Minutes_Arts Commission 4 28 09MINUTES
ARTS AN CULI°URAL AFFAIRS A®VIS®Rl' C®MMISSI®N
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Board Room, Carnegie Stout Public Library
360 W. 11t" Street, Dubuque, Iowa
Meeting was called to order at 4:06 p.m. following staff assurance of
compliance with the Iowa ®pen Meeting Law.
Commissioners present: Ellen Henkels, Louise Kames, Sue Riedel, Geri Shafer,
Julie Steffen (via telephone conference), Paul Hemmer arrived at 5:00 p.m.
(Paul Kohl is out of the country until May.)
Staff Present: Jerelyn O'Connor, Jan Stoffel
Approval of Minutes of March 24, 2009. Motion by Henkels, 2"d by Shafer to
approve. All approved.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Art on the River. Commissioners were presented with photos of the 10
selected pieces and 3 alternates by the 2009 Art on the River Jury which
met on Friday, April 25. This year, there were 68 entries from 36 artists
from 11 different states. The 2009 Art on the River Exhibition will be
installed in July 2009, with the date for the opening event tentatively set
for Thursday, July 16th. Jury members were Douglas Schlesier, MFA,
Professor of Art at Clarke College, Delores Foriuna, MFA, Adjunct
Professor or' Ceramics at the School of the Art Institute in Chicago, and
Jeffrey Boshart, MFA, Professor of Sculpture at Eastern Illinois University
in Charleston. Motion by Shafer, second by Riedel to approve the
selections and recommend their acceptance to the City Council. Motion
passed 5-0. (Hemmer not yet present).
Review of ®peratin Support Funding Requests. Chair Louise Kames
introduced each grant.
Main Street/ubuque Cultural Corridor
Commissioners discussed at length whether Main Street was an eligible
organization. It is a 501 c3 but its primary mission is not the arts. Does the
Cultural Corridor program merit funding because it provides year-round
arts programming? The Cultural Corridor is not a separate 501 c3. Riedel
commented that the applicati®n is better suited special project funding.
The application also specifies an amount which is not usual for the
Operating Grant. O'Connor reminded the Commission that a similar
discussion in 2005 about Main Street's first application for Operating
Grants resulted in a close vote. Steffen moved and Shafer seconded that
Main Street/Cultural Corridor met the guidelines for an eligible
organization. Motion passed. Ayes: Henkels, Karnes, Shafer, Steffen.
Nay: Riedel. Motion passes. 4-1 (Hemmer not present for this vote).
®ubuque Ch®raie
Commissioners were glad to see the application because the Chorale fills
a niche not addressed by other groups. `they urged the Chorale to
develop a more detailed application in the future which would include
strategic plans and to show audience benefits. Henkels moved and Riedel
seconded that the Dubuque Chorale is an eligible organization. Motion
passed 5-0 (Hemmer not present for this vote).
®ubuque C®unty Hist®rical S®ciety
Henkels thanked the Historical Society for their leadership role in
preservation in the Dubuque community. Commissioners commented on
the proven success record, how the application demonstrated historical
significance and illustrated an exciting growth model. Riedel moved and
Shafer seconded that the Dubuque County Historical Society is an eligible
organization. Motion passed 6-0.
®ubuque yrnph®ny ®rchestra
Riedel commented on the good narrative and long range plan.
Commissioners complimented the Symphony on its youth programs and
growth. Steffen mentioned efforts in diversity awareness. Kamer
commented that the NEA grants received by the. Symphony demonstrated
excellence. Shafer moved and Riedel seconded that the Symphony is an
eligible organization. Motion passed 6-0.
®ubuque i~iuseu~ ®f Art
Shafer wanted the Museum to better demonstrate an alignment with the
City Cultural goals. Henkels wanted to see more addressing of artistic
goals and not just financial. Partnerships, especially with Prudential in
offering free admission, are very good. Riedel moved and Shafer
seconded that the Dubuque Museum of Art is an eligible organization.
Motion passed 5-0 (Steffen abstained).
®ubuque Arts C®ur~cil
Riedel commented that the Arts Council accomplishes much with only one
part time position and dedicated volunteers. Shafer commented on the
well-written narrative and on-going measurement. Karnes suggested that
the application would serve as a good model of awell-written grant.
Henkels moved and Shafer seconded that the Dubuque Arts Council is an
eligible organization. Motion passed 5-0. (Hemmer abstained.)
Grand pera H®use
Commissioners stated that the submitted financials were not clear. Riedel
wanted to see long range planning addressed. The Grand was
complimented on its high number of volunteers, the professional staff, and
good use of its historical landmark building. Hemmer moved and Riedel
seconded that the Grand is an eligible organization. Motion passed 6-0.
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ell T®wer Theatre Shafer was impressed with the narrative and
demonstration of good management., particularly with their evaluation of
programs and services. Hemmer commented that Bell Tower does shows
that no one else does. Dames commented on how well the application
addressed City goals and they explained atie-in to Every Child/Every
Promise. Henkels moved and Hemmer seconded that the Bell Tower is an
eligible organization. Motion passed 5-0 (Riedel abstained).
