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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_ARTAB_05.16.2017Minutes of the meeting of the Arts and Culture Board City of Georgetown, Texas May 16, 2017 The Arts and Culture Board will meet on Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at 4:30 p.m. in the Small Conference Room of Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. 8th Street PRESENT: Jane Estes, Tim Fleming, Wes Odell, Laura Sewell, Sharon Snuffer, Carol Watson and Linda Wilde. ABSENT: STAFF PRESENT: Eric Lashley- Library Director, Dana Hendrix -Fine Arts Librarian and Lawren Weiss - Administrative Assistant. Chair Estes called the meeting to order at 4:30 pm. A. Citizens wishing to address the Board. —Eric Lashley, Library Director. None were present, No action required. B. Announcements regarding arts and culture in Georgetown. — Jane Estes, Board Chair. Estes announced that her next article in the Williamson County Sun will feature a list and tips on how to advocate for the arts. She will also discuss what the arts do as a driver in Texas. Lashley showed a video by the City's Multi -Media Specialist John Njagi that promotes the City's cultural district anchors. This video about the Palace Theatre is the first of several to follow. The cultural district promo videos will be showing at City Lights and Round Rock movie theaters. Lashley discussed calls he received from Rockport and Tyler on referral from Jim Bob McMillan with Texans for the Arts. These cities are interested in what Georgetown is doing in the way of arts and culture, so Lashley sent copy of a Community Impact article and results from the Economic Impact Study. Lashley, Hendrix and Estes attended the Texas Library Association's conference in April and did a presentation on art in libraries. A staff member from Edinberg, Texas complimented Georgetown's efforts, explaining that their city has four staff members dedicated to art but no art center yet. Both cities would like to schedule a meeting to discuss previous experiences and how to build on arts and culture. GISD is interviewing for fine arts positions at the new Wagner Middle School. End of year concerts are going on now and the district saw an increase in attendance for the On Broadway program this year. The Georgetown Festival of the Arts lawn concert, symphony concert, and park event with fireworks will take place on Memorial Day weekend. C. Review of minutes from the April 18, 2017 Arts & Culture Board meeting. —Jane Estes, Board Chair. Motion by Fleming; second by Sewell to approve the minutes from the April 18, 2017 Arts & Culture Board meeting. Approved 7-0. D. Review of monthly report from Georgetown Art Works. —Eric Lashley, Library Director. Lashley reviewed monthly report with the Board, noting the next show at Georgetown Art Center will be curated by a podcast host from Austin. GAW plans to replace the Art Center's roof following the end of that exhibit. The Art Center will stay open and hang signage to welcome folks inside during the construction. No action required. E. Report on meeting with Georgetown Art Works' Executive Board regarding the renewal of the Georgetown Art Center Operating Agreement. —Eric Lashley, Library Director. Lashley reported that he met with the Executive Board of Georgetown Art Works to discuss the Operating Agreement between their organization and the City of Georgetown. The board was very responsive to Lashley's request to have a future Arts and Culture Manager handle day-to-day operations of the Art Center, while GAW would convert to a more supportive and fundraising role. Following discussion, the GAW Board agreed to send a letter of support to City Council and the City Manager regarding these changes. No action required. F. Report on City of Georgetown Sculpture Tour. —Dana Hendrix, Fine Arts Librarian. Lashley read a report from Dana Hendrix (absent). Lashley reported that the call for entries for the 2017-18 Sculpture Tour had been posted on the following websites: City of Georgetown, City Arts Facebook, Texas Society of Sculptors, Entry Thingy, Texas Public Art Administrators Facebook, and with the current exhibiting sculptors. The deadline to submit proposals is June 1. Lashley noted changes to the award system as follows: $1,500 for First Prize, $750 for second prize, and seven $500 honorable mentions for the remaining exhibitors. Sewell questioned the monetary amounts and Lashley agreed to verify them from the recording of April's meeting. No action required. G. Consideration and possible action to approve a letter of support for an Arts and Culture Manager position budget request. —Eric Lashley, Library Director. Lashley distributed a draft letter to the Board regarding the proposed budget request for an Arts and Culture Manager (attached to these minutes). Lashley asked Board members to review the draft and consider providing support for the request, along with any changes to the letter. During discussion, the Board requested several amendments to the draft. Motion by Wilde; seconded by Sewell to authorize Board Chair Jane Estes to draft a letter on behalf of the board in support of the Arts and Culture Manger position proposed in the budget. This letter will be forwarded the Mayor and City Council. Approved 7-0. H. Consideration future meeting dates. — Jane Estes, Board Chair. The next meeting will be June 20 at 4:30 PM. No action taken. air Estes adjou ned the meeti a p. s ecfullY submitted, Car I atson, Secretary Jane Estes, Chair Georgetown City Council City Hall 113 E. 8`" Street Georgetown, TX 78626 May 16, 2017 Dear Mayor and City Council Members, On behalf of the Arts and Culture Board, we respectfully request Council support the Arts and Culture Manager position proposed for the FY 2017-18 budget. The City of Georgetown has a strong arts and culture sector and the downtown has been designated an official Cultural Arts District by the "Texas Commission on the Arts. The recently completed Econornic Impact Study for Arts and Culture concluded Georgetown's economy is significantly boosted by arts and culture activities and venues. Over $500,000 per year in tax revenues is attributed to arts and culture -related activity. Both the Economic Impact Study (April 20, 2017) and the Arts and Culture Strategic Plan call for an Arts and Culture Manager to act as a liaison between arts and culture groups, apply for grants, maintain the city arts calendar and social media, assist in the management of the Georgetown Art Center, and work with the Convention and Visitor Bureau and Main Street program to promote tourism. In the early 1980s, many of the buildings in our downtown were boarded up, the sidewalks were inadequate, and there was little landscaping. The City made a conscious effort to become a Main Street City and began investing in the infrastructure of our downtown. "That investment has paid dividends; Georgetown's Square has a national reputation and is now recognized as the Most Beautiful Downtown in Texas. The board believes the City is in a similar position today as we were in the 1980s. An investment in arts and culture will have a large return on investment in terms of quality of life for our residents, an increase in sales tax revenues, and greater tourism. We hope you will agree. Thank you for your consideration and your support for arts in culture in our community. Sincerely, Jane Estes -Chair Arts and Culture Board