Arts Commission

City Hall Meeting Minutes 601 4th Avenue E Olympia, WA 98501 Arts Commission Contact: Stephanie Johnson 360.709.2678 Thursday, September 8, 2016 4:00 PM Harbor House on Percival Landing Special Meeting - Annual Retreat 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 4:21 p.m. 1.A ROLL CALL Present: 9 - Chair Marygrace Jennings, Vice Chair Stacy Hicks, Commissioner Susan Aurand, Commissioner Britta Echtle, Commissioner Diana Fairbanks, Commissioner Ron Hinton, Commissioner Kathy Murray, Commissioner Katie Nelson and Commissioner Rick Perry 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 16-0985 Approval of August 11, 2016 Arts Commission Minutes The minutes were approved. 4. PUBLIC COMMENT- None 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS Commissioners shared information about past and upcoming events. 6. BUSINESS ITEMS 7. REPORTS 16-0986 Commission Items 1.8 Artspace/Arts Center Support - Olympia Artspace Alliance President Kris Tucker will address the Commission at their October meeting. 1.12 Commission Retreat/Work Session - See "Other Topics." City of Olympia Page 1 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes September 8, 2016 1.13 City Planning Efforts - Ms. Johnson encouraged Commissioners to plan to attend the October 29 downtown strategy open house. Commissioners asked that recommendations for their area be available for the October 13 meeting, if possible. Feedback is due to Planning staff by November 6. 2.b Public Art Assessment - Completed. Ms. Johnson reported view restoration has been completed at Park of the 7 Oars, and with the landscape changes, the area is now much more open and inviting, with views to the water visible from the street. 2.c Arts & Heritage Day at the Capitol - February 8, 2017. The report was received. 16-0987 Community Events & Outreach Committee 1.2 Poet Laureate - Chair Jennings and Commissioner Hinton noted there were 6 poets at the pre-submission meeting for the Poet Laureate opportunity. There were some great clarifying questions and observations. In general the Call for Art made sense and came across as an appointment that carries responsibility. 1.3 Downtown Music Festival - Commissioner Hinton reported he attended the first Jazz Walk, and it seemed to go well. He, as well as Ms. Johnson, will reach out to the organizers to get their thoughts. 1.5 Encourage Art in Vacant Storefronts - See below for the Spaceworks presentation. 1.10 Explore Creative District - No report. 1.11 Neighborhood Arts Support - No report. 1.15 Encourage Early Arts Education Opportunities - Commissioner Hinton reported there is an application form available for youth members. The document was passed around for edits and the suggestion made for staff to add a cover letter. 2.a Arts Walk 52 & 53 - 52 Completed. Ms. Johnson asked for volunteers to deliver Arts Walk maps on September 23 and 24: Commissioners Fairbanks, Murray, Ectle, Hinton, Aurand, Vice Chair Hicks, and Chair Jennings signed-up. Vice Chair Hicks encouraged Commissioners to participate in the Downtown Cleanup October 1, through United Way. Commissioner Aurand volunteered. The report was received. 16-0988 Art in Public Places Committee 1.1 2016 Municipal Art Plan to City Council - Completed. 1.4 Music Out Loud - No report. 1.6 Harrison/Black Lake Tree Guards - Soon to be delivered. 1.7 City Gateways - No report. 1.9 Guidelines for Temporary Display of Art at City Hall & Programming - Commissioner Fairbanks met with Ms. Johnson to discuss proposed changes. The document will go to the next Art in Public Places Committee meeting and then the Commission to forward to General Government. 1.14 Visual Enhancement of Downtown - Commissioner Aurand reported she met with Public Works Director Rich Hoey and Downtown Strategy Coordinator Amy Buckler on this topic. She noted in particular that Mr. Hoey is interested to bring more City of Olympia Page 2 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes September 8, 2016 art into downtown; however, he is limited in opportunities by transportation restrictions, such as art in crosswalks. Ms. Johnson shared a follow-up meeting about some downtown pedestrian improvement projects that will create a more attractive pedestrian experience, through placemaking and walkability, and will share that information at the next Art in Public Places Committee meeting. 2.d Traffic Box Mural Wrap Public Art Project - Ms. Johnson reported the (Facebook) post reach was almost more in the first week than it was last time at the end of the month. So the public response has been good. 2.e Percival Plinth Project - Olympia Oyster by Colleen R. Cotey has been moved to City Hall, and Illuminated One by Leo E. Osborne, moved to East Bay Park. The report was received. 8. OTHER TOPICS 16-0989 Arts Commission Annual Retreat Heather Joy Helbach-Olds shared a video and short presentation on the Spaceworks Tacoma projects and answered questions of Commissioners. Topics included insurance, utilities and rent. The Spaceworks model includes a series of 12 business classes (3 hours each) artists must complete before moving into a space. Commissioners reviewed their 2016 Work Plan in preparation of planning for 2017. Staff will make changes as directed and return the draft 2017 Work Plan at the October meeting. The discussion was completed. 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:14 p.m. City of Olympia Page 3