Fly®By~iht Pr®ducti®ns
Shafer noted that the organization's accomplishments over its 26 year
history are impressive. Kames wanted to see a more detailed narrative.
Shafer suggested the application show more planning for the future.
Riedel moved and Shafer seconded that the Fly-By-Night Productions is
an eligible organization. Motion passed 6-0.
C®Its
Henkels was impressed with the narrative and how it separated out the
impact inubuque with the Colt's out of town activities. She co-~grati.iiated
the Colts on its national ranking. Kames commented that the application
related well to City goals. Shafer noted the strong economic impact
statement. Riedel recommended that they show attendance figures at
their events. Riedel moved and Hemmer seconded that the Colts is an
eligible organization. Motion passed 6-0.
®ubuque Fine Arts S®ciety Riedel commented that the application was
much improved from last year's. The Society does much without paid staff.
Henkels noted that the leadership was good. Shafer noted that the Society
needs a stronger identity. Riedel recommended that they show attendance
figures. Hemmer moved and Henkels seconded that the ®ubuque Fine
Arts Society is an eligible organization. Motion passed 5-0 (Steffen
abstained).
N®rtheast I®wa ch®®I ®f uric Shafer liked that NISOM addressed
economic impact issues but the application needs more of a strategic plan
with timelines. Steffen was impressed with the senior outreach efforts
toward the underserved population in nursing homes. Henkels wondered if
they could offer their own scholarship program outside of the Leisure
Services collaboration. Shafer moved and Riedel seconded that the
Northeast Iowa School of Music is an eligible organization. Motion passed
6-0.
®ubuque Arb®retum Hemmer noted that the music programs are really
got their programs but occur at the Arboretum with parrnerships.
Commissioners agreed that the educational and outreach aspects of the
application were good and they were swell-run all volunteer organization.
Shafer advised to make sure there is a wide division of labor within the
leadership and that they consider long range planning. Shafer moved and
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Riedel .seconded that the Dubuque Arboretum is an eligible organization.
Lotion passed 6-0.
Commissioners reviewed their rating sheets. Scores were reported and
tabulated.
Hemmer Henkels Kames Riedel Shafer Steffen Average
Dubuque Symphony
Orchestra 94 99 98 99 98 94 97
Dubuque Museum of Art 83 93 88 92 75
Abstention 86.2
Dubuque Arts Council
Abstention 100 96 96 94 92 95.6
Dubuque Chorale 96 97 59 80 63 82 79.5
Grand Opera House 85 90 83 80 69 87 82.33
Bell Tower Productions 91 100 87
Abstention 96 89 92.6
Dubuque County Historical 100 100 97 99 93 92 96.83
Fly-By-Night Productions 93 94 87 90 82 87 88.83
Colts Drum & Bugle 84 92 84 90 92 90 88.66
Dubuque Fina Arts Society 87 97 92 90 89
Abstention 9i
Northeast Iowa School of
Music 82 78 81 88 85 89 83.83
Dubuque Arboretum 86 75 81 89 90 81 83.66
Dubuque Main Street Ltd. 94 76 82 65 77 81 79
Grant applications average score in rank order:
Dubuque Symphony Orchestra 97
Dubuque Historical Society 96.83
Dubuque Arts Council 95.6
Sell lower Productions 92.6
Dubuque Fine Arts Society 91
Fly-by-Blight Productions 88.83
Colts Drum and Sugle 88.66
Dubuque ivluseum of Art 86,2
Rlortheast Iowa School of Music 83.53
Dubuque Arboretum 83.66
Grand Opera House 82.33
Dubuque Chorale 79,5
Dubuque IVlain Street Ltd. 79
Commission discussed options for allocating the funding and there was general
consensus to utilize the rating points to calibrate funding percentages based on
ranked scores. Staff will prepare possible scenarios for consideration at next
month's meeting. 1~7otion by Henkels, second by Shafer to cap funding at
$40,000 per organization. Motion passed 6-0.
3. ~ppr®val ®f i®wa C®rnmunety Cultural ~rant• iVlotion by Shafer, second
by Riedel to submit an Iowa Cultural Community Grant to continue funding
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for part of the Arts and Cultural Affairs Coordinator Position. Motion
passed 6-0.
L® UIf~ES:
I°TE F THE C III:
If~FR ATI SHADING:
Cue to time constraints, these items will be shared at the next meeting.
1. Iowa Job preservation Grant Program
2. Update on NEA Grant
3. Update on CHAT
ITE6~S F~® `THE I~ULIC
A®J®UI~NMENT
The next Commission meeting on May 26 will begin at 4:00 p.m. in order to
accommodate the Special Project grant review session.
Motion by Hemmer and second by Shafer to adjourn the meeting at 6:50 p.m.
Motion carried 6-0.
pectfully submitted;
StofFel
e minutes were passed and appro on
EI en Henke s, secretary
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