HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_ARTAB_05.20.2014Minutes of the Meeting of the
Arts and Culture Board
City of Georgetown, Texas
May 20, 2014
The Arts and Culture Board met on Tuesday, May 20 at 4:30 p.m. in the small conference room
of the Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. 8th Street
MEMBERS PRESENT: Gary Anderson, Philip Baker, Shana Nichols, Betty Ann Sensabaugh,
Liz Stewart, Amanda Still, and Melissa Waggoner
Regular Session — began at 4:30 p.m.
A. Citizens who wish to address the Board. None were present.
B. Announcements of upcoming events — Liz Stewart announced the weeklong summer
session of Senior University, June 9-13. The opening lecture on Sunday, June 8, is
free and will be a talk by Southwestern University President Ed Burger. Eric Lashley
reminded board members of the unveiling of the Main Street mural at 5:30 on
Thursday, May 29, at the Art Center. He also reported that John Gordon of the
Williamson County Symphony Orchestra Society spoke at the May 13 City Council
meeting, thanking them for the support of the Arts and Culture Board. He also showed
a video of the grant -supported concert.
C. Consideration and approval of minutes of the April 15, 2014 Board meeting. Melissa
Waggoner moved to approve the minutes as distributed. Betty Ann Sensabaugh
seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
D. Report regarding the operation of the Georgetown Art Center from April 15 through
May 19, 2014— Eric Lashley, Gary Anderson. Lashley reported door counts as
follows: 3/2/14 to 4/2/14 (2544), 4/3/14 to 4/25/14 (3435), 4/26/14 to 4/27/14 (Red
Poppy Festival 1770). He also reported that six of Benini's pieces sold during the
exhibit and that one of the Snell paintings has sold. Baker inquired about how much
money had been taken in in donations during that time period, but neither Lashley nor
Anderson knew. Lashley and Anderson agreed that the Snell memorial reception had
been very successful and well attended.
The summer classes for children are being scheduled and taught by the Cordovan Art
Group, a business based in Austin. Georgetown Art Works will receive a portion of the
income from the classes. Future scheduled exhibits are: American Dream (call for
artists) -- June 5 -July 20; Renee Wiley -- late July -August; Great Outdoors (call for
artists) — September; Art Hop (call for artists) — October. Lashley said he had learned
that Lynette Wallace is hoping to do Art in the Square the last weekend in September.
Anderson confirmed Wallace's interest in continuing the show in Georgetown,
regardless of whether she makes any money because she believes Georgetown is on
the verge of becoming known as an "art town."
Chair Baker said that hehad heard that Beninihad been so pleased with his recent
association with Georgetown that heieseeking 2O.O0Dsq. ft. ofspace here so that he
can relocate his gallery. Lashley said he was considering the Old Jail, which is owned
by the County. Lashley has been trying to met up an appointment for Benini to discuss
the possibility with Valerie Covey, Williamson County Commissioner for Georgetown.
E. Report on the meeting of the chairs of the Arts and Culture Board, Convention and
Visitors Bureau Board, Main Street Advisory Board, and Library Advisory Board on
April 30, 2014 — Philip Baker, Eric Lashley. Baker reported that the meeting was
worthwhile and made possible ahealthy sharing ofinformation. There is alot going
on in the downtown and the boards share many interests. They plan to meet more
regularly. Lashley said another meeting has already been scheduled at which the
group will discuss capitalizing onthe Cultural District through scheduling and shared
advertising of downtown event. Lashley said an upcoming challenge will be attracting
visitors tothe downtown after the convention center inthe Riveryopens.
The group also discussed the proposed downtown Civic Center, which would include
the area around the Ubrary, the police staLioO, the GCAJ-building and the old library.
The agreement with the County to lease the property at 8 th and MLK to the City for a
parking lot has been approved byCity Council and will be considered bythe
Commissioners Court next week. Assuming that the agreement is approved, work
may begin onthe parking lot inDecember 2O14.The first phase ofCivic Center
development would be creating outdoor assembly spaces, including aDamphitheater
between the library and the police station, creation of a pocket park where the blue
building now stands at the corner Cf9m and yNLK'and possibly closing MLKbetween
7 th and 9th Streets to create a park.
