Minutes Arts & Cult. Aff. 5 23 06
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MINUTES
ARTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS ADVISORY
COMMISSION
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REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, May 23, 2006, 4:30 p.m.
Board Room, Carnegie Stout Public Library
360 W. 11th Street, Dubuque, Iowa
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Meeting was called to order at 4:30 p.m. following staff assurance of compliance
with the Iowa Open Meeting Law.
Commissioners Present: William Intriligator, Mark Wahlert, Louise Kames,
Rebecca Fabricius, Sue Riedel, Paul Kohl, Amy Weber (4:35 p.m.)
Staff Present: Cindy Steinhauser, Jerelyn O'Connor, Kevin Firnstahl
Grant Representatives Present: Jim Ott, Patrick Sterenchuk, Margaret Buhr,
Jerry Enzler, Miki Robinson, Katie Bahl, Tracey Rush,
Approval of minutes from April 25, 2006.
Motion by Kohl, Second by Riedel, motion passed 7-0.
New Business:
Presentation on Jury Selection for Art on the River - Cindy Steinhauser provided
an overview of the Art on the River program, a public art program for the Port of
Dubuque. Twenty-one artists submitted a total of 38 pieces from 8 states and 16
cities. The Commission viewed a slideshow and brief overview of the nine
pieces selected by the jury. The jury selections will be forwarded to City Council
at their June 5 meeting. Installation of the artwork is anticipated in late August
and will be displayed through May. The Art Opening celebration for the
community will be on Labor Day weekend. A brochure on the artwork will be
available at that time.
Motion by Riedel: The Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission support the jury
selection for Council recommendation. Second by Fabricius. Passed 7-0.
FY 2007 Arts and Culture Grant Program for Special Projects
Review/Rank Applications.
Weber first described the averaging process for ranking applicants and the
weighted average option that takes into account a member abstaining and the
impact it has on the total score. She shared the spreadsheet she developed to
be used in the process.
Commissioners' Review of Applications
Bell Tower Productions
Intriligator: great program idea, good organization, carefully planned, but doesn't
have broad impact. Application seems to be an expansion of a continuing
program, but does provide a new access opportunity. Wahlert: Project impact is
relatively small and the cultural aspect is a theater program, but had difficulty
seeing a new or expanded aspect. Kames: Limited appeal. Weber: Limited
impact but all other elements are solid. Fabricius: Asked if the organization
couldn't contribute more and questioned project impact. Kohl: Noted appeal to
underserved group, but project still has narrow impact. Riedel: abstained
Applicant comments - Miki Robinson: Organization looked at accessibility of the
population that can't normally take advantage of their programs. They would
consider a reduced admission fee if it widened the project's impact and displayed
the organization's commitment.
Clarke College Quigley Gallery,
Wahlert: solid application, well planned, good impact, meets the City's arts goals.
Kames: abstain. Weber: Although the project is not a completely new idea, it is
an extended program that fit the goals of the comprehensive plan.
Fabricius: Questioned outside artists coming in for local enjoyment. Liked the
advertisement to total community. Kohl: Felt it was not a new project idea but
extended program. Riedel: Well written grant. Liked the 10-state exhibitors
element. Viewed as a new program, liked no-cost, free admission, and
accessibility elements. Intriligator: Impressed with the over all concept. Asked if
an educational institution is an eligible applicant. High organizational capacity
and good collaboration with Dubuque Museum of Art.
Applicant comments - Louise Kames: Noted this is the first time the organization
has done a juried exhibit, which involves a larger work load and planning.
Dubuque Arboretum
Kames: Had difficulty with this application fitting the guidelines since the art
portion was limited. Not well planned and questioned what the funding was
actually for. Weber: Questioned how it lined up with comprehensive plan. She
viewed it as a new program that is not all in line with the arts mission. A strong
organization and capacity. Fabricius: A high-impact, free-event program.
However, more detail is needed on the arts connection. Applicant might consider
another funding source. Kohl: Application is not in touch with cultural goals.
There is not enough lead time if starting in January for May event.
Riedel: Liked educational and story telling components. However, she wanted to
know more about what they will do in terms of artists' names, etc. She liked the
free access and volunteerism elements but felt the timeline detail was missing.
