Arts Commission

City Hall Meeting Minutes 601 4th Avenue E Olympia, WA 98501 Arts Commission Contact: Stephanie Johnson 360.709.2678 Thursday, January 9, 2020 6:00 PM Council Chambers 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Grisham called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 1.A ROLL CALL Present: 8 - Chair Timothy Grisham, Vice Chair Frederick Dobler, Commissioner Jim Burlingame, Commissioner Kathryn Dorgan, Commissioner Diana Fairbanks, Commissioner Stacy Hicks, Commissioner Kathy Murray and Commissioner Katherine Williams Absent: 1 - Commissioner Kevin McManus 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 20-0009 Approval of December 12, 2019 Arts Commission Minutes The minutes were approved. 4. PUBLIC COMMENT - None 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS Commissioners shared information about past and upcoming arts events. Ms. Johnson announced the Arts Digest has been reinstated. She also shared that Arts Program Specialist Angel Nava built on her recent scholarship to attend an Americans for the Arts training in Oakland, CA, by being awarded a follow-up visit to Olympia by the national arts organization, which will happen in May. The community training, for up to 50 artists and arts leaders, will address arts-based solutions to community development issues. 6. BUSINESS ITEMS 20-0010 Olympia School District Performing Arts Initiative (PAI) Meet & Greet The Commission received an overview of the Olympia School District Education City of Olympia Page 1 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes January 9, 2020 Foundation's Performing Arts Initiative (PAI), from Director Bob Hodges. The purpose of PAI is to enhance students’ opportunities to enjoy the performing arts, especially students who don’t traditionally have equal access. The PAI focuses on music, theater, comedy, spoken word, dance, magic, and animals. During school year 2018-19, the PAI created over 20,000 “performance views” for Olympia students. The discussion was completed. 20-0011 Arts Commission new member recommendation to General Government Commissioners reviewed notes made on the slate of candidates for the upcoming Arts Commission seat vacancy. Following discussion, Chair Grisham asked Commissioners to provide their top 3 candidates to him, which he would use as a foundation for recommendation to the General Government Committee. Candidates will be recommended for appoinment to the General Government Committee. 20-0017 NEA Our Town Grant Ms. Johnson presented background information on the National Endowment for the Arts' Our Town Grant, which is a federal matching grant. She noted she intends to apply this year for funding for the Art Crossing Public Art Program. Sha also shared that each applicant needs City endorsement, and each community is only allowed two applications per year. She noted there is no formal process by which Council can review all the applicants in advance of their endorsements, and that a more strategic approach might lead to a more effective outcome. Commissioners directed staff to share this observation of a lack of formal process regarding City endorsements for NEA grants with the General Government Committee, to provide direction to the Arts Commission. 20-0012 2020 Arts Commission Work Plan and Municipal Art Plan Development Ms. Johnson provided Commissioners with draft versions of the 2020 Work Plan and Municipal Art Plan. Commissioners reviewed both documents and made edits and changes. Staff will return updated versions for review in February. Commissioners also discussed the recent closure of the Olympia Downtown Alliance's Third Thursday Program and its impact on the Music Out Loud performances. Commissioners requested the topic be added to the May retreat agenda. The discussion was completed. 7. REPORTS 20-0006 Policy and Program Recommendations to City Council The report was closed with no discussion or action. City of Olympia Page 2 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes January 9, 2020 20-0007 Arts Program Support Ms. Johnson reported the timeline on the Washington Center's 2020 grant agreement has been extended to July 2021 to ensure enough time to meet requirements of the service to be provided within the Center's production schedule. She also shared a fabrication update from the West Bay Drive Art Crossing artists. The report was received. 20-0008 2019 ArCH Support The report was closed with no discussion or action. 8. OTHER TOPICS - None 9. ADJOURNMENT Chair Grisham adjourned the meeting at 8:05 p.m. City of Olympia Page 3