Minutes Arts & Cultural Affairs 9 26
MINUTES
ARTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS ADVISORY
COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, September 26,2005,4:30 p.m.
Majestic Room, Five Flags Center
405 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa
CALL TO ORDER
Meeting was called to order at 4:35 p.m. following staff assurance of compliance
with the Iowa Open Meeting Law.
Commissioners Present: Rebecca Fabricius, Paul Kohl, Amy Weber, Susan
Riedel, Mark Wahlert.
Commissioners Absent: William Intriligator, Jane Kenworthy
Staff Present: Jerelyn O'Connor, Kevin Firnstahl
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by Wahlert, second by Riedel, to approve minutes of August 18, 2005 and
August 23, 2005 at written. All in favor. Passed 5-0.
NEW BUSINESS
FY 2006 Arts and Culture Grant Program for Special Projects Review/rank
applications
Jerelyn O'Connor relayed the advice she received from the City's Legal
Department regarding accepting rankings of grant applications by commission
members who are absent. She noted that the commission has not adopted
procedures to allow votes from members who are absent.
MOTION by Riedel, second by Weber. The Commission should accept only the
scores of those commissioners present. All in favor. Motion passed 5-0.
Wahlert suggested reviewing each application and posing any questions to
applicant representatives who are present. He explained that commissioners
scored applications from 1-100, and scores will be compiled and averaged.
MOTION by Weber, Second by Kohl, The Commission should proceed as
suggested by Chairperson Wahlert. All in favor. Motion passed 5-0
Wahlert suggested that the order by which the Commissioners comment on each
application be rotated and kept to a minimum. Commissioners asked for the
opportunity to reevaluate their scores based on comments from other
commissioners and the applicants.
Bell Tower Theater
Kohl thought the application was well done, complete, and liked idea of children
aspect. Based score on the appeal of a broader audience. Riedel abstained.
Fabricius had questions on how the cross section of students will be selected,
and how will it be decided who goes where. Wahlert felt is was a strong
application that involves good number of children and provides opportunity to
children to come and visit. Weber thought it was a well-done application. No
questions on scope or budget. Possibly look for more collaboration.
Representative Miki Robinson: Information will be distributed through school
systems, press releases, and advertising. Kids will be asked to come to the
theater. Theater representatives will present on the different areas of theater.
They hope to not turn any kids away and accommodate everyone.
Fabricius suggested point scores be given out at the end to be fair to all
applicants.
Arboretum
Riedel said it was an interesting project and liked the uniqueness of a Japanese
garden and the involvement of volunteers. It is unique to Dubuque and good for
local and tourism appeal. Fabricius felt the project was not a new request but an
expanded program. She liked funding timing but asked if the signage will be
visible and appropriate for noting credit to the City of Dubuque, and how will that
impact the project. She was concerned about funding amount. Wahlert thought
it to be a strong application and a good organization. He was concerned about
whether or not the project was a new or expanded program and if it meets the
Commission's criteria. Weber liked the project and felt it is a great asset. She
questioned the scope and mission of the project and asked if this was the right
avenue for funding. Kohl liked the application. He said it was not a new project,
but worthwhile, unique, and a good cultural addition to Dubuque with wide
audience appeal.
Representative Chuck Haas, Board of Directors for the Arboretum. Thanked
Commission for their comments. All arboretum projects have a board indicating
contributors. Mr. Haas provided sketches showing the gate area where the
recognition area would be.
Dubuque Arts Council
Fabricius said the application would have a good impact on the broader Dubuque
Community, but questioned use of anticipated revenue. There is a need for
partnership. Wahlert said it was a nice idea for a festival, but felt the admission
price was prohibitive for a wider audience. It's a broad project with many pieces
that could be difficult to carry off. Weber said this application incorporated many
comments provided from the last grant round. Program offers partnership,
diversity, and winter venue despite significant ticket fee. It's a new project from a
capable organization and a well-done grant. Kohl said the application was a
more detailed vision than the first time. It provides something needed at a good
time of the year. There is possibly room for other free events. He questioned
what happens on third day of the event. Riedel liked the application and noted
similarity to Quad Cities' event. It is a good time of year for new festival, and the
applicant did their homework. It is an ambitious project, but has good support.
Questioned how many people estimated to attend?
Representative Paul Hemmer: The Sunday portion is a work in progress with
possibly a jazz brunch at Midway. City money will not be used for religious
activity. He doesn't feel $15 admission is prohibitive for what's offered. They
estimate to sell 800 $20 bracelets, 400-500 $15 bracelets. Profits will be used for
continuing the project.
