Arts Commission

City Hall Meeting Minutes 601 4th Avenue E Olympia, WA 98501 Arts Commission Contact: Stephanie Johnson 360.709.2678 Thursday, March 10, 2016 6:00 PM Room 112 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Jennings called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. 1.A ROLL CALL Present: 8 - Chair Marygrace Jennings, Vice Chair Stacy Hicks, Commissioner Susan Aurand, Commissioner Britta Echtle, Commissioner Diana Fairbanks, Commissioner Kathy Murray, Commissioner Katie Nelson, and Commissioner Rick Perry Absent: 1 - Commissioner Ron Hinton OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE Councilmember Clark Gilman OPARD Director Paul Simmons 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 16-0292 Approval of February 11, 2016 Arts Commission Minutes The minutes were approved. 4. PUBLIC COMMENT Dena Lee noted the Hummingbird Studio partnership between Kokua and Arbutus Folk School needs ongoing art donations, and shared dates for upcoming Peace Choir and RADCO performances. 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS Commissioners shared information about past and upcoming events. Ms. Johnson noted the General Government Committee reappointed all four renewing Arts Commissioners. City of Olympia Page 1 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes March 10, 2016 6. BUSINESS ITEMS 16-0337 Creative District Responding to a request from the Arts Commission, Washington Center for the Performing Arts Executive Director Jill Barnes shared her experience as part of a Cultural District in Idaho Falls. She noted that a similar district for Olympia has the potential to animate the City and could be great if executed properly. Ms. Barnes noted that such a district needs resources to coordinate funding and partnerships. She observed that most arts organizations are strapped for time, and yet could benefit from the kind of collaboration a Creative District could provide. She shared some specific ideas and encouraged Commissioners to speak with other organizations as well: -Ticket sampler -Creative experiences (dancing in the crosswalks) -Programming of public spaces ("Lindy" dance night). -More free Wurlitzer concerts -"No vacant storefront" policy -Green spaces that improve the perception of safety Chair Jennings observed that a Creative District might focus more on the relationships among creative entities that a physical place. Commissioners thanked Ms. Barnes for sharing her observations and experience. The discussion was completed. 15-1198 Recommendation of Poet Laureate Program in Response to City Council Referral of November 10, 2015 Commissioners reviewed the draft response to the Poet Laureate referral, and made changes. Commissioners asked that the presentation to General Government (GG) be moved to April, and discussed ways to provide GG Committee members with some examples of literary and spoken work poetry. The recommendation was discussed and continued to the April 14, 2016 Arts Commission meeting. 15-1071 2016 Arts Commission Work Plan Commissioners made changes to the draft 2016 Municipal Art Plan and recommended it be forwarded to General Government Committee along with the 2016 Arts Commission Work Plan. The 2016 Work Plan and Municipal Art Plan were recommended to General Government Committee for approval. 7. REPORTS City of Olympia Page 2 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes March 10, 2016 16-0293 Commission Items 1.12 City Action Plan - No report. 1.13 Park Plan - No report. 1.14 Downtown Strategy - Commissioner Fairbanks, Planning Commissioner Jerry Parker, and Ms. Johnson attended the February 20 community meeting and reported a positive turnout. The report was received. 16-0294 Community Events & Outreach Committee 1.7 Artspace/Arts Center Support - No report. 1.9 Define Creative District - See Business Items. 1.10 Music in the Neighborhoods - No report. 2.a Arts Walk 50 & 51 - Chair Jennings, Vice Chair Hicks, Commissioners Murray, Perry, Fairbanks, and Nelson volunteered to distribute maps two weeks before the event. While Commissioner Hinton was absent (or because of it) his fellow Commissioners volunteered him too. 2.c Area Arts Promotion - No report. 2.d Legislative Arts Day - No report. The report was received. 16-0295 Art in Public Places Committee 1.2 Traffic Box Wrap - Ms. Johnson reported the downtown wraps have been approved for print. 1.3 Music Out Loud - The fabrication RFQ is due March 17, and the Call for Artists and sample contracts are in (standard) legal review. 1.4 Percival Plinth Project - 9 proposals received thus far. Deadline March 24. 1.5 Harrison/Black Lake Tree Guards - Still in process. 1.6 City Gateways - The March 15 meeting for Planning Commissioners and Arts Commissioners will be rescheduled. 1.8 Guidelines for Temporary Display of Art at City Hall - Commissioner Fairbanks shared that a draft policy had been shared at the Community Events & Outreach meeting for initial review, and would be brought back to the Commission at the April 14 meeting. The report was received. 8. OTHER TOPICS - None 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:34 p.m. City of Olympia Page 3