HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_ARTAB_07.20.2010Minutes of the Fleeting of the
Arts and Culture Board
City of Georgetown, Texas
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Members present: Charles Aguillon, Philip Baker, Kaki Bassi, Dar Richardson, Mandy Solin
Members absent: Karen Lange, Steve Proesel
Staff present: Eric Lashley, Library Director; Judy Fabry, Library Administrative Assistant
Others present: Judy Ommen, Georgetown Artworks; Doug Smith, Palace Theatre; Bob Kostka,
Palace Theatre; Micki Ross, Williamson Museum; Jamaal O'Neal, Williamson County Sun.
A. Charles Aguillon called the meeting to order at 4:37 p.m.
B. There were no announcements regarding upcoming events
C. Judy Ommen and Doug Smith signed up to speak to agenda item 4 and their comments are
summarized there.
D. Mandy Solin moved and Kaki Bassi seconded the motion to accept the minutes of the June 15
meeting as distributed. Motion passed unanimously. Dar Richardson moved and Philip Baker
seconded the motion to accept the minutes of the June 24 meeting as distributed. Motion passed
unanimously.
E. Consideration of and possible action on
1. Retort on presentation to Council _at_Iuly 13 2010 meeting - Charles Aguillon. Charles said he
had tried to tell the Council that the Board needs funding to proceed, but no action was taken.
The Mayor and Pat Berryman complimented the Board's work, especially the "new direction"
that the Board has taken, the grants, and the sculptures in the park. Ellsworth Peterson spoke
on behalf of the Festival of the Arts and thanked the Council and the Board for the grant the
Festival received.
2. Sculpture donation by Gary Yarrington - Eric Lashley. Eric reported that Gary Yarrington has
made arrangements to donate his sculpture, The Book, to the library. The Library Board has
already approved the sculpture for placement in the library, but the Arts and Culture Board
needs to approve the City taking the donation. Philip moved to accept the donation, Dar
seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
3. Southwestern University /3M grant - Eric Lashley. Eric said that he had spoken with Ben Pierce
of Southwestern and Ben said that the books on the grant still were not closed, so he could not
tell exactly how much money would be given to the Board for the purchase of a sculpture for
the Hike and Bike Trail in San Gabriel Park. Eric estimated that the amount would be about
$2800 and that it would be distributed in August or September. After the money is received, a
committee comprising members of the Arts and Culture Board, the Parks Board, and a
representative from Southwestern will select a sculpture to purchase.
4. Use of the old library as an art /community center – Charles Aguillon. Charles announced that
the City Manager has mentioned in the press and at two recent Council meetings about using
the Old Library as an arts center. He announced that Judy Ommen wished to speak about this
topic.
Judy passed out a summary of the recommendations of Georgetown Artworks if
the Old Library is converted into an arts center. That sheet is attached and made
a part of these minutes.
Charles announced that Doug Smith also wished to speak about the proposed arts center.
Doug reported that the Palace Theatre has been using the Old Library for the
past two summers for its children's programs and the Palace Board hopes to
continue that usage. However, they also would like to see the Old Library
contain a small "black box" theatre since the building that the Palace bought for
that purpose has been found not suitable by the Fire Inspector.
Eric reported on Paul Brandenburg's facilities presentation that he gave at a recent
Council workshop. He passed out a sheet that showed four of the slides from Mr.
Brandenburg's PowerPoint presentation —the slides relevant to the Old Library,
Police Station, parking at 8th and MLK, and his recommendations. Eric emphasized
that Council took no action on the recommendations. At the July 13 Council
meeting, Mr. Brandenburg again mentioned the possibility of converting the Old
Library or the Police Station into an arts center.
In the interest of being proactive, Eric presented a draft proposal (attached to and
made a part of these minutes) for the Board to consider sending to Mr.
Brandenburg, asking for his approval for the Board and interested stakeholders to
go ahead with a preliminary investigation of creating an arts center in the Old
Library. The proposal also established a deadline of January 2011 to bring the
preliminary findings to Council. Eric emphasized that until the Board receives
directions from the city manager regarding this project, there is no point in
discussing it.
Discussion followed, which included consideration of who the stakeholders on the
planning committee should be, who would do the considerable research that is
outlined, and whether Council's priorities should be surveyed before moving
ahead with the preliminary investigation. Dar moved that with the addition of
GISD to the list of stakeholders, the proposal should be sent to Paul Brandenburg.
Kaki seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
5. Formation of sub - committee for meetings with CVB and Main Street board representatives –
Eric Lashley. Charles and Phil volunteered to serve on this committee.
b. Arts and Culture Board budget – Eric Lashley. Eric briefly reviewed the way in which the Board
has received funding in the past. In 2007 -08 and 2008 -09 the funding was 1/4% of the general
fund. In 2009 -10 the Financial Policy was changed so that funding for the Board was at the
discretion of the City Manager. The Board has received no new funds since 2008 -09 and Eric
had been advised that there is no money in the FY 2010 -11 budget for the Arts and Culture
Board.
Judy passed out a summary of the Board's expenses for the past two years(attached to and
made a part of these minutes), which showed a balance remaining of approximately $5500. She
pointed out the expenses associated last October with promoting Art Month and also the
expenses associated with the Georgetown Sculpture Tour. If the Board receives no funding for
FY 2010 -11, the Board will not be able to continue both of those projects. Charles said that he
believes it is important to continue support for these projects and pointed out that Council
needs to be apprised of this situation. It appears that at least some of the Council members
assume that there is money in the 2010 -11 budget for the Board.
