Fine Arts Commission

Minutes Skokie Fine Arts Commission May 8, 2024 7 p.m. Skokie Village Hall Conference Rooms D&E I. Call to Order at 7:05 p.m. by Vice Chairperson Rhodes In attendance: Vice Chairperson Rhodes, Staff Liaison Gioia and Commissioners Blum Barish, Joshi, Levan, Liberman, Osseny, Thomas, and Vicker II. Skokie Through the Lens “Signs of Skokie” a. Question was brought up whether we need to have a theme for the exhibit. Would we possibly get more submissions if we left it open for photographers to simply submit a favorite photo? It would still need to be Skokie-related but would provide answers to the question of whether interest is dwindling or whether the themes were restricting submissions. We could give the exhibit a title once we saw which photos were selected. b. We were planning to have the exhibit in the lobby of Village Hall in October. If we are planning other events/exhibits in October (see Budget Update), should we postpone the photo exhibit in October and look at doing it in the spring or summer? (Village Hall gets lots of foot traffic in July when people line up to purchase their vehicle stickers.) The exhibit has never been tied to one particular month so moving it isn’t unheard-of. c. Since there was a lack of quorum, this conversation was tabled until the next meeting. The only problem is that a decision won’t be in time for the mailed New Skokie newsletter but we can make up for the lack of publicity other ways. III. “Tales from the Trails” Storytelling event with Skokie Bike Network a. In a happy coincidence, the Village was planning a “Tour de Skokie” event for the entire month of July to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Al’s Cycle Shop. Since the Fine Arts Commission is a supporter of the storytelling event, it will be included in all of the promotional materials. b. Staff Liaison Gioia shared the Tour de Skokie poster and the “Summer fun in Skokie” postcard that both include the event. #619419  c. Commission will have a table at the event to answer questions about the Fine Arts Commission and promote our upcoming activities. IV. October 2024 Arts & Humanities Month Co-chairs – Rhodes and Hatchett, Subcommittee – Chander, Osseny, Waxberg a. Must announce at least two months earlier than we did last year – Aim for late June b. Deadlines will be the same. c. Poster/promotional materials will be basically the same but with minor edits. V. Budget Update a. Chair Garbarini and Staff Liaison Gioia presented in front of the Village Board at the budget hearing. Trustee Klein praised the group for coming back even stronger after the pandemic. b. It is assumed that we will receive the funding we have requested. c. Staff Liaison Gioia was able to encumber $2500 of unused funds from the FY24 budget to be used towards a “pop-up gallery” experience to activate a vacant storefront. i. The Giftorium artisan market is planned to be in the vacant storefront at 5023 Oakton Street in November and December (barring someone signing a long- term lease before then) ii. The Fine Arts Commission could take over that space in October to host an art show featuring Skokie artists. iii. This would be in lieu of the photography exhibit which could get moved to spring/summer of 2025. iv. Would align nicely with Arts & Humanities Month. Ideas include 1. Hosting an artist open house in the space. 2. Have one day to be an Arts & Humanities Gallery Walk Day (Who Modern/Northern Western Exhibitions, A&C Gallery, The Bird Machine, Lincoln Terrace Art Studio & Gallery, Devonshire, pop-up gallery) 3. Could have other events in the space – poetry reading, music, lecture v. Staff Liaison Gioia will continue to gather information to bring to June meeting for whole commission to discuss and decide. vi. If we proceed, we will need to create subcommittee to determine the structure (Subject? Juried and by whom? Type of art? Entry fee? Deadline? Number of #619419  pieces to be selected? What days gallery open? Who will “work” the gallery? Who will be responsible for hanging the artwork?) VI. New Business a. Grant Application – Needs to be reviewed and refined by a subcommittee and then changes sent to Staff Liaison to input prior to announcement in August. i. What are the grant limits for schools and for organizations? ii. Who can and cannot apply for grants b. Follow up to Artists Networking Event – Don’t forget that we want to do another Artists’ Networking Event (October?) and an Artists Directory. c. Family Arts Day – Was an idea that was lost due to the pandemic. Should we resurrect the idea for next summer (2025)? Can add costs to next year’s budget. Work with Farmer’s Market to do outreach to arts organizations to offer activities. VII. Adjournment at 8:05 p.m. Although we often cancel one of the summer meetings, the group agreed that the October Arts & Humanities Month events necessitate that commission meets throughout the summer. Possible that we will cancel October because of scheduled events and December due to the holidays. Upcoming meetings and important dates: June 12 - June Meeting July 10 - July Meeting July 14 – Tales from the Trails event at Sketchbook August 14 - August Meeting Sept. 11- September Meeting #619419