HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_ARTAB_11.18.2014Minutes of the Meeting of the
Arts and Culture Board
City of Georgetown, Texas
November 18, 2014
The Arts and Culture Board met on Tuesday, November 18, 2014 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, Amanda Still and Melissa Waggoner
Regular Session — Chair Philip Baker called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.
A. Citizens who wish to address the Board — No persons were signed up to speak on items other than
what was posted to the agenda.
B. Announcements of upcoming events — Eric Lashley asked the board members for one volunteer to
help select a piece for the annual Red Poppy poster. Judging will take place Friday, November 21 at
the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Shana Nichols volunteered and Amanda Still volunteered to be
a back-up judge.
C. Consideration and approval of minutes of the October 21, 2014 Board meeting — Melissa Waggoner
moved to approve the minutes as distributed. Gary Anderson seconded the motion, which
passed unanimously.
D. Consideration and possible action regarding the utility box art project and other public art — Eric
Lashley. Lashley began discussion on public art because Dar Richardson was present to address
the board on this item. Although he's no longer a member of the Arts and Culture Board, Dar
coordinates the sculptures that are placed throughout the city for the Sculpture Tour. The Board
awards an honorarium of $300 to the artist for each piece the city insures to be part of the tour.
Lashley introduced Dar to the board. Dar expressed a desire for a member of the board assist him,
so they will be more aware of the sculptures they are funding. Lashley currently assists Dar as
needed and the board members were agreeable to him continuing to do so. Dar would also like the
board to coordinate promotional materials for the sculpture tour, so the community will be aware of
new art in the City. Pieces for the sculpture tour are typically displayed for a year. There is not a call
for entries, where the pieces would come in all at one time. Therefore, the pieces have different take
down dates. Lashley agreed to coordinate the printing of promotional materials once most of the
sculptures are in place, so the brochure will be accurate. Lashley also suggested advertising the
pieces on social media and the arts. g eorg etown. org site. The board was agreeable to these options,
so Dar left the meeting.
Next, the board discussed continuing the utility box art project. There are currently two wrapped
utility boxes, downtown. One on 7th street on the side of Quenan's Jewelers and the other at the
corner of 8th street and Austin Avenue. Lashley noted that the Palace Theater would like the utility
box in front of their 8th street building to be wrapped, but is not asking for the box to have a theater
theme. The board will send out a call for entries, and then select the artist with the best design. Once
the artist is chosen, the board will hire a company to create and install the wrap. Lashley asked the
board to consider funding this project, which would allow $100 for the artist and up to $550 for the
wrap. Still moved to fund up to $650 for the utility box art project. Shana Nichols seconded the
motion, which passed unanimously.
E. Report regarding the operation of the Georgetown Art Center from October 22, 2014 through
November 18 2014 — Eric Lashley, Gary Anderson. Lashley explained that Diane Gaume, president
of Georgetown Art Works, reminded members on Monday to turn their statistics in so she could
complete the monthly report before the Arts and Culture Board's meeting on Tuesday. However, no
report was provided for October. The Operating Agreement between the City of Georgetown and
Georgetown Art Center states that Georgetown Art Works will provide a monthly report, detailing the
month's happenings and financial update. The board felt that they should not have to remind
Georgetown Art Works to submit a monthly report, as it is part of the singed Operating Agreement.
The board discussed consequences for Georgetown Art Works regarding the missing report.
Waggoner moved to withhold allocated funds for the Georgetown Art Center on the months that
Georgetown Art Works does not provide a report. Still seconded the motion, which passed
unanimously.
F. Report and possible action regarding the expenditure of funds from the Arts and Culture Board
budget — Lawren Weiss, Eric Lashley. Weiss noted the expenses that had been paid the previous
month: $1,200 to Jenn Hassin to display her Letters of Sacrifice Memorial and $800 to Georgetown
Art Center for promotional materials for the Letters of Sacrifice Memorial. Lashley invited the board
to attend the Texas Commission on the Arts' State of the Arts Conference, January 28-30. Lashley
asked that board members notify Weiss if they would like to attend any of the conference dates.
Funding for the conference will come from the Arts and Culture Board's $2,000 budget for training
and administration.
G. Report on Gallery Georgetown - Eric Lashley. Gallery Georgetown took place Saturday, October 25
from 5-10 pm. Lashley reported that he and library staff member Kalena Powell, drove vans to
transport visitors to the various galleries. Still noted that there was a good turnout and that artists
were happy with the silent auction and sale of the 5x7 art pieces. Board members discussed the
desire for a final report of Gallery Georgetown, and hope that it will be included in the next monthly
report from Georgetown Art Works.
H. Review on the available Fine Arts Librarian and Administrative positions. — Eric Lashley. Lashley
reported that staff members would soon make a decision on candidates who applied for the Fine
Arts Librarian position. The Fine Arts Librarian's duties will entail booking live music and art displays,
fine arts collection development and working the reference desk. In addition to regular library duties,
the position will require the candidate to create partnerships with other local art groups to provide
greater community outreach.
Consideration and possible action to fund the mural project for the library plaza. — Eric Lashley.
Lashley noted that he had not been in contact with Faith, owner of The Co -Op. The proposed mural
will go on the outside wall of her building which is part of the library plaza. During October's meeting,
the board seemed agreeable to fund the project, but no motion was made. The board briefly
discussed the details of this project. Anderson moved to fund $3,000 for the artist's stipend and up
to $500 for materials used. Still seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Consideration and possible action regarding the nonprofit organizations grant application process —
Eric Lashley. Lashley asked the board to review last year's grant application process and decide if
they would like to make any changes. Anderson noted that he enjoyed the application process and
would like the maximum amount given to one organization to remain at $3,000. A requirement for
grant recipients is that they must go to a city council meeting to thank Council for the grant. The
board decided to change this requirement to a thank you letter, so grant recipients do not have to
attend the entire council meeting. A call for entries and press release will go out next week for grant
proposals with a deadline of January 16.
K. Consideration of dates of coming meetings - Eric Lashley. All members present said they would be
able to attend the regularly scheduled December 16, meeting.
Chair Baker adjourned the meeting at 5:22 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Liz Stewart, Secretary Philip Baker, Chair
48
)WN
L L111" VO
Citizen Comment Form
For Posted Agenda Items
To address the BoardlCommission on a posted agenda item, complete this
form and submit it to the BoardlCommission Liaison, on the dais, prior to the
discussion of the item at the meeting.
TTI .. t i n g J, a t e: —MIUMEN'
Agenda Item:
Name. -
If speaking for an organization,
I
Disclaimer:
By submitting this request to address I agree that I will keep my comments to the
subject listed. I will rq/rainfi-oin the use of any obscene, vulgar, or profane language. I understand that if
I do not follow this procedure, my speaking time may be terminated and I may be requested to sit down or
be reinovedfi-oin the building. I understand that the Board,'C'onimission meeting is broadcast live and my
comments will become part oJ'the official record
BoardlCoininission Procedure for Citizen Coninient on an Agenda Rein:
1. Fill out.f6rin completely and turn in to the Bocird,'Commission Liaison prior to discussion (?f'lhe item
2. Wait for• the Chairman to call your name to approach the podium
3. State your name and address clearly into the podium microphone
4. You will have three minutes to address six minutes if another citizen has signed over
their time