HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_ARTAB_07.18.2007Minutes of • of
Arts • Culture Board
City of Georgetown,
Wednesday, li
Arts and Culture Board members present: Nancy Blansett, Addie Busfield, Paul Gaffney, Jane Paden, Penny
Plueckhahn, Georgene Richaud, Ruth Roberts
Members absent: Charles Aguillon (excused), Rich Bartko (excused)
City staff members present: Eric Lashley, Library Director; Judy Fabry, Administrative Assistant
Regular Session
Call to Order at 2:45 PIVI
A. There were no announcements
B. There were no citizens wishing to address the Board
C. Consideration and approval of minutes of last meeting.
After Nancy Blansett, who was absent from the June meeting, suggested that the withdrawal of the
proposed certificate of excellence for Wolf Ranch may not have been given thorough consideration,
Georgene Richaud moved and Penny Plueckhahn seconded the motion to approve the minutes as
distributed.
D. Consideration of and possible action on
1. Report on media available and cost of donor plaques - Rich Bartko
Rich was absent and could not be reached by phone, so he did not make a report.
2. Report on donation waivers for bronze statue and quilt - Eric Lashley
Eric reported that Doug Smith had signed the donation waiver for the Chapman statue and that he
expected to see Doris Jablonski later that day to get her signature for the quilt.
3. Review of list of local arts organizations and CVB calendar Lyuidelines (5 minutes) - Tudv Fabry
Judy said that the list of arts organizations that the Board compiled nearly two years ago needs
updating before the information about listing arts events on the City's tourism events calendar can be
distributed. Penny said that she and Jane had gone through the list already and had eliminated all
entries that were not Georgetown organizations. Additions that the group suggested included: The
Williamson County Chorus, the Performing Arts Alliance, the San Gabriel Chorale, the Healing Arts
Gallery, the 81h Street Studio, Dalhart Windberg's new studio facility, and the Central Texas Pastel
Society. People also agreed that individual artists should be included if their contact information is
available, but that an article or ad in the Sun would probably be a better way to reach individuals.
Penny volunteered to update the list and distribute it by email to the other Board members.
4. Report from Subcommittee on Grant Applications - Penny Plueckhahn
Penny, who was chair of the subcommittee, reported that they considered grant applications from
several cities' arts agencies, but decided that Plano's would be the best one to borrow. She said
that Charles was familiar with applications for grants from the Texas Commission on the Arts
(TCA) and he observed that Plano's guidelines and forms closely followed the model
established by TCA. The committee thought this was positive because it meant that
organizations could use virtually the same application form for several grantors. However, the
committee also thought that initially the Board should simplify and use only Plano's Major
Grant guidelines and application form. In particular, they thought that the section on
leadership diversity should be omitted. Penny offered to revise Plano's application form to
better fit Georgetown's needs.
A lengthy discussion took place about increasing the work of the Board to include giving grants to arts
organizations. Georgene suggested that the Board needs to do something significant with the
appropriation they will receive in October that will make the Board and Council look good to
the community. Paul asked where the money for grants would come from. He said that the
1/4% for art that the Council agreed to give to the Board is for "public art," not grants.
Penny said that Council members with whom she has spoken individually are waiting for the Board to
come to them and give them good reasons to increase the Board's funding to cover grant -
making.
Paul responded that he is uncomfortable with the Board's mandate being doubled. He asked how
much money the Board will receive. Eric said the figure he saw in the City budget, labeled
"Public Art," is $77,290. Subtracting the $15,000 that the Board will have to give to the Festival
of the Arts, $62,290 is left for public art.
Georgene suggested that in the workshop with Council in September the Board should present
options for how its allotment could be spent, then let the Council decide. The Board could
present what it appears the Council wants, then what the Board wants, and ask the Council
members for guidance to reconcile those two scenarios. Paul and Georgene agreed that the
Board doesn't have to accept the apparent mandate to fund grants. The Board could propose to
Council that the Festival be a unique event that would get money from it.
Penny moved to take a plan to Council in September that would demonstrate how the Board could
administer money for both public art and grants if the allotment is increased. There was no
second for the motion.
Penny then moved to take to Council a plan to fulfill the original charge to provide public art and a
way to administer the new charge to fund grants, with a request for more money. Paul
seconded the motion.
Penny said that she believes becoming a grant - making agency is a civic responsibility that the Board
must accept. Paul argued that grants will support existing arts organizations and will not bring
anything new to the community. Putting art in public places is something new for Georgetown
and is what the Board was asked to do. Georgene called the motion, which failed 5 -2, with
Georgene and Penny voting for the motion.
Penny then moved to go to Council in September with a plan. Paul seconded. The motion passed
unanimously.
Georgene moved to tell Council that the Board would consider doing grant administration if the
funding for grants is separate and apart from the funding for public art. Penny seconded the
motion.
Eric said, that as staff liaison, he could not recommend asking the Council for more money at this
time. He thinks the Board should show Council what it is going to do with the $62,290 that is
left to spend after granting $15,000 to the Festival of the Arts.
Several Board members spoke in agreement with the idea of presenting a budget for the $62,290 at the
workshop with Council.
Penny said the Board should use Plano as an example of how a long -term plan could work. During the
first year the Board would do only public art. In the second year they could add grants and in
the third year the Board could split into a public art committee and a grant - making committee.
Eric noted that City of Georgetown administrators have frequently used the City of Plano as a
model.
The motion passed 4 -2 with Ruth and Jane voting against the proposition. There was one abstention.
Since it was already past 4:00, Ruth suggested scheduling another meeting before the regular August
meeting so that the Board may reach a consensus on the use of its funding for fiscal year 07 -08.
Members agreed to meet at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 21
Georgene moved to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 4:15.
Respectfully submitted,
JtVdy Fabry, Acting Secretary
Ruth Roberts, Chair