Arts Commission

City Hall Meeting Minutes 601 4th Avenue E Olympia, WA 98501 Arts Commission Contact: Stephanie Johnson 360.709.2678 Thursday, February 8, 2018 6:00 PM Room 112 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Hicks called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. 1.A ROLL CALL Present: 6 - Chair Stacy Hicks, Vice Chair Timothy Grisham, Commissioner Diana Fairbanks, Commissioner Ron Hinton, Commissioner Kathy Murray and Commissioner Katherine Williams Absent: 2 - Commissioner Marygrace Goddu and Commissioner Katie Nelson OTHERS PRESENT Mayor/Council Liaison Cheryl Selby Arts Program Specialist Angel Nava 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 18-0120 Approval of January 11, 2018 Arts Commission Minutes Chair Hicks noted item 2.6 under the Fiel 18-0005, Arts Program Support Reports, was incorrect. Commissioner Nelson was at the Poet Laureate presentation at Council rather than Chair Hicks. The minutes were approved as amended. 4. PUBLIC COMMENT - None 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS Commissioners shared information about past and upcoming arts events. Commissioner Hinton noted he would be absent from the March meeting. Ms. Johnson shared materials about the City's Missing Middle initiative as provided by Community Planning & Development. Mayor Selby shared context to date about those efforts. City of Olympia Page 1 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes February 8, 2018 6. BUSINESS ITEMS 18-0121 Percival Plinth Project Sculpture Recommendation 2018 Ms. Nava shared the recommendation of the jury: 16 sculptures and 2 alternates selected among 28 proposals received. Commissioners Hinton, Fairbanks and Chair Hicks comprised the jury and provided insight into their decision as Ms. Nava shared the images. Vice Chair Grisham questioned why there were several artists with two sculptures each. Ms. Johnson noted it was more common than not for a still relatively new program with a limited response from artists. Vice Chair Grisham noted he would abstain from the vote because he would prefer a wider cross-section of artists represented. Commissioner Williams moved, seconded by Commissioner Hinton, to recommend 16 sculptures and 2 alternates (as recommended by the jury) for City Council approval. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Chair Hicks, Commissioner Fairbanks, Commissioner Hinton, Commissioner Murray and Commissioner Williams Absent: 2 - Commissioner Goddu and Commissioner Nelson Abstained: 1 - Vice Chair Grisham 18-0127 Arts Commission Work Plan and Municipal Art Plan 2018 Commissioners reviewed both planning documents one final time. Chair Hicks noted item 2.10 on the Work Plan, Public Art Retrospective, has been moved to spring 2019. Commissioners directed text changes to reflect the updated timeline for both the Work Plan and the Municipal Art Plan. Vice-Chair Grisham moved, seconded by Commissioner Fairbanks, to recommend the Arts Commission 2018 Work Plan and Municipal Art Plan be forwarded to City Council for approval as amended. The motion was approved unanimously. 7. REPORTS 18-0118 Policy & Program Recommendation Reports 1.1 Municipal Art Plan to City Council - See Business Items. 1.2 Music Out Loud - Ms. Johnson asked Commissioners for direction regarding dedication of the mosaics during the spring Arts Walk. After discussion, two options for timing of dedication elements developed, to be offered to musician Steve Miunger's family for decision, as they are travelling from the midwest for the dedication. Ms. Johnson was also instructed to ask each musician's family/friends if they would select a piece of music to play during each dedication. City of Olympia Page 2 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes February 8, 2018 1.3 City Gateways - Ms. Johnson shared she had attended a board meeting of the Northwest Neighborhood Association, and they plan to put the upcoming Gateway project on the agenda for their spring meeting, 1.4 Arts Center Support - Commissioner Hinton noted that Olympia Artspace Alliance would soon be embarking on a survey of studio space, and they continue to consult with the Annie's Artists Lofts project. 1.5 Support Creative District - Mayor Selby reported she attended a meeting with ArtsWA to get more information about the designation and noted it was good timing for Olympia in light of the recent work with the Downtown Strategy, Comprehensive Plan and ArCH efforts. 1.6 Commission Retreat/Work Session - No report. 1.7 Expressive Enhancement of Downtown - The open house hosted by Public Works was well-attended. 1.8 Proposal for Arts Organizations Granting Program - Ms. Johnson shared insights into the application based on discussion with the legal department. Vice-chair Grisham asked that those changes be made to the draft application and shared with the work group. The report was received. 18-0119 Arts Program Support Reports 2.1 Arts Walk 54 & 55 - Ms. Nava shared Arts Walk planning to date. 2.2 Public Art Assessment - Ms. Johnson shared the plan to reconfigure and reinstall Dignity in Labor, based on discussion with the sculpture donors and artist. She also noted March 17 has been selected as the dedication date for Philosopher, in association with the Arbor Day Celebration planned at LBA Park, 2.3 Arts & Heritage Day at the Capitol - Chair Hicks, Commissioner Fairbanks, Ms. Nava and Ms. Johnson shared their impressions of the day. 2.4 Traffic Box Mural Wrap Public Art Project - Voting open through February 28. 2.5 Percival Plinth Project - See Business Items. 2.6 Poet Laureate - Ms. Johnson reminded Commissioners of the upcoming Poetry Rides the Bus Poetry reading on February 10. 2.7 Implementation of Temporary Display of Art at City Hall & Programming - Ms. Johnson noted she has approached the Washington State Historical Society regarding finding a preparator. Vice-Chair Grisham also provided a lead. 2.8 Northwest Public Art Conference - No report. The report was received. 8. OTHER TOPICS - None 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned. City of Olympia Page 3