F Report regarding the expenditure of funds from the Arts and Culture Board budget
Judy Fabry. Fabry reported that she had not requested any payments during the
month. She had asked Georgetown Art Works for aninvoice for the $158Dapproved
to support the Snell reception, but none had been received. She said she would be
requesting the check for the grant tothe Palace Theater early inJune.
The board discussed upcoming expenses, which are
Prize money for the T8(]Gsummer show $1800
Construction of concrete pads ot the airport $ OOO
Newspaper ads for the Benini exhibit $ 850
Cultural District ads (as mentioned above) ??
Possible purchase ofePAsystem for the Art Center?
Lashley said he vxOu|d investigate the cost of FY\ system.
G. Consideration of and possible action to create guidelines for organizations that are
seeking financial assistance from the Arts and Culture Board outside of the normal
grant process — Melissa Waggoner, Judy Fabry. Waggoner asked totable this idea
until later this year when the new budget is discussed. There was consensus,
hovvever, that establishing simple guidelines, especially for requests from
Georgetown Art Works, iaagood idea.
H. Consideration of possible action regarding purchasing a Don Snell Painting —Gary
Anderson, Judy Fabry. �Anderson explained his rationale for purchasing apainting,
primarily that Snell is a local artist of considerable stature and his work should be
preserved in Georgetown. He also believes strongly that artists (or their estates) are
worthy of the community's financial support. He recommended three paintings from
the present exhibit that he asked the board to consider: Kafka's Castle (a very early
work); Flower Girl (a colorful work that is a departure from most of his work); and
Red Striped Tie (a late work). General discussion followed about whether
purchasing a painting from an exhibit would set a precedent that other artists would
expect and whether the board had enough money to make a purchase. Also, some
consideration was given to where the painting might hang. Amanda Still moved to
purchase one of Snell's works that are currently on display. Liz Stewart seconded
the motion, which passed unanimously. The board members agreed to visit the
exhibit to look at the paintings Anderson recommended. They will make a decision
about which to purchase at the June meeting.
Consideration and possible action regarding a new contract with Georgetown Art
Works for management of the Georgetown Art Center for the next three years — Eric
Lashley. Lashley reviewed the history of the current operating agreement, which
was for a trial period of one year. Now that the year is nearly past, Georgetown Art
Works would like to have a new contract for three years, a plan with which the City
concurs. On August 12 Lashley will do an afternoon workshop with City Council and
then will present the contract for approval at the regular Council meeting that
evening. Before August 12, the Arts and Culture Board should have been involved
in writing the contract and have recommended acceptance to the Council members.
Lashley talked about the two prevailing notions of what makes an art center
successful. One is that it is a place that displays and supports a high level of artistic
endeavor through shows and classes, and high door counts are not the primary sign
of success. The other is that the most important thing is assuring that many people
pass through the doors, regardless of the quality of art that is displayed or the
visitors' interest in art, that is, increasing foot traffic downtown is the primary
purpose of the art center. The new contract that is drawn up probably will have to
reconcile these two attitudes. With that in mind, he asked what changes the board
members would suggest.
Gary Anderson said that he would like to see downtown art nights be separate
events from First Fridays. He does not believe that First Friday participants are
necessarily art lovers and it doesn't benefit the Art Center to be open on First
Fridays. Still reminded the board of the financial difficulties a separate art night
would present to gallery owners who are expected to be open on First Fridays.
Baker suggested that Georgetown Art Works is doing a good job; let them tell the
Board what they want to do. Shana Nichols agreed that GAW is doing a good job,
but she says they need to be challenged and suggested that they need to have
events away from the Art Center to promote it to people in the community who still
don't know it exists. Lashley said he believes that the contract should still dictate a
minimum number of art shows per year because it is the constant change in the
gallery that will drive foot traffic. Waggoner suggested that there be a milestone for
each of the three years and Still took that idea further, saying that GAW should
report annually on their progress toward those milestones. Lashley talked about
aspects of the Arts and Culture Board's long range plan that could mesh with the
goals of GAW, such as the Artist in Residency program. Lashley will begin drafting
the contract within the next month.
All board members are able to meet on the regular June 17 meeting date.
Chair Baker adjourned the meeting at 5:45.
Respectfully submitted,
Liz St rt, Secretary P Kilip�B/a�ir, Chair
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