Arts and Culture Commission Meeting

June 10, 2014 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING URBANA PUBLIC ARTS COMMISSION DRAFT DATE: June 10, 2014 TIME: 4:30 p.m. PLACE: City Council Chambers, Urbana City Building, 400 South Vine Street, Urbana, Illinois MEMBERS PRESENT: Kevin Hamilton, Eric Jakobsson, John Morrison, Pat Sammann, Ginny Waaler MEMBERS EXCUSED: Robin Douglas, Barbara Hedlund, Ilona Matkovskzi STAFF PRESENT: Lisa Hatchadoorian, Public Arts Coordinator; Sukiya J. Reid, Recording Secretary OTHERS PRESENT: Amira Davis, Steve Ingram, Kate Kuper, Kelly White 1. CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL AND DECLARATION OF QUORUM The Urbana Public Arts Commission was called to order at 4:30p.m. by Ms. Sammann. Ms. Reid took roll, and there were initially not enough members present to declare a quorum. However, another member joined the meeting at a later time and a quorum was met. 2. CHANGES TO AGENDA There were none. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING The minutes of the May 13, 2014 meeting were reviewed by the Commission. With no changes proposed, Mr. Morrison made a motion to approve the minutes. Mr. Jakobsson seconded the motion. All Commission members present were in favor of approval and the minutes were unanimously approved as presented. 4. PUBLIC INPUT There was none. 1  June 10, 2014 5. COMMUNICATIONS  Presentation by 2014 Urbana Arts Grant Recipient: Kate Kuper Ms. Sammann introduced artist, Kate Kuper. She gave a presentation on her project titled, Simple Machines and Movement Exploration, in which she collaborated with the classroom teacher, and Betty Allen, Dance & Drama Curriculum Director for District 116. They worked with 3rd grade, Yankee Ridge Elementary students on a one week intensive experience of science concepts through dance, music, movement, participation, and more. The kids explored force, gravity, compression, tension, etc. and later presented these concepts to 2 different second grade classes. Ms. Kuper thanked the Commission for the grant received. At the conclusion of the report, questions and comments from the Commission were heard.  Presentation by 2013 Urbana Arts Grant Recipient: Steve Ingram Ms. Sammann introduced photographic artist, Steve Ingram. Mr. Ingram gave a presentation on his project titled, Urbana Pinhole Portrait Project 2013, in which he interviewed 30 Urbana residents, and asked them why they chose to live in Urbana. He then used a Pringles potato chip can to make a camera, took a picture of each resident, and ended the project with a gallery showcasing the work. Mr. Ingram also held a workshop to show people how to build a pinhole camera on their own. He unfortunately had to stop the project abruptly due to the start of a new position at the place of his employment, but had a great time on the small portion of the project he was able to complete. Mr. Ingram thanked the Commission for the grant received. At the conclusion of the report, questions and comments from the Commission were heard.  Presentation by 2013 Urbana Arts Grant Recipient: 40 North | 88 West Ms. Sammann introduced Kelly White, Executive Director of 40 North | 88 West. Ms. White gave a brief slideshow presentation on the Boneyard Arts Festival, an annual arts event that links businesses with artist for exhibitions and takes place over 4 days. This was the festival’s 11th year and took place from April 11-14, 2013. Ms. White thanked the Commission for the grant received. At the conclusion of the report, questions and comments from the Commission were heard.  Presentation by 2014 Urbana Arts Grant Recipient: Amira Davis Ms. Sammann introduced local artist, Dr. Amira Davis. She gave a slideshow presentation on her project, The Community Saturday School, in which she combined “culturally- centered” arts and literacy. The project was a 14 week pilot arts & literacy program that served 18 youth and 5 mothers. It took place on Saturdays from February 1st-April 26th from 9:30am-2:30pm. The classes were held at Booker T. Washington Elementary School. At the completion of the project, awards and books were presented to the participants. Each participant received about 5 books, with at least one focusing on the arts. Ms. Davis thanked the Commission for the grant received. At the conclusion of the report, questions and comments from the Commission were heard. 2  June 10, 2014  Presentation by Staff: Monthly Progress Report Ms. Hatchadoorian presented the City staff’s monthly progress report to the Commission, outlining projects in process, recent requests and recommendations from the public, staff activities, and upcoming events. For an update on current projects, she reported the following:  With regard to the Urbana Arts Grants Program, Ms. Hatchadoorian reported that Staff had created and sent out a survey of the application process and grant program to past grantees (2013-14). Good information and feedback about the application process was received. She stated that over the summer, staff and the grants subcommittee would work with results of the survey to streamline and further improve grants program process and visibility.  With regard to Boneyard Creek Public Art, Ms. Hatchadoorian reported that late August was still the timeframe for park/construction/public art project to be finished. She stated that Staff was looking into pricing for banners on poles in park to advertise public art program and projects. The ribbon cutting event would most likely be in August.  With regard to Art Now!, Ms. Hatchadoorian reported that the June episode and profile featured the photography and writings of the natural world of Dr. Michael Jeffords and Susan Post, interviewed by Pat Sammann. She stated that episodes could be seen at: http://www.urbanaillinois.us/artnow.  With regard to the Artist of the Corridor, Ms. Hatchadoorian reported that tree-based artwork by students from Prairie Elementary and University Primary Schools would be on display until August 3, 2014.  With regard to Art at the Market, Ms. Hatchadoorian reported that the 2nd session of the 2014 Art at the Market season was taking place on June 14th with an eco-art workshop with artist Meredith Foster. She stated that this workshop would utilize natural materials like plants and charcoal from around Illinois to create art. The musical performance would be a local group, Don’t Ask, who specialize in klezmer music of Eastern Europe.  With regard to Marketing, Ms. Hatchadoorian reported that City staff had been regularly updating the Public Arts Program’s Facebook page, which as of this meeting had 713 fans. She also stated that the Urbana Public Arts Twitter account, which could be followed @urbanapublicart, as of this meeting had 1070 followers.  With regard to Grants, Ms. Hatchadoorian reported that Staff had not yet been notified of the status of the application for FY14-15 general operating support in the local arts agency category from the Illinois Arts Council.  For upcoming events, Ms. Hatchadoorian stated that the next Art at the Market, Klezmer music and a biodegradable art workshop would take place on June 14th. She also stated that the Urbana Wine Festival would take place on June 14th from 1:00-9:00pm. She announced the first of summer movie nights, with the showing of a movie called “Growing Cities”, that would be taking place on June 13th in the Busey Bank parking lot. Finally, she stated that the date for the next Public Arts Commission meeting was set for Tuesday, July 8, 2014 at 4:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers 3  June 10, 2014 6. OLD BUSINESS There was none. 7. NEW BUSINESS There was none. 8. ANNOUNCEMENTS Ms. Hatchadoorian made an announcement that Staff was heading to an America for the Arts conference in Nashville, TN for the remainder of that week with sessions on Creative Placemaking, Power of the Art to Transform Communities, and Public Perception of Public Art. She also announced that the Public Art League would be having a public unveiling of the sculpture that has been chosen for the upcoming year on June 17th from 5:30-7:00 pm. 9. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Morrison made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. Ms. Waaler seconded the motion. With no further business, Ms. Sammann declared the meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m. Submitted, Sukiya J. Reid, Recording Secretary 4