Public Art Commission

KIMBERLY DRISCOLL MAYOR Salem Public Art Commission 98 Washington Street | Salem, Massachusetts 01970 (978) 619-5685 DRAFT MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, December 15, 2020 Call to Order A public meeting of the Salem Public Art Commission was held at 6:40 pm via remote participation on Zoom web conference. Members Present: Emily Larsen, Janine Liberty, Norene Gachignard, Chair, Kurt Ankeny-Beauchamp, Thu Ngan Han, Carly Dywer Naik, John Andrews Staff Present: Julie Barry Recording Clerk: Kate Kennedy Chair Gachignard outlined format for the meeting and indicated members of the public may provide comments during the period of the meeting designated for public comments as well as raised hand teleconference options Note: All proposals, presentations, and/or documentation to be reviewed and discussed at this meeting can be viewed online at: https://bit.ly/PACProposals Meeting Minute Approvals o November 17, 2020 Meeting Minutes- Clarification of accepting proposals and if a formal vote is necessary. Discussion of developing protocol in future but as of now there is no written document in this body. o Meeting opened to comment. No comments were provided . Chair Gachignard- Motion to approve November 17 meeting minutes. Second to motion: Yes. No discussion. Motion passes unanimously. Spatial Justice Grant Award Announcement o City of Salem, in partnership with Boston based public artist and urban planner, has been awarded grant “Collective Imagination for Spatial Justice” in the amount of $5,000 o Through community driven input process, will envision what a modern memorial may look like in Charlotte Forten Park o Memorial to resonate with the time and space, is community driven and responsive, and connects either physically, metaphorically, visually, or otherwise to Peabody Street Park o Hoping to integrate the two parks through this public art endeavor -will ultimately be a permanent honoring of Charlotte Forten Park in some way  Approved Meeting Minutes December 15, 2020 John Andrews has presently joined meeting o Money set aside to pay the lead artist. Hoping to engage at least 3 artists in process and numerous community members and organizations Project Team: Timeline: ▪ John Andrews, prior Charlotte Forten Park, ▪ First meeting in January community involvement ▪ Present day thru May - community outreach, ▪ Claudia _ , architect and local artist engagement, ultimate design conception ▪ David _, North Shore CDC ▪ May-June, report of input process findings ▪ Lucy_, Point Neighborhood Association ▪ Goal to inevitably have an actionable plan ▪ Keshia De Leon, Point resident, local artist regardless of findings ▪ Kathy Winn, City of Salem, Peabody St./Charlotte Forten Park community planning process ▪ Board members Carly Dwyer and Thu Ngan Han express interest in joining project team Allocating Funds to Move Forward Naumkeag Portrait Project o Witch House (prior funding partner on Naumkeag project) has asked if Public Art Commission (PAC) can provide $5k from FY21 budget to support the project and launch in February, otherwise funds lost by June o PAC has money to do so with intent to find other means to support performing artists in June o Carly Dywer proposes commission to be proactive on hybridized performing arts options and outlook- utilizing remote space, industry-wide research, RFP preparedness for July o Julie Barry proposes to address further in February meeting and consider a subcommittee for program creation Chair Gachignard- Motion to reallocate funds for performing arts to the Naumkeag Portrait Project in this year’s budget in the sum of $5,000. Second to motion: Yes. No discussion. Motion passes unanimously. Collins Cove Black Lives Matter Mural Artist Proposal Review o Julie Barry reads text the artist, Keshia De Leon, provided to inform the Board o Mural: 3(H)x8(L), on sidewalk, possibly up wall; Implementation to begin in spring o Julie Barry has informed the Ward Counselor o Discussion of material use and duration of material performance o Discussion behind nature of the project message, and payment of artist o Discussion how project differs in that the artist sought out the PAC, with proposed set price o John Andrews suggests finding funds to pay artist for a mock-up. Stresses that with this specific project, considering the location and message, should see mock-up prior to full approval o $200 is found in budget as the Chagall PAC Winter Performance is now cancelled  Approved Meeting Minutes December 15, 2020 Chair Gachignard- Motion to approve a $200 stipend to Keshia to provide the PAC a mock-up of the Black Lives Matter Mural at Collins Cove, contingent upon proceeding with the project. Second to motion: Yes. No discussion. Motion passes unanimously. Chagall PAC Winter Performance Proposal o Board of Health has requested to not proceed with the Chagall PAC Winter Performance, due to current public COVID-19 status. Other Business o Still have Jacob and Lauren on retainer for at least 1 other engagement or as backup for public event o New call for Artists Row: Drafting in April and have out in May. Bathrooms will be fully renovated before May Old Town Hall o Applying for Massachusetts Cultural Council Feasibility and Technical Assistance Grant o Conduct deep dive feasibility studies to bring Old Town Hall up to code with fire suppression systems, ADA improvements, HVAC. Also restoring hardwood floors, renovating the basement o Create a kitchenette to support events, tenant use, space for classrooms, workshops, etc. o Casting out new pilot programs on the space operations; ideally will have a facilities manager and have May, June, Dec. reserved for rentals – e.g. markets, festivals, weddings o Anchor tenants in top and bottom, and keep space open for visitors, tourists, and residents to still engage. Local non-profits and small business’ to still rent the space throughout the year. o Trying to manage how to have these intermittent events but also need long-term tenants for long term sustainability o Conjure appropriate infrastructure to support the improvements trying to make and capital trying to achieve Update on the Forest River Park Project o Artists have been selected and meeting with construction crew Monday Meeting is open to public comment. No public comment. Chair Gachignard- Motion to adjourn the meeting. Second: Yes. Meeting adjourned at 7:30pm. Persons requiring auxiliary aids and services for effective communication such as sign language interpreter, an assistive listening device, or print material in digital format or a reasonable modification in programs, services, policies, or activities, may contact the City of Salem ADA Coordinator, as soon as possible and no less than 2 business days before the meeting, program, or event. Know your rights under the Open Meeting Law M.G.L. c. 30A § 18-25 and City Ordinance § 2-2028 through § 2- 2033.