Minutes_Arts and Cultural Affairs Advisory Task Force 9 22 2020 Copyrighted
November 2, 2020
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 1.
City Council Meeting
ITEM TITLE: Minutes and Reports Submitted
SUM MARY: Arts and Cultural Affairs Advisory Commission Minutes of 7/21, 8/25,
9/22 and Master Plan Task Force and Group Minutes of 9/22; City
Council Proceedings of 9/28, 10/19; Community DevelopmentAdvisory
Commission of 10/21; Housing Commission of 9/22,
Housing Commission of 10/27; Zoning Board of Adjustment of 9/24;
Library Board of Trustees Council Update #203 of 10/22.
SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Arts and Cultural Affairs Advisory Commission Minutes Supporting Documentation
of 7/21/20
Arts and Cultural Affairs Advisory Commission Minutes Supporting Documentation
of 8/25/20
Arts and Cultural Affairs Advisory Commisison Minutes Supporting Documentation
of 9/22/20
Arts and Cultural Affairs Advisory Commission Master Supporting Documentation
Plan Task Force/ Work Group Minutes of 9/22/20
City Council Proceedings of 9/28/20 Supporting Documentation
City Council Proceedings of 10/19/20 Supporting Documentation
Community Development Advisory Commission Minutes Supporting Documentation
of 10/21/20
Housing Commission Minutes of 9/22/20 Supporting Documentation
Housing Commission Minutes of 10/27/20 Supporting Documentation
Library Board of Trustees Council Update#203 of Supporting Documentation
10/22/20
Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes of 9/24/20 Supporting Documentation
Arts & Cultural Affairs
Master Plan Task Force
Working Group &Task Force Updates
As of 9/22/2020 to share with Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission
Task Force
Met Thurs,July 30 @ 8am via GoToMeeting
Attending: Sharon Covey, Beth McGorry, Taylor Cummings, Geri Shafer, Jenni Petersen-Brant
• Arts & Culture Sector Update
o Jenni updated on the general state of the Dubuque Arts & Culture organizations. All are doing
their best to continue. Many have been making plans to respond to community COVID
situations.
■ DBQ Museum of Art- Free admission in July; Bell Tower Theater—August 14t" first in
person performance; River Museum —Open with safety protocol in place; NISOM —
Began private lessons; D50—Canceling season except perhaps Holiday Concert;
o Arts organizations meet virtually every Friday at 2 PM for updates and brainstorming.
o The City Council has been responsive to arts and culture information to them with survey,
solidarity, planning and operations.
• Report on DEI work session with City Council.
o Geri wondered if the TASK force could have place with Council's goal setting. Geri noted it is
critical that Council hears from Task Force on importance of arts and culture to community.
Suggested TASK force develop a message prior to first Council goal setting meeting. This
memorandum should include critical goals of Master Plan and gentle reminder of how arts and
culture is critical to next year's priorities.
o Suggestions are to reach out to other arts organizations to report
o Jenni also can include information from other arts organizations; Iso ask them to write
additional letters.
o Other discussion on importance of arts and culture at this time to highlight:
■ St. Marks that through summer program kids desperately needed in class curriculum.
Free opportunities to be around art were missed.
■ Discussion on if orchestra, choir, theater will be in school curriculum. Beth McGorry
reported that some arts classes will continue in the schools.
■ Also use some questions in the survey. Include some testimonials from survey and
Solidarity Mural.
o Geri volunteered to initiate authoring letter to the Council from the TASK FORCE encouraging
support of arts and cultural programs for 2021-22 City Goals. Letter will be to the TASK Force
Committee to sign by next Thursday. Beth and Gina offered to review.
• Working Group Updates
o Accessibility, Engagement, and Inclusion
Arts & Cultural Affairs
Master Plan Task Force
■ Dubuque Renaissance Project— Planning slowly moving forward for 2021-22 to create a
connected project with independent activities to empower and elevate voices of Black
creatives and the Black experience in Dubuque.
o Branding & Communications
■ Moving forward with survey results to from focus groups from those responding to
continue to be a part
o Creative Economy
■ Work continues on directory, focusing on confirming/expanding contact information.
Developing proof-of-concept directory as part of DCFAS' website redesign.
o Capacity and Investment
■ Need new members for this group now as importance of private funding for A&C
activities is needed with COVID-19 impacts on City budget.
■ Suggestions for new members includes:
• Jeff Mozena; Andrew Mozena; Nick Shrup; Ed Raber; John Donovan; Nicole
Gantz; Tim Runde; Tim Althaus; Jillayne Pinchuck; Wes Heitzman; Mark Wahlert
■ Suggested to structure with both short term and longer term commitments. Sharon
offered to work with Jenni on identifying funding needs and expectations to then lean in
to recruitment.
o New members to the TASK Force also need. Jenni will look into people from initial TASK Force
recruitment.
