Minutes_Arts and Cultural Affairs Advisory Commission 7 24 12Minutes
ARTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS ADVISORY COMMISSION
Tuesday July 24, 2012
Lacy Board Room
Carnegie -Stout Library
The meeting was called to order by Chair O'Rourke at 4:30 p.m. following sta,
assurance of compliance with the Iowa Open Meeting Law.
Commissioners present: Paul Hemmer, Ellen Henkels, Marina O'Rourke, Sue Riedel,
and Louise Karnes. Steffen was excused. King did not attend.
Staff Present: Jerelyn O'Connor and Jan Stoffel.
Approval of Minutes of June 26, 2012. Motion made by Riedel, seconded by
Henkels to approve minutes as read. Motion carried 5 -0.
Welcome new Commissioner, and Administer Oath of ice
John King did not attend the meeting. He will be welcomed and sworn in at the August
meeting.
Hemmer nominated O'Rourke to retain the position of Chair. Ellen Henkels and Julie
Steffen put forward their names as officers for the coming year. Motion was made by
Henkels and seconded by O'Rourke to table the selection of officers until the next
meeting because two members were not present. Motion carried 4 -1, with Hemmer
opposed.
Discuss format for planning session in August or September
An August work session, held at the regularly scheduled meeting time, will focus on
marketing efforts for Arts Mean Business, Arts and Humanities month, and the Local
Arts Index Study through Americans for the Arts. Specific training for Arts groups is
needed so that they can determine their own economic impact.
A work session will be held in September on the grant guidelines, with a review of the
present policies of the Iowa Arts Council, including their Cultural grant program. Items to
be considered will be those identified during the review sessions for the FY 2013 grants
held this spring.
Arts and Economic Prosperity IV — Reveal and Reception
Stoffel reported that the opening of the Arts Means Business campaign was a success.
The opening on July 23 was well attended with the members from the art and business
community and from a wide range of ages. Media coverage was good, resulting in a
front page article in the Telegraph Herald and a 30 minute interview with Iowa Public
Radio in the Quad Cities, to name a few. Many thanks to the Dubuque Area Chamber of
Commerce who sponsored the reception. All study results and PR materials for the Arts
and Prosperity IV study and Arts Means Business can be found at
www. cityofd u bug ue, org /artsmeanbusiness. Continued marketing of the results will be
ongoing.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION
The 100th children's play at Bell Tower was sold out. Sweeney Todd was at the Grand
and Hairspray was held at Five Flags. Commissioners congratulated Sue Riedel and
Ellen Henkels upon their retirements from the Dubuque Community School district.
INFORMATION SHARING
2012 -2103 Art on the River
Many positive comments were received from artists and jurors about Art on the River
including:
William Turnbull, Artist, Anchorlily, Madison, WI: I have nothing but glowing feedback for
this program, and how well it has been integrated into your city's art scene. The
community outreach I witnessed is what art boards are supposed to do for their
communities, but so seldom do. My hat is off to Dubuque, because this is a very rare
opportunity and I am honored to have been a part of it this year.
Graeme Reid, Juror, The Museum of Wisconsin Art, West Bend, WI: I hope you know
that you have something really special here. I've been in the arts for over 20 years in
four cities in two states. No one else in the Midwest has such a superb public art
program. Here in Wisconsin, neither Madison, Milwaukee nor Green Bay have anything.
Dubuque is a beautiful city on a great river in gorgeous countryside. The arts,
specifically the Art on the River, make it all the more attractive as a place to live and
work. You have something special. Embrace it, celebrate it, sustain it.
Greg Mueller, Artist, Agrarian Thinking Space, St. Peter, MN: What an impressive
opening reception and a catalyst for community! You are really turning heads with your
program.
Board and Commissions Picnic
Commissioners were reminded of the annual Board and Commission picnic at Eagle
Point Park on July 30.
Adjournment
Motion by Paul Hemmer, seconded by Karnes to adjourn. Motion passed 5 -0. Meeting
adjourned at 5:30 p.m. Next meeting is Tuesday, August 28, 4:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jan Stoffel,
Arts and Cultural Affairs Coordinator
These minutes were passed and approved on
Louise Karnes, Secretary