Museums and Cultural Arts Commission Meeting

MINUTES COLTON HALL MUSEUM AND CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION Monday, October 28, 2013 4:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Dias, Evans, Greenwald, Marohn, Ruhnke, Schneider Commissioners Absent: Wojtkowski Ex-Officio and Staff Museums, Cultural Arts and Archives Manager Dennis Members Present: Copeland, Recording Secretary Teresa Nash Others Present: City Councilmember Libby Downey Ex-Officio Commissioners are non-voting members, appointed pursuant to MCC § 2-11. CALL TO ORDER CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 1. Monday, September 23, 2013 Action: Approved as submitted (6-0-1, Wojtkowski absent). ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS None. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 2. Receive Museum and Cultural Arts Division Activity Report - September 2013 Action: Report received. Museums, Cultural Arts and Archives Manager Copeland reported that Colton Hall Museum’s attendance has been high and continues to rise; the “Alien Botanicals” and the “Patterns and Possibilities” exhibits at the Alvarado Gallery were very successful with the artists each selling three pieces; 25% of the sales amount will be deposited in the City’s Art Fund. Manager Copeland reported that History Fest was successful and that City events overall had higher attendance this year. The Presidio Museum had over 500 visitors over the two days and the Civil War encampment increased with over 140 ROTC students and visitors to the demonstrations and camp displays. He noted that the California Historical Artillery Society were not able bring their horses this year. On Friday, October 25, the art exhibit “Painting the Town” by the plein aire painters during Art in the Adobes, opened at the Alvarado Gallery and Manager Copeland thanked Commissioners Dias and Evans for attending and said there were approximately 75-80 people in attendance.  Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, October 28, 2013 PUBLIC APPEARANCE New Business 3. Receive Update Report on Colton Hall Museum Interpretive Plan Project Action: Report received. Museums, Cultural Arts and Archives Manager Copeland reviewed the timeline for the preparation of the interpretive plan including a list of tasks that have been completed. He said we had a very inspired subcommittee meeting with comments and suggestions from Commissioners Dias and Ruhnke, who are on the subcommittee. Commissioner Ruhnke reported the subcommittee and staff met with consultants Erin and Lisa from Erin McClelland Museum Services and discussed Colton Hall’s significance and themes. They also talked about what to do to attract more interest, including rotating displays, adding more photos, implementing more regularly scheduled events including authors who have written books or articles on Colton Hall, Ipad use, possibly changing some exhibits and hold Colton Hall sponsored talks outside the Museum in local coffee shops or other venues to generate more interest. Commissioner Greenwald inquired if the consultants are giving us advice on how to attract more people to Colton Hall. Commissioner Ruhnke stated they wanted suggestions and feedback from us on ideas before they made specific recommendations. Commissioner Dias stated there was also a meeting with community stakeholders and the consultants asked to hear the participants’ ideas. They also talked about Colton Hall’s role as a school and how that can also be interpreted. She said that one conclusion, based on the part of Monterey’s strategic plan, is that we must foster historic tourism. We need to give people a reason to come back and to also try to draw more locals. Manager Copeland stated the consultants are professionals in creating museum plans and they bring in the best practices from the museum field; the interpretive plan provides guidance for now and the future in how best to tell Colton Hall’s stories and reach various audiences. The consultants will highlight key themes and make recommendations on how our interpretation (guides, exhibits, media) can better engage our visitors, how to bring in support, and enhance Colton Hall’s presence in the community. . He stated the purpose of the print and online survey is to gain input from community members. We need to find a way to reach visitors who cannot go to the Museum. Once they collect data and evaluate surveys and meeting input, the consultants will produce a draft report and then a final report with a series of recommendations for short-term, mid-term, and long-term implementation. Commissioner Ruhnke said one of consultant Erin McClelland’s concerns was that only 13% of survey visitors were local and it should be closer to 40%. She said our goal is to attract younger visitors in the 30-40 year old range who would bring younger people with them; most locals who participated in the survey were in their 50’s and above. Other comments were to create a Friends of Colton Hall page on Facebook to help with fundraising. People want to see more history on the school house, the convention, and more characters in displays so they can relate on a more personal level. Manager Copeland thanked Jennifer for her comments on the subcommittee meeting. Colton Hall Museum Cultural Art Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, October 28, 2013 2  Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, October 28, 2013 Commissioner Marohn inquired if we have a social media subcommittee. Manager Copeland stated no, but the City has a Communications department. He said one suggestion from the consultants is that we have specific Facebook or other social media pages for each museum, not just the Museums and Cultural Arts Division. 