The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutMinutes_ARTAB_07.17.2012Notice of Meeting of the Arts and Culture Board City of Georgetown, Texas Tuesday, July 17, 2012 The Arts and Culture Board will meet on Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 04:30 PM in the Library Classroom, located at 402 W. 8th St., Georgetown If you need accommodations for a disability, please notify the city in advance. Arts and Culture Board Members: Amanda Still, Dar Richardson, Karen Lange, Liz Stewart, Philip Baker, Shana Nichols, Steve Proesel Arts and Culture Board meets every third Tuesday of the month at 4:30 p.m. unless otherwise specified. Call to Order at 04:30 PM A. Call to order B. Announcements regarding upcoming events C. Citizens wishing to address the Board D. Consideration and approval of minutes of June 19, 2012 meeting E. Consideration of and possible action on 1.Arts and Culture Board budget for 2012-13 – Eric Lashley 2.Selection of Georgetown Art Works to manage City art center – Eric Lashley 3.Selection of Gary Wang as architect for art center project – Eric Lashley 4.Utility Box art in Downtown – Eric Lashley 5.Schedule of future meetings – Eric Lashley Certificate of Posting I, Jessica Brettle, City Secretary for the City of Georgetown, Texas, do hereby certify that this Notice of Meeting was posted at City Hall, 113 E. 8th Street, a place readily accessible to the general public at all times, on the _____ day of _________________, 2012, at __________, and remained so posted for at least 72 continuous hours preceding the scheduled time of said meeting. __________________________________ Jessica Brettle, City Secretary d® we need an arts center, anyway. yoo This is an introduction to a monthly artspage, which spot- lights art events, tips and tools as well as Jane Estes's column on the area's lively creative scene. By JANE ESTES m any people have worked for years to develop a vi- sual arts center in Georgetown and it will become a reality by Jan- uary 2013.You might think this project was dreamed up by a bunch of artists looking for an exclusive clubhouse, a place to show- case their own artwork, but you'd be wrong. The dream of an arts center has been percolating in Georgetown for the last 15 years. Yes, there have been plenty of artists leading the charge, but they have worked side -by -side with teachers, business owners, corporate executives, nonprofit lead- ers, stay-at-home parents, retirees and students. What all of these people have in common is a pas- sion for the arts, a love of Georgetown and a clear vision for what our city can become. I've been lucky enough to be part of this movement for the last five years. The grand opening is going to be some party, I can tell you. The arts center will be a community showplace for everyone to enjoy. Eric Lashley, director of the Georgetown Library and spearhead for this program said it best: "If you like what we do at the library, you're going to love what we do at the arts center." So, imagine my shock when a friend related a con- versation about the arts cen- ter after it was announced that the City of Georgetown would move forward with the plan. The conversation peaked when one person asked, "Why do we need an ART LOOK Jane Estes arts center in Georgetown, anyway?" I decided to ask around. I first posed the question to Paul Gaffney, Dean of The Seraphim School of Fine Arts at Southwestern University and he didn't hesitate. "We need an arts center as much as we need parks or athletic fields or a public library," he said. "George- town is growing and many people enjoy art in the broader sense. An arts cen- ter will increase quality of life. It will be a community resource that will make life better for those who choose to enjoy it." The Georgetown City Council voted unanimously to support a pilot program for the arts center. Each council member made a positive statement before voting yes to the project. "An arts center in George- town will be one more important step toward a vision that I, and many oth- ers, have for this city," said council member Rachael Jonrowe. "In the future, I want Georgetown to be a cultural epicenter for Williamson County and beyond." Last week I was in San Antonio, a city with a defined cultural epicenter. My family and I enjoyed restaurants, galleries, shops and museums in the down- town area. I stopped in the Southwest School of Art hoping someone would have a few minutes to talk with me about why a community needs