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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_ARTAB_10.18.2006Minutes of the Meeting of the Arts and Culture Board City of Georgetown, Texas Wednesday, October 18, 2006 Arts and Culture Board Members present: Ruth Roberts, Jane Paden, Penny Plueckhahn, Natalie Dowling, Paul Gaffney, Rich Bartko, Addie Busfield Absent: Georgene Richaud (excused), Charles Aguillon (excused) Staff Attending: Eric Lashley, Library Director, Judy Fabry, Library Administrative Assistant Regular Session Call to Order at 2:10 PM A. Call to order and announcements from the Chair Ruth Roberts called the meeting to order. Chair Paul Gaffney arrived shortly after the meeting began. B. Consideration and approval of minutes of last meeting Natalie Dowhng made a motion to accept the minutes of the September meeting as distributed, Jane Paden seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. D. Comments of citizens wishing to address Board No citizens were present. E. Consideration of and possible action on 1. Meeting of Public Art Panel on October 11. Committee chair Natalie Dowling reported that $14,999 is available for the murals in the children's room of the new library. The committee toured the new library to get a better understanding of the spaces where the murals will be and other spaces where art might be appropriate. After the tour the focus of the meeting was developing a Request for Proposal (RFP) and figuring out a schedule for the process so that the artist will have as much time as possible to prepare and execute the work. Judy Fabry distributed a draft of the RFP, which had been approved by the City's purchasing agent. Board members suggested several changes including replacing 'Proposed timeline for completion of work" with "Statement of ability to complete project within the indicated time frame," and replacing "An affidavit stating artist's level of insurance" with "Statement of artist's level of insurance, if available." The group also decided that the deadline for submission of proposals would be noon on Monday, November 13, that the Public Art Panel would meet at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday November 15 to select the artist, and that their decision would be presented to the entire Board at 4:00 p.m at the regular monthly meeting If the Board accepts the Panel's recommendation, the artist can be notified on November 16. The next meeting of the Panel will be at 5:30 on Wednesday, October 25. The committee will discuss distribution of the RFP and also will hear a presentation by blacksmith Justin M Smith, who has offered to donate a piece of his work to the new library. 2 Sample contracts for public art from City of Austin Chair Gaffney tabled this item because the City Attorney is presently adapting the Austin contract to use to engage the muralist. 3 City budget process and the Arts & Culture Board. Eric Lashley went over the decision of the City Council on July 25, 2006 to appropriate 0.25% of the general fund budget in 2007-08 for public art This means that about $70,000 will be available on October 1, 2007. Eric suggested that before then the Board needs to establish priorities about the placement and types of art works they'd like to start with and then go to Council with their recommendations, both to get Council's agreement and to remind them of their commitment. Eric also spoke about the Williams Drive Gateway project which he learned about ina recent workshop. He believes that Council is considering public art for this project and he thinks that the Board shoulddo a resolution or send a letter to the Council members commending their decision to include public art. Eric said he would do some further investigation to determine whether the Gateway proposal used "may ` or "will" language for the public art recommendation. Eric said that he haddiscussed informally with Parks director Kimberly Garrett cooperation of the Arts and Culture Board with the Parks Board. They will need to talk further to decide whether to hold a joint meetmg of the boards or choose some other option. Penny Plueckhahn reiterated her interest in serving on any committee that is established to work with the Parks Board. 4. Alternative sources of funding. Ruth. Roberts said she had attended the first workshop about non-profit organizations sponsored by the Georgetown Area Community Foundation and found it very instructive. The next workshop is October 27 and is about funding sources. She recommended everyone attend if they are able to do so. 5. Suggestions for a theme for Georgetown's public art. Paul Gaffney proposed an open discussion about this topic. Penny Plueckhahn handed out an outline of an idea she had to use "It's A Wonderful Life" as a guiding idea for the Board as they select art for Georgetown. (Her handout is incorporated as a part of these minutes.) Extensive discussion followed with questions from Ruth, Jane, and Natalie about whether a ' theme" is necessary. Natalie suggested that life is not "wonderful" for everyone in Georgetown and that younger people might not even recognize what the phrase refers to. Penny suggested people think of it as a marketing tool to use to 'sell" the Board's ideas to Council. Rich agreed with Penny that it could be useful and compared the "theme" to a. mission statement. Paul suggested that an "organizing principle' would be another name for what Penny was trying to articulate Penny then suggested that "umbrella idea" be substituted for "theme" and that "It's a Wonderful Life" could still apply. All agreed to think about this topic during the next month and to discuss it again at the November meeting. 6. Award of Certificate of Excellence to Healing Hands Gallery Judy Fabry announced that the Mayor will present the certificate to Heating Hands Gallery Tuesday, October 24, at the beginning of the City Council meeting, shortly after 6 00 p.m. As many Board members as possible should plan to be there for the presentation. Paul Gaffney said he would be present. Ruth Robert; Penny Plueckhahri* noted that the signature line on the certificate needs to be changed to omit the word. "Advisory.' (*corrected according to audio recording of meeting) Ruth Roberts moved and Rich Bartko seconded the motion to adjourn at 3:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Judy Fabry, Acting Secretary Pau Y, October 18, 2006 To: Arts and Culture Board From: Penny Plueckhahn He: Suggested Theme tor Georgetown Public Art It's a .` ande ul Life le The theme has been in uss for several years in Georgetown during the Holiday season. It's familiar and comfortable to residents. Because of this prior usage, equity has been built in the phrase. It represents what Georgetown already is, not what a specific group of people wants it to be. The theme has already been used by several influential groups in Georgetown such as the Ouwrrtown Georgetown Association and the Palace Theater. • It harkens hack to the small town IN depicted in the .Jimrny Stewart movie and all the warm feelings that film generates. • It Is appropriate for all age and income levels, and for all the diverse cminims that comprise the Georgetown population, It is not controversial and should be acceptable to all Stakeholders, Executlon • The theme is broad enough to include all aspects of public art. • Examples: arrt in the Public Library rniyltl reflect the wonderful Iife children have in Georgetown. A statue of a man playing with his dog would be appropriate for the new Dog Park. • The theme extends to other public buildings and parks such as fire stations. San Gabriel Park, otc. it is also appropriate for large or small works in pocket parks throughout the city. • The theme can be executed in all art forms (murals, paintings, sculpture, etc.) and at various price lovels.