Minutes_Arts and Cultural Affairs Advisory Commission 3 23 10MINUTES
ARTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS ADVISORY COMMISSION
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Board Room, Carnegie Stout Public Library 3rd Floor
360 W. 11 Street, Dubuque, Iowa
Meeting was called to order at 4:07 p.m. following staff assurance of compliance
with the Iowa Open Meeting Law.
Commissioners present: Ellen Henkels Louise Kames, Paul Kohl, Sue Riedel, Geri
Shafer, Paul Hemmer. Staff Present: Jerelyn O'Connor, Jan Stoffel
Others present: Dan Lobianco, Paula Neuhaus, Meg Wall -Wild, Hunter Fuerste.
Approval of Minutes of February 23, 2010. Motion by Riedel, second by Kames to
approve minutes. Motion carried 7 -0.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Approve 2010 Art on the River Jury Selection. O'Connor presented slide
show with the jury selections and alternates for the 2010 Art on the River Exhibit.
Stoffel described process of selection of artwork, applications received, and jury
composition. The selected exhibit has also been reviewed and approved by the
Art on the River Committee. Motion by Hemmer, second by Steffen to approve
the Art on the River selections. Steffen stated that she is impressed with the
artistic quality of the selections.
2. Review and Fund Operating Grant Applications.
Commission Chair Shafer reviewed the process for reviewing the Operating
Support funding requests. Each commissioner will have an opportunity to
comment on the applications and raise any issues /questions. Minutes will reflect
any issues raised and a summary of reviewers comments will be made available
to the applicants.
Dubuque County Historical Society — Generally positive comments on the
impact of the organization, standard of cultural excellence. Steffen questioned
whether arts and culture is the primary mission of the organization. Kohl asked
what percentage of budget is arts and culture. Both Riedel and Hemmer
mentioned that they thought the City should fund this Historical Society directly.
Downtown Dubuque Cultural Corridor — Strengths include proven leadership,
record, important development organization for downtown and for the Dubuque
arts community. Riedel asked whether the Millwork District is part of the
designated Cultural Corridor. Lobianco said that Dubuque Main Street adopted
the Millwork District as a service area and portion of White and Jackson Streets
have been added to the state approved cultural corridor.
Grand Opera House — Paul Hemmer abstained from participating in this
discussion. There was discussion about some of the transitions of this
organization. Board member Fuerste said that the Grand is not just renovating
the building but is also renovating the programs.
Bell Tower Productions - Riedel abstained from participating in the discussion.
Impressive that a small staff is able to administrate so many programs and
performances.
Colts — There were several questions pertaining to their deficit operating budget
and how the Colts plan was to meet their expenses. Positive comments about
the inclusion of the economic impact statement.
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FY 11 Operating
Scores
Support Funding
Hemmer
Henkels
Kames
Kohl
Riedel
Shafer
Steffen
Dbq Symphony
95.1
100
99
99
83
97
99
89
Bell Tower Productions
93.3
100
97
89
83
ABSTAIN
99
92
Dubuque Arts Council
91.2
ABSTAIN
92
97
84
91
94
89
Dubuque County Historical
90.3
100
97
91
78
100
93
73
Fly -By -Night Productions
87.7
100
89
91
80
85
80
89
Dubuque Main Street Ltd.
87.6
100
83
92
76
87
91
84
Dubuque Museum of Art
87.5
100
81
86
74
90
94
ABSTAIN
Colts Drum & Bugle
87.3
100
86
91
74
89
90
81
Dubuque Chorale
84.7
100
83
85
66
89
87
83
Grand Opera House
82.7
ABSTAIN
91
82
74
80
82
87
Dubuque Fine Arts Society
80.2
98
81
75
ABSTAIN
77
70
ABSTAIN
N.E. Iowa School of Music
79
87
75
86
63
83
70
89
Dubuque Arboretum
76.4
93
58
78
70
80
86
70
Dubuque Arts Council — Hemmer abstained from the discussion.
Commendations on their multitude of excellent programs, educational role, large
audiences.
Dubuque Chorale — demonstrated record of excellence. Recommendation that
they develop a strategic plan.
Dubuque County Fine Arts Society - Paul Kohl and Julie Steffen abstained
from the discussion. There were compliments on the DCFAS mission of
accessibility to the arts. There were concerns about the organization not
following through on their strategic plan
Arboretum - Steffen said she thinks its arts and culture programming is
secondary to its core mission. Paul Kohl stated that horticulture is a cultural
venue.
Dubuque Museum of Art — Steffen abstained from the discussion. Comment
were made regarding that museum is operating at a deficit.
Dubuque Symphony Orchestra - Positive comments their leadership,
outstanding quality, NEA grant is a feather in their cap, and their educational
initiatives.
FIy -by- Night- Productions - Suggestion that they include their attendance
figures and would like to hear more about their plans for the future.
NISOM — Henkels mentioned that "schools" are not eligible for funding in this
program. Riedel stated that they are much more than a school and have made
efforts to increase their outreach.
Commissioners took a few minutes to finalize their scoring sheets. Scores from
each applicant were read aloud and tabulated.
Consensus of the commission was to have staff prepare some funding scenarios and
commission will finalize funding recommendations at the next meeting.
OLD BUSINESS
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Special Project Final Report Review.
Stoffel reviewed the request of Get Reel /Rotary Foundation to amend their 2010 special
projects grant to fund additional filmmaking workshops. Riedel was concerned about
setting the precedent of adding a new activity that was not specified in the original
activity. Motion by Riedel, second by Hemmer to deny the request to amend the special
project grant agreement. Ayes, Riedel, Hemmer, Henkels, Kohl, Shafer, Steffen. Nay:
Kames. Motion passes 6 -1.
ADJOURNMENT
Riedel moved and Hemmer seconded to adjourn the meeting at 6:40 p.m. The next
meeting will be held on April 27.
Respectfully submitted,
Jerel O'Con or
These minutes were passed and approved on
Riedel, Secr:tary
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