Cultural Arts Commission

City of Morgantown Cultural Arts Commission Meeting Minutes for September 15, 2021 Present: Mark McCoy Nikki Bowman Mills Brian Butcher – City Councilor Ward 7 Mark Downs Josh Williamson Debbie West Rod Dulaney Absent: Rick McEwuen - excused Meeting called to order by at 5:32 P.M. The meeting took at the Metropolitan Theatre. Public Session: No one from the public was present at the meeting. Minutes: The August 2021 meeting did not have a quorum, so no meeting was held. Introductions: The members of the Cultural Arts Commission went around the table and introduced themselves and gave some information on their background and interests. Director Vincent Kitch introduced Operations Manager Joe Kaehler who provided some history and information of the Metropolitan Theatre and answered questions. Director’s Report – Vincent E. Kitch Director Kitch provided an overview of events and activities of the Arts & Cultural Development Department. Metropolitan Theatre -The city recently installed security gates in back to keep people out of the alleyway which was a dangerous safety hazard. City recently finished replacing the roof and has scheduled replacement of the seats and carpeting, as well was phase 1 of the HVAC system replacement. We also have an unexpected issue with the demise of our digital display. HRMP Ruby Amphitheater - City installed gates there that allow us to close the property for ticketed events and engineered load points to allow to fly professional sound and light. Installation of stadium style seats in the back portion of the amp that will happen this Fall. The green room has been furnished and the city is ordering a commercial refrigerator and freezer for the depot. Sound mitigation treatments for the depot, updating signage for the bathrooms and police substation, and a year end concert event sometime in October are also being researched. 1 Morgantown History Museum - The city took over operations on July 1st and staff is working to update and refresh the current exhibits and build partnerships with WVU and other for future activities. MHM has a FT AmeriCorps staff member as 2 PT city staff. Staff is working on a WV Humanities grant for future programs that is due 10/1. The next exhibits will be updating our prehistory and indigenous people’s area as well as an exhibit on printmaking in Morgantown. Public art – A call for artists for the mural project at Walnut Street Landing that is due 10/1. A potential second mural commission for a site at Woodburn School may be launched in January as staff is working on a grant to the WV Commission on the Arts to help support that. Kitch is also working with Main Street Morgantown to support their commissioning of 3 murals in the downtown area. The city submitted a $50,000 grant to the National Endowment for the Arts Our Town program that would support a major mural initiative in 2022. The second exhibit opening of Art at the Airport is scheduled for Tuesday, October 5th at 5:30 PM. Election of Officers Director Kitch led the discussion on the election of officers. A slate of volunteers were presented including Mark McCoy – Chair, Nikki Bowman Mills – Vice Chair, and Rick McEwuen – Secretary Treasurer. Additional nominations from the group were solicited, none were presented. Motion to approve slate of officers – Commissioner West 2nd – Commissioner Dulaney Motion passed 7-0 The next meeting will take place on October 13, 2021, at the Morgantown History Museum, 175 Kirk Street, in Morgantown. The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 pm. Submitted by Vincent Kitch. 2