Arts Commission

City Hall Meeting Minutes 601 4th Avenue E Olympia, WA 98501 Arts Commission Contact: Stephanie Johnson 360.709.2678 Thursday, April 8, 2021 6:00 PM Online or via phone Register to attend:https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_H0GeF245RUeLHuoI3BBkvA 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Dobler called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 1.A ROLL CALL Present: 6 - Chair Frederick Dobler, Vice Chair Jim Burlingame, Commissioner Rose Clifthorne, Commissioner Kathryn Dorgan, Commissioner Stacy Hicks and Commissioner Kathy Murray 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 21-0334 Approval of March 11, 2021 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes Attachments: OAC 3.11.21 Minutes The minutes were approved. 4. PUBLIC COMMENT - None 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS Chair Dobler reported on the approval of the 2021 Plinth exhibition by the City Council. Ms. Johnson reported on the General Government Work Plan review and the Committee's interest in the proposed Artist in Residence program. 6. BUSINESS ITEMS 21-0341 Discussion on collaborating with the PBIA on downtown placemaking project. Commissioners met with PBIA Chair Danielle Ruse and discussed potential partnership in downtown projects. Commissioners Hicks and Clifthorne will participate in further City of Olympia Page 1 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes April 8, 2021 committee work on the topic. The discussion was completed. 21-0340 Poet Laureate Recommendation to City Council Ms. Johnson and Chair Dobler shared the recommendation of Ashly McBunch for Poet Laureate 2021-2023. They noted the jury found McBunch to have a strong poetic arts side in addition to a well-considered proposal, balance of skills and ability to involve community members who have not been formerly engaged with poetry. Commissioners appreciated McBunch's interest in working across disciplines with other artists, along with a focus on lifting up the voices of youth poets. Ms. Johnson noted being almost through the first quarter term of the appointment, had it started on January 1, 2021. Commissioners were agreed to revise the term to July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2023, with any work the Poet Laureate proposes before the start of term be included in their Scope of Work and prorated accordingly. Commissioner Clifthorne moved, seconded by Vice Chair Burlingame, to forward a recommendation for approval of Ashly McBunch as the 2021-2023 Poet Laureate to City Council for consideration. The motion passed unanimously. 21-0343 Telephone of the Wind Donation Attachments: Gift of Art Proposal January 4, 2021 article on Telephone of the Wind in Seattle Refined. Gift of Art Policy Commissioners discussed Mr. Dembeck's proposal of Telephone of the Wind, and had concerns about the scale of the sculpture. At 6 feet across, the sense of discovery and intimacy of the original configuration feels lost and the structure itself could become a greater target for vandalism. Staff will communicate the Commission's concerns to Mr.Dembeck and advise that he can resubmit his proposal. Vice Chair Burlingame moved, seconded by Commissioner Clifthorne, to provide feedback to Mr. Dembeck. The motion was unanimously passed. 21-0344 A Story Place Donation Attachments: A Story Place proposal A Story Place additional proposal Sketch of proposed installation at LBA Park Gift of Art Policy City of Olympia Page 2 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes April 8, 2021 Commissioners discussed the gift proposal of A Story Place by Nancy Thorne Chambers. They were impressed by the completeness of the proposal and the generosity of the gift. They asked about the potential timeline if approved, and Ms. Johnson shared staff considered August or September to be achievable. Commissioner Dorgan moved, seconded by Commissioner Hicks, to recommend A Story Place by Nancy Thorne Chambers to the City Manager as a donation to the City Public Art Collection. The motion was unanimously passed. 7. REPORTS 21-0331 Policy and Program Recommendations to City Council Commissioners wished to explore two items for their upcoming retreat in June. 1) Formalizing how Commissioners are appointed to juries and other ad hoc committees, and 2) Thinking about COVID responsive art projects. The report was received. 21-0332 Arts Program Support Ms. Johnson shared the dedication presentation for the West Bay Drive Art Crossing that she is taking to City Council on April 13. She also shared that the City's application for NEA Our Town Funding for the Art Crossings project in 2021-2022 was not approved. The report was received. 21-0333 ARCH Support The report was received. 8. OTHER TOPICS - None 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:49 p.m. City of Olympia Page 3