Minutes Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission 11 25 08MINUTES
ARTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS ADVISORY COMMISSION
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Board Room, Carnegie Stout Public Library
360 W. 11th Street, Dubuque, Iowa
Meeting was called to order at 4:05 p.m. following staff assurance of
compliance with the Iowa Open Meeting Law.
Commissioners present: Ellen Henkels, Paul Kohl, Louise Kames, Paul Hemmer
Julie Steffen, Sue Riedel and Geri Shafer
Staff Present: Jerelyn O'Connor, Liz Willems
Approval of Minutes of October 28, 2008 as corrected
Motion by Henkels, second by Kohl to approve minutes. Motion passed 7-0.
OLD BUSINESS: Annual Planning/Goal Setting Report: Review
recommendations and develop action plan.
The Commission discussed the recommendations from Anne Katz, Arts
Wisconsin. The main recommendations focus on the Commission's role of
advocacy and increasing visibility of the Arts. Paul Kohl stated that we cannot
leave this important role to Dubuque Cultural Alliance, but the Commission also
needs to step up to provide advocacy for the arts. It was suggested that talking
points be developed on the economic impact of the arts, the educational value of
arts, and its impact on quality of life for use by commissioners. There was
discussion on Every Child/Every Promise and how to incorporate arts and arts
education throughout the Every Child/Every Promise initiatives. Ideas to
increase visibility would be to encourage the Cultural Alliance and Arts Groups to
get involved with Every Child/Every Promise, conduct a "child impact" survey,
perhaps request information on impact on children in grantee reports. Other
organizations to target would include the local colleges, after school programs,
arts classes and activities for kids, to show how the Arts are viable for meeting
the City's Goals and the goals of Every Child/Every Promise.
It was motioned by Paul Hemmer to invite Mae Hingtgen, Executive Director of
Every Child/Every Promise to a Commission Meeting to further this discussion.
Paul Kohl seconded the motion. Motion passed 7-0. Geri Shafer will contact
Mae and will also email the Every Child/Every Promise master plan to the
Commissioners.
There was discussion about marketing arts events outside of Dubuque to bring
people to the area and specifically how to encourage the grantees to utilize
regional marketing. There was a suggestion to invite representatives from
Greater Dubuque Development Corporation and Convention Visitors Bureau to
talk with the Commission about the opportunities of what the Arts can do for
Dubuque. Discussion would also include the economic impact of the arts and its
importance in attracting new businesses because of the positive impacts the Arts
have on the quality of life.
~ ~ A
Sue Riedel motioned to invite Keith Rahe from the Convention and Visitors
Bureau to attend the January Meeting. Second by Shafer. Motion passed 7-0.
O'Connor noted that the number of applications for the Special Project Grants
has been declining perhaps due in part to the availability of Mediacom's Cultural
Grants Program. Also, the guideline which limits an organization to two
consecutive years of funding may impact the number of applications for the FY10
funding. The Commission decided to review the grant criteria guidelines and
strategies to attract more applicants. The Commission does not want to fund
projects that are not quality applications. There will be discussion in February on
changes in the Special Project Grant criteria. Shafer also suggested that the
Commission clarify the protocol for grant application review and discussion.
NEW BUSINESS:
Review of FY 2010 City Budget Request
O'Connor distributed the FY 10 Arts and Culture City Budget to the Commission
for review and comment. An improvement package request was submitted to
increase funding for the part-time Arts Coordinator Position from 10 to 20 hours
per week.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION:
Commission discussed the sculpture site at Pyatigorsk Park which was approved
by City Council. There was discussion that it might be preferable to install a
permanent sculpture on this site. O'Connor will get information on the status of
the sculpture for Pyatigorsk Park.
INFORMATION SHARING:
Jerelyn O'Connor provided update on the new Arts Coordinator position. 35
applications were received and a committee of city staff will conduct the
interviews. Commissioners are welcome to submit questions for the interviews.
O'Connor made a presentation on the City's arts initiatives to the Friends of the
Community on November 21, 2008.
The Community Foundation asked if the commission wants to partner on a grant
writing workshop. Commission will discuss after additional information is received
from Nancy Van Milligen. Motion by Shafer to adjourn meeting at 5:50 p.m.
second by Steffen. Motion carried. Next meeting: January 27.
Res ctfully submitted;
Liz W' ms
These minutes were passed and approved on Janua 27, 2009.
~~~-~ ~'
Ellen ~ en els, Secretary