Minutes Arts Commission 2 24 09MINUTES
ARTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS ADVISORY COMMISSION
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Board Room, Carnegie Stout Public Library
360 W. 11th Street, Dubuque, Iowa
Meeting was called to order at 4:30 p.m. following staff assurance of
compliance with the Iowa Open Meeting Law.
Commissioners present: Ellen Henkels, Louise Kames, Paul Hemmer, Sue
Riedel, Geri Shafer, Julie Steffen (Paul Kohl is out of the country until May.)
Staff Present: Jerelyn O'Connor
Approval of Minutes of January 27, 2009
Motion by Shafer, second by Henkels to approve minutes. Motion passed 6-0.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Discussion with Mae Hingtgen, Executive Director, Every Child Every
Promise. Geri Shafer introduced Mae Hingtgen. The Commission is
interested in an update on the progress of Every Child/Every Promise
and ways in which Dubuque's arts and cultural organizations can
become part of EC/EP's efforts in our community. Every Child/Every
Promise is a Dubuque, Iowa county-wide community engagement and
education process for all citizens. It is fashioned after America's Promise,
a national model for community involvement for children. It was founded
in 2004. A Community Needs assessment was done in 2006, EC/EP
issued a Community Growth Chart in 2008, and is presently working on a
Youth Master Plan. Four strategic themes have emerged: expanding
access, expanding learning, supporting a coordinated approach, and
gathering and maintaining meaningful data. The Youth Master Plan will
be published in spring 2009 and distributed widely. In March, EC/EP
Board will prioritize the top 5-6 goals and will gather task teams to work
on those priorities.
Mae indicated that expanding access for familie s to arts and cultural
activities is included as an objective under the Healthy Start section of the
plan. Commission members suggested includi ng Arts and Culture as
important in the educational component as well because of the correlation
between music and mathematical skills, becaus e arts have been
marginalized in education, because arts activiti es can develop leadership
skills and integrate learning skills and a way to reach children
academically. Shafer asked how the Commissi on could assist in gathering
data for outcomes. How does our existing arts a nd funding program fit into
the Master Plan? Mae offered to meet with the Commission again after
the Master Plan is completed.
2. Guidelines for Commission -General Overview and Grant Review
Protocol. Commissioners reviewed and discussed a proposed grant
protocol guidelines and drafts of new scoring sheets. There were
favorable comments on the protocol guidelines. Commissioner Kames
suggested combining scoring sheets for each grant type into one
document. It was suggested that the Commission conduct a mock grant
review at the next meeting. Commissioners prefer at least 10 days for
review of the application (over two weekends if possible). Staff will plan
the deadline calendar accordingly. The Commission reviewed the
information provided on the Special Project Grant program including the
number of applications received, amount of funds requested, grants
awarded, average grant amount, and grant scores. Moved by Hemmer
and seconded by Shafer that a Special Project grant application must
score a minimum of 75 points to qualify for funding. All approved.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Report on Special Projects Grant Program -information on applicant
history and final reports. Commissioners reviewed copies of final reports
of past Special Project Grants from Clarke College, Bell Tower Theatre,
Dubuque Symphony Orchestra, Loras College and Dubuque Arts Council.
2. Strategic Plan Update. Moved by Shafer and seconded by Riedel to
move this item to the March Commission meeting. All approved.
ITEMS FROM THE COMMISSION:
1. Henkels reported that she addressed the City Council at the FY 2010
budget public hearing.
INFORMATION SHARING:
1. Cultural Advocacy Days and CHAT. O'Connor and Stoffel attended.
O'Connor updated commission on CHAT and Cultural Advocacy Days and
distributed the Iowa Cultural Coalition 2009 Legislative Platform.
2. Information on Stimulus Packages -Commission was provided an update
from Americans for the Arts.
3. Warehouse District Cultural and Entertainment District Application
The State of Iowa has denied the city's application for designation of the
Warehouse District as a state certified Cultural and Entertainment District.
5. Prosperity Eastern Iowa. Candace Eudaley, Regional Economic
Development Coordinator, will be invited to attend a later meeting.
Motion by Hemmer and second by Shafer to adjourn the meeting at 6:03 p.m.
Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted;
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:Jerelyn O'Connor
These minutes were passed and approved on March 24, 2009.
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Ellen Henkels, Secretary