Minutes_Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission 5 25 10f
MINUTES
ARTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS ADVISORY COMMISSION
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Orpheum Room, Five Flags Center
4 and Locust Streets, Dubuque, IA
Meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m. following staff assurance of compliance
with the Iowa Open Meeting Law.
Commissioners present: Ellen Henkels, Louise Kames, Paul Kohl, Sue Riedel, Paul
Hemmer, Julie Steffen, Geri Shafer. Staff Present: Jerelyn O'Connor, Jan Stoffel
Others present: Hanna Spina, Valorie Woerdehoff, Paula Neuhaus, Dan LoBianco,
Michael Coty, Tracey Rush, Wayne Buchholtz, Laura Carstens, Jean Tucker, Jordan
DeGree, Cole Butler, Miki Robinson, Stasia Brannon, Megan Schumacher, and Nick
Haider.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES of April 27. Steffen's name was omitted from the attendance
list. Motion by Riedel and seconded by Henkels to accept the minutes as amended.
Motion carried 7 -0.
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS. Chair Shafer welcomed
representatives of the organizations that applied for Special Project funding. She
reminded them that they were at the meeting to observe unless they were addressed by
a Commission member for a specific question. Attendees introduced themselves.
NEW BUSINESS
Review of FY2011 Special Project Grants. There were 14 applicants with total
requests of $85,141. The special project budget is $35,000. Applicants must score at
least 75 points out of a possible 100 to be considered for funding. Commissioners
independently review and score the grants during a 10 day period previous to the
meeting. They have the option of adjusting scores at the end of the public review
process. Final scores are then tabulated.
Bell Tower Theater, Pre - production for Charlotte's Web. Riedel abstained. Well -
written grant. The organization has shown growth in children's theatre â nice choice of
the full version of the play. Addition of live music to a production is a new component.
With this project, they would have the ability to reuse materials.
Dubuque Art Center, Summer Art Market. Henkels and Kames abstained. Project is a
good tourism boost. The regional advertising seems high compared to the local
advertising budget. Some requested budget items had already been expended.
Dubuque County Fine Arts, Exquisite Art for Crescent. Kohl, Shafer and Steffen
abstained. This is a creative project that supports the visual arts. Great idea but needs
some refining. What are the qualifications of the chosen artists? Who will be the jury?
Good opportunity for young emerging artists.
Dubuque County Historical Society, Women and Spirit: Catholic Sisters in
America. Project is perfect for the heritage of Catholic nuns in Dubuque. It looks at the
history from both sides, the positives and the negatives. Opportunity to pair with world -
class collaborators. Commissioners stressed the hope that the exhibition would be truly
open to all audiences.
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Downtown Cultural Corridor /Main Street, Artist in Residence Program. Well thought
out idea but application might be premature. As planned, activities would be out of the
funding timeline. It needs further development and could be resubmitted for the next
funding cycle.
Dubuque Museum of Art, ArtReach Dubuque â Pilot Program. Steffen abstained.
The use of local artists could have long range positives. Commissioners felt that art
specialists already existed in the schools that were doing similar curricula for art history
at this level. The funds for transportation were very high.
Dubuque Symphony, Madame Butterfly. This is an outstanding project for opera using
live musicians that will appeal to all ages. Good educational component for a form that is
not always available in Dubuque.
Friends of the Mines of Spain, Meskwaki Exhibit. This project presents a much -
needed tribute to the Meskwaki native people. It will result in an exhibit that will be on
display for many years. It shows strong planning, will be enjoyed by all ages, and
presents an opportunity to work with national partners. It is a true example of heritage
tourism.
Get Reel, Student Film Competition and Festival 2011. Commissioners felt the
project needed more specifics and stronger planning. It needed more secured
collaborators, e.g. what schools and educators were already on board. More explanation
needed about the student recruitment process. Commissioners congratulated Get Reel
on its new non - profit status and advised the group to start growing a larger board.
The Grand Opera House, Pictures at an Exhibition â Chamber Music Concert and
Art Exhibit. Hemmer abstained. The project pushes diversity and shows good potential
for a series. Reputation of the artist is high, and use of local visual artists is good.
Loras College, Project Runway: Dubuque Style. Kohl abstained. The project director
has an impressive resume. Good attention given to often over - looked costuming as art.
Creative, with good historical documentation.
Northeast Iowa School of Music, Suzuki Strings. The project shows an opportunity to
showcase the Suzuki method. At the time of the grant reading, it was not clear if the
school partnership was determined.
Rising Star Theatre Company, 2010 Summer Season. The project shows strong
leadership, careful planning and affordable cost. Good use of an outdoor venue. The
Commission urged representatives to work on increasing the size of the board.
Tri -State Wind Symphony, young Composers Fanfare Contest and Salute to
Veterans Concert. Kohl abstained. The project offers a good selection of composers
and a salute to veterans. Discussion was held regarding the prize given for the selected
artist and whether or not it is considered an ineligible expense as stated in the
guidelines. If those expenses were considered ineligible, the grant would not qualify for
the minimum ask.
During a short break, Commissioners reviewed and tallied their scores. Results are
attached. Funding decisions for the Special Project Grants will be made at the June
Commission meeting.
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OLD BUSINESS
Commissioners were reminded that the City Council will review nominations for four
available commissioner seats.
INFORMATION SHARING
1. Stoffel announced that Dubuque was chosen as one of only 100 communities to
participate in a pilot program through Americans for the Arts called Local Arts
Index Research, an 18 month long project starting at the Americans for the Arts
Convention in Baltimore on June 24 -26. Stoffel and Kames will attend.
2. Shafer reported that the Historic Millwork District meetings with the artistic
community were ongoing.
ADJOURNMENT
Riedel moved and Hemmer seconded to adjourn the meeting at 6:30 p.m. The next
meeting will be held on June 10 at 4:00 P.M. in the Orpheum Room of the Five Flags
Center at 4 and Bluff Streets, Dubuque, IA.
Respectfully submitted,
Stoffel, Arts r' jf⢠Cultural Affairs Coordinator
T minutes were passed and approved on ,LIA /11 / 2 6 / D
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