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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_ARTAB_02.19.2019Minutes of the meeting of the Arts and Culture Board City of Georgetown, Texas February 19, 2019 The Arts and Culture Board met on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 at 4:30 p.m. in the Small Conference Room of Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. 8th Street, Georgetown, TX. PRESENT: Jane Estes, Susie Flatau, Tim Fleming, Laura Sewell, Sharon Snuffer, Carol Watson and Linda Wilde. STAFF PRESENT: Eric Lashley — Library Services Director, Amanda Still -Arts and Culture Coordinator, and Lawren Weiss -Administrative Assistant Call to order at 4:30 pm A. Citizens wishing to address the Board. — Jane Estes, Board Chair. None were present. No action required. B. Announcements regarding arts and culture. -Jane Estes, Board Chair. Updates from City staff and board members regarding arts events at Southwestern University, Georgetown Art Center, Central Texas Philharmonic/Georgetown Symphony Society, Georgetown ISD and Texans for the Arts -Arts Advocacy Day. No action required. C. Consideration and possible action to approve minutes from the January 15, 2019 meeting. —Jane Estes, Chair. No discussion necessary. Motion by Sewell; second by Snuffer to approve the January 2019 minutes as distributed. Approved 7-0. D. Introduction of Amanda Still, Arts and Culture Coordinator. —Eric Lashley, Library Director. Lashley introduced new Arts and Culture Coordinator Amanda Still to the board. Still will be focusing efforts on public art and promoting arts events and cultural institutions in the Cultural District. She will also bring back the calendar of events on the arts.georgetown.org website. Still would like to restore the monthly arts leaders' luncheons similar to the City's Breakfast Bites program. No action required. E. Consideration and possible action to establish a process and procedure for selecting art for the new City_ Hall lobby wall. —Amanda Still, Arts and Culture Coordinator. Still explained that the curved wall in City Hall poses a challenge for exhibits in that small pieces fit better than large ones which will limit the option of what can be displayed in that location. Still recommended inviting artists to participate rather than an open call, so the City and board can curate the shows quarterly (attachment). Still would like to provide a stipend to the artists and only request 6-7 small pieces for each exhibit. Board members recommended that the quarterly exhibits go to Georgetown ISD, Southwestern University and local professional artists. Board members proposed a stipend of $500 per exhibit. Motion by Flatau, second by Watson to proceed with a quarterly, local to Georgetown, invitation only exhibition opportunity for the new City Hall gallery wall. Approved 7-0. F. Consideration and possible action to select an artist for the first exhibit on the lobby wall of the new City Hall building. — Amanda Still, Arts and Culture Coordinator. Still recommended Carol Light for the first art exhibit in City Hall. For this exhibit, the City will purchase 7 pieces of artwork from Light (at $75 per piece), frame it and distribute pieces to city offices after the exhibit is over Still discussed pricing for the pieces and framing. Motion by Wilde; second by Flatau to approve Carol Light as the first exhibitionist in City Hall and the purchase and framing of seven of works by Light. Approved 7-0. G Report on public art projects at the _new City Center facilities. — Amanda Still, Arts and Culture Coordinator. Still announced the mosaic mural will be installed February 25 at the new Municipal Court building. Still discussed promotional strategies for public art in new city buildings, as well as sculpture opportunities for plinth areas between City Hall and Municipal Court. No action required. H. Consideration and possible action regarding conceptual plans for the City Center landscaping and public spaces- —Eric Lashley, Library Director. Lashley reviewed conceptual drawings of the City Center project (attached) and provided updates from the steering committee on the project. Lashley explained that cost estimates will be coming soon, then he and the committee will present to the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) Board, and finally Council for approval. Board members discussed parking, bathrooms, noise, capacity for each space, pedestrian safety and traffic flow. No action taken. I. Consideration of Library Director's report. —Eric Lashley, Library Director. Lashley discussed the following topics with the board: • 2019 Red Poppy Festival: o Cari Miller with the Convention and Visitors Bureau wants to do a public art display for the 201h anniversary of the Red Poppy Festival. City staff are talking with an artist from Salado Glassworks to commission piece for this project. • Palace Theatre report (attached) Texans for the Arts report on Arts Advocacy Day (attached), attended by Fleming, Still and Lashley. • Georgetown Art Works exhibits • Blue Corn Harvest mural o Blue Corn Harvest restaurant will be expanding into the former Pinot's Palette building, Business owners have asked the board to consider doing a mural on the Rock Street side of the building. Board members agreed