Intriligator: Great event but not explained as a new event and similar to past
events. Need more information about the partnering theater company. He
couldn't judge on new or expanded element. Wahlert: Had concerns on the
planning component. He viewed it as an ambitious project but confused by the
different troops and gaps in planning.
Dubuque Co. Extension Multicultural Grant
Weber: Viewed as an expanded program but seemed more educationally based
than cultural. Project impacts needy but limited group. Capable organization.
Fabricius: Application does connect with arts goals but requires more
explanation. Good organization. She questioned fee matching up request.
Kohl: Good program but has been done before. Riedel: Sees a real need for
this program in the community and expanding it more. She had questions on the
budget. Good collaboration element. More budget detail is required. Program
uses the arts to get message across. Intriligator: Had concerns about
organization's eligibility as a 501 (C)(3) and association with churches.
Wahlert: Also questioned eligibility as a 501(C)(3). Good organization but loose
ends in planning. Kames: Liked arts and social change components as opposed
to basic entertainment. Program will create deeper, long-term impact.
Staff member O'Connor addressed the eligibility question. She noted that ISU
Extension is a non-profit, although it does not have 501c3 status since it is a
governmental organization.
Applicant comments - Jim Ott: Explained that there were indeed some details to
be completed. Contact with kids would be more through dance and music.
Revenue shortfall is due to project's timing over Thanksgiving week. Program
would focus on three schools with potential to visit more. Details with the schools
will be finalized if the project is funded.
Dubuque County Fine Arts
Fabricius: Viewed as a capacity-building grant and new programming. Program
furthers goals but timeline start is unsure. Impact should have visible presence
during transition. Kohl: Abstain. Riedel: Saw problems with website,
maintenance, updating, and longevity. It is not clear if it would help membership.
Good idea, but place, contact, and stability of organization unclear.
Intriligator: Questioned if this is new or expanded program and the impact on the
Dubuque community. He was concerned with timetable and budget. Wahlert:
abstain. Kames: Loose application that states it is not new or expanded. Good
way to sustain presence. Weber: Viewed more as an operational need. Project
would benefit from collaboration then submit a real program. Questioned long-
term maintenance and hosting elements.
Applicant comments - Mark Wahlert: DFA is a changing organization trying to
find and keep a presence. The organization will be collaborating with Parks
Media Group for maintenance of the website.
Dubuque County Historical Society
Kohl: Questioned if the program was new or just an expansion of an existing
program. Riedel: New program with addition of interactive component. Well-
written grant. Liked the "permanent" element. Good for residents as well as
tourists. Fee might be unaffordable. Displays good growth opportunity and met
many arts goals.
Intriligator: Questioned new or expanded programming since the cabin is already
on exhibit. Project does reflect many arts goals and good impact. Questioned if
entire match comes from Silos and Smokestacks organization. Wahlert:
Abstained. Kohl: Liked the interpretive component of the project. It meets
cultural goals and involves youth through collaboration with Central HS.
Weber: Liked interpretive component and broad impact of the project.
Fabricius: Questioned possible conflict between historical and cultural elements.
Noted the significant match.
Applicant comments - Jerry Enzler: The log cabin is currently a shell with a large
investment and no interpretive program. The cultural component will come with
restoration in terms of relationships with native people and authentic, daily-life
experience. The museum anticipates one million people per year to visit.
Through an endowment, anyone on fuel assistance and disabled youth are
provided free admission. Their exhibits promote return visits. Match all coming
from Silos and Smokestacks. DCHS will submit additional overhead. The
organization does have the capacity to reach large audience, but there is also
large gap in funding, which comes from new sources each year.
Dubuque Main st. Ltd.
Riedel: Liked the application as revised from a previous submission. It
celebrates architecture. Project offers free and paid options with a components
for all ages and show cases the city. Partnership with schools and festival
atmosphere. Liked title theme. Intriligator: abstain.
Wahlert: This was the strongest application. It addresses arts goals well.
Despite that fact that there are some holes, he realized that some details can't be
done until funding is received. Displays collaboration, diversity, and outreach.
