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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_ARTAB_01.15.2013Notice of Meeting of the Arts and Culture Board City of Georgetown, Texas Tuesday, January 15, 2013 The Arts and Culture Board will meet on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 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, Gary Anderson, Liz Stewart, Philip Baker, Shana Nichols 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 December 18, 2012 meeting E. Consideration of and possible action on 1.Strategic Plan – Eric Lashley 2.Letter of Intent for Cultural District Designation – Eric Lashley 3.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 _________________, 2013, at __________, and remained so posted for at least 72 continuous hours preceding the scheduled time of said meeting. __________________________________ Jessica Brettle, City Secretary Minutes of Meeting of the Arts and Culture Board City of Georgetown, Texas Tuesday, January 15, 2013 Members Present: Gary Anderson, Shana Nichols, Dar Richardson, Liz Stewart Members Absent: Philip Baker, Amanda Still (both family medical issues) Staff Present: Eric Lashley, Library Director; Judy Fabry, Library Administrative Assistant A. With both chair and vice chair absent, Liz Stewart nominated Dar Richardson to conduct the meeting. Richardson then volunteered to accept the responsibility. The meeting was called to order at 4:42 p.m. B. Announcements regarding upcoming events • Eric Lashley spoke about the email from Sam Pfiester that he had forwarded to Board members a few days earlier. Pfiester proposed that the Board join him at the Blanton Museum for a private tour of an exhibit from LIT Alumni's private collections, at a date to be determined, probably sometime in March. All present agreed that they would like to accept his offer and tentatively suggested March 21 as a date to propose. • Lashley also drew the members' attention to the editorial that Linda Scarbrough had written in the January 13 issue of the Sun. It highlighted all of the arts activities that are taking place in Georgetown and encouraged building on the momentum that seems to be developing. • Stewart reminded members of the Symphony Society's concert on Sunday, January 27, which will have a patriotic theme. C. There were no citizens wishing to address the Board. D. Consideration and approval of minutes of December 18, 2012 meeting. Richardson moved to accept the minutes as distributed; Stewart seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. E. Consideration of and possible action on 1. Strategic Plan — Eric Lashley. Lashley distributed revised copies of the draft strategic plan and went over the changes he has made. He requested input from the Board members by email, no later than February 12, so that he could have the plan in final form for the February Board meeting. He will be presenting it to City Council at a workshop on March 12. 2. Letter of Intent for Cultural District Designation — Eric Lashley. Lashley explained that the first step in applying for Cultural District designation is to send a letter of intent to the Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA). Letters for a 2013 application are due before the end of January. If the Board chooses to send the letter of intent, a motion should be made so that Lashley may take their recommendation to Council on January 22, asking for permission to submit the letter of intent. Nichols moved to send the letter of intent; seconded by Anderson and passed unanimously. Lashley said he would send Board members a copy of the letter before he sends it to the TCA. 3. Schedule of future meetings — Eric Lashley. All present agreed that there was no need to reschedule the February meeting. Richardson adjourned the meeting at 5:02 p.m. • • `� GRAPHISM0 407 EAST 4TH STREET t�• GEORGETOWN,TX 78626 TEL: (S12) 686-149S EMAIL: NICK@GRRPHISMO.COM CLIENT: GEORGETOWN ART CENTER DESCRIPTION: LOGO CONCEPTS - ROUND 1 DATE: DECEMBER 1, 2012 0 GRAPHISMO. 407 EAST 4TH STREET .�. GEORGETOWN,TX 78626 TEL: 12C686-1495 EMAIL: EMRIL: NICK@GRRPHISMO.COM CLIENT: GEORGETOWN ART CENTER DESCRIPTION: LOGO CONCEPTS - ROUND i DATE: DECEMBER 1, 2012 U • • • n U • GRAPHISMO 407 EAST 4TH STREET •�� GEORGETOWN,TX 78626 TEL: (512) 686-1495 EMAIL: NICK@GRAPHISMO.COM CLIENT: GEORGETOWN ART CENTER DESCRIPTION: LOGO CONCEPTS - ROUND 1 DATE: DECEMBER 1, 2012 ^Y GRAPHISMO 407 EAST 4TH STREET ��. GEORGETOWN,TX 78626 TEA: (S12) EMRIL: NICK@GRAPH ISMO.COM CLIENT: GEORGETOWN ART CENTER DESCRIPTION: LOGO CONCEPTS - ROUND 1 DATE: DECEMBER 1, 2012 • Pi • I• GRAPHISMO. 407 EAST 4TH STREET GEORGETOWN,TX 78626 TEL: (512) 686-1495 EMAIL: NICK@GRRPHISMO.COM CLIENT: GEORGETOWN ART CENTER DESCRIPTION: LOGO CONCEPTS - ROUND 1 DATE: DECEMBER 1, 2012 GRAPHISMO / 407 EAST 4TH STREET GEORGETOWN,TX 78626 TEL:(S12)686-i495 EMAIL: NICK@GRAPHISMO.COM CLIENT: GEORGETOWN ART CENTER DESCRIPTION: LOGO CONCEPTS - ROUND 1 DATE: DECEMBER 1, 2012 • L • • • �o GRRPHISMO 407 EAST 4TH STREET •�• GEORGETOWN,TX 78626 ` TEL: (512) 686-1495 EMAIL: NICK@GRAPHISMO.COM ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ . - - CLIENT: GEORGETOWN ART CENTER DESCRIPTION: LOGO CONCEPTS - ROUND 1 DATE: DECEMBER 1, 2012 GRAPHISMO 407 EAST 4TH STREET .