Minutes_Arts and Cultural Affairs Advisory Commission 5 24 11MINUTES
ARTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS ADVISORY COMMISSION
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Lacy Board Room
Carnegie -Stout Public Library
360 W. 11th St., Dubuque, IA
Meeting was called to order at 4:10 p.m. following staff assurance of compliance with the
Iowa Open Meeting Law.
Commissioners present: Ellen Henkels, Louise Kames, Paul Hemmer, Marina O'Rourke, Geri
Shafer and Sue Riedel
Commissioners excused: Julie Steffen
Staff Present: Jerelyn O'Connor, Jan Stoffel
Public Present: Nick Haider, Megan Schumacher
Approval of Minutes of April 26, 2011. Motion by O'Rourke, seconded by Henkels to approve
the minutes. Motion carried 6 -0.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Finalize Funding Recommendations for Operating Support Grants. It was moved
by Hemmer and seconded by Henkels to approve the operating support funding awards
and forward recommendation to City Council. Motion carried 6 -0.
Commissioners approved the following funding:
• Dubuque Symphony Orchestra - $40,000. Moved by Riedel and seconded by
O'Rourke. Motion carried 6 -0.
• Dubuque County Historical Society- $40,000. Moved by Shafer and seconded by
Kames. Motion carried 6 -0.
• Dubuque Museum of Art - $22,177. Moved by Henkels and seconded by
Hemmer. Motion carried 6 -0.
• Dubuque Arts Council - $5,144. Moved by Riedel and seconded by O'Rourke.
Hemmer recused. Motion carried 5 -0.
• Bell Tower Productions - $12,093. Moved by O'Rourke and seconded by
Hemmer. Riedel recused. Motion carried 5 -0.
• Grand Opera House - $18,760. Moved by Shafer and seconded by Riedel.
Hemmer recused. Motion carried 5 -0.
• Colts Drum and Bugle - $40,000. Moved by Kames and seconded by Henkels.
Motion carried 6 -0.
• Fly-by -Night Theater- $669. Moved by Henkels and seconded by Riedel. Motion
carried 6 -0.
• Northeast Iowa School of Music - $4,903. Moved by Hemmer and seconded by
Henkels. Motion carried 6 -0.
• Dubuque Arboretum - $4,611. Moved by Riedel and seconded by O'Rourke.
Motion carried 6 -0.
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• Main Street - $3,995. Moved by O'Rourke and seconded by Shafer. Motion
carried 6 -0.
• Dubuque County Fine Arts - $1,766. Moved by Shafer and seconded by Kames.
Motion carried 6 -0.
• Dubuque Chorale - $754. Moved by Kames and seconded by Henkels. Motion
carried 6 -0.
• Dubuque Art Center - $4,056. Moved by Henkels and seconded by Hemmer.
Motion carried 6 -0.
It was moved by O'Rourke and seconded by Shafer to award the remaining $79 of the
$200,000 allocated budget for Operating Support to the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra,
the top scoring application. Motion carried 6 -0.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Overview of Commission Procedures for Special Project Grant Review. Shafer
reviewed procedures and assigned Commissioners to introduce each grant. Grants must
score at least 75 points out of a hundred to be considered for funding, but all of those
receiving more than 75 points will not necessarily be funded in any given year.
2. Review and Scoring of Special Project Funding Requests.
Dubuque Museum of Art — Curtis 3D, introduced by Shafer. The project is a unique
interpretation of the Native American photography collection by Curtis. The City goals
were well addressed. More evaluation tools are needed. Is the use of 3D just a gimmick
that doesn't really enhance the photographs themselves but detracts from the art
history? Use of new technology is good, adding another dimension to the collection. The
audience does not have to be sophisticated in art to enjoy this treatment. It reaches an
audience that might not see the collection otherwise and expands on something the
museum already has. The idea of marketing the exhibit to other communities is a good
way to generate income.
Dubuque Initiatives — Roshek Project, introduced by Kames. The grant application
was not clear from where the information and historical items came. Concerns with the
budget included that the request amount was rather large and that the wages and fees
to contractors seemed very high, even for industry standards and local vendors. The
windows to be involved are actually small spaces. A partnership with Dubuque Museum
of Art, the Dubuque Center for History at Loras or the Dubuque County Historical Society
might have guaranteed that information and expenses were not duplicated. An
educational component was included and the displays would draw an audience. The City
already supports the Roshek building, so funding the project might be duplication. The
historical displays already in the lobby are well done.
Julien International Film Festival, introduced by O'Rourke. It was hard to
understand from the application if the project was year -round or a four -day event. In
general, the application was vague and left many questions. It was a costly project and
the request was high. There were concerns that the event was budgeted with a
$100,000 deficit. The idea had great potential, but the planning as presented was weak.
The educational component needs to include more detail. The executive summary was
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unclear. The board members of the organization have a lot of passion for film and the
idea to have a film festival in Dubuque is a great one.
Fly-by -Night Productions — Crowns, introduced by Hemmer. This was an
exceptional project with excellent planning. The group has a strong track record and has
found yet another way to build on its success. The proactive research and audience
building done in the planning stages is outstanding. This is the strongest grant in this
year's cycle. The evaluation component could be a bit stronger. This project could result
in a core group of black actors in Dubuque who could participate in other theater in the
community. Could there be a possibility to include it in Black History month? All artists
will be paid. The application demonstrated details of partnerships that had already been
formed, not just proposed.