4. Receive Report on Art in the Adobes 2013 Action: Report received. Museums, Cultural Arts and Archives Manager Copeland met with Art in the Adobes Festival Coordinator Susan Klusmire and she praised the volunteer support, stating it was a major contributor to the success of event. He said there have been some concerns expressed that the docents need better training in answering questions about the art, and that the festival program needed to be clearer so people could find the venues and hours better. Coordinator Klusmire noted the new venues that were not in main art venues had much lower attendance. Manager Copeland stated that the art show with the highest attendance was Evelyn McCormack’s art (the majority from the City Art Collection) displayed at Casa Guteirrez. He reported the Old Town Foundation Art in the Adobes Committee will review the 2013 festival and make recommendations for next year’s event. Commissioner Greenwald inquired if it is certain that the Festival will even go forward. Manager Copeland said the committee is looking at alternative formats and possibly changing the structure of the event. He urged commissioners to write down their comments and suggestions which he will forward to the Foundation. Commissioner Dias asked if they are doing a follow-up to see why the numbers were low. She said the docents at Casa Gutierrez did a great job. Commissioner Greenwald commented that some people who came thought they were going to be able to get into all of the adobes and a lot of the adobes are not part of the festival. Manager Copeland said it was noted that some of the State buildings were closed due to budget and staffing constraints. 5. Receive Report on Review of Commission Ad Hoc Subcommittees Action: Report received. Museums, Cultural Arts and Archives Manager Copeland gave a report in which he reviewed the status of several ad hoc subcommittees. He said the fundraising subcommittee raises funds for the music concerts and currently has one commissioner and the Chair may want to appoint two more. Commissioners Evans and Marohn have expressed interest. Vice Chair Schneider appointed Commissioners Bob Evans and Chris Marohn to the fundraising subcommittee. Manager Copeland noted the Colton Hall Museum Interpretive Plan Subcommittee’s work will be completed in December. Manager Copeland inquired of Vice Chair Schneider and Commissioners if the current Colton Hall Museum Music Concert Subcommittee members wished to stay on the subcommittee or did the Vice Chair wish to appoint new members for 2014. Commissioners Bob Evans, John Greenwald and Elizabeth Schneider requested to continue on this subcommittee and were reappointed. Colton Hall Museum Cultural Art Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, October 28, 2013 3  Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, October 28, 2013 6. Receive Report on Status of Community Discussion of National Trust Cooper-Molera Adobe Action: Report received. Manager Copeland gave an update on the City Council’s and the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s interest in the future of the Cooper-Molera Adobe building. Councilmember Downey reported when she was recently in Washington, D.C., the Councilmembers went to see the National Trust for Historic Preservation and expressed to them there was a lot of concern with the proposed changes for use of the Cooper-Molera building. She said the National Trust cannot afford it as is and said they have turned several historic buildings into restaurants. Councilmember Downey said one major concern is the parking impact with adding a restaurant in this location. 7. Receive Report on Status of City Discussion of Acquisition of Golden State Theatre Action: Report received. Museums, Cultural Arts and Archives Manager Copeland reported there is City and community interest in purchasing the Golden State Theatre but funding for the purchase and operating costs needs to be identified. He stated the City Council has made the theater a priority and that Councilmembers Downey and Selfridge are on that subcommittee. He said two public meetings have been held and there is also a strong interest in continuing to provide entertainment. Councilmember Downey stated we are working with the Old Monterey Business Association for funding, and City Building Official John Kuehl will look at the building’s plumbing, roof, and sprinkler system and he will give a report to the Council. She said there are more regulations if the City buys the theatre than if an individual buys it, we also need something to revitalize our town. She said most people say the theatre is a jewel and it’s exciting to think it may be a possibility for the theatre to be center in the downtown area. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Dias said Commissioner Jennifer Ruhnke did an awesome job in reporting on the Colton Hall Interpretative Plan subcommittee meeting. Commissioner Greenwald stated he really hopes the Golden State Theatre can be saved; it’s such an asset for the City. Commissioner Evans echoed Commissioner Greenwald's sentiments on the theatre. He said he attended the art opening at the Alvarado Gallery and it was a great event, and that the Colton Hall stakeholders meeting went really well. Museums, Cultural Arts and Archives Manager Copeland said the final report on the Colton Hall Interpretive Plan should be received by December 2 and asked the Commissioners if they wish to hold a special meeting to review or wait until the January meeting. The Commissioners present stated they were willing to attend a special meeting. Based on staff and Commission schedules, Manager Copeland said staff will send out an email to the Commissioners on the prospects of an early December special meeting or if it would be better that the museum plan report be on the January agenda. Colton Hall Museum Cultural Art Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, October 28, 2013 4 Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes Monday, October 28, 2013 NEXT MEETING Monday, November 25, 2013 ADJOURNMENT Vice Chair Schneider adjourned the meeting at 5:14 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Dennis Copeland, Manager Elizabeth Schneider, Vice Chair Museums, Cultural Arts and Archives Colton Hall Museum & Cultural Arts Commission Colton Hall Museum Cultural Art Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, October 28, 2013 5