Arts Commission

Minutes of the Meeting Regular Meeting Middletown Commission on the Arts Wednesday, October 25, 2023 7:00pm, Room 208, Municipal Building 245 deKoven Drive, Middletown, CT Hybrid – Held Both In-Person and By WebEx In attendance Also in attendance Sandra Russo-Driska, Chair Arts Office Staff: Anthony Pandolfe, Vice Chair Kisha Michael, Arts Coordinator David Wolfram, Secretary Julia Faraci, Admin. Secy Sharon Riley Sari Rosenblatt Absent Domenique Thornton Pamela Steele Renee Soares, via WebEx Councilmember McKeon Gary Wallace, via WebEx Councilmember Marino 1. Call to Order: Meeting called to order by Chair Russo-Driska at 7:01pm 2. Public Session: no members of the public present 3. Approval of Minutes: July 26, 2023 Meeting  Motion to approve Minutes by Rosenblatt, seconded by Thornton, passed unanimously with no discussion. 4. Approval of Agenda:  Motion to approve Agenda by Wolfram, seconded by Riley, passed unanimously with no discussion. 5. Remarks from the Chair – Russo-Driska thanked Rosenblatt for filling in for her on the grants panel. 6. Old Business – A. Staff Report The Arts Coordinator asked that Commissioners gather for a group photo. Plans were made to gather in January when MCA’s new Common Council representatives can join. The Arts Coordinator requested clarification on a potential applicant for next cycle who questioned whether it would be a conflict for her to apply as part of an organization’s board for a GOS and at the same time apply for a grant as an individual on her own. The Commission decided that they will review the applications for any inherent conflict. The Arts Office staff has been working on inventory and documentation of the City Art Collection, and other legacy projects. The Arts office is working internally with city depts. and mayor’s office to implement an annual schedule of commemorating cultural holidays within the municipality. First was a Juneteenth ceremony with a proclamation and flag raising. Second is currently Native American History Month. A ceremony and proclamation was given to Gary O’Neil (Wangunk elder) with his pottery presented in the display case along with a banner hanging in foyer of council chambers. The Arts Coordinator attended grantee Stacey Noujaim’s art opening of her art exhibit at Russell Library.  Minutes of the Meeting Regular Meeting Middletown Commission on the Arts Wednesday, October 25, 2023 7:00pm, Room 208, Municipal Building 245 deKoven Drive, Middletown, CT Hybrid – Held Both In-Person and By WebEx B. Committee reports I. Committees Assignments Russo Driska thanked all new Commissioners for signing up to Committees. Commissioners were reminded that they are welcome to serve on more than one Committee, and invited to attend all Committee meetings. II. Planning and Projects – Pandolfe reported on Committee’s meeting (October 17). a. Music Ambassador 2024 – Pandolfe said Committee is reviewing criteria for next year to be brought to full Commission for approval in order to have a clear process. b. Next meeting is Tuesday, November 14, at 5:00pm virtual. III. Public Art – no report. Faraci is in contact with Committee. IV. Nominating Committee – no report. Faraci is in contact with Committee. V. Grants Review Subcommittee – no report 7. New Business I. MCA Grant Recommendations The grant subcommittee recommended the approval of the full amounts for all application requests. At 7:16pm, Thornton made a motion to accept and approve all of the grants as they were recommended by the Subcommittee. Rosenblatt seconded, all voted in favor, with Russo Driska abstaining. Organization Amount New Haven Symphony Orchestra $2,500.00 Kate Ten Eyck, Artist $7,999.00 Emmy Brockman, Artist $2,000.00 Connecticut Storytelling Center $2,500.00 TOTAL $14,999.00 II. Bylaws Amendment – Planning and Projects Committee Amendment Proposed amendment to Bylaws to include description of the Planning and Projects Committee, drafted by Pandolfe, was issued in writing to all MCA Commission members at the last Regular Meeting. At 7:20pm, Thornton made a motion to approve the amendment to the Bylaws to include the description of the Planning and Projects Committee, seconded by Rosenblatt, all voted in favor, with Pandolfe abstaining. III. Recommendation for Revision – Ordinance 44-11 The commissioners were presented with the OGC’s proposed revision with the intent for individuals requesting less than $2000 to not require a dollar for dollar match. At 7:25pm, Thornton made a motion to accept the draft revision as amended to Ordinance 44-11;  Minutes of the Meeting Regular Meeting Middletown Commission on the Arts Wednesday, October 25, 2023 7:00pm, Room 208, Municipal Building 245 deKoven Drive, Middletown, CT Hybrid – Held Both In-Person and By WebEx seconded by Wolfram, approved unanimously. IV. Music Ambassador The Arts Coordinator supplied a rolling list of nominations for the position of Music Ambassador. An amended version, which will include 5 other names which will be addressed at a later point, will be attached to these minutes. Criteria is partially delineated on the City website. Discussion of several candidates and their qualifications, including Middletown residency and original musical composition. At 7:40pm, Pandolfe moved to nominate Sam Vinci for Music Ambassador for the year 2024, seconded by Soares, approved unanimously. 8. Announcements – Rosenblatt went to the screening of grantee Abby Horton’s award-winning film Blow Up My Life. The filmmaker has worked in film in New York, and returned to Middletown during Covid to create her first feature length film. Many scenes were shot in Middletown. During the talkback, the filmmaker noted the support of the MCA. The Arts Coordinator suggested that the filmmaker show her film in Middletown. Russo Driska noted that former ad hoc Council member Ed McKeon is planning a literary event in downtown Middletown in October or November 2024. The event will feature well-known writers appearing at five or six venues. McKeon is receiving $15,000 in support from the City and $2,500 in seed money from the Downtown Business District, and may be applying for funding in MCA’s January 2024 grant cycle. Russo Driska emphasized that the City Arts Office will not be tasked with any more than creating City invoices and MCA publicity. The DBD is hoping this may become an annual event. 9. Adjournment Motion to adjourn by Thornton, seconded by Pandolfe. Meeting adjourned at 7:49pm. Next Regular Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 15, at 7:00pm. draftProposalApBylaws(PDF) draft amendment City Grant Ordinance 44-11(PDF) Grant Spreadsheet 2023-2024 (PDF) Amended Nominations Spreadsheet AAA MA (PDF) Respectfully submitted, Julia Faraci Admin. Secretary III, Arts & Culture Office CC: Mayor’s office