Minutes Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission 10 28 08MINUTES
ARTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS ADVISORY COMMISSION
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Board Room, Carnegie Stout Public Library
360 W. 11th Street, Dubuque, Iowa
Meeting was called to order at 4:08 p.m. following staff assurance of
compliance with the Iowa Open Meeting Law.
Commissioners present: Ellen Henkels, Paul Kohl, Louise Kames, Paul Hemmer
and New Commissioner Julie Steffen
Staff Present: Jerelyn O'Connor, Liz Willems
Present: Dan Lobianco, Dubuque Main Street, Ltd.
Approval of Minutes of September 30, 2008
Motion by Henkels, second by Kohl to approve minutes. Motion passed 5-0.
OLD BUSINESS:
Dan LoBianco addressed the Commission on Dubuque Main Street Ltd.'s role in
managing the existing and proposed 2nd Cultural and Entertainment District. He
reviewed the application to the Department of Cultural Affairs to designate the
Warehouse District as a Cultural and Entertainment District. The Department of
Cultural Affairs was not supportive of expanding the current district to include the
Warehouse District so the decision was made to submit an application for a
separate district. Dubuque Main Street has been very involved with the
comprehensive planning effort for the Warehouse District. He again reviewed
the results of their study on the positive impact downtown cultural events have for
existing retailers.
Dan shared that there have been concerns expressed on the salability of Five
Flags in that the venue is not large enough to bring in big ticket acts without
being over priced for the general public to attend. Ellen Henkels expressed
concern there's an art collection including works by Frank Liccairdi and Carl
Johnson on display in meeting rooms at Five Flags where there is limited access
to the public.
Dan also provided a report on the success of Dubuque Architecture Days which
was originally funded in part with a Special Projects Arts and Culture Grant.
New Commissioner Julie Steffen took Oath of Office.
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NEW BUSINESS:
Annual Planning/Goal Setting Report:
The Commission reviewed the Goal Setting Report and recommendations from
Anne Katz with the goal of prioritizing them into an action plan.
Specific actions include:
• Developing a media presentation on how the Arts benefit the City of
Dubuque.
• Encourage Arts groups to market outside of Dubuque.
• Develop a place (possibly use the Chamber website) on the Internet that
would have a link to where people can go on to find out when and where
events are happening in the Dubuque area.
• Better communication with Conventions and Visitors Bureau.
• Possibility of using City money for advertising outside of Dubuque.
• Get specifics on an economic impact study to determine what impact the
Arts have in Dubuque
• Give a presentation to Greater Dubuque Development Corporation for
funding the Arts Economic Impact Study next fiscal year.
• Work on increasing accessibility to the arts
There was discussion that advocacy and visibility are probably the top priorities
just by the sheer volume of items relating to this. Since two commissioners were
unable to attend this meeting, the Commission decided to defer prioritization until
the next meeting. Henkels moved to table the goal prioritization until the next
meeting. Second by Hemmer. Motion passed 5-0
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION:
It was suggested that in future City News to showcase City owned Art. It may
also be a vehicle to advertise the Arts Grant Programs.
Cultural Advocacy Day in Des Moines is February 18, 2009
INFORMATION SHARING:
Arts and Cultural Affairs Coordinator position job description was shared with the
Commission. Jerelyn O'Connor anticipates receiving approval to advertise
position by week's end.
Motion by Henkels to adjourn meeting at 5:25 p.m. second by Kohl.
Respectfully submitted;
IX.J
Liz W' s
These minutes were passed and approved on November 25, 2008
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Ellen Henkels, Secretary