Arts Commission

Minutes of the Meeting Wednesday November 20, 2019, 7:00 pm Senior Center, 61 Durante Terrace Middletown, CT Present John Basinger David Bauer Franca Biales Cassandra Day Julia Faraci Lee Godburn Joyce Kirkpatrick Charlotte McCoid Pamela Steele Ed McKeon, Council Ed Ford, Jr, Council Also Present Kisha Michael Cheryl Hale Absent Barbara Arafeh Crystal Laffan 1) Call to Order – 7:04pm 2) Public Session – None 3) Minutes a) October 23, 2019 Motion to approve by Joyce Kirkpatrick, seconded by Franca Biales, approved unanimously. 4) Approval of Agenda Motion to approve agenda as written by Franca Biales, seconded by Joyce Kirkpatrick, approved unanimously. 5) Remarks from the Chair – Welcomed new council members and asked them to speak briefly about themselves, and why they chose the Arts Commission. 6) Old Business a) Budget Report – a snapshot of budget was presented to the Commissioners, and there was a discussion on public art line item. b) Program Update i) Arts Calendar – New newsletter is available and links will be sent for the Wesleyan Engage newsletter. ii) Grants – Arts Coordinator explained the grant process to the new Council Members. Dick Wheeler made a change to his original program, not doing Mockingbird, changed to The Love of Three Oranges, by Carlo Gozzi, a 1761 Commedia dell’ Arte fairy tale. Motion by David Bauer to approve change to grant, 2nd by Julia Faraci, passed unanimously. iii) Holiday on Main – Fri. Nov. 29th kickoff with tree lightings on Main Street. 7) Committee Reports a) Executive Committee – No report b) Public Art Committee – Wagner’s contract is with her lawyer. Discussion was on Palmer Field sculptures. c) Nominating Committee – 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 Committee – No report f) Poet Laureate Committee – Cheryl read the poem from the inauguration. She will be doing a reading at the Buttonwood Tree with other poets, theme is Pirates. g) Grants Process Review – Online and publicized, working to get more organizations, groups and artists to apply. A suggestion was presented to maybe partner with Artists for World Peace. h) Bylaws Review – Conflict of Interest statements to be completed by new council members. Review policy and procedures “Conflict of Interest”. 8) New Business a) Kids Art – Arts Coordinator reported that the Children’s Circus final report was made available to all commissioners by email, using the City’s website file portal, link was provided by email. Arts Coordinator has begun the planning and budget expectations for Kids Art 2020. 9) Announcements i) Chorale singes in Cheshire with Cheshire church choir Dec. 14th. ii) Bach Concert was great, next one is in Feb. 2020. iii) CT Ballet (Ballet Under the Stars) in July 2020, need to find a way to support the art of dance. 10) Adjournment – Motion to adjourn meeting at 8:40 by Lee Godburn, 2nd by Ed Ford Jr, passed unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, Pamela Steele, Secretary Cc: Town Clerk, Mayor Benjamin D. Florsheim