NEXT MEETING anticipated for Thurs, Sept 24, 2020 at 8am, via GoToMeeting.
Accessibility, Engagement, and Inclusion
Met Mon, Sept 14 @ 3:30pm via Microsoft Teams
Attending: Sharon Covey, Frank McClain, Geri Shafer, Jenni Petersen-Brant, Ali Levasseur, Jason Neises
' New challenges or opportunities for residents with online arts & culture programming
° Even with virtual events, how are we marketing the opportunities with audiences that are
beyond the "regular crowd." Ali noted that she met a younger artist of color that was struggling
to find allies to help with her work, exhibition space, like-minded people.
° Alanda's list of black artists may be a way to make personal connections & relationships needed
to widen our scope. We need to personally invite people to participate, not just hope they see
the FB event or email notice.
° Having a centralized location/clearinghouse for events seems to be an ongoing need. 3651nk
calendar is already pretty good. May still not be meeting the needs of artists who are more on
"the fringe"? Something that has more of a Voices vibe vs. Bluff Strokes?
° Alanda's podcasts about "people to know in Dubuque" may be a way to make new connections.
A "get to know Dubuque artists" series to showcase artist studios, interviews with artists,
perhaps on facebook. Jenni could talk with Randy Gehl about doing interviews on the City's
A&C facebook channel - would that be okay?
' Arts & Culture master plan is a high priority for the council, so they want to see action.
Arts & Cultural Affairs
Master Plan Task Force
° Kelly Larson's presence on our A&C call on Friday may help us understand how this would fit
into the city's priorities.
' Can we create spaces that foster serendipity & relationships, build connections, without over-
engineering it? (in-person events post-COVID)
° Something similar to the Chamber mixers
° Talk to Susan at the Smokestack if any of us happen to see her.
' Dubuque Renaissance Project updates
° Alanda is working on a photo shoot inspired by a photo of the Harlem Renaissance artists. Will
need help with publicity, soliciting submissions, and sorting/posting. Jason will get more info.
° Tom Robbins wants to meet with Alanda & Claudette about Heritage Center programming that
relates to the Harlem Renaissance. Jenni would like to help with this if schedules permit.
° Jenni received a grant from Government Alliance on Racial Equity (GARE) for$10,000 to
support this project. Can help partners produce activities and overall marketing for the project.
° Jenni has a meeting with Taylor from Travel Dubuque about what they could commit to help
with this project. Frank noted that umbrella marketing helps smaller orgs publicize the one-off
events that would be cost-prohibitive to promote on their own. This project is definitely on the
radar for the City Council.
' Programming updates from our working group partners
° Brianna's art show/exhibition/sale Oct 30th at The Driftless - spoken work, visual art
' The City of Dubuque can help promote as a way to show support for a funded partner if DFAC is
involved. Good connection to Creative Economy goals.
° The Grand has a multitude of other virtual offerings coming up. "Rounding Third" in October
will be first event with limited audience & live streaming options.
° No current updates on PechaKucha.
NEXT MEETING scheduled for Monday, October 5th at 3:30pm via GoToMeeting.
Met Mon,Aug 6@ 3:30pm via Microsoft Teams
Attending: Sharon Covey, Michaela Freiburger, Frank McClain, Ali Levasseur,Jenni Petersen-Brant, Tom
Robbins, Jason Neises
' Dubuque Renaissance Project updates
° GARE Network grant opportunity that Jenni applied for. It was a quick application. No word yet.
° Alanda is making connections with black artists.
° After the presentation to the Friday PM A&C group several organizations stepped forward
° NEA Our Town grant -August 18th due date. Jenni will reach out to Jason & Alanda to see if it's
a good fit.
° Create a "shared folder" where we could keep all the DRP documents so everyone has access,
including an online form where people could submit ideas. Could be a Google Drive already
existing through the Branding & Communication group that could work?
° Be sure we're connecting with the Symphony. We need to lean in and do one-on-one
conversations with the organizations.
' Master Plan Implementation focus groups being planned
° Branding & Communications group developed the A&C survey and got decent response.
Arts & Cultural Affairs
Master Plan Task Force
° A lot of people who took the survey volunteered to participate in focus groups (virtual).
° Putting together the FG questions now.
° Jason gave Jenni some questions to probe about diversity of programming and cultural
inclusion.
° Share the feedback that Michaela & Ali collected during the Fountain of Youth discussion last
year. The conversation started with conversations about culture, then brought up the arts.
° On the survey, could we specifically reach out to the folks with negative attitudes about "old
boys" culture?
' Weekly A&C check-in phone calls— reports from the field
° A&C orgs are putting together a letter to city council to emphasize the role the arts play in
community vibrancy prior to goal-setting. Contact Jenni if you want to be on the letter.