Mandy suggested that perhaps CVB could pay for some of the Art Month advertising. Dar said
that he is talking next week with the sculptors who are expecting to bring their works to
Georgetown in October. He emphasized that he needs to know there will be money for
pedestals and honorariums for these pieces. To that end, Dar moved that $3000 be set aside
from the remaining funds for the sculpture project and for prizes for next year's TSOS summer
show at the library. Mandy seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Discussion followed about writing a letter to Council to bring the Board's financial situation to
their attention. Philip made a motion that Charles write to the Council immediately. Mandy
seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
7. Application for Cultural District Designation — Charles Aguillon. Charles said that although
there is nothing new on this topic, it will become an important focus when the Arts and
Culture Board representatives meet with representatives from the Main Street and CVB boards.
Designation as a Cultural District will be the ultimate outcome when arts and culture become
the forces driving tourism and economic development in the downtown.
Charles adjourned the meeting at 5:27.
Respectfully submitted,
Judy Fabry, Acting Secretary
Chart guillon, Chair
GEORGETOWN ART (WORKS CENTER FOR THE ARTS JULY 19, 2010
GREEN BUILDING MODIFICATIONS
Appropriate HVAC, LIGHTING, VENTING for artists, INSULATED
GALLERY SPACE 30 X 60 SF = 1800 SF
Can be used as a meeting space, rentable, with wooden floor for dance
KITCHEN GALLEY 50 SF = 50 SF
OFFICE SPACE FOR 2 PEOPLE 144 SF = 144 SF
WORK /SELL STUDIO SPACES 6 @ 220 SF = 1320 SF
Rentable
WORK /SELL STUDIO SPACES 4 @ 440 SF = 1760 SF
Rentable
EMERGING ARTIST STUDIO 1 @ 300 SF = 300 SF
Grant Funded, competitive, 2 or 3 per year
VISITING ARTIST STUDIO 1 @ 300 SF = 300 SF
Grant Funded, competitive, 2 per year
LARGE COMMUNITY WORK SPACE WITH WALL GALLERY 1 @ 800 SF = 800 SF
Rentable for Groups or individuals, sinks, fan system, strong electrical
Painting, wax media, printmaking, drawing platform & lighting, equipped
Workshop ready
EDUCATIONAL WORK SPACE 1 @ 1000 SF = 1000 SF
Operates year round for K —12, sliding scale tuition during school year
Summer camp charges Grant supported, fully equipped and divided for ages
STORAGE GALLEY Between large work spaces 1 @ 200 SF = 200 SF
COMPUTER LAB WITH 10 STATIONS 1 @ 400 SF = 400 SF
DIGITAL ART WORK, DESIGN, GRAPHICS, PHOTOGRAPHY
SMALLER WORKSHOP SPACES 2 @ 600 SF and 4 @ 400 SF = 2800 SF
Pottery, Silver /Metal Works, Stained Glass, Fabric & Fiber, Sculpture
OPENS to outside for sculpture working to continue
OUTDOOR ARTS PAVILION
Equipped with electrical, water, fans, shade coverage, platform for demo,
music, dance... SF unknown
TOTAL Square Feet ...... • • • 10774 SF
Recommended Eleven Thirteen Architects in Georgetown who have been involved with us.
Referenced art centers in Ingram —Hill Country Arts Foundation, Artpace San Antonio,
and Raleigh, N.C. — Artspace. For Summer Art Camp —Vero Beach Museum of Art
Ommen/ 2
Intermediate Needs (2010 -2015)
City Hall
Albertson
No!
Downtown Masterplan
Facility'Downtovm'
MuniupaI Court
Move offices across to 71h & Main Stleel Building
spl t operations
Occupy a portion of old Lib•ary
Par ing Structure
Southwest Duadrenl
Pan of Civic Complex on B- Street
Can be bui ;l indepwdont of other facilities
Old Police Station -. -.
Transitional Use and Temporary Space
Ultimately Sell
aL
Old Library
Arts and Culture Use
Art and Theater Classes
Shows
Traveling Exhibits
t
Work with Arts and Culture Board, Palace
Theater, GISD, Southwestern, and Williamson
County History Museum.
Municipal Court (Future)
Children's Library (Future)
Recommendations —Ncxt Steps
Complete the Purchase of the DB Wood Property
(Addresses Fire and Police Needs).
Construct Fire Station #5 in 2011.
Work with Williamson County on the sale, lease, joint
use of the V Street Property for a future Civic
Complex, Parking Structure, and Retail Use.
Emphasis on Parking Structure.
Work with interested stakeholders on the Old Library
as an Arts and Culture Venue.
Contingent upon the results of the Fall Liquor Option
Initiative Election, renovate the old Fire Station #1
Bays for a proposed Winery (4A Funded).
DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT
Proposal
The Arts and Culture Board proposes to form a committee to study the feasibility of
converting the old Library into an Arts Center.
The committee will consist of members of the Arts and Culture Board. The committee
will be chaired by Charles Aguillon, Chair of the Arts and Culture Board, and facilitated
by Eric Lashley, Library Services Director.
To keep the size of the committee manageable, a representative of the following
organizations will be asked to participate:
1. Palace Theater
2. Georgetown Art Works
3. Williamson Museum
4. Southwestern University
5. Georgetown Symphony Society
(Note: other stakeholders will have an opportunity to participate in the process at public
forums)
Scope of Work
Me committee will:
A. Develop a mission and vision for an Arts Center
B. Research Arts Centers through the country
C. Identify the various models of Art Centers
D. Identify best practices
E. Organize public forums
F. Research costs associated with the operation of an Arts Center
G. Research sources of funding and cost recovery
H. Research the economic impact of an Arts Center
Timeline
The committee will make a recommendation to Council no later than January 2011.