Minutes_Arts and Cultural Affairs Advisory Commission 8 25 15 Minutes
ARTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS ADVISORY COMMISSION
August 25th, 2015
Lacy Board Room, Carnegie Stout Public Library
The meeting was called to order by Chair Marina O'Rourke at 4:37 p.m.
following staff assurance of compliance with the Iowa Open Meeting Law.
Commissioners present: Katherine Kluseman, Marina O'Rourke, Sue Riedel,
Ellen Henkels, Jessica Teckemeyer and Gina Siegart.
Staff present: Debra Alleyne
APPROVAL OF MINUTES of July 28th 2015: O'Rourke made a motion, second
by Siegart to receive and file the minutes. Motion carried 5-0.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Master Plan
City staff Debra Alleyne gave a synopsis of the series of workshops
conducted by Lord Cultural resources and the outcome. She mentioned
that the consultants may potentially return for a6unscheduled visit upon
request from the City Manager to ensure that a unities will be
represented in the research. Riedel recommen have a unified
vision and talking points for when we engage with th lic on the topic
of the master plan. O'Rourke recommended that we use methods at our
disposal to communicate information to the wider public to educate them
about what the master plan is and its relevance to them.
2. Discussion of workshops
The commissioners all detailed the main themes derived from their
participation in various workshops. Teckemeyer deduced that there
wasn't a collective understanding about the master plan from her
engagement in th orkshops held. She also mentioned that
academic bodies w rated about being excluded from the city
granting opportunities. a stated that many colleges do not receive a
budget for programming and that the identity of Dubuque as a college
town is not being embraced by the community. Siegart also conveyed the
frustration of some of the participants with regard to the city grants. They
referenced the shrinking pool of resources or rather the increasing
number of grant applicants with a stagnant budget allotment. She also
mentioned that participants of the workshops were confused by the
Special Projects grant and what constitutes a special project. Henkels
mentioned that the Artist and arts admin workshop was well attended and
that the discussion was lively. Teckemeyer interjected about the artists
frustration which was centered around the fact the city provides a small
amount of resources for arts and culture programming but benefits a
significant amount from the vibrancy that the artist's work very hard to
provide at low or no cost. O'Rourke also interjected with the
recommendation that the business community and academic
organizations should be more involved as arts and culture would be a
useful recruitment and a long term retention tool
3. Inclusive Dubuque Equity profile dialogue on Arts
Kluseman informed the commission that the Inclusive Dubuque survey
received overwhelming participation but that the participation was not
reflective of the composition of the Dubuque community. Alleyne asked
how the commission intended to permeate the underrepresented
communities and recommended that the commission should find methods
that provide the opportunity for fair and equitable representation within the
commission. Kluseman recommended that the commission find ways to
break down barriers to participation in the arts and Teckemeyer
recommended that perhaps the Special Project Grant be revamped for
that purpose.
4. Calendar Report
O'Rourke and Alleyne introduced the new calendar with the addition of
brainstorming and idea generation scheduled for each quarter. This was
included to give the commission the opportunity to suggest new ideas and
initiatives. O'Rourke also mentioned that each commissioner should
rotate assisting Alleyne on initiatives as we move through the year.
Siegart volunteered to help with communications about the master plan
and Henkels volunteered to assist with the Art on the River Committee.
6. Board recruitment
Alleyne reached out to a young man about the open commission seat and
distributed his credentials to the commission. Although it was unclear if he
would be able to meet all of the requirements for the particular seat
available, there was consensus that the commission should cultivate
multiple options for future vacancies.
6. Brain storming idea generation
Alleyne made the recommendation that, participation in city initiatives
should be mandatory and that this condition should be included in the
wording of the grant. She also recommended that Operational Support
grant recipients, moving forward, as a condition for their eligibility should
contribute in kind (exhibition of the particular art form) to the City run and
funded Art on the River.
ITEMS FROM COMMISION
ADJOURNMENT— Riedel made a motion to adjourn, second by Henkels.
Meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m.
This notice is given pursuant to Chapter 21, Code of Iowa and applicable local regulations of the City of
Dubuque. Persons with limited English proficiency or vision, hearing or speech impairments needing special
assistance should contact the City Manager's Office at 589-4110 or(563) 589-4230 for TDD.
Respectfully submitted:
Debra Alleyne
Economic Development Coordinator
These minutes were passed and approved on
Gina Siegart, Secretary