Dubuque County Fine Arts Society
Weber asked that since Dubuque fest is an ongoing project, what was the new
part? It is a good event, but she couldn't see request for funding. Kohl saw it
more as an expansion of marketing. Riedel felt it was an expanded project. It
lends itself to new artists and writers with a marketing plan and new community
partnerships and whole-community involvement. Fabricius said this project
would be good for the community and visitors and should be considered as a
capacity-building grant. She asked if funding would help program grow. Wahlert
abstained.
Dubuque County Historical Society
Wahlert abstained. Kohl said the application does many of the things the
Commission speaks to. It is a new and interesting idea. However, it is not as
much an "arts" project, but more marketing. Perhaps best for a larger
partnership or another grant. Riedel liked the uniqueness, potential, and
coordinating services of this application as well as the actor component. Nice
packaging, but she questioned how the revenue was being handled and how the
different venues be involved. She noted a possible error in the salaries and
benefits section. Fabricius questioned if the target audience is tourists or
community. The parking and tour route was confusing. She questioned how
participants would be returned and what the impact would be on the broader
community. Weber felt is was a good concept and ideal for targeting tourists and
community. It needs more work and collaboration before funding.
Representative Mark Wahlert: Shared revenue or percentage with DCHS. This
is an expansion of existing tour service.
Dubuque Main St. Ltd.
Riedel said it was an interesting concept that celebrates the architecture of
Dubuque and appeals to a special audience. She would have liked to see
advance partnership. Application requires more information. Fabricius said the
project explores an under-exposed part of Dubuque heritage and has broad
appeal. Applicant needs to explore more collaboration and sponsors. Wahlert
said the project addresses an important part of the cultural landscape but with a
focus audience. Speaker may have limited audience. Loosely involves kids.
Speakers and sponsorships are not finalized. Weber liked the idea of tapping
architecture as an art form and saw this project as a spring board to exposing the
concept. However, it may not have broad community appeal. Kohl liked the
unique idea, but it is still in the planning stages, and the speaker is not confirmed.
Good attempt to bring in wider audience and suggests it be considered for the
next funding round.
Representative Katie Bahl: Application was kept more general because of the
new concept. Project is a strong part of what DMSL does. They are looking at
Feb/April timeframe.
Dubuque Museum of Art
Fabricius expressed concern over a possible conflict of interest as her school is
on the list and her professional knowledge may affect her ranking. The
Commission disagreed. She went on to say that the project is expanded
programming and displays accessibility. An evaluation process is not mentioned
in the timeline. The appeal to a broader audience is questionable. Weber liked
the collaboration component. She needed a better understanding of what
children's programs already exist. Kohl said it was not a new project, but
expanded. Riedel said it is a good and expanded program. She was curious
about the bussing option going away. The substitute teacher component is very
valuable and the program is good for all second graders.
Representative Margaret Buhr: Busing is very limited, but not going away. She
described other children's programs that may relate to this program. Program
provides richer experience by having classroom instructor along with the arts
specialist attend with the students.
Dubuque Symphony Orchestra
Wahlert said it is a great organization but saw no sense of planning in this
application. The idea is too rough. He had difficulty with suggesting funding.
Weber felt the dollar amount was high for a short program, but lower funding
amount would not allow project to happen. Kohl believed the program to be
successful in the past, but it is not a new program. Riedel said she would like to
see this program come back, but it is an expensive program. She also didn't
understand the budget numbers. The organization did not seem excited about
doing this program again. Fabricius said the organization's history would indicate
capability of handling the expense, but the project is too expensive.
Four Mounds
Weber is supportive of four mounds and the project, but the scope and goal may
not be in line with that of the Commission's. Kohl questioned who Four Mounds
Foundation is appealing to and is unsure of their mission. Riedel said a possible
business sponsor might be more appropriate and would like a more detailed
timetable. Fabricius felt the project was new, but that it had no overall scope.
The Commission's goals were not specific to this project. It is a small request
with a good matching funding source, open to the public, but appeals to only
students. Wahlert said the project is not new or expanded. The larger program
component does not meet priority funding criteria. Although the organization
does great cultural work, the program is limited in its appeal.
Representative Chris Olson: Exposure to entitled students is a priority. The
program involves them in work that exposes them to trades, which have made an
impact on Dubuque's history.
Grand Opera House
Kohl said this is not a new project but possibly expanded due to renovation. The
main focus of the project was on set designer. It is a good project but seen as
only an extension of existing programming. Riedel abstained. Fabricius believed
the organization has embedded cultural arts goals but not project specific. It is
not expanded or new. She questioned workshop component. Wahlert said it
was a solid application but questioned limited workshop. He noted the project is
open to theater going public. Weber stated it is a new performance, but that this
could be done with any performance. She appreciated the concept and felt the
application was still missing budget pieces. The workshop was the biggest
selling point. Kohl questioned how this project is being tied into Black History
Month.
