HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_ARTAB_08.18.2020Minutes of the Virtual Meeting of the
Arts and Culture Board
City of Georgetown, Texas
August 18, 2020
The Arts and Culture Board met virtually on Tuesday, August 18, 2020 at 4:30 p.m. via Zoom.
PRESENT: Jane Estes, Susie Flatau, Gaby Shultz, Sharon Snuffer, and Jessica Meurer-Sobhani.
ABSENT: Marissa Palmer, Sonya Robinson
STAFF PRESENT: Amanda Still — Arts and Culture Coordinator, Eric P. Lashley — Library Director
and Lawren Weiss -Administrative Assistant.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: None
Chair Estes called the meeting to order at 4:30 P.M.
Regular Agenda
A. Discussion on how this virtual conference will be conducted to include options for public
comments and how the public may address the commission. -Lawren Weiss, Administrative
Assistant. There were no members of the public present. Board members and staff discussed
providing only one link to the meeting to avoid confusion, instead of the several that were
included in this month's agenda. Further discussion ensued about muting and unmuting during
items where board members were asked to vote. No action required.
B. Citizens wishing to address the Board. — Jane Estes, Chair. As of the deadline, no persons
were signed up to speak on items other than what was posted on the agenda. No members of
the public were present to address the board. No action required.
C. Announcements regarding arts and culture. — Jane Estes, Chair. Jane Estes encouraged
board members to sign up for the collaborative virtual program hosted by Georgetown Public
Library and Lark & Owl Booksellers on August 31 called Confronting Racism: A Community
Conversation. So far 250 people have signed up for the virtual event.
Susie Flatau with Georgetown Art Works announced the current exhibit at Georgetown Art
Center is called Ingrained and the next exhibit is called Blissful Ignorance. The artist reception
for Blissful Ignorance will be held August 29. Flatau announced the Operating Agreement
between the City of Georgetown and Georgetown Art Works was renewed for another three
years at the previous City Council meeting. Georgetown Art Works board elections have been
postponed to November 16 and relocated to San Gabriel Park to allow for COVID safety
precautions and social distancing. No action required.
D. Consideration and possible action to approve minutes from the June 16 and July 21,2020 Arts
and Culture Board meetings. — Jane Estes. No discussion needed for June and July's
minutes. Motion by Snuffer; second by Flatau to approve the June 16 and July 21, 2020
Arts and Culture Board meeting minutes. Approved 5-0 (Palmer and Robinson absent).
E. Consideration and ,possible action to approve minutes from the cancelled Arts and Culture Board
meetin sin April and May .2020. — Jane Estes, Board Chair. No discussion needed for minutes
from cancelled meetings. Motion by Snuffer; second by Meurer-Sobhani to approve the April
and May 2020 cancelled meeting minutes. Approved 5-0 (Palmer and Robinson absent).
F. Consideration and possible action to award the Geor etown Arts and Culture 2020 Round II
grants. — Amanda Still, Arts and Culture Coordinator. Board members and staff discussed the
four grant proposals received for round two. Discussion followed about concerns regarding the
proposed October concert by Williamson County Symphony Orchestra because of COVID-19.
Board members agreed that providing funding for their Spring 2021 concert would still allow the
City to contribute to the organization without the risk of losing the funds due to pandemic
cancellations and fiscal year budget restraints. The board also discussed stipulations for COVID-
19 relief funding, as provided in the call for proposals this round. After further discussion, motion
by Flatau; second by Shultz to approve fully funding grant proposals from The Williamson
Museum ($2,000), Estrada Garcia Gallery ($2,500) and Southwestern University ($2,340) and
awarding half the proposal from the Williamson County Symphony Orchestra ($2,500). Approved
5-0 (Palmer and Robinson absent).
G. Consideration of staff comments regarding the Georgetown Sculpture Tour 2020-2021 sculpture
submissions. — Amanda Still, Arts and Culture Coordinator. Still reviewed staff comments
regarding the 2020-2021 Sculpture Tour submissions, noting possible locations and pieces that
may not be suitable to include. Board members will have the opportunity to rate submissions
online before voting on final selections at September's meeting. No action required.
H. Consideration and possible action to a prove a grant program for Percent far Public Art in City
Capital Improvement Projects. —Amanda Still, Arts and Culture Coordinator. Still explained an
opportunity to collaborate with the Planning and Historic Development departments and allocate a
percentage of funds for public art in City Capital Improvement projects. This group effort would
allow the City to provide a public art piece to further enhance local businesses affected by the
City's CIPs.
While the Commercial Mural Program requires the business owner to pay for mural costs, this
program would allow the City to provide a public art grant to businesses affected by its capital
improvement projects. Still explained that the mural easement would be just like the one used for
the Commercial Mural Program but the funding agreement would be different. Following a brief
discussion, motion by Muerer-Sobhani; second by Snuffer to approve a grant program to
include a percent for public art in City capital improvement projects. Approved 5-0 (Palmer and
Robinson absent).
I. _Consideration and possible action to approve a Call for Art for a mural at Starbucks at Wolf Ranch
Town Center. -Amanda Still, Arts and Culture Coordinator. Wolf Ranch Town Center leaders
approached Still about the Arts and Culture board participating in their mural project at Starbucks.
Since the Wolf Ranch Town Center property is not owned by the City, they are not required to get
approval from the Arts and Culture Board to install a mural. However, WRTC leaders have been
impressed with Georgetown's expanding public art scene in recent years and would like the Arts
and Culture Board to support a call for art and recommend a mural based on those submissions.
While Flatau was in support of the mural, she requested Still find out more details regarding the
City's responsibility in this project. Concern was expressed that promotions for the project would
include the City's branding, even if the board does not approve of the final mural selection.
Following more discussion, motion by Snuffer; second by Flatau to approve a call for art for a
mural at Starbucks in Wolf Ranch Town Center, contingent upon Still confirming the City of
Georgetown Arts and Culture Board's involvement in the project is only for the Call for Art and a
mural recommendation. Approved 5-0 (Palmer and Robinson absent).
Consideration of Arts and CLIltUre Coordinator report. — Amanda Still, Arts and Culture
Coordinator. Still discussed her report as included the agenda packet. Topics included the City's
public art programs, grants, and future project timeline. No action required.
K. Consideration and possible action reqardinq future meeting dates. — Jane Estes, Board Chair.
The next meeting will be held as regularly scheduled on September 15, 2020 at 4:30 p.m. This will
be a virtual meeting.
Chair Estes adjourned the meeting at 6:16 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Snuffer
Board Secretary
Jane Estes
Board Chair
These minutes were approved at the virtual meeting on September 15, 2020.