HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_ARTAB_10.26.2010 SubcommitteeMinutes of Meeting of the
Arts & Culture Center Study Subcommittee
of the Arts and Culture Board
City of Georgetown, Texas
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Present: Charles Aguillon, Philip Baker, Karen Lange, Steve Proesel, Dar Richardson, Mandy
Solin, Mickie Ross (Williamson Museum), Bob Horick Georgetown Symphony Society), Judy
Ommen (Art Works), Georgene Richaud (Convention and Visitors Bureau Board)
Absent: Kaki Bassi, Paul Gaffney (Southwestern University), Bob Kostka (Palace Theatre)
Staff Present Eric Lashley Library Director; Cari Miller, CVB Tourism Manager; Judy Fabry,
Library Administrative Assistant
Chair Charles Aguillon called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m.
A. Comments by Chair and Staff Facilitator — Charles Aguillon, Eric Lashley
Charles suggested that the list of priorities be examined to find items that could be combined
into a broader category. He also said that it will be very important that the subcommittee's
final report emphasize the necessity for staff to be hired to run whatever type of facility the
committee recommends. He does not believe there are enough volunteers in the arts
community at this time to run any kind of arts facility.
Eric reported that he and Charles had met with the Main Street and CVB Boards during the
past month and Cari and Georgene, from the CVB Board, asked to join the subcommittee.
Their board had been studying the feasibility of using the old library as a small conference or
meeting center.
B Comments by committee members
Georgene descnbed the work that the CVB Board has done to identify the City's need for a
conference center and what they had found other cities the size of Georgetown have done to
accommodate this need New Braunfels opened a 10,000 s.f. facility several years ago and
already have expanded it to 60,000 s.f. She emphasized that New Braunfels' conference
center doesn't come close to breaking even financially, but it has a strong economic impact
on the downtown. Can said that what Georgetown needs is a building with a large meeting
space and smaller breakout areas, for which the 17,000 s.f. old library seems ideal. Any
facility also would need space for basic food service.
Someone asked about the state of the proposed convention center at the Rivery and whether
that would negate the need for a meeting center downtown Everyone agreed that it would,
but there is no certainty that it will be built, and certainly it won't be completed in the next five
years.
Mickie spoke about the Courthouse as a meeting center and most committee members
indicated they were not aware of the availability of this venue. She said the Courthouse is
already very popular for large and small weddings and such events as the Taste of
Georgetown, which took place last weekend. The staff of the Williamson Museum manages
the Courthouse calendar and user logistics.
Discussion followed about how cultural events that the subcommittee had envisioned taking
place in an arts center could easily overlap with the kinds of events CVB hopes to attract to a
conference center. Also, weddings and social events could bring in revenue to offset use by
nonprofit organizations, which would generate little or no revenue. Judy Ommen indicated that
she believes the Sun City theater group, which presently has to pay rent to use rehearsal
space, would probably be interested in renting space. The group agreed, though, that theater
rehearsals that involve sets would tie up space for longer periods of time and may not fit the
model of a flexible building that was being considered.
C. Consideration and approval of minutes of September 21, 2010 meeting
Philip moved to accept the minutes as distributed, Mandy seconded the motion, and it
passed unanimously.
D. Consideration of and possible action on
1. Creating a needs assessment for a cultural arts center
a. Review of priorities established at September meeting:
i. Rental space for studios and sales of art work
it. Space to host regional shows, performances, festival of the arts activities,
and rehearsal space for Palace
iii Gallery space
iv. Arts school/academy for children
v. Adult art classes
Charles opened the discussion of this item by suggesting that items iv. and v. be combined
into one item, perhaps called "lifelong learning." He asked whether anyone could see ways to
combine any of the other priorities so that the list might be reduced from five to three
priorities.
Bob Horick said that item (1.) is definitely different from all of the others and probably needs to
be fleshed out. Unlike the rest of the priorities, items (ii.) and (iii.) will require a lot of floor
space. Eric remarked that item (i.) had high appeal because it seemed as though it might
generate some revenue. Now, though, if the idea of a conference center is incorporated into
the arts center idea the equation may change Bob asked whether there really is a need in
Georgetown for rental space for studios and sale of art Eric said he believes that is the big
question. Bob doesn't think Georgetown's residents are ready yet to buy enough art to
support artists in individual studios. Judy Ommen responded that she thinks Georgetown IS
ready for a marketplace that only sells art —unlike the venues now in which art is just a small
part of other operations (e.g., Abbey Furniture, Framer's Gallery, The Escape, Cianfrani's, the
jewelry stores). Someone pointed out that all stores that sold only art have closed.
Dar suggested that there are a lot of competing ideas being thrown out and that they're not all
compatible. He said that perhaps a group of volunteers who are committed to a certain use
should just take over the project and get started. The arts center will then become what it will
become as time passes. Charles said he doubted that the amount of volunteer hours
available in Georgetown's art community would be enough to operate a facility that was open
7 days —or even 6 days —a week. Charles believes strongly any arts center will have to be
staffed by City employees for it to succeed.
Mandy suggested giving City administrators two options to consider: (1) an events center that
would generate revenue, or, (2) a space for artists in residence that might generate some
revenue, but the primary purpose of which would be to improve the quality of life in
Georgetown.
Bob H. asked, what does Georgetown need the most? Judy Ommen said she believes it is
gallery and workshop space.
Charles refocused attention on the priorities list and asked whether the group thought the
priorities could be divided into two types of impact: (1) economic impact and (2) quality of life
impact? Rental space of various types (workshops/studios or meeting/event venues) would
have an economic impact. Classes and art shows would have quality of life impacts.
Charles asked the committee members to come to the November meeting prepared to work
on the presentation they will give to Council about the discussions and deliberations that have
taken place. He proposed that the group present a scenario that might be called "A Week in
the Life of an Arts Center" in which they would talk about all of the potential uses they have
identified. Judy Ommen volunteered the idea of presenting the blossoming of art that has
taken place in Georgetown over the past four years and she gave examples of changes that
she has observed. The group agreed that mentioning these changes would be a good way to
illustrate the momentum that appears to be building for an increased awareness of and
appreciation for art in Georgetown.
Charles adjourned the meeting at 5:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Judy Fabry, Acting Secretary Charle Aguillon, Chair