Arts Commission

Minutes of Meeting Middletown Commission on the Arts January 27, 2021 7:00pm Middletown, CT Via WebEx Present: Barbara Arafeh Julia Faraci, 7:08pm Lee Godburn Joyce Kirkpatrick Crystal Laffan Charlotte McCoid Pamela Steele Also present: Kisha Michael, Staff Absent: David Bauer Edward Ford, Common Council Edward McKeon, Common Council 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Steele at 7:07pm. 2. Public Session No members of the public present. 3. Minutes of last meeting approval Motion to approve December 16, 2020 Meeting Minutes made by Godburn, seconded by Kirkpatrick, unanimous approval. 4. Approval of Agenda Motion to approve agenda made by Godburn, seconded by Kirkpatrick, unanimous approval. 5. Remarks from the Chair A lot of activity in preparation for MCA 50th Anniversary 2022; Steele requested that sub committees should meet regularly to work on assigned tasks and continue to promote Arts in the community. Steele expressed the position of the arts as a major part of economic development in Middletown. She reported that the executive committee will be doing preliminary work on the anniversary, and working to involve downtown businesses and the chamber. 6. Old Business a. Staff Report Michael had a meeting with the mayor regarding the Arts office activities. She told him about rolling out initiatives for the anniversary activities. Michael also reminded commissioners of available MCA binders and made sure those who needed one have one available. Feb 12th budget deadline including replenishment of funds for Kids Arts. Kirkpatrick and Godburn requested Kisha to include line item for funding for anticipated anniversary activities.  b. Committee Reports Executive: Committee discussed that Poet Laureate sub-committee should not be an ongoing sub-committee, but rather only a temporary sub-committee that activates back every three years when opening applications for a new PL at end of former’s term. Planning & Projects: 50th anniversary coming up and will be doing major focus on developing events and activities to celebrate; Arts Advocacy awardees decided via vote; Indidivual – Cassandra Day; Group – Ursel’s Web Public Art: no report Nominating: no report Music: no report Public Relations: no report Poet Laureate: no report c. MCA 50th Anniversary 2022 Meeting to prepare for anniversary celebration to begin soon. Executive committee to coordinate preliminary preparations. 7. New Business a. Grant extensions & modifications; i. Earth Festival grantee update; grantee released grant back to MCA, plans to reapply for 2021 ii. Other – Salt Marsh Opera; change of scope consideration; unable to present production due to COVID; offer all Middletown schools video series; have students meet performers via Zoom; Godburn made motion to approve the change in scope; Kirkpatrick seconded; unanimous approval. Kisha contacted by an artist to see if Town Hall is interested in one of her pieces. Public Arts to check into this the artist’s work and offer, and will coordinate with Michael on response. b. Grant Applications Review (Deadline 1/15/21) i. Scheduling and panel assignments; General Operations Grants tentatively set for Mon Feb 1st; Projects Grants tentatively set for Wed Feb 3rd. 8. Announcements None 9. Adjournment McCoid made motion to adjourn; Godburn seconded; approved unanimously; meeting adjourned at 8:25pm. Respectfully submitted by Crystal Laffan, secretary