Public Arts and Culture Advisory Council

PUBLIC ARTS & CULTURE ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY May 8, 2017 5:00 p.m. Members present: Chair Lindsay Brubaker – Niles Park District Janet Spector Bishop – School District 63 Mary Dowd Demas – Artist Debi Gajewski – Artist Susan Lempke – Niles Public Library Carol Luc – Artist Katie Schneider – Niles Chamber of Commerce and Industry Steven Vinezeano – VFW Staff present: Staff Liaison Cathy Spadoni Mayor Andrew Przybylo Members absent: Michael Crisci – Niles Historical Society Cory Hance – Artist Dr. John Kosirog – School District 71 Rossana Macejak – Niles Sister Cities Ericka Stoor-Burning – Artist Staff absent: Trustee George D. Alpogianis I. Call to Order Chair Lindsay Brubaker called the meeting of the Public Arts & Culture Advisory Council to order at 5:04 p.m. on Monday, May 8, 2017 at the Niles Administration Building, Room 218, 1000 Civic Center Drive. II. Approval of Meeting Summary Steve Vinezeano made a motion, seconded by Janet Spector Bishop, to approve the meeting summary of April 10, 2017. On voice vote, all concurred.  Public Arts & Culture Advisory Council May 8, 2017 III. Organization Representative Reports Niles Park District – Lindsay Brubaker reported that spring sports have started and that veterans and their families can play golf for free at Pioneer Park on Memorial Day. Artist Carol Luc reported that she has entered a national watercolor show in Dixon, Illinois. School District 63 – Janet Spector Bishop reported that District 63 is presenting a suicide prevention program. Niles Public Library – Susan Lempke reported that the library is gathering an oral history from the founders of the library. VFW – Steven Vinezeano reported that the VFW will march in the Niles 4th of July parade, and they will conduct a ceremony on May 29 at 11:00 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Waterfall to honor those who have died in the service of our country. Artist Mary Dowd Demas reported she is designing a purse for the “Purse”ue Your Dreams project. Artist Debi Gajewski reported that she is planning a Festival of the Wreaths/Fall Farmers Market and a Christmas Twilight Tour – both to take place at the Historical Center. Staff Liaison Cathy Spadoni reported that she will invite all members of all the Village’s committees, commissions and boards to the upcoming Master Plan Community Open House and that there will be an article in the Summer Focus on Niles newsletter about the Master Plan as well as a teaser about the Twinkle and Lights contest. IV. Old Business a. Status of Master Plan Project with The Lakota Group Nick Kalogeresis and Jon Pounds presented the Draft Report of the Master Plan. The document has been reorganized and includes sections entitled “Needs,” “Vision & Priorities,” and “Key Strategies and Initiatives.” Discussion focused on animating the community through cultural action, establishing a grant program, filling empty spaces with public art, making improvements to the Historical Museum, creating a central calendar of events, and a number of other possible strategies. The Lakota Group asked the Council members to read the report carefully and email any comments to Cathy Spadoni within the next three weeks. At the second and final Community Open House, which will be held on Monday, May 22 at 6:30 p.m. at the Senior Center, the community will have an opportunity to provide their final input to the Plan. The next draft will incorporate this feedback and will include an implementation chart with short and long term goals. Once finalized and recommended by the Council, the Plan is expected to go before the Niles Board of Trustees for approval in July or August. 2  Public Arts & Culture Advisory Council May 8, 2017 b. “Purse-ue Your Dreams” Charity Auction Debi Gajewski presented a written proposal detailing the particulars of the project, which will culminate with a silent auction on December 2 at the Niles Senior Center, as well as a “Call to Artists” flyer created by Carol Luc. Steve Vinezeano made a motion, seconded by Susan Lempke, to support this project in the amount of $350. On voice vote, all concurred. c. Review of Revised Niles Arts & Culture Project Application Cathy Spadoni presented a revised application based on Carol Luc’s suggestions. Further minor revisions were suggested. The Council members were asked to give thought to the due dates presented in the document to allow for the greatest flexibility and yet still have the expenditures remain within the Village’s fiscal year (May – April). The application will be reviewed again at the next meeting. V. New Business a. Facebook Presence Debi Gajewski discussed the need for an Arts & Culture Facebook page to inform the community about arts- and culture-related events, shows, etc. VI. Open Discussion Mary Dowd Demas, who will enter the Niles 4th of July parade to promote the Arts & Culture Council, is looking for a printer in Niles who can make either a banner or a magnetic sign. Cathy Spadoni will send her information. The judges for the Twinkle & Lights Residential Holiday Decorating Contest will be Mary Dowd Demas, Debi Gajewski, Carol Luc and Kathleen Gallegos (local artist). VII. Public Comment None VIII. Next Meeting The Lakota Group will hold a Community Open House on Monday, May 22 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Senior Center. All are invited. The next meeting will be held on Monday, June 12, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. at the Village Hall Conference Room 218. The Lakota Group will present a final draft of the Arts & Culture Master Plan. IX. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Council, Debi Gajewski made a motion, seconded by Janet Spector Bishop, to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m. 3