Loras College
Riedel liked the diversity component, and said it relates to the City's arts goals
well. The program impacts K-12 age group, families, and it is expanded beyond
the community. It appeals to more than just the college community and is
affordable and accessible. Fabricius abstained. Wahlert said this is one of the
stronger applications. It is a diverse program and good out reach for Loras,
which appeals to the community. He recommended that the college should
continue with the program regardless of funding. Weber said this was her
favorite application. The application was well done and hit all the criteria and
different areas of the population. Kohl abstained.
Representatives: Paul Kohl: People come to Loras College from the community.
Alejandro Pino stated that Loras College is trying to reach out to the community
and schools by offering presentations to international students. Jennifer Walthall
noted that the project can expect up to ballroom capacity of 500 people.
Northeast Iowa School of Music
Fabricius said this is certainly new programming, but questioned the scope of the
activity, audience, budget and feasibility. There should be some connection
between music and the topic. The project does address an underserved
population. Wahlert said this project appears to be arts and culture vs. social
services. It connects to an underserved population, but questioned how seniors
might be touched outside the senior facility. It is worthwhile, but should have
broader appeal. Weber said it was good to see the older population included in a
project, but the project needs to be more community-focused. She liked the
scope and believed the investment was reasonable. Kohl said it was an
excellent idea that relates to an underserved audience, but it is still limited. He
suggested more opportunity for participants to take part in the project's final
performance. Riedel said it is a new program, but more detailed planning is
needed. She suggested the use of other venues, questioned the final result of
the program, and asked what is done with the keyboards at the end of the
program. The one-on-one time is a valuable component. The project needs
more outreach and development.
O'Connor reminded commissioners at this point that equipment is not eligible for
funding.
Representative Becky Perkins: NISOM is aware of the project's obvious limited
scope. They expect $2,000 to come from October fund raiser. Becky noted that
at-home seniors are involved in additional programs and that staff can't go into
individual homes. Surveys were sent out to gauge who was interested and in
what. Their facility is the most functional location for the project. They may
consider final performances if participants are comfortable with that. Most grant
money is going toward the purchase of keyboards and teacher's salaries.
Project may not be possible without keyboards.
Commissioners Riedel and Fabricius thanked the citizens present for their
attendance and input.
Rankings
Averaged rankings were calculated and read off. Wahlert suggested funding
options. Lower-ranked requests need to be eliminated or have funding cut.
NISOM funding request for equipment is ineligible. O'Connor suggested asking
the organization if they can proceed with a lower funding amount than requested.
Weber suggested rounding amounts. Wahlert suggested fully funding top ranked
application.
MOTION by Riedel. Second by Fabricius.
The Commission should recommend to City Council funding at noted amounts.
Discussion: Applications should be voted on individually.
AMENDED MOTION by Riedel, second by Weber. Commission recommends
$9,580 funding for Loras College. at $9,580. Vote: Kohl, abstain; Riedel, aye;
Fabricius, abstain; Wahlert, aye; Weber, aye. Passes 3-0 with 2 abstentions.
MOTION by Riedel, second by Kohl. Commission recommends $9,000 funding
for Dubuque Arts Council. Motion passes 5-0.
MOTION by Kohl, second by Fabricius. Commission recommends $7,960
funding for Bell Tower Theater, be funded at $7,960. Fabricius, Aye; Wahlert,
Aye; Weber, Aye; Kohl, Aye; Riedel, Abstain. Passes 4-0 with one abstention.
MOTION by Riedel, second by Weber. Commission recommends $3,950 funding
for the Dubuque Museum of Art. Vote: Wahlert, Abstain; Weber, Aye, Kohl, Aye;
Riedel, Aye; Fabricius, Aye. Passes 4-0 with one abstention.
MOTION by Weber, second by Fabricius. Commission recommends $4,510
funding for Dubuque Arboretum. Vote passes 5-0.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION - none
ITEMS FROM PUBLIC - none
INFORMATION SHARING - none
ADJOURNMENT Motion to Adjourn by Riedel, second by Fabricius. Meeting
adjourned at 6:40 p.m.
Next Meeting: October 25,2005, in the Carnegie-Stout Public Library Board
Room.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kevin Firnstahl, Staff Secretary
These minutes passed, approved and adopted on
Amy Weber, Secretary
City Clerk
City Council:
City Manager:
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