HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_ARTAB_11.16.2010 SubcommitteeMinutes of Meeting of the
Arts & Culture Center Study Subcommittee
of the Arts and Culture Board
City of Georgetown, Texas
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Members Present: Charles Aguiilon, Philip Baker Karen Lange, Steve Proesel, Dar
Richardson, Mandy Solin, Paul Gaffney (Southwestern University), Bob Horick Georgetown
Symphony Society), Bob Kostka (Palace Theatre), Judy Ommen (Art Works), Georgene Richaud,
(Convention and Visitors Bureau Board)
Members Absent: Kaki Bassi, Mickie Ross (Williamson Museum)
Staff Present Eric Lashley, Library Director; Judy Fabry, Library Administrative Assistant; Cari
Miller, Tourism Manager, Convention & Visitors Bureau
CaII to Order at 4:30 PM
A. Consideration and approval of minutes of October 26 2010 meeting. Mandy moved to
approve the minutes as distributed; second by Eric. Motion passed unanimously.
B Comments by Chair and Staff Facilitator — Charles Aguiilon, Eric Lashley Eric passed out
copies of an email from Paul Brandenburg that Patty Eason had brought to a recent meeting
of the Art Works board (made a part of these minutes). The email pointed out that Council will
not know what facility might be available for use as an art center until after the May bond
election, when a bond for a new public safety building will be on the ballot Before this
subcommittee began meeting, Paul had told Eric that the committee should consider a
number of City facilities including the old fire station, the present police department building,
City Hall, and the Visitors Center, not just the Old Library Eric reported that Council would be
having a facilities workshop next week and perhaps more might be known about facilities
plans after that meeting.
Steve said that he believes the committee has been considering needs, not facilities in all of
their previous discussions Bob Horick said he believes the committee should at least tell
Council how much space would be needed for an arts center. Charles responded that the
Board probably will have to make do with whatever space is offered.
A general discussion followed about what factors might limit the activities that could take
place in an arts facility. It became clear that the committee members still were not united
about what they believed the arts center would be used for.
C. Comments by committee members. Judy Ommen passed out the "homework" she had done,
a sheet on which she identified existing arts facilities or places where arts -related activities
take place (Made a part of these minutes.)
D. Consideration of and possible action on
1. Outline of committee's anticipated final report (A Day in the Life of an Arts Center?)
Judy Ommen began listing activities that a visitor to the art center would see happening on
any given day young people attending an acting class, an adult art class taking place,
someone teaching yoga in the courtyard, a sculptor working, a musician practicing, studios
rented to artists.
Charles suggested developing a list of general activities before working on "A Day in the
Life . " He began with the categories Meeting Space, Studio Space, Events (e.g ,
weddings), and Classes Paul said he thought it looked like the committee is replicating
what existing facilities already do Georgene said that CVB's study of meeting room space
indicated that there is a need for more small meeting space.
Paul continued by saying that what he'd heard the committee members say most
frequently is that Georgetown needs small spaces in which individual artists and musicians
can work, show, and sell their art. In his opinion, what Georgetown is missing, and what
these activities require, is a gallery, which could become a destination spot. If space
allowed, it could also provide rented studio space. Paul said the mantra of the facility
should be "show and sell." Bob H. and Judy agreed with Paul s analysis. Mandy said that
having artists at work in a gallery space creates a vitality that would draw people in. Philip
worried about starting too small, but others thought that succeeding in a small place would
make it easier to get a larger space later.
The group then moved on to planning the slides that will be used in A Day in the Life of an
Arts Center.
overview: Drawing/photo/description of a large open display and gathering space
b000kended by several small rooms that are administrative offices, restrooms, and a
classroom or two. Studio space???
S lide 1: 8 a.m. a staff person arrives to open the facility and finds an artist is waiting
to talk about renting studio space After that discussion the staff person checks ema►Is,
looks at the day's schedule of activities, and begins working on the newsletter and
website. TSOS member arnves to set up for portrait sculpture workshop.
S lide 2: 9 a.m — the public gallery opens. Students arrive for sculpture workshop
which takes place in classroom. A preschool group comes in to do art exploration in the
gallery space with a volunteer from Art Works
S lide 3: 10:30 a.m. — The Williamson Museum staff person arrives to put on a class
for Williams Elementary students. The arts center staff person goes into a meeting to finish
the contract with a couple who are planning a wedding in the gallery.
S lide 4: Noon — A brown bag lunch musical performance takes place in the gallery.
Downtown restaurants are encouraged to have box lunch specials for people to bring to
the event. At 1:00 in the classroom there is a Senior University class in artful readings that
15 people attend.
S lide 5: 3:00 p.m. — Kids from the Boys and Girls Club arrive for a class in
printmaking that is being taught by a volunteer from the Williamson County Art Guild. The
staff person attends the monthly meeting of the Arts and Culture Board, which is held in
the administrative conference room, to give the regular art center report.
S lide 6: 4:00 p.m. — The artist whose work has just been hung in the gallery is talking
about her work to a group of seven visitors. Georgetown High School students are in the
computer lab learning graphic design from a volunteer from Art Works. A staff person from
the Palace Theatre is conducting a children's acting workshop.
S lide 7: 6:00 p.m. — It's First Friday and there is a reception for the new traveling
show that is hanging in the gallery. The artists who rent studio space have opened their
doors for the evening and are meeting with gallery visitors.
The meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Judy Fabry, Acting Se etary Charles Aguillon, Chair