MILWAUKEE ARTS BOARD

200 E. Wells Street City of Milwaukee Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202 Meeting Minutes MILWAUKEE ARTS BOARD ALD. MICHAEL J. MURPHY, CHAIR Ald. Nik Kovac, Vice-Chair Daisy Cubias, William DeLind, David Flores, Donald Fraker, Marcela Garcia, Vedale Hill, Anne Kingsbury, Tina Klose, Diane Kosarycki, Emilia Layden, Sandra McSweeney, Polly Morris, Tim Murphy, and Paula Phillips Staff Assistant: Molly Kuether-Steele, 286-2775, Fax: 286-3456, molly.kuether-steele@milwaukee.gov Legislative Liason: Tea Norfolk, 286-8012, tea.norfolk@milwaukee.gov Staff to Arts Board: Sally Witte, 286-5794, sally.witte@milwaukee.gov Tuesday, April 14, 2020 4:00 PM Virtual Meeting Call in number: 1 (786) 535-3211 Access Code: 457-363-557 The meeting convened at 4:07 PM Individual also present: Sally Witte - DCD Present 13 - Murphy, DeLind, McSweeney, Morris, Flores, Fraker, Kosarzycki, Murphy, Kovac, Klose, Layden, Garcia and Phillips Absent 1 - Hill Excused 2 - Cubias and Kingsbury 1. Public Art Subcomittee Report Ms. Morris stated the Subcommittee discussed different options of the Art & Civic Engagement applications given the COVID-19 pandemic and the postponement of the DNC. 2. Discussion with DPW Multimodal Team related to Public Art projects Mike Amsden - DPW gave a presentation regarding incorporating art in to public works projects and improvements. 3. Discussion regarding Arts Board polices and messaging to grantees affected by COVID-19 Ms. Witte stated the deadline for project grants for 2020-21 was March 8th and things have changed week to week given the pandemic. She added that some options include: Option A: reviewing pending applications at the end of May, and allow organizations to update their apps, and having the grant panel meet virtually; or Option B: dividing the funds among all 47 groups and they would get $3,000 or $6,000 City of Milwaukee Page 1 MILWAUKEE ARTS BOARD Meeting Minutes April 14, 2020 depending on their original request. The funds could be used for operating expenses and a 6 month review would be required. She added that the Wisconsin Arts Board and the National Endowment for the Arts are doing similiar conversions of their grants to opertating costs. Mr. DeLind stated he would still like to review the applications to make sure they are all properly vetted. Mr. Flores asked if the application process would be reopened to include organizations who missed the deadline. Ms. Morris stated the grants can be used for the original project, but if they can't continue with their project, then they can use the money for operating costs. She suggested distributing the funds in 50% increments and provided the 2nd after a progress report is received. Ald. Kovac moved to extend the application deadline by 2 weeks, and include a 50/50 dispersal based on a 6 month report, seconded by Mr. DeLind. There were no objections. Ms. Morris stated the new application would be shorter with less narrative questions. An ad hoc committee will be created to review the applications. Ms. Witte stated the 2019-20 grantees may need their deadlines extended until December for the grant expenditure. She added that if grantees can show the expended the funds, then the remaining 25% can be disbursed. 4. Discussion regarding financial support for individual artist's during COVID-19 Ald. Murphy stated he received an inquiry from an artist looking for funds to survive. Ms. Morris stated she sends out a daily email about resources for artists funds. She added that the resources are available on several websites. The meeting adjourned at 5:15 PM. Molly Kuether-Steele Staff Assistant City of Milwaukee Page 2