to put a hold on this project until the City Center project develops further. • Animal Shelter mural o Board requested more information on this project regarding funding and location of the mural. • Utility box art project o Lashley reported that this project had been on hold due to a change of City staff. Board members requested Lashley reach out to the City's new hire responsible for utility boxes to find out more information to move the project forward as quickly as possible. The pieces selected for this project were created by high school students, so the board would like to provide a stipend for their works before they graduate. • Street sign project o Board members would like to see action on this project very soon, now that an Arts and Culture Coordinator has been hired. • Texas Commission on the Arts- Lashley will submit the Annual Report that is due in June. He has already received the necessary reports from the Cultural District anchors. No action required. Consideration and possible action regarding future meeting dates. —Jane Estes, Chair The next meeting will continue as regularly scheduled on Tuesday, March 19 at 4:30 p,m Motion by Watson; second by Wilde to adjourn the meeting. Approved 7-0. Chair Estes adiourned the meeting at 6:17 p.m. Respectfully submitted, CarolIW, tson, Secretary ane Estes, Chair City Hall Reception Wall Guidelines Site Analysis A. The curvature of the wall presents unique hanging challenges B. The type and placement of the lighting is a significant design element that needs to be considered in the way the artwork is hung; symmetrical balance is optimal, while asymmetry needs to be carefully implemented C. The high-level clientele coming in and out of the building makes this wall a premier location to demonstrate the power artwork has in a built environment, as well as the Arts and Culture Board's role in promoting positive goodwill throughout the City Conclusion: The rotating artwork selected for this wall needs to be carefully curated Proposed Solution: A limited number of artists will be invited by the Arts and Culture Coordinator to participate in a selection process II. Process A. Arts and Culture Coordinator will make a nomination and present display options to the Board for approval 1. Qualifications for the nomination include • Previous exhibition experience in Georgetown • Demonstrates significant contributions to the arts community through volunteerism • Cohesive collection of small works that will look balanced in the space and coordinate with the other interior elements of the space • Upon request, the artists will submit a portfolio, artist's vita, and 3 references to the Arts and Culture Coordinator III, Details A. Bi-annual or Quarterly Rotation B. $500 Artist Stipend; if pieces purchased by Board, stipend to be waived C. Budget for making pieces gallery ready; i.e. picture framing D. Pieces will be titled and marked for sale; artist to keep all sales proceeds less framing expense if applicable E. 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Official Arts Advocacy Organization for Texas Texans for the Arts' priorities for the 86th Legislative Session The arts contribute to a growing and vibrant Texas economy. • The arts generate $5.6 billion each year for our state's economy. • The arts contribute nearly $350 million in state sales tax revenue annually. • Texas' creative sector employs one in 15 Texans — nearly 800,000 workers, 1. Protect the Municipal Hotel Occupancy Tax (MHOT) Arts Provision. • Municipalities are authorized to use up to 15% of the MHOT for the encouragement, promotion, improvement and application of the arts in all forms. • MHOT resources invested in the arts increase tourism and economic growth. • SB 1221, the MHOT Transparency Bill, passed in the 851h. It requires communities to report MHOT receipts and assists us in our strategic work with municipal, arts, and hotel leaders to maximize the 15% MHOT for the arts, positively impacting local economies across Texas." 2. Restore the $5 million appropriation to the Cultural District Grant Program. • The 841h Texas Legislature appropriated $5 million for the Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) to support development and tourism in Cultural Districts. Thirty- seven different Cultural Districts grants were then awarded in 2016-2017, the first such grants ever for this program that was initially created in 2005. • A study of just four of those 37 grants, which received a total of $670,000 in grant funds, revealed that they contributed to over $21.2 million in economic impact. • The funds were cut in the 85th giving the TCA a disproportionate agency cut of 28%, with other agencies largely receiving a 4% cut. • Cultural Districts have proven to be a successful strategy for strengthening community identity, which in turn drives commerce, tourism and jobs. 3. Fund the TCA's "exceptional item" for $500,000 to support "Creative Forces". • Support programs that use the arts to help ease the transition of veterans and active duty service men/women and their families' back into civic society and support art/music therapy programs to address mental health needs. • Throughout the US, the arts — music, dance, theatre, literature, visual art, and more — are being used to enhance healthcare, promote