° There is a big concern about childcare in the community during the hybrid model - what role
could arts orgs play to provide alternative childcare options? Questions about staffing, paying
for it, licensing, insurance, etc., but the conversation continues.
° Arts orgs interested in doing this may want to get in contact with the YMCA.
° Has Steeple Square been involved in those conversations? Would be a good connection for arts
orgs as it's connected to the event center. Might also be a connection for the Dream Center.
° Could disaster relief fund be used to fund arts organizations to provide programs for free?
Contact Jason if you have an idea about this and we could talk through the DRF application and
what would be a good fit.
° Frank's staff is back at the Grand.
° Bell Tower starting in-person programming in August again.
° DuMA is open again.
° Fly By Night is doing some online events.
° Lots of resourceful, resilient solutions among our arts orgs.
° Heritage Center mostly on hiatus until January, but students will be coming back to campus in
person as usual in the Fall.
° Could we lead the Identity Percentage activity that John Stewart did for our Accessibility group
during the Friday afternoon call?
° Class about "How to be an Anti-Racist" resources that could be used for this, too? Michaela &
Jenni are taking it and will connect with Jason to see how they could be used during the call.
' Announcements of upcoming events
° August 22: Drive-in rooftop concert featuring local DJs. DMS event partnering with Smokestack
to attract diverse audiences & partner with minority-owned businesses. Key City Pride & Alanda
will be hosting.
° DMS is planning a "reverse parade" where the floats are stationary and the cars drive along
Main Street. Will be multicultural musicians.
° Key City Pride - Keychella - Sept 4-5-6
Met Wed,Aug 12 @ 3:30pm via GoToMeeting
Arts & Cultural Affairs
Master Plan Task Force
Present: Gina Siegert, Miki Robinson, Taylor Cummings, Jenni Petersen-Brant
• Updates from Creative Economy WG
o DCFAS received a grant for a website redesign and have offered to explore including a directory
similar to what the Creative Economy WG has proposed based on past Artsopolis discussions.
Ron Tigges and Ali Levasseurjoining CE's recent call to discuss and will continue to join CE calls
to provide updates.
o Shelby Fry mocked up a logo for the We Create Dubuque idea. Purpose is to have an identity for
the Facebook page but also possibly as branding for directory and more. B&C WG provided
feedback on logo (more prominent color, is power button too similar to logo of another local
business?) and advised that logo be used in limited scope (maybe just for Facebook group for
now) until able to outline larger branding needs.
o Discussion followed on whether this is premature as B&C is unsure what they are branding. Is
the need to brand the City's Commission or Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs?The Task Force
and the Master Plan?The arts and culture experience that Dubuque offers residents/visitors?
Is there a hierarchy to what is priority? Who sets the priority? End agreement was B&C should
define hierarchy.
• Discussion followed on need for B&C to revisit its goals and mission statement. Who owns the different
outcomes/ projects? Is that important?
• Discussion on the planning and needs for an adequate branding strategy.
• Discussion on structure of Task Force, meeting schedule for Working Groups, relationship to the
Commission to move forward with the Master Plan. Suggestions included moving Working Groups to
meeting bimonthly with accountability check-in in off month, possible Executive Committee of the Task
Force, focus on individual Working Groups at each Task Force meeting.
• Discussion on feasibility of an independent nonprofit being formed to support Master Plan
implementation. What does that entail? Funding request. Memorandum of Understanding with City.
• Next steps:
o Collective meeting with all working groups to discuss what is our mission and hierarchy.
o Discussion on B&C hierarchy of branding needs. Taylor volunteered to be liaison with Jenni.
o Homework to each pick 2 or 3 cities of similar size with a partnership for Arts & Culture and
what is the structure and framework, looking back to other communities that Lord worked with
to finding successful models.
NO SEPTEMBER meeting held.
NEXT MEETING anticipated for Wed., Oct 7, 2020 at 3:30pm,via GoToMeeting.
..i Cu,,. __ _
Met Tues,Aug 18 @ 6pm via GoToMeeting
Present: Tab Link, Jenni Petersen-Brant
1. General discussion due to low attendance
Arts & Cultural Affairs
Master Plan Task Force
• Tab tested the Microsoft Form for submitting info for directory and reported that it worked,
met needs of potential directory listings.
• Thoughts on engaging working artists, independent creatives in master plan process
o Invite tik toks of mural interpretations
o Holding collective meeting of B&C and Creative Economy group
o Need for communication strategy/checklist to begin sharing/ inviting submissions to
directory form
NO SEPTEMBER meeting held.
NEXT MEETING anticipated for Tues, Oct 13, 2020 at 6 PM via GoToMeeting.
Public Art Infrastructure
NOT MEETING AT THIS TIME.
NOT MEETING AT THIS TIME