Arts Commission

Minutes Middletown Commission on the Arts PLANNING AND PROJECTS COMMITTEE Tuesday, September 19, 2023 4:45pm Virtual Meeting by WebEx PLANNING AND PROJECTS COMMITTEE Minutes of Meeting In attendance: MCA Planning and Projects Committee: Anthony Pandolfe (Chair), David Wolfram Also in attendance: Commissioners Sari Rosenblatt, Gary Wallace (arr 5:10pm) Also in Attendance: Staff: Kisha Michael, Arts Coordinator; Julia Faraci, Admin Sec’y 1. Call to order: The meeting was called to order 4:48pm. 2. Public Session: no members of the public present 3. Approval of Agenda: Wolfram moved to approve, Rosenblatt seconded. No discussion, approved unanimously. Michael noted that two items were left off the agenda: Poet Laureate and future sponsorships. Poet Laureate will be discussed under “Old Business”. “Future sponsorships” deals with finances and so must be discussed in a full Commission meeting; this item will be discussed under “Future New Projects”. 4. Approval of Minutes 8-15-2023 Rosenblatt moved to approve, Wolfram seconded. No discussion, approved unanimously. 5. Remarks from Chair Pandolfe noted that the Inventory of Ideas will appear on the Year at a Glance resource link. Idea items will post at meeting minutes, and then brought up as New Business as appropriate. 6. Old Business a. Poet Laureate The Arts Coordinator referenced the Arts Office file on the history of the Poet Laureate. Reading the letter from Sasha Zipf and Todd Archer, fifth graders from MacDonough School, proposing the Poet Laureate position to Mayor Dan Drew, Michael revisited the initial inspiration for the position. She noted that in 2020, Stephan Allison suggested an honorarium for the Poet Laureate should be initiated, in the name of his late wife, Susan Allison, the first Poet Laureate. The Arts Coordinator has the forms for registration, nomination, and qualifications of Poet Laureate candidates. She recommended that Planning and Projects review its expectations for the Poet Laureate, honoring the intent of the students’ original proposal; their letter will be uploaded to the attached YAAG (Year at a Glance) file. Faraci attended the Route 9 Anthology anniversary celebration and poetry reading. The magazine’s editor, Oliver Egger, said he hopes to plan more readings. Poet Laureate will be addressed more at the next regular meeting. b. Music Ambassador Some of the musicians proposed for 2024 Music Ambassador do not live in town, are no longer active, or have already been honored. Pandolfe asked the Committee to suggest new nominees.  c. Wadsworth Open Air Market Michael received literature from arts businesses and organizations, which she scanned to create QR codes. Visitors could easily scan these codes into their phones to connect with organizations. The Market was busy and hot for a children’s activity, however, the giveaways were very successful. d. Arts Advocacy Award, September 28, 2023 The Arts Coordinator has ordered refreshments and flowers for the ceremony next week. The Mayor will be not be able to attend; MCA Commission Chair Sandra Russo Driska and the Arts Coordinator will present the awards. Michael asked MCA Commissioners to be sure to attend. 7. New Business a. Potential New Projects i. New ideas to discuss at a future meeting Pandolfe asked Committee members bring ideas to be added to the agenda for future meetings. ii. Video Bios - short interviews from legacy commissioners Pandolfe noted former MCA chair Godburn’s suggestion that a videographer interview the former Commissioners who had been involved with the MCA since its inception. The Arts Coordinator responded that the Arts Office is working on a photo storage project, which she says should be finished so that the legacy Commissioners can review and assist in the documentation. This storage may take up to six months. b. For the Next Meeting: Bring people/organizations to nominate for Arts Advocate 2024 Michael recommended introducing all the new Commissioners to all the accolades and awards that the Commission presents each year. 8. Announcements a. Arts Advocate 2024 Nominations – will be addressed at next meeting (see 7.b) b. Next meeting date 10/27/23 c. Other - none 9. Adjournment Rosenblatt made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Wolfram. Meeting adjourned at 5:22pm. Respectfully submitted, Julia O’Halloran Faraci Admin. Secretary III, Arts & Culture Office CC: Mayor’s Office Attachments: 2024 Music Ambassador nominees PoetLaureatePackage Year at a Glance document Pride Review 2023 Meeting dates for the Planning and Projects Committee