Arts Commission

City Hall Meeting Minutes 601 4th Avenue E Olympia, WA 98501 Arts Commission Contact: Stephanie Johnson 360.709.2678 Thursday, July 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 6:15 p.m. 1.A ROLL CALL Olympia Artspace Alliance Chair and Lacey MakerSpace Director Michelle Pope Arts Program Specialist Angel Nava Present: 6 - Chair Frederick Dobler, Vice Chair Jim Burlingame, Commissioner Kathryn Dorgan, Commissioner Kathy Murray, Commissioner Joe Batt and Commissioner Shameka Gagnier Absent: 3 - Commissioner Rose Clifthorne, Commissioner Stacy Hicks and Commissioner Jace Hoag OTHERS PRESENT Olympia Artspace Alliance Chair and Lacey MakerSpace Director Michelle Pope Arts Program Specialist Angel Nava 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 21-0674 Approval of June 10, 2021 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes The minutes were approved. 4. PUBLIC COMMENT - None 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS Commissioners shared information about past and upcoming arts events. City of Olympia Page 1 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes July 8, 2021 6. BUSINESS ITEMS 21-0673 Olympia Artspace Alliance/Lacey MakerSpace Briefing Ms. Pope shared recent and upcoming Olympia Artspace Alliance (OAA) endeavors: pandemic relief grants to four Thurston County artists, the Evergreen student show currently in the store windows and the upcoming exhibition of the Black Well Red Thread Collective. OAA hopes to continue the storefront windows in 2022. OAA is organizing a tour of Annie's Artist Lofts on Saturday, August 7, from 5-7 p.m. and will continue with community forums. The organization is also looking for new boardmembers, and will be hosting a fundraiser soon. Ms. Pope also provided an overview of the Lacey MakerSpace, a community non-profit sponsored by City of Lacey, the Thurston Economic Development Council (EDC) and St. Martin's University. This community workspace is accessible through a membership structure (average fee $50 a month), and individual classes. They function as a training opportunity for businesses, a job trainer and workforce development. Creatives can make a prototype at the Lacey MakerSpace and work with the EDC for wraparound business assistance like applying for business licenses and patents. There is an open house planned for August, and they are looking for teachers and volunteers. The discussion was completed. 21-0675 Discussion on Committee Work Commissioners reviewed the task list and added their names to opportunities. Staff was asked to bring the list back at the next meeting for Commissioners unable to attend. The discussion was completed. 7. REPORTS 21-0670 Policy and Program Recommendations to City Council Chair Dobler reported on the PBIA arts sub-committee on downtown arts and efforts to program the existing murals as a way to engage downtown visitors. Ms. Johnson spoke with Kim Kondrat, the City's new Homeless Response Coordinator, to bring them up to speed on the Artist in Residence concept. Ms. Kondrat will join staff and Commissioners at the July 28 General Government Committee meeting to discuss the topic. The report was received. 21-0671 Arts Program Support Ms. Johnson reported Arts Walk registration is opening soon, and Percival Plinths voting has opened and is live until July 31. Voting is taking place on Engage Olympia, which is also the platform for the new Poet Laureate project "Creative Branches." Ms. Johnson City of Olympia Page 2 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes July 8, 2021 noted she will be renewing contracts (lapsed due to COVID) with the artists scheduled to exhibit at City Hall, and provided an update on selected Grants to Arts & Culture Organizations projects. She also provided an update on the process and schedule for the Eastside St. Art Crossing, and update on two damaged works in the collection by John Vanek, and plans for repair. The report was received. 21-0672 ARCH Support Ms. Johnson shared a broad schedule for the Armory outreach and engagement, and noted the consultant was almost under contract. She requested Commissioners provide contact information for arts, culture and heritage organizations who should be involved in the process to help shape the outreach effort. The report was received. 8. OTHER TOPICS - None 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:48 p.m. City of Olympia Page 3