Arts Commission

City Hall Meeting Minutes 601 4th Avenue E Olympia, WA 98501 Arts Commission Contact: Stephanie Johnson 360.709.2678 Thursday, May 13, 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 Chair Dobler pulled item 21-0448 as the guest speaker requested to reschedule. The agenda was approved as amended. The agenda was approved as amended. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 21-0443 Approval of April 8, 2021 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes The minutes were approved. 4. PUBLIC COMMENT - None 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS Commissioners shared information on past and upcoming arts events. 6. BUSINESS ITEMS 21-0447 Parks, Arts and Recreation Plan Update Parks Planning and Design Manager Laura Keehan provided background to the 2022 Parks, Arts and Recreation Plan update including brief accomplishments since 2016, public engagement overview and the recently completed random sample survey. Commissioners engaged in discussion about the process. Ms. Johnson shared the draft City of Olympia Page 1 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes May 13, 2021 goals and policies for the Arts Program. Ms. Keehan will return in September with a draft Parks, Arts and Recreation Plan for review. The report was received. 21-0448 Olympia Artspace Alliance Check In This item will be rescheduled. The discussion was postponed. 21-0450 Telephone of the Wind Donation Ms. Johnson shared the video provided by Mr. Dembeck showing the proposed structure for Telephone of the Wind, in response to Commissioner review and comment. Commission response was universally positive, with appreciation for the selection of natural wood, the carving of the title, the scale of the structure and the way it blends in to the environment and yet marks a contrast. Commissioners also appreciated the care Mr. Dembeck took in responding to their comments. Commissioner Dorgan moved, seconded by Commissioner Hicks, to recommend the gift of Telephone of the Wind to the City Manager for inclusion in the public art collection. The motion was unanimously approved. 21-0454 Spring Retreat Planning/Arts U Training Commissioners planned for their upcoming retreat. The intent of the spring retreat is to welcome incoming Commissioners. This year, time will also be dedicated to Arts U Training, per Work Plan item 2.10, in addition to discussion on how appointments are determined for outside committees, juries, and other opportunities. The two hour retreat will take the place of the June 10 meeting and staff has been directed to inquire about meeting in person. The discussion was completed. 7. REPORTS 21-0444 Policy and Program Recommendations to City Council Ms. Johnson noted there has been a change in homeless response staff, so will wait to continue on building the Call for Artists in Residence until the new person is settled in. Chair Dobler and Commissioners Clifthorne and Hicks brought the group up to speed on the PBIA/OAC committee work on downtown art projects, murals and street installations. The report was received. 21-0445 Arts Program Support Ms. Johnson shared a digital version of the condition report binders for public art assessment. Commissioners asked to add the numbers from the online map to make it City of Olympia Page 2 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes May 13, 2021 easier to find the artwork. They requested a training on condition reports at the July meeting. Ms. Johnson also shared images of the Eastside St Art Crossing fabrication and noted artist Andrea Wilbur Sigo is ready for a studio visit. Chair Dobler and Commissioners Murray and Dorgan indicated interest. Ms. Johnson also provided a recap of Arts Month and encouraged Commissioners to take the evaluation survey available online. She reported Poet Laureate Ashly McBunch would be at City Council meeting for Special Recognition on May 18. The report was received. 21-0446 ARCH Support Commissioner Dorgan volunteered to be on the speaker series committee (Work Plan item 3.3) with members of the Heritage Commission, leaving one space open for one of the incoming Commissioners. Ms. Johnson provided an update on the Armory, sharing the timing of the consultant RFQ process and the Legislative schedule regarding the Governor's signing of the budget, which includes transfer of the Armory to the City at no cost. The report was received. 8. OTHER TOPICS - None 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:06 p.m. City of Olympia Page 3