Minutes_Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission 09.26.23City of Dubuque
City Council Meeting
ITEM TITLE
SUMMARY:
SUGGESTED
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Copyrighted
November 6, 2023
Consent Items # 01.
Minutes and Reports Submitted
Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission of 9/26/23; City Council
Proceedings of 10/16/23; Library Board of Trustees Update of 9/28/23;
Zoning Board of Adjustment of 9/28/23.
Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission of 9/26/23
City Council Proceedings of 10/16/23
Library Board of Trustees Update of 9/28/23
Zoning Board of Adjustment of 9/28/23
Type
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
THE CITY OF
E DUB
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
Dubuque
�II•ruene� �ilY
II
2007.2012
2013.2017
ARTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMISSION MINUTES
DATE: Tuesday, September 26, 2023
TIME: 3:34 PM
LOCATION: Multicultural Family Center, 1157 Central Ave., Dubuque, IA 52001
Regular Meeting
Commissioners Present: Nicholas HALDER (chair); Noelle CHESNEY (vice -chair); Paula
NEUHAUS (recorder); Shirley DAVIS-ORWOLL; Sue RIEDEL
Commissioners Absent:; Tom ROBBINS; Doug DONALD
Staff Present: Bonnie SPURLING (Arts and Cultural Affairs Manager); Mike WILLIAMS
(Intern)
Public Present: None
HALDER called the meeting to order following staff assurance of Iowa Open Meeting
compliance at 3:34 PM.
Roll Call & Review of Minutes
Roll call conducted followed by approval of August 22, 2023, minutes with edits to Shirley
Davis-Orwoll and Doug Donald's names.
NEUHAUS moved to approve with corrections seconded by DAVIS-ORWOLL. Vote:
Unanimously affirmed. Motion carries.
Appointment / Replacement of Recorder / Secretary Position
NEUHAUS nominated herself for the role of Recorder / Secretary, without the responsibility of
taking minutes during Arts & Culture Advisory Commission meetings.
RIEDEL gave explanation to commission on Recorder / Secretary role and seconds this
motion.
Vote: Unanimously affirmed. Motion carries
Status Reports Staff
SPURLING updated commission that staff member Laura Merrick's contract with the City of
Dubuque was extended until October 12, 2023.
SPURLING also announced she will be meeting with local business Gigantic 9/27/23 to
receive updates and discuss Iowa Tourism grant which has funded the "All Together"
campaign / website which Gigantic has been paid to create.
SPURLING advised that the funds remaining from the Gare Grant will be used to continue the
Creative Cafe's beginning in January.
Lastly, SPURLING discussed Bloomberg Asphalt Art Initiative grant money, and is pleased
with securing nine out of 10 murals to be painted at local bus stops for Art en Route. Currently
waiting on artist contracts and good weather before painting can begin.
Uodates From Master Plan Workina Grou
HALDER advised groups have not met in some time and there is nothing to report.
Old Business — Strategic Plan Reporting
HALDER updates commission on Masterplan priority # 2 and requested the commissions
permission and assistance to pause this priority, and pivot to assist SPURLING with Acheivelt
reporting of 101 goals and data captured over the past 7 years.
HALDER asked if any commissioners are willing to meet with SPURLING to discuss this
further before she must present it to City Council.
CHESNEY, NEUHAUS, and WILLIAMS offered time to meet.
RIEDEL suggested the re -start of Friday Zoom calls with SPURLING to get to know each of
the Arts organizations and members. SPURLING agreed with this idea and planned to create
topics of discussion to add value to these calls.
HALDER discussed October being National Arts & Humanities month and advised of City of
Dubuque proclamation needed. SPURLING advised she will reach out to Jill Connors for
proclamation assistance.
WILLIAMS advised that he will not be participating in 31 Day Social Media Challenge this year
as American's for the Arts has not announced a social media challenge for this year.
New Business — Grants Survey Sub Committee Recommendations
NEUHAUS provided a robust review and presented feedback and raw data from surveys
collected.
NEUHAUS reported that inconsistencies with grant awards is problematic, and can be unfair to
smaller organizations who do not have same grant capacity.
In regards to the Operating Support Grant, NEUHAUS reported idea to reduce to max award
amount to 4% (from 6%) of total operating budget, or $20,000 (from $30,000.
NEUHAUS also suggested edits to simplify grant rubrics and reporting.
For Special Projects Grant, NEUHAUS shared interest for a Capacity Grant, and offered the
idea of rotating a Capacity Grant and Special Projects Grant annually.
SPURLING suggested commission waits to vote on changes to grant programs until next
meeting when all commissioners are available.
Public Comment/Correspondence
None
Events and Engagement Reporting from Commissioners
SPURLING shares "Thank You" letters from Dubuque Chorale and Bell Tower Theatre for
funding their organizations with NEA Grant money.
WILLIAMS shared that he will be opening a physical gallery location for his "aerial art" and
invited all commissioners to the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony October 3rd at 5pm at 129 Main
Street.
Adjournment motioned by RIEDEL seconded by CHESNEY at 4:50 PM.
Next Regular Meeting: Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at 3:30 PM at the Multicultural Family
Center
Respectfully submitted:
Bonnie Spurling
Arts & Cultural Affairs Manager, City of Dubuque
These minutes were passed and approved on October 24 ,2023
Witnessed By Yy� (signature)
Nick Halder (printed)
Chair (officer position)