biales, approved unanimously 5. Remarks from the Chair - None 6. Old Business a. Budget Report- None b. Program Update - Writing transition notes for new mayor i. Arts Calendar – 677 and 736 followers on FB ii. Grants – Updating guidelines, and streamlining application iii. Holiday on Main – Fri. Nov. 29th kickoff with tree lightings on Main Street 7. Committee Reports a. Executive– No report b. Public Art – Asking for a joint meeting with Public Works when artist comes to town for discussion on the busts. c. Nominating – No report d. Planning and Projects i. Press release went out for Arts Advocacy Award, waiting for nominations. Reminder to come to December’s meeting with suggestions. e. Music i. Researching music in Middletown; and looking for music sources for exhibition. f. Poet Laureate i. Attended poet’s discussion, and had readings at the Buttonwood Tree. g. Grants Process Review i. Need to schedule a meeting for review of final revisions of guidelines and application.  8. New Business a. Category 2/3 Grant Panel Award Recommendations i. Six applicants were presented. A motion was made to approve the six applicant awards. Motion made by Godburn, 2nd by Biales, passed unanimously. Salt Marsh Opera Kids Love Opera! $5,000 T.David Westmoreland Cantatas $1,000 Oddfellows Playhouse Mockingbird $2,000 Joe Fonda 13th Annual Festival $2,000 Ct Storytelling Ctr. Littlest Listeners $2,000 New Haven Sy.Orch Musical Coaching $1,000 *ARTFARM UMBRA Production $2,500 Total: $15,500 b. Music Ambassador 2020 i. Formalize process to be in line with Arts Advocacy Award. Will go under the Music Committee. c. Bylaws Review i. Subcommittee was formed with Lee Godburn and Joyce Kirkpatrick d. Grants-WESU Revisions i. WESU Revisions – Motion by Joyce Kirkpatrick, 2nd by Lee Godburn, passed unanimously ii. *A motion was made to pay Marcella’s grant that was not encumbered in last year’s budget to be paid from current budget. Motioned by Crystal Laffan, 2nd by Joyce Kirkpatrick, passed unanimously. 9. Announcements i. Buttonwood Tree Anniversary ii. Gilbert & Sullivan’s “Thespis” was a great performance iii. Article on Para Dancing in Sunday’s Courant iv. Bell Ringing at Indian Hill Cemetery – Oct. 15th v. Chorale – Performance on Nov. 10th vi. Comcast Public Access is having an open house vii. ArtsNet90 meeting Sat. Oc.t 29th at 9:00 am viii. Cyber Security Awareness – Arts Contest ix. Para Dance – Kick start fundraiser 10. Adjournment– Motion to adjourn meeting at 8:39 by Lee Godburn, passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Pamela Steele, Secretary cc: Town Clerk, Mayor Daniel T. Drew Next Meeting November 20, 2019 7:00 P.M. Senior Center, 61 Durante Terrace Please confirm your attendance by calling or emailing arts@middletownct.gov no later than Tuesday prior to meeting If you require special accommodations for any meeting, please call The Town Clerk’s Office at (860) 638.4910 or (860) 638-4812 (TDFD/TTY) at least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled meeting. The Municipal Bldg. & Senior/Community Center are Wheelchair Accessible