Minutes_Arts and Cultural Affairs Advisory Commission 9 25 12Minutes
ARTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS ADVISORY COMMISSION
September 25, 2012
Lacy Board Room
Carnegie-Stout Library
The meeting was called to order by Chair O'Rourke at 4:30 p.m. following staff
assurance of compliance with the Iowa Open Meeting Law.
Commissioners present: Ellen Henkels, Louise Kames, Marina O'Rourke, Sue Riedel,
and Julie Steffen.
Staff Present: Jerelyn O'Connor.
Approval of Minutes of August 28, 2012. Motion made by Riedel, seconded by
Henkels to approve minutes as read. Motion carried 5-0.
NEW BUSINESS
Grand Opera House Special Project Grant Amendment Request
Commission reviewed the request from the Grand Opera House. O'Rourke stated that
she thought that the proposed change was a totally different project than the one that
had been approved for the grant. There was a concern expressed about the precedent
that would be set to approve such a substantial change to the project. Motion by
Henkels, 2nd by Steffen to deny the amendment. Motion approved 5-0.
Operating Funding Program Review
During the operating funding grant review earlier this year, a commissioner questioned
whether there should be a minimum point threshold established to qualify for operating
support funding. There was considerable discussion about this and consensus was that
the existing point grading system was effective in determining funding levels.
Special Projects Grant Program
O'Connor shared with the commission a listing of the grantees and projects funded over
the last 8 grant competition cycles. She raised questions on whether commission would
want to consider changing some of the eligibility criteria (such as 501 ( c) 3 status) to
open up the competition to more organizations. There was also discussion on
reviewing the evaluation criteria to encourage proposed projects which would address
the city council's arts and community engagement priorities. One option would be to
create a pilot program or set aside of grant funds. Another possibility discussed by the
commission was to allow individual artists to apply for funding, particularly since there is
a gap in funding individual artists at the state level. The commission asked staff to look
at model programs for funding individual artists and also to look at ways to incorporate
the council goals in the rating criteria.
OLD BUSINESS
Arts Means Business Marketing Plan
Commissioners proposed specific ideas for marketing to key audiences.
• General Public: Return on Investment (ROI), job support, explain path of an arts
dollar throughout the community by highlighting local employees.
Box ads in the newspaper, such as "follow the art dollar" and "did you know..."
Create a DVD on the arts in Dubuque
• Elected Officials, local and statewide: ROI, number of attendees, total economic
impact, Arts creates livability and attracts and retains residents, methodology of
study sound
Address city council
Have arts component included in the congressional staff visit
• Arts Organizations: use the data to show donors ROI, calculate your own
economic impact, use data in program development and benchmarking, increase
board awareness of economic impact issues and understand audience spending
habits
Piggy back on grant- writing workshop
Meet and greet event for arts organizations
• Chamber /Convention and Visitor's Bureau: Reinforce RIO message to all
business, audience impact of spending at event critical, all arts money stays in
the community, arts tourists stay here longer, the arts support community jobs
and buys community products and services
Get arts advocate on board
Cultivate partnership with CVB
DVD
• Businesses, Corporations, Economic Development: ROI, arts worthy of business
investment, methodology of study sound, find ways to connect arts to your
mission and employees, provide a calculator to show the impact support of the
arts has or could have, the arts are resilient businesses, the arts support
community jobs and buy community products and services, adds cultural
vibrancy to attract and retain a creative work force.
How do we help arts organizations reach out to businesses
Arts organization need talking points to reinforce message —one pager bulleted
Order additional calculators
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION
Sue Riedel said she spoke with Chamber CEO Molly Grover about the possibility of
having an arts advocate on the Chamber Board of Directors. Molly Grover suggested
that to proceed, submit names of 2 arts leaders to the board nominating committee
along with a justification. Staff suggested that Commission should first run this by City
Council.
ITEMS FROM PUBLIC
INFORMATION SHARING
Marina O'Rourke stated that she will accept the Proclamation on Arts and Humananities
Month at the October 1 city council meeting. She also shared the written comments she
will make when accepting the proclamation.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Riedel, seconded by O'Rourke to adjourn. Motion passed 5-0. Meeting
adjourned at 6:15 p.m. Next meeting is Tuesday, October 23, 4:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
)
) 7 I t
ierelyri O'Connor
Neighborhood Development Specialist
These minutes were passed and approved on
tt,
Sue Riedel, Secretary