Multicultural Family Center — Two Festivals, introduced by Riedel. Two heritage
festivals would be held close together and include a partnership with the Colts. The
events are free and family friendly, held in the area where the populations are located.
Direct payment to artists will be made. The Cinco de Mayo festival is well planned and
organized, but the Native American festival needs more work. It is almost as though this
application is for two separate projects. The use of partnerships with local non - profits
such as the Art Museum and the Historical Society might prove to be helpful in planning
the Native American festival. The evaluation component is strong.
Bell Tower Theater — Behold My Shorts, introduced by Kames. Riedel abstained
from this review. The application is strong and showcases the local talent of Sue Riedel
as a director and Bob Byrne as a writer. It will celebrate and draw awareness to the
anniversary of the Bell Tower. The budget is proper and the ask is nominal. The project
shows strong partnerships and will make for a fun theater experience.
Grand Opera House — Pops Orchestra, introduced by Henkels.
Hemmer abstained from this review. It would be exciting for Dubuque to have a pit
orchestra, especially focusing on 20 century music, distinguished from the Dubuque
Symphony Orchestra. The Grand has a great track record in working with artists. All
musicians will be paid. It provides an opportunity for students and vocalists. The
potential to expand performances of the orchestra would be great. There is a well -
planned process to attract underserved populations and the venue is accessible. The
application did not include evaluation plans. Providing program notes is a good
educational component. The ask was reasonable. The series of performances will
depend upon the success of the first.
Dubuque County Historical Society — Portal of Dubuque, introduced by Shafer.
The project was intriguing but the application did not do a good job of explaining exactly
the components. The budget and the cost of purchasing the software seemed very high
and expensive for the results. Would there be a duplication of efforts in the community,
with the capabilities of Encyclopedia Dubuque or information available through the
Center for Dubuque History at Loras? It would have been good to know if local partners
had been approached. The dates in the action steps were confusing and many seemed
out of the scope of the application. It seemed as if there were two phases to the project
and it was not clear which phase the application addressed. There were questions about
what the contractor would do. The County Historical Society has a good track record and
it is nice to see projects involving the Old Jail.
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ORGANIZATION
FUNDING
REQUEST
PROJECT
TITLE
Hemmer
Henkels
Kames
O'Rourke
Riedel
Shafer
average
Bell Tower
Productions
$3,545.00
Behold My Shorts
91
91
89
93
recused
96
92
Dbq County
Historical Society
$9,600.00
The Portal of Dubuque
63
83
74
66
79
72
72.83
Dubuque
Initiatives
$14,495.00
Roshek Bldg Vestibule
Displays
58
85
71
50
69
59
65.3
Fly -By -Night
Productions
$7,025.00
Crowns
100
97
98
95
96
98
97.3
Julien
International Film
Festival
$12,000.00
Julien International
Film Festival
72
67
49
0
65
49
50.3
Grand Opera
House
$2,500.00
Grand Opera House
Pops Orchestra
recused
92
86
93
90
76
87.4
Multicultural
Family Center
$5,175.00
Hispanic Heritage .
Festival and Native
95.00
86.00
89.00
50.00
90.00
86.00
82.6
Rising Star
Theatre Company
$3,900.00
"It's a Family Affair"
88.00
81.00
86.00
90.00
95.00
81.00
86.8
Dubuque
Museum of Art
$7,445.00
Edward Curtis
93.00
100.00
67.00
83.00
96.00
96.00
89.1
Rising Star Theater — It's a Family Affair, introduced by Riedel. The organization has
grown from last year. The quality of the directors is high. The play is an audience pleaser
and the use of Five Flags is good. The program is solid family fare. The request is very
reasonable. The grant was well written with a great timeline and educational component.
It could be used as a model application for other small groups. It is obvious that the
group used the constructive criticism of last year's grant to improve in many ways.
After a short break to compute final scores, Commissioners shared their tallies:
The applications from the Dubuque County Historical Society, Dubuque Initiatives and Julien
International Film festival did not receive 75 points and will not be considered for funding. The
remaining grant applications could all receive full funding. Staff will review all calculations and a
final funding decision will be made at the next meeting.
INFORMATION SHARING
1. NEA Our Town Grant Application
Shafer reported that result should be known soon.
2. 2011 Art on the River Exhibit
Stoffel shared that another artist, Marcia McEachron, withdrew from the exhibit because
of a serious personal injury which will not permit her to have "Remembrance Volume
One" ready for installation. The site plan is being finalized.
3. Arts and Prosperity IV Economic Impact Study
Stoffel reported that the required number of Audience Surveys was sent to Americans
for the Arts for the first quarter of 2011. Survey collection for the second quarter is
underway, and the third quarter events have been scheduled. A list of 65 Dubuque non-
profits with arts programming was submitted to American for Arts. Those organizations
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have received the online organizational survey that is due by June 16 Stoffel will be
following up with organizations to encourage them to complete the survey.
4. Local Arts Index
Research is behind schedule for the Local Arts Index. Study partners will be meeting in
San Diego on June 15, previous to the American's for the Arts National Conference on
June 16 -18.
ADJOURNMENT
Hemmer moved and Riedel seconded to adjourn the meeting at 6:20 p.m. The next meeting will
be held on June 28 at 4:30 p.m. in the Lacy Board Room at the Carnegie -Stout Public Library,
360 W. 11th St., Dubuque, Iowa.
Respectfully submitted,
These minutes were passed and approved on
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ue Riedel, Se t retary