public health and support community well being in a variety of settings, and increasingly so to serve the needs of veterans and active duty military and their families. Additional issues on Texans for the Arts 86th Session "Watch List" include: • Fund the Moving Image Industry Incentive Program (Film, Television, Commercial and Video Game Incentives). • Protect state historic preservation tax credits for both for profit and nonprofit corporations owning historic properties. • Fund the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program and State Heritage Tourism Programs. • Support SB539, a study bill related to the state certification of music therapists, to study the core competencies of a music therapist, including the skills and areas of knowledge that are essential to bringing about expanded health and wellness in diverse communities and reducing health disparities. More details can be found at: hftp://www.texansforthearts.com/legislative_agenda TEXANS FOR THE ARTS The Official Arts Advocacy Organization for Texas FIVE TIMELY REASONS THAT PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE ARTS IS A GOOD DEAL FOR CITIZENS AND THE GOVERNMENT: 1. The arts enrich the American economy. Small businesses, individual entrepreneurs and innovators are the heart and soul of the American economy. Arts and cultural production are growing, providing jobs and tax revenue and generating goods and services that are in demand by the public. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the creative industries generate $763.6 billion in economic activity and account for 4.2% of our nation's gross domestic product. The creative sector also offers a competitive advantage to America, generating a trade surplus of more than $20 billion. The United States exports more arts and cultural products and services than it imports, and that's positive for job growth and our nation's overall economy. 2. The arts offer solutions for rural America. Many rural communities were slow to rebound (or haven't yet recovered) from the recession. Arts based economic development strategies offer potent, sustainable advantages while preserving the heritage of rural communities. State arts agencies and the National Endowment for the Arts make substantial investments in rural areas, boost the capacity of rural communities to improve their futures and help rural leaders pioneer the next generation of rural development solutions. 3. The arts offer cost-effective health treatments that work. Arts -integrated treatments produce positive clinical outcomes for our active -duty military and veteran populations. Creative therapies help other patient groups, including older Americans, to recover more quickly from procedures, require shorter hospitalizations, take fewer medications, and maintain their mental, physical and social well-being. 4. The arts improve education. Research proves that the arts raise academic achievement and prevent school dropouts. The arts teach creative thinking, analytical reasoning, effective communication and collaborative work. These competencies pave the way to student success in school, in the workplace and in life. 5. The arts offer a net gain for government. The arts yield $27.5 billion in revenue to federal, state, county and municipal governments. Public funding for the arts also yields additional financial commitments, leveraging $9 in private and earned matching funds for every $1 invested by the government. SOURCE: National Association of State Arts Agencies https://nasaa-arts. org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/F iveArtsArg u ment-1. pdf I Ms. .tea T[XANS FOR -I HC ARTS so r E x A S The Official Arts Advocacy Organization for Texas CULTURAL TRUST THE IMPACT OF CULTURAL DISTRICTS IN TEXAS Cultural Districts are an essential economic engine to the state of Texas. Cultural Districts create jobs, generate significant economic impact in the state, increase sales tax revenue, raise the quality of life for all Texans, and serve as one of our strongest beacons for tourism in Texas. Cultural Districts Deserve Support Due to the collaborative work of Texans for the Arts and the Texas Cultural Trust, the 84' Texas Legislature appropriated $10 million for the Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) to support development and tourism in Cultural Districts. The Governor reduced the amount to $5 million through his veto authority. Thirty-seven different Cultural Districts grants were then awarded in 2016-2017, the first such grants ever for this program that was initially created in 2005. Cultural Districts Contribute to the Economy and Generate Sales Tax Revenue A study of just four of those thirty-seven grants, which received a total of $670,000, revealed that they contributed to over $21.3 million in economic impact. Grantee/Project TCA Award Economic Impact of Project Houston Museum of Fine Arts "Sculpted in Steel" $100,000 $3.8 million Lubbock Arts Alliance Festival $ 50,000 $1.2 million Wimberley Players: garden/stage $ 20,000 $1.3 million Dallas Museum of Art "Jackson Pollock: Blind Spots" $500,000 $15 million Tax Revenue Generated From Project $70,000 $23,500 $25,000 $282,000 While many agencies in the 85th received a 4% reduction in funding, the TCA received a disproportionate cut of 28% including