�. GEORGETOWN,TX 78626 TEA: EMAIL: K@GRA H EMRIL: NICK@GRRPHISMO.COM CLIENT: GEORGETOWN ART CENTER DESCRIPTION: LOGO CONCEPTS - ROUND 1 DATE: DECEMBER 1, 2012 • • • • n U DRAFT: Arts and Culture Strategic Plan for the City of Georgetown 2013-2018 Executive Summary The Arts and Culture Board was established for the purpose of actively pursuing the placement of public art in public places and serving to coordinate, promote and support public access to the arts. The Board was also established to encourage, stimulate, promote and foster programs for the cultural enrichment of the City, thereby contributing to the quality of life in Georgetown, and develop an awareness of the value of the arts in the business community, local government and the general public. According to the Arts and Culture Board's bylaws, the Board is directed to: 1. Ensure the arts continue to be of value as an integral part of Georgetown; 2. Seek to improve communication and organization of the activities in the Georgetown arts community; 3. Promote the arts in Georgetown to enrich the lives of its residents through • education and demonstration; 4. Assist other City boards, commissions and committees and the City Council in using public art to enhance development in public parks and other public lands and structures; 5. Advise other City boards, commissions and committees and City departments regarding artistic components of municipal projects under consideration by the City and serve as a resource for artistic components of private developments; 6. Develop and recommend to the City Council policies and programs that would enhance and encourage planning, placement and maintenance of public displays of art in location open to the public within the community: 7. Encourage connections with other local, regional and national organizations • working for the benefit of art and preservation of artistic values, and other similar activities; 8. Recognize and encourage groups and organizations that enrich Georgetown life by bringing cultural and artistic values and artifacts to the City; and 9. Pursue funding, including gifts and grants, for support of art programs and activities and the procurement of public art. Purpose The purpose of the Arts and Culture Board's Strategic Plan is to establish goals and objectives to accomplish the directives establish in the Board's bylaws. Members of the Arts and Culture Board believe a vibrant arts community and cultural offerings are good for the quality of life for residents, will attract visitors, and will assist Georgetown in becoming a "community of excellence." The plan incorporates seven major goals: Establish and foster a vibrant Art Center as a major component of a downtown arts and entertainment district. w� II. Develop a sustainable arts in public places program for the City of Georgetown. • Ill. Advocate and encourage the development of an amphitheater in the downtown arts and entertainment district. IV. Improve access to information as well as assist in the promotion of local arts and cultural events. V. Provide grants to local nonprofit art organizations. VI. Apply for the Cultural District Designation from the Texas Commission on the Arts. VII. Hire a Director of Arts and Culture to coordinate the arts and cultural activities of the City and work with local non-profit arts organizations to improve the quality of life in Georgetown. Goals and Objectives Goal I. Establish and foster a vibrant art center as a major component of a downtown arts and entertainment district. Objective 1: Insure art center is open an average of 180 hours per month. Strategies • a. Partner with a nonprofit arts organization to provide volunteers to staff the art center during all hours of operation (On Going) b. Work with nonprofit to establish a liaison between the nonprofit and City (On Going) c. Work with nonprofit to determine staffing schedules and recruit volunteers (2013) d. Work with nonprofit to recruit and train volunteers (2013) Sol r ,„: r. 10 Objective 2: Attract 2,000 visitors per month to the art center. Strategies a. Schedule an art show ever month b. Organize an artist's reception each month c. Coordinate and schedule art classes d. Promote the art center to be used for receptions and other gatherings e. Participate in the First Friday events on the Square f. Participate in Red Poppy Festival, Christmas Stroll, and other major events on the Square Objective 3: Investigate the feasibility of an incubator artists work space to be located near the art center. Strategies a. Locate appropriate facility b. Facilitate meetings with working artists to gage interest c. Conduct a feasibility study d. Research economic development funding for an incubator space Objective 4: Investigate the feasibility of an Artist In Residency program a. Contact representatives of the Sarofim School of Fine Arts at Southwestern University to determine whether or not there is interest in collaborating in the establishment of a residency program b. Determine goals of