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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_ARTAB_05.21.2013Notice of Meeting of the Arts and Culture Board City of Georgetown, Texas Tuesday, May 21, 2013 The Arts and Culture Board will meet on Tuesday, May 21, 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, Betty Ann Sensabaugh, 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 April 16, 2013 meeting E. Consideration of and possible action regarding 1.Art Center update – Eric Lashley 2.Cultural District Designation project – Eric Lashley, Judy Fabry 3.Arts and culture budget request for 2013-14 – 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, May 21, 2013 Members present: Gary Anderson, Philip Baker, Shana Nichols, Dar Richardson, Betty Ann Sensabaugh, Amanda Still Members absent: Liz Stewart Staff present: Eric Lashley, Library Director; Judy Fabry, Library Administrative Assistant A. Chair Philip Baker called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. B. Announcements regarding upcoming events • Dar Richardson reported that the call for artists has been sent out for the 6th annual TSOS summer show at the library. They expect 70-80 pieces in this year's show, which runs from July 8 through September. • Betty Ann Sensabaugh reminded everyone that the Festival of the Arts begins next week. The free concert in San Gabriel Park will be on June 1, where you also may buy T-shirts and posters. C. Citizens wishing to address the Board – none were present. D. Consideration and approval of minutes of April 16, 2013 meeting. Sensabaugh moved to accept the minutes as distributed; Shana Nichols seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Amanda Still arrived at this point in the meeting. E. Consideration of and possible action regarding Art Center update – Eric Lashley. Lashley said that he believes the renovation of Fire Station #1 will be complete by mid-July. Currently the windows are being restored and the structural problems around them are being repaired. Next on the schedule is plastering and then drywall. Lashley said another problem had come up that is something of a setback—the concrete floor in the studio had been sealed ahead of schedule, so the top 1/16" of the surface will have to be removed so that the floor may be stained and scored. Changes that are being made to cut costs include replacing the electric window shade with a manually operated one and reducing the amount of tile being used in the restrooms. The quality of tile that is desired will remain the same, there will just be less of it. Interior trim will be cherry instead of walnut. On the exterior, demolition has begun in the pocket park. Thundercloud Subs is scheduled to open in June but Lashley has no firm indication that that will happen. Baker inquired about the progress Art Works is making toward being ready to open the art center. Gary Anderson, who is on the Art Works board, responded. He said that uncertainty about when the building will be ready has had a dampening effect on some of the planning. The children's art classes have registrants, but more are needed. He also said that the organization needs help with fund-raising and he believes money to hire a grant writer would be well spent. When asked directly how much money Art Works needs, Anderson said he'd prefer not to name a figure and that Jane Estes, the chair, would be the person to ask. He also said that the organization is putting on an event to recognize the volunteers they have and to solicit new volunteers. It will be held from 2-4 pm on Thursday, May 30, in the Hewlett Room at the library. He said word of the event went out today on FaceBook and by email to all of the addresses that they've collected. 2. Cultural District Designation protect — - Eric Lashley, Judy Fabry, Lashley reported that he and Fabry are at work writing the narrative and Keith Hutchinson is beginning work on the video. He reminded the board members that at the public meeting on May 6, one of the people present asked whether San Gabriel Park should be added to the cultural district and that the board needs to consider that recommendation. The consensus among the members present was that the compact nature of the district that coincides with the historic downtown overlay seems to be a virtue that they are reluctant to eliminate by adding the park. Several people asked whether the district could be revised or expanded at a later date. Lashley said he would ask Jim Bob McMillan that question. Lashley went on to talk about management of the Cultural District. It seems logical to have the Main Street and CVB Boards involved, as well as the Arts and Culture Board, but a manageable structure isn't clear. There has been discussion among the division administrators about combining the three boards, but it has only been discussion. There was discussion among the board members about past efforts to coordinate the three boards, which was only marginally successful. The presence of a director for arts and culture, who could coordinate all of the boards, seems necessary. It was agreed to revisit this topic at the June meeting. 3. Arts and culture budget request for 2013-14 — Eric Lashley. Lashley said that in his budget request he asked for a $50,000 line item in the library budget that would be for the Arts and Culture Board. He will hear tomorrow about whether that was approved to move forward and he will let the board members know by email what he hears. This topic will also be addressed at the June meeting. Dar Richardson moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:30 p.m. Baker seconded and the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Judy - Fabry, Acting Se7etary Philip hair r Bak , C C r, I Notes fr om a public meeting held May 6, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. in the Friends Room of the Georgetown Public Library regard ing the Arts and Culture Board's application to the Texas Commission on the Arts for Cultural District designation for downtown Georgetown. Nineteen people attended the meeting. The list of attendees is attached to these notes. Eric Lashley, director of the Georgetown Public Library and staff liaison to the Arts and Culture Board gave a PowerPoint presentation that covered the Board's strategic plan, the goals of the Cultural District program, and the assessment of existing cultural assets that will be submitted with the application. The meeting was then opened to comments from the public. Mickie Ross, director of the Williamson Museum. She said she believes the designation would be a huge asset for the City because it pulls all of the good things together. She also announced that the museum is in the process of commissioning a bronze life-size statue of Three-Legged Willy that will stand in front of the museum entrance on Austin Avenue. Bob Weimer, a local businessman representing himself, said he is 100% for the application, anything that will put more "feet on the street." He advocates using local photographers for advertising and presented the idea of local businesses purchasing public art to give to the City. Jane Estes, chair of Georgetown Art Works, talked about the organization's plans for the Georgetown Art Center, which is set to open in July 2013. The planned children's art camps will take place beginning in June, in a location yet to be determined. The opening show in August will be the work of Benini, an internationally-known painter and sculptor. Later in the year, the internationally acclaimed duo of Chadwick Gray and Laura Spector, who rediscover lost or hidden works of art and recreate them as paintings on the body rather than on canvas, will have their first U.S. show in 10 years at the Georgetown Art Center. The Art Center also will be inviting local artists to show their work in monthly themed shows. Ellsworth Peterson, representing the Festival of the Arts, said he will be speaking about this year's Festival at the Williamson Museum's May 8 salon. Also, the Festival will be putting on a children's concert, featuring the work of the Russian composers who are the focus of this year's festival, at the library on Saturday, May 11. Lyle Raper, a citizen, asked why San Gabriel Park was not included in the proposed Cultural District and enumerated the cultural events that take place there. She suggested that a pedestrian bridge could be constructed at the north end of the existing Historic Downtown Overlay to connect the park and downtown, which would make it more appealing to move downtown events to the park. Keith Hutchinson, Public Information Officer for the City, said that presently there are two agencies that are concerned with preserving and promoting downtown: the Historic Architecture Review Commission and Main Street. He believes the Cultural District designation would create one more perspective from which to view and promote downtown. Dar Richardson, member of the Arts and Culture Board, said that he believes the Cultural District designation would make Georgetown a member of an exclusive group, with other Texas cities that have gained the designation, and that there would be good opportunities for networking with people who have similar goals for their communities. Respectfully submitted, Judy Fabry, staff liaison to the Arts and Culture Board • Name Public Meeting, May 6, 2013 Cultural District Designation for Georgetown Downtown Overlay District Representing Email contact J--UJLJ � \ .----- Public Meeting, May 6, 2013 • Cultural District Designation for Georgetown Downtown Overlay District Name Representing Email contact •