the Cultural District grant program. At the same time, the popularity of the program, because of its quantifiable economic and community benefits, has grown from 26 designated districts in 2016 to 40 in 2018 with four new Cultural Districts just approved at the September 2018 TCA Commissioner's meeting. Statewide Impact of the Arts The arts are a significant sector of the Texas economy and produce an outstanding return on investment, in 2017 making up a $5.5 billion industry in our state, contributing $343.7 million in sales tax revenue annually. The arts and culture industry is a vital engine for our economy whose rate of return has surpassed many traditional sectors, such as oil and gas. Action in the 86tn Texans for the Arts and the Texas Cultural Trust support restoring $5 million in General Revenue for FY 2020-2021 for the Texas Commission on the Arts' Cultural District Program. _q ,A"'ART� 10 Reasons to Support the Arts The arts are fundamental to our humanity. They ennoble and inspire us —fostering creativity, goodness, and beauty. The arts bring us joy, help us express our values, and build bridges between cultures. The arts are also a fundamental component of a healthy community —strengthening them socially, educationally, and economically —benefits that persist even in difficult social and economic times. 1. Arts imp -rove individual well-being. 63 percent of the population believe the arts "lift me up beyond everyday experiences," 64 percent feel the arts give them "pure pleasure to experience and participate in," and 73 percent say the arts are a "positive experience in a troubled world." 2. Arts unify communities. 67 percent of Americans believe "the arts unify our communities regardless of age, race, and ethnicity" and 62 percent agree that the arts "helps me understand other cultures better" —a perspective observed across all demographic and economic categories. 3. Arts improve academic performance. Students engaged in arts learning have higher GPAs, standardized test scores, and college -going rates as well as lower drop -out rates. These academic benefits are reaped by students regardless of socio- economic status. Yet, the Department of Education reports that access to arts education for students of color is significantly lower than for their white peers. 88 percent of Americans believe that arts are part of a well-rounded K-12 education. 4. Arts strengthen the econonny. The production of all arts and cultural goods in the U.S. (e.g., nonprofit, commercial, education) added $764 billion to the economy in 2015, including a $21 billion international trade surplus —a larger share of the nation's economy (4.2 percent) than transportation, tourism, and agriculture (U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis). The nonprofit arts industrV alone enerates 166,3 billion in economic activity annually —spending by organizations and their audiences —which supports 4.6 million jobs and generates $27.5 billion in government revenue. 5. Arts drive tourism and revenue to local businesses. Attendees at nonprofit arts events spend $31.47 per person, per event, beyond the cost of admission on items such as meals, parking, and babysitters—valuable commerce for local businesses. 34 percent of attendees live outside the county in which the arts event takes place; they average $47.57 in event -related spending. Arts travelers are ideal tourists, staying longer and spending more to seek out authentic cultural experiences. 6. Arts spark creativity and innovation. Creativity is among the top 5 applied skills sought by business leaders, per the Conference Board's Ready to Innovate report —with 72 percent saying creativity is of high importance when hiring. Research on creativity shows that Nobel laureates in the sciences are 17 times more likely to be actively engaged in the arts than other scientists. 7. Arts drive the creative industries. The Creative Industries are arts businesses that range from nonprofit museums, symphonies, and theaters to for -profit film, architecture, and design companies. A 2017 analysis of Dun & Bradstreet data counts 673,656 businesses in the U.S, involved in the creation or distribution of the arts-4.01 percent of all businesses and 2.04 percent of all employees. (Get a free local Creative Industry report for your community here.) 8. Arts have social impact. University of Pennsylvania researchers have demonstrated that a high concentration of the arts in a city leads to higher civic engagement, more social cohesion, higher child welfare, and lower poverty rates. 9. Arts improve healthcare. Nearly one-half of the nation's healthcare institutions provide arts programming for patients, families, and even staff. 78 percent deliver these programs because of their healing benefits to patients —shorter hospital stays, better pain management, and less medication. 