a visual arts center. The lovely staff members were happy to speak with me at length. They are a passionate bunch. Founded more than 50 years ago by a group of women determined to save a 100-year-old convent in the downtown area, South- west School of Art is an art school, an exhibition space, a community resource and an event venue for weddings and parties. The facility, housed in the former Ursu- line Convent and Academy, also offers a gift shop with handmade jewelry and other artwork, a small cafe with a delightful menu and a his- tory museum that preserves the story of the campus. It is very much like what our visual arts center is intend- ed to be, albeit on a much larger scale. Robb Wasielewski, direc- tor of communications, sat down with me to talk about why communities need art and arts centers, specifi- cally. "Arts centers expand the cultural experience. A city must be vibrant, progres- sive and innovative or it will not retain youth or young professionals," he said. "An arts center is also an economic development tool to draw cultural tourists to a city, as well as a way to at- tract and maintain talent." One of the goals for the center is for it to become a destination for cultural tourists, those who visit places with the intent to see exciting exhibits, perfor- mances and festivals. The number of arts -related busi- nesses in Georgetown has increased significantly in the last 10 years. Mr. Wasielewski went on to suggest that the arts center could become a "hang-out" for college students and young profes- sionals because those of that demographic like to attend gallery openings and parties as a way to connect with their friends in a more mature environment. "They feel grown-up," he said. Connection is a theme. Mary Visser, professor of art at Southwestern Univer- sity and an internationally acclaimed artist, reiterated the importance of cultural tourism and the arts as an economic tool. "However, what is most important for the citizens of Georgetown is that the arts center will designate Georgetown as a place where its citizens continue to learn and grow in their appre- ciation of the visual arts," she said. "That not only do they offer their children the opportunity to see contem- porary exhibitions within their own community, but that they have a place to learn about art and the vari- ous mediums of expression through exhibitions and classes, thus, becoming more connected as a community." These seem to be great reasons why we should have an arts center: a community resource, a cultural epi- center, an economic driver for Georgetown, an arts destination, a place to connect with our commu- nity through art. That's the answer I'll give if someone asks me why we need. an - -, arts center. The short answer? Be- cause it's going to be fun. Jane Estes spends her time writ- ing, making art, doing yoga, taking care of her family and volunteering in the arts commu- nity. She makes it all work with a little levity and well-timed snacks. You may contact her at 635-5123 or janesartlook@ gmail.com. Cbarles E. Lance, Former District Attorney and Retired District Judge, with his wife, Kay. The 1112-11 School Year Begins August 14th •PreK3 - 6th Grade -Faith-Based Curriculum -Certified Teachers -Small Class Sizes -Bus Pick -Up throughout Williamson County -Competitive Tuition Rates -Tuition Assistance for Qualified Families STS. CYRIL AND METHODIUS SCHOOL 105 N. Guadalupe St. Granger, TX 76530 (512)859-2927 www.ssem-edu.org 11-2 '4edicaid Planning &, App.lic;itiOD +=� teians Benefits Pl, nnino 6c.11ppli ation,. Trusts; Wills & Probate Special Necds Trusts • Guardianships Pe, Power, of Attorney Call for FREE Nursing Home & Assisted Living Guide Charles E.` Lance Attorney at Law 3613 Williams Drive, Suite 701, Georgetown (512) 868-2224 www.lancelaw.elderlawanswets.com „ Marcher Natiouul �ltwelemy o, f FTder. f-,a-w Attorneys 'v REGISTRATION For persons who wish to address • the ArP and Cu re Board Date of Meetin Name ra_ Address � ((.speaking for an organisation: pacity: The Arts and Culture Board Chair will recognize you when it is your turn to address the Board. If you have written notes or printed material that you wish to present to the Mayor or Council members, please furnish an extra copy for the Board Secretary. Each speaker is limited to three (3) minutes on any one item. A brief 40od non -repetitive presentation is generally the most effective. Thank u for your cooperation. The Georgetown Arts and Culture Board