the residency program c. Establish criteria for the selection of artist d. Establish budget for program Goal II. Develop a sustainable arts in public places program for the City of Georgetown. • • 01 Objective 1: Maintain partnership with Texas Society of Sculptors. • Strategies a. Support annual Texas Society of Sculptors show at the Georgetown Public Library b. Provide stipends for artist.who loan work for the downtown and parks c. Purchase a piece of sculptor for the City each year from a member of the Texas Society of Sculptors Objective 2: Expand utility box art project Strategies a. Identify utility boxes available for artwork through the Street Department and Georgetown Utility Systems. b. Establish criteria for selecting artist c. Publish a call for artists Objective 3: Expand public art displays in other City facilities Strategies • a. Gain Council Approval b. Establish staff liaison for each appropriate City facility to coordinate display of works of art c. Establish a percentage for art in new construction projects that are appropriate d. Encourage the use of murals, tile mosaics and other forms of art work in new construction projects Goal Ill. Encourage the development of a thriving arts, cultural, and entertainment district in the downtown. Objective 1: Work with Historic District Planner, consultants, and other City staff to update the Downtown Master Plan • Strategies Objective 2: Advocate for an amphitheater in the downtown Strategies a. Work with consultants and community partners to update the Downtown Master Plan b. Work with local performing arts organizations to gage interest in an amphitheater project c. Research other communities that have an amphitheater d. Identify locations in the downtown that could accommodate an amphitheater Goal IV. Improve access to information as well as assist in the promotion of local arts and cultural events. r-11 u Objective 1: Develop an aggressive publicity program designed to increase the frequency with which Georgetown citizens hear about arts and culture events. Strategies a. Design promotional information guides for distribution to the public b. Distribute information about arts and culture events through the Internet, social media, local community networks, and media outlets c. Increase public knowledge about arts and culture programs and services by publishing articles in the Williamson County Sun, City Reporter, and other local publications d. Promote arts.georgetown.org website and arts calendar feature e. Purchase group advertising for local nonprofit arts groups • f. Encourage local arts groups to publicize their events in the City's annual Visitors Guide Goal V. Provide grants to local nonprofit art organizations. t; G E O R G E T O W N Festival of the Arts . WILLIAMSAN GEORGETOWN MUSEUM SyNipljONy SOCIL-n' Objective 1: Establish criteria and budget for providing grants to local nonprofit arts organizations Strategies a. Determine economic impact of grants b. Estimate the number of residents that will attend or be impacted by the grant c. Determine the overall financial health of the arts organization Goal VI. Attain the Cultural District Designation from the Texas Commission on the Arts. 6" Objective 1: Meet all requires Strategies a. Gather information ab b. Conduct community m c. Gain Council Support d. Establish staff liaison e. Determine Geographic f. Establish a managemE g. Establish cultural distri Goal VII. Hire a Direi arts and cultural acti non-profit arts orgar Georgetown. 0 8 HOT TOWNS TO SNAP UP °AP jAi"1S PyOIvP4' 0 Reprinted from the New York Times, December 16, 2012 Considering the Arts for Their Economic Benefits Published: December 15, 2012 Robert W. Hart for The Texas Tribune The San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts. "Two years ago, people wouldn't come near this area," said Mr. Taylor, the director of the city's Museum of Fine Arts. "They thought it was run-down, scary and unpleasant." The refurbished block is merely a hint of Mr. Taylor's vision for the city's 200-acre cultural district, a designation granted by the Texas Commission on the Arts in 2009. Mr. Taylor, the district's chairman, has ambitious plans to transform the area, which already includes historic Fort Concho and a growing number of art galleries but is also home to several abandoned buildings he would like to see restored. These aspirations take money: by Mr. Taylor's estimates, some $41 million. And while the is cultural district designation has been a nice stamp of approval — Mr. Taylor refers to it as the "connecting tissue" of the revitalization effort — it has come with no financing or access to state economic development incentives. "It is this absolute gem of potential," he said, "and we're beginning to forget the potential it has." That could change in the state legislative session that begins in January. An aggressive effort is afoot to reframe the Texas Commission on the Arts as an engine for economic development and to give Texas' designated cultural districts access to existing state incentive funds. But persuading lawmakers in the state to invest in the arts has proved challenging