Arts Commission

Meeting Minutes Wednesday, July 22, 2020 7:00 pm Via WebEx Middletown, CT Present Barbara Arafeh David Bauer Cassandra Day Franca Biales Lee Godburn Joyce Kirkpatrick Crystal Laffan Charlotte McCoid Pamela Steele Julia Faraci Also Present Ben Florsheim, Mayor Ed McKeon, Council Member Kisha Michael, Staff Absent John Basinger Cheryl Hale Ed Ford, Jr, Council Member 1) Call to Order 7:08 pm 2) Public Session None 3) Minutes a) June 24, 2020 Motion to approve by Lee Godburn, seconded by Crystal Laffan, approved unanimously. 4) Approval of Agenda Motion to approve agenda by Joyce Kirkpatrick, seconded by Franca Biales, approved unanimously. 5) Remarks from the Chair – Spoke on how she enjoyed her 2 year term and the great arts advocate article. 6) Remarks from the Mayor – He is interested in elevating the arts and making sure they are a part of the Middletown identity. 7) Old Business a) Budget Report – No report b) Program Update i) Newsletter – Status quo ii) Grants – Need to meet ASAP and grant guidelines need to be reviewed by Staff and the Grants Review Committee each year. In efforts to open up the grantee pool we are encouraging youth applicants to apply. Further discussion is to take place on whether the matching funds are to be waived for those applicants. Youth applicants must have an adult sponsor. iii) Kids Arts – Virtual Circus is in its’ final weeks. A surprise event is scheduled for 2pm on Friday, August 7. All is going wonderfully. iv) Summer Events – no reports 8) Committee Reports a) Executive Committee – No report b) Public Art Committee – McCoid reported on several topics. Looking to compile a list of artists in our city. A contract clarifying ownership and copyright is in draft form. A discussion ensued on setting a criteria concerning purchasing art. Staff is working on the form and will bring it to OGC for review. It was mentioned that the art collection needs to be better exhibited in our public buildings and further discussion is to take place on ideas. 1% allotment for public art was discussed as a future idea and to present to the Mayor. Discussion ensued about art in the new school. It was suggested that a larger committee be formed for the project that would bring more people (other groups) to the table. c) Nominating Committee – Vote was taken for new slate, passed unanimously. Franca Biales – Chair, Pamela Steele – Vice Chair and Cassandra Day – Secretary. d) Planning and Projects i) Godburn thanked the Mayor and Kisha for giving N. Baerman and R. Kamins their Arts Advocate their awards. The group was informed that the Open Air market has been cancelled for lack of vendors. e) Music Committee – Middletuners Spring concert was cancelled, Vocal Chorus – not meeting, Chorale is meeting virtually. Wesleyan’s Neely Bruce is teaching virtually and they will be coming back in the fall. Buttonwood Tree is virtual. Historical Society’s annual meeting announced a new president- more info on exhibition. f) Poet Laureate Committee – It was agreed by the commission the Stephan Allison’s honorarium in the amount of $250.00 for the poet laureate will be arranged by Staff and approval of the Mayor. g) Bylaws Review – Conflict of Interest statements to be completed by new council members. Review policy and procedures “Conflict of Interest”. 9) New Business – None 10) Announcements a) Middletown Farmers Market has begun and takes place every Friday on the South Green from 10-2pm. b) Wadsworth Mansion will be streaming their tours online. 11) Adjournment – Motion to adjourn meeting at 8:12 by Lee Godburn, passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Pamela Steele, Secretary Cc: Town Clerk, Mayor Florsheim