Arts Commission

Minutes of the Meeting Middletown Commission on the Arts Wednesday, May 25, 2022 7:00 p.m., Middletown, CT Room 208, Municipal Building Regular Meeting Hybrid - To Be Held Both In-Person and By Webex Attendance: Barbara Arafeh Julia Faraci (virtual) Lee Godburn Joyce Kirkpatrick (virtual) Charlotte McCoid Pamela Steele Domenique Thornton David Wolfram Ed McKeon (virtual) Kisha McWilliams Michael, Staff 1. Meeting Call to Order - meeting called to order at 7: 00 pm *Thornton made a motion to put the announcements at the top of the agenda. Seconded by Godburn. Passed unanimously. Announcements: Joyce Kirkpatrick thanked everyone and disclosed that her last few months have not been too easy and has been home taking care of her husband since February. While reflecting on the world and in the news, she thanks everyone for hanging in there and using the arts as they should be used and thanks the MCA commissioners for their fine job being done. Kirkpatrick also commented on the GMChorale’ s Creation performance and the commissions support of the Chorale. McCoid reported that she recently went to the Buttonwood Tree and saw a few performances, one by Noah Baerman and Eric Mandel and his band, and noted that we have national world class music in downtown Middletown. 2. Public Session – no one in attendance 3. Approval of Minutes: – **Godburn made a motion to approve the minutes from the Wednesday, Aril 27, 2022 Meeting with its corrections. McCoid asked for the corrections. Thornton noted the corrections were grammatical and spelling. Wolfram seconded. Passed unanimously. 4. Approval of Agenda – **Godburn moved to make a motion to approve the amended agenda. Seconded by McCoid, passed unanimously. 5. Remarks from the Chair - Steele reports that there are two ideas on the MCA 50th discussion. Lee and Kisha have ideas and she wanted to throw it out to make a decision tonight. One idea is to have event in October, on the lawn with a tent for the celebration of the 50th, like discussed in the last meeting. The other idea was to do the community celebration on the last summer sounds concert because we would already have showmobile, tent, cake and everything we would plan to do in an October for the event for the community, but do it on the last summer sounds concert; and maybe in October do a kind of cocktail reception for commissioners, past commissioners, city officials. Discussion ensued. Arafeh asked for clarification on the use of the word community and which event is being used for the community? Steele reiterated the celebration is with the public. Thornton asked when the last summer sounds concert is schedule for. Michael reported August 25. Arafeh asked if the first would be for the community where everyone could turn out and if the second one would be by invitation. Thornton asked where that would be held at. Steele suggested maybe the Elks or the Mansion. Michael explained as she’s scheduling the summer sounds concert on Thursday the 25th why not use that as an end  of…(interrupted) McCoid asked who would be performing? Michael the band in mind particular for this event does a variety of styles, fun and outgoing. Michael suggests that since all the efforts for the 50th, can be consolidated into the last summer sounds concert. Discussion ensued. Arafeh reported on ideas and asked to discuss further. Arafeh has 5 ideas, MCA t-shirts, an exhibition, a questionnaire, singalong, working with the public and private schools, exhibit of all the arts at Historical Society. Michael stated that she could make a few of those items happen easily. Thornton presented Madam Chair with the question about looking into the costs associated with police and fire for an outdoor event, presuming that there is a cost associated with the summer sounds if done one the front lawn anyway. Did anyone analyze the cost benefit of having it one way or the other? Discussion ensued on the technicalities of the components of the events costs and logistics. Godburn asked are we taking the final celebration for the community and have one event. Michael restated the offerings of having the event as one. Discussion ensued about the concerns of weather and family extracurricular activities taking in October. McCoid stated that it’s best to do the two events. Discussion ensued on the concept of the event. Michael suggested a subcommittee of the group should be organized to plan an October event. Thornton reiterated that the last summer sounds concert would be with the 50th celebration combined. And then later in October, regardless of whether, have a smaller one to all the people who have contributed to the arts through advocacy like, grantees, commissioners, arts advocates and the like. Steele asks the group for one event or two events? Steele reiterated that the August event does not have to be called summer sounds and can be called the 50th anniversary celebration for the city. Doing what we want to do in October but in August. Godburn stated that he believes this would be a mediocre showing and does not like the Friday night. Discussion ensued on the details of the two months regarding weather conditions. Steele asked for a show of hands for the two events. Steele reiterated to have a community thing in August and work out a reception in October. McCoid stated that there is not enough time to do justice to both groups. Steele restated that more details will be worked out. McCoid suggested to talk to the Historical Society for use of the space for the event. Discussion ensued on how much of a good idea it is. Godburn presented the expense. Godburn questioned if taxpayer money can be used for a private party. Steele explained that this event is not a private party it’s a city commission inviting past commissioners. Discussion ensued on who is invited. No further discussion. 6. Old Business a. Staff Report - Michael reported that the budget hearing went well, and would like to thank the council and city of Middletown for granting the city arts office an administrative assistant for the office with $20k. Resolution 23-22 has been submitted to the council for their next upcoming meeting. Marcella Trowbridge of ARTFARM sent a written request for an extension of her grant project due to unforeseen circumstances of concern for families and covid19, and plans to present the project in September. Pride event is all set up and gave details of the booth activities, details of marching and the schedule of the day. Michael also reported on all of the events listed on social media, posters and email blasts shared with commissioners. b. Committee Reports - McCoid reports on the sound booth being set up in front of the old Woolworths Building and this in relation to Livia Cox’s grant. She will be adding materials. It will be set up and they will be contacting people about it. Music committee – Arafeh reported that Farah Scala, Music Department Head of MPS, will postpone attending the music committee meeting in May due to it being so hectic at that time with end of school activities, but will visit in the fall.  7. 50th Anniversary Discussion - Godburn reported that we have check to purchase five monitors in the amount of $250 total. The remaining supplies needed area hard drives for the video files, 5 usb drives at $10 and questioned Michael on how to purchase these items from Staples. Godburn clarified that 10 usb drives are needed and one hard drive to back everything up. Godburn announced that he has a drag queen to ride and wave in the float for the pride parade for the MCA. Discussion ensued on the details. Godburn would like to offer a stipend for this participation and suggest $200-$250. Godburn asked if there was a budget for this and Michael stated there stands a $1500 budget established and approved for 50th activities and should be used from that amount designated since this participation is part of promoting the 50th activities as set forth. Discussion ensued. Michael read the motion and Steele reiterated that being a part of pride is a part of promoting the MCA’s 50th. Wolfram stated that this is part of the expenses. Nominating committee- Steele reported that the committee needs to meet to come up with a slate of officers. Godburn stated that Thornton cannot be on the nominating committee because she is an officer of the executive committee. Discussion ensued on the details of commissioners needed and the new charter. Kirkpatrick stated she will withdraw a nomination to the nominating committee since her term is coming to an end. McCoid suggest the Mayor to send out a notice and Steele is aware of this request and agreed. 8. New Business - no new business to report 9. Announcements – moved to top of the agenda. 10. Meeting Adjournment - Godburn made a motion to adjourn the meeting. McCoid seconded and meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m. Respectfully submitted by, Kisha McWilliams Michael Arts Coordinator cc: Mayor Benjamin D. Florsheim