with the tight budgets of recent years. Last session, they slashed the commission's budget by 56 percent, down to $3.7 million for the 2012 fiscal year. "We're being underutilized," said Gary Gibbs, the commission's executive director. "We have great potential to benefit the state, and with more resources we would be in a much better position to fulfill our mission and benefit all people of Texas." A recent report issued by the Sunset Advisory Commission, which gauges the effectiveness of state agencies, supports that notion. It gave the arts agency high marks and recommended that lawmakers continue to support it, in part to stimulate the economy. • A recent statewide study by economic analysis firm TXP found that in 2011, arts and culture industries generated roughly $290.1 million in state sales tax revenue. "What we're looking at now is institutionalizing the arts as a tool for economic development for • the state of Texas," said Amy Barbee, the executive director of the Texas Cultural Trust, a nonprofit organization that raises and manages money for the arts commission. "The cultural districts can be a vehicle for that." (Texas Cultural Trust is a corporate sponsor of the Texas Tribune.) Texas is one of 12 states that play a formal role in establishing local cultural districts. The Legislature authorized the program in 2005, though no districts were designated until 2009, when an inaugural group that included San Angelo received the distinction. So far, out of 27 communities that have completed applications for cultural district designation, 14 have been successful. Five other pre -established districts, including the Dallas arts district and the Houston museum district, were grandfathered in, avoiding the rigorous application process. Though the cultural district designation does not come with any direct financial benefits, acceptance into the program provides a legitimacy that can be a boon to a community's efforts to market itself and secure outside financing. "When you have this designation, it has significant meaning," said Martha J. Terrill, who led a group that secured cultural district status for a section of Galveston this year. "Texas is not the only place you can get funding." But Ms. Barbee said there was existing state incentive money that could be leveraged by cultural districts as part of Texas' broader economic development strategy. She suggested that cultural districts be invited to seek financing from the state agriculture department's rural economic • development program, for example, or from the economic development and tourism programs operated by the governor's office. A collaboration between the Cultural Trust and the state agriculture department — one that will focus on rural economic development and may include communities designated as cultural districts — is already under way. "We hope to increase tourism, attract new capital investment, create new job opportunities and bring attention to the cultural assets of rural communities," said Bryan Black, a spokesman for the agriculture department. Ms. Barbee said she would like lawmakers to expand the approved uses for certain local sales tax dollars to include arts facilities. Carlton Schwab, the president and chief executive of the Texas Economic Development Council, said his organization supported directing some sales tax revenue to arts activities. Ryan Stubbs, research director at the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies in Washington, said states were increasingly setting up cultural district designation programs without attaching fiscal incentives. But he said states that had included financing, like New Mexico and Louisiana, were clearly benefiting. 0 Catherine Frazier, a spokeswoman for Gov. Rick Perry, said the governor was pleased with the Isstate's current economic development strategy but would consider re-evaluating how the arts were financed in Texas if that should be the will of the Legislature. In San Angelo, Mr. Taylor says he would welcome any help his cultural district can get. He envisions several museums, restaurants and businesses, vocational training programs in boot and saddle making and — perhaps most important — a pedestrian -friendly community that is valued by its residents as well as visitors. "To me, that's what a cultural district is about," Mr. Taylor said. "It's not about culture with a capital C. It's about how we live together and how there's a real sense of everybody belonging and sharing in this." Rick Weise, San Angelo's assistant city manager and the district's co-chairman, agreed that it would aid the city's efforts to attract business. "A lot of economic development is your relationship with whoever you're trying to bring in," he said. "But secondly it's what do they see and do they like that?" Despite some successful projects, there is still much to be accomplished, and Mr. Taylor knows it. Right now, he said, he is still working to get the basics. "If you drive around, you don't know it's fabulous," he said. "There's virtually no signage. It looks a little bit like a dump. There's nothing to tell you you're in a place that's unique." 0 0