10. Arts for the health and well-being of our military.. The arts heal the mental, physical, and moral injuries of war for military servicemembers and Veterans, who rank the creative arts therapies in the top 4 (out of 40) interventions and treatments. Across the military continuum, the arts promote resilience during pre -deployment, deployment, and the reintegration of military servicemembers, Veterans, their families, and caregivers into communities. www.AmericansForTheArts.org -14 AMERICANS ,`"ARTS Arts Facts ... Arts Organization Revenues Revenue from earned income is the largest source of income for nonprofit arts organizations. The remainder must be raised through contributions and grants. Even small fluctuations in contributed revenue can mean deficits for many organizations. Source of Revenue for Nonprofit Arts Organizations [Estimated] T Local Govt. 4% Earned Income State Govt. 2% 60% _Federal Govt. 3% i. AwCorporate 3% Foundation4% Individual 24% Support for the nonprofit arts is a mosaic of funding sources —a delicate 60-30-10 balance of earned revenue, private sector contributions, and government support. The chart above provides a snapshot of what the average revenue picture looks like for a nonprofit arts organization in the U.S. Earned income represents a little over half of the total revenue of nonprofit arts organizations (e.g. ticket sales, sponsorships, and fundraising events). Private sector contributions (individual, foundation, and corporate giving) are the next largest portion, accounting for about one-third of revenue. Individuals comprise the largest segment of private contributors. Government funding (local, state, and federal) is the smallest of the three revenue categories. (Note: federal arts support includes not just the National Endowment for the Arts, but also the Kennedy Center, Smithsonian, Corporation for Public Broadcasting and other direct arts funding —a total of approximately $1.9 billion annually for 2013.) Source: Americans for the Arts, 2016. www.AmericansForTheArts.org I Xat Ia ti The Official Arts Advocacy Organization for Texas Texans for the Arts is a highly effective, non -partisan statewide arts advocacy organization that leads efforts to protect and increase public funding for the arts at the state, national and local levels, and provides coordinated information about legislative activity related to arts issues. Texans for the Arts represents a growing number of arts organizations and individuals who reflect the diversity of the state and who understand the vital role the arts play in our communities and in our schools. Texans for the Arts' legislative agenda advocates for the development and implementation of public policy that supports a strong and vibrant arts and cultural community. Our goals include: • Protecting the legal authorized funding level and uses of the Municipal Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) for the development, support and promotion of the arts; • Increasing state appropriations for the Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) including their signature Cultural District program which in turn provides greater resources for arts and cultural organizations throughout Texas; • Securing new sources of funding for the arts across social sectors including health care, veterans/military programs, the juvenile and adult justice system, arts in education and more; and • Monitoring legislative action that affects the non-profit sector, including tax exemptions, regulatory issues, etc. Texans for the Arts realized important successes in the 84th Legislative Session in 2015 by: Leading the legislative strategy that secured a new appropriation of $5million for the Texas Commission on the Arts' designated Cultural & Fine Arts District Program; Building on its relationship with the Texas Hotel Lodging Association and working together to support the effective use of HOT funds state-wide; Hosting Arts Advocacy Day in Austin on January 28, 2015, providing legislative information and advocacy training for over 170 advocates for the arts who visited with over 95 Texas state legislators. Texans for the Arts' 85th Legislative Session's important success included: • Passing its first bill, SB1221 the Municipal Hotel Occupancy Transparency Bill, to increase access to data to further spark an increase in arts investment in communities across Texas; and • Hosting 2017 Arts Advocacy Day to lead legislative advocacy and training for arts leaders and citizen activists and to foster year round advocacy efforts across the state. Texans for the Arts' 86th Legislative Session agenda includes: • Continuing to protect the Municipal Hotel Occupancy for the development, support and promotion of the arts; • Restoring $5million for the TCA's Cultural District grant program that was cut in the tight budget of the 85th; and • Seeking new resources to grow "Creative Forces" a national initiative to support a breadth of programs that use the arts to ease veterans' transitions back to civic society and/or supporting arts/music therapy programs addressing mental health needs. Texans for the Arts is a 501(c) 4 organization that coordinates legislative advocacy. Texans for the Arts Foundation is a 501(c) 3 organization that provides professional development and advocacy education for both arts administrators and committed arts supporters to build a broad constituency of citizen advocates. Its signature 'Arts Funding & Leadership Development Workshop has been conducted in nine cities across Texas. In addition, TFAF is currently creating a Hotel Occupancy Tax Tool Kit and kicking off a new election initiative "Arts Vote Texas". Texans for the Arts P.O. Box 4549 Austin, Texas 78765 www.texansforthearts.corn