HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_ARTAB_07.16.2008Minutes of Meeting of the
Arts and Culture Board
City of Georgetown, Texas
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Members Present: Addie Busfield, Jane Paden, Penny Plueckhahn, Georgene Richaud, Ruth
Roberts, Mandy Solin
Members Absent: Charles Aguillon
Staff Present: Eric Lashley, Library Director; Judy Fabry, Library Administrative Assistant
A. Call to order by Chair Ruth Roberts at 2:02 p m
B. Announcements from the Chair and Board members
• Ruth announced that Charles has been promoted to vice principal of the 9th Grade
Center
• Ruth asked the board members to give thought to the subject of future purchases of art
without an RFQ (as the Board did this year at Art in the Park), which may need some
kind of motion and vote at a future meeting. Georgene asked what the issues are and.
Ruth said she has decided that the entire process of purchasing art at Art in the Park
should be reviewed. Georgene said she didn't think the Board should make any
motions to formally restrict future purchases, but shouldlearn from this year's
experience. Yes, the Board needs to do the work of finding public places to put art and
to have those locations in mind when making purchases, but Georgene believes it was
important to have supported Art in the Park.
• Eric reported that the Parks bond issue has been reduced so that the primary
expenditures will be related to development of the old football stadium
• Eric also brought up the rumors that have been circulating regarding a controversy
about where Bob Coffee's sculpture will be located. The Texas Historical Commission
reportedly has sent a letter to Judge Gattis asking whether the sculpture will be located
on County property. Eric expects a meeting will take place between the City and
County to discuss the issue.
C. Citizens wishing to address the Board. None were present
E. Consideration and approval of minutes of last meeting. Jane moved to accept the minutes of the
June meeting as they were distributed. Seconded by Georgene. Motion passed unanimously.
F. Consideration of and possible action on
1. Presentation by Joe Kenney, sculptor, about public art acquisitions - Ruth Roberts. Joe
Kenney provided a handout of his proposal which will be made a part of these minutes. His
idea came from a visit to Collin County, where he saw a large sculpture that was on loan to
the City by a law firm. His proposal involves purchase of large pieces of sculpture by
individuals, who then lease them to businesses, which lend them to the City for display in
City -designated locations. The City would enjoy the benefit of cost-free art, the businesses
would get tax breaks and good advertising from having their names associated with
donations of art, and the owner of the art would have an investment that could be resold
Although the buyer could choose the piece of art to purchase, the Arts and Culture Board
would have the final say about whether it would be accepted into the loan program.. Mr.
Kenney believes that if the locations for the art, which would be selected by the Arts and
Culture Board, are prominent enough, there will be no problem keeping art on them.
After Mr. Kenney left the Board discussed his proposal. Georgene found the proposal
interesting, but thinks the Board needs to do one thing well first, and then expand. Addie said
she thinks the Board should be an advisory group, not an advocacy group, which Mr Kenney
had suggested (actively soliciting private purchases of art to be lent to the City). She said she
also doesn't think it is the Board's role to talk to developers of private property about putting
art on their projects. Mandy suggested that a website might be a more appropriate place to
put information about loaning art to the City Georgene added that creating a brochure for
the Economic Development staff to give to developers might be another way to get the word
out.
Eric suggested that during the Board's next workshop with Council they could ask Council to
consider making public art a part of doing developments in. Georgetown.
Ruth asked Board members spendsome time during the next month considering Mr.
Kenney s proposal and that it be placed on the agenda for the August meeting.
2. Arts & Culture Board budget - Ruth Roberts. Ruth reported that Philip Paden has
proposed to build a pedestal for the Got It! sculpture, the cost of which will be around $1500.
Ruth and Mandy sketched the proposed design and considerable discussion took place about
alternatives and a time table for acquiring the pedestal. Ultimately, Georgene moved to
authorize Ruth to expedite construction of a pedestal, the cost of which shall not exceed
$2900; Penny seconded the motion. The motion passed with five in favor and Mandy
abstaining.
3. Agenda for Arts Summit - Charles Aguillon, Ruth Roberts. Since Charles was absent, this
item was postponed to the August meeting
4. Scheduling a workshop with City Council - Eric Lashley. Eric had no further information
about a workshop but wanted to remind the Board that it needs to be scheduled. The group
agreed that October 13 or 27 would be good dates. Penny said she would not be able to attend
on October 27.
5. Grant criteria - Ruth Roberts. Since the issue of the Board giving grants has reemerged (see
June minutes), Ruth asked for a review of Plano's granting process. Penny recalled what she
could from memory but agreed to get up-to-date information for the August meeting.
6. Artist Registry on visitgeorgetown.org — Judy Fabry. Judy distributed copies of the City
web page where the registry will be located. She asked the Board to suggest places where the
registry should be advertised. Suggestions included The Williamson County Sun, the City
Reporter, and emails to the following arts organizations: Williamson County Art Guild, the
Central Texas Pastel Society, Handcrafts Unlimited, and the Georgetown members of the
Texas Society of Sculptors.
7. Updating the list of local arts organizations — Penny Plueckhahn. Penny said she
considered Larry McCormick's recommendations of organizations to add to the list but chose
not to add any of them.
8. Certificate of Appreciation — Judy Fabry. No nominations were made.
Georgene moved to adjourn at 4:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane P:. en, S etary
Ruth Ro erts, Chair