Kames: Project raises awareness in downtown but questioned planning and if it
move forward without funding. Weber: Liked revised application from previous
submission. Some gaps but done well. Fabricius: Application was strengthened
from previous submission. Good and different, but budget figures don't seem to
add up. Kohl: Project highlights a good component of city. Questioned if there
were too many things going on in a short period of time.
Applicant comments - Katie Bahl: Noted that this is good way to emphasize the
city's architecture. Photo ID provides good community involvement. School
component is spread over time, but community involvement is best in a focused
timeframe. They tried to reach for broad appeal, and the project could happen
without funding but scaled down.
Dubuque Museum of Art
Intriligator: It is creative in bringing educational and performance elements
together. High organizational experience. Project reflects goals.
Wahlert: abstain. Kames: Information is readily available on the list of artists
chosen. Weber: Project fits with goals. Collaboration element and different
medium will expand audience. Kohl: Creative, original proposal. Riedel: Liked
collaboration component, which makes for an interesting medium. Creative and
new. Questioned if free access to performances or connection with schools is
possible.
Applicant comments - Buhr and Sterenchuk: A survey was done to determine a
selection of artists. The found that many unknown artists have colorful histories.
Expansion of program beyond lecture series is possible. Actors can become
artists in actors' studio setting. Project provides total immersion for audience.
They anticipate videotape for future potential.
Northeast Iowa School of Music
Wahlert: Questioned whether project was new or expanded. Some limited
impact, but a strong application. Kames: Questioned need and sustainability, but
liked connection with Eleanor Roosevelt School. Weber: Questioned
comprehensibility of the plan. Organization could do it well, and it is expanded
programming. Riedel: Good revised application. Good program and school
partnership. Asked if a partner for keyboard component has been located
Kohl: Liked last year's submission. Project serves a narrow but underserved
population. Intriligator: Was glad to see it revised. Questioned how seniors are
getting to Roosevelt and how lessons will be sustained if funds aren't available.
Questioned publicity budget.
Applicant comments - Tracy Rush: Going off site is a new component. The large
senior population would ensure good impact. This is being treated as pilot
program and they are gauging impact of benefits. A partner for the keyboard
component is being worked on. Transportation can be provided via senior
center vans. Roosevelt school provides high accessibility. Marketing is the most
expensive element.
Dubuque Symphony Orchestra
Kames: An expanded program where funding actually goes to artists.
Weber: Liked the application and saw it as expanded programming with appeal.
Maybe want to expand accessibility. Kohl: Trustworthy organization. Project
should be expanded as they have done it before. Riedel: Liked partnership with
ballet and dance/music elements. Project is not affordable to all. Consider
expanding access. Intriligator: abstain. Wahlert: Project has limited appeal to
opera, but liked outreach element. Great program.
Applicant comments - William Intriligator: DSO considered this an expansion of
previous projects. Opera productions require tremendous needs. They are
planning collaboration with schools and trying to debunk stigma of opera. He
noted that accessibility schedules can be difficult.
Four Mounds Foundation
Weber: Questioned the issue of restoration vs. cultural elements despite
connection to arts component. Need a definition of the organization and how it
fits with the commission.
Staff Member O'Connor intervened to address how these types of applications
address the City's arts and culture goals.
Kohl: Questioned the purpose of organization, its outreach to community and
their relationship with City.
Riedel: Suggested the money could come from somewhere else and that it is an
ongoing project well beyond grant period. It is missing an educational
component and doesn't seem to fit. Bricks and mortar project.
Intriligator: The organization is not taking the opportunity to make the restoration
educational and connect it with a historical aspect, does not consider it new or
expanded. Wahlert: Concurred with the other commissioners in terms of the
project not being new or expanded. There doesn't seem to be any cultural
impact. Limited visitation. Kames: Continued renovation.
Grand Opera House
Kohl: Project is not new, nor different from usual programming. Unsure as to
where musicians are coming form. Assigned more points for local connection
element. Riedel: abstain. Intriligator: How this program is new or expanded is
not explained. It is carefully planned and liked giving away tickets, video aspect,
and broad impact. Wahlert: Not new or expanded from usual programming
Kames: concurred - not new or expanded. Weber: Noted it is difficult for Grand
to expand from usual programming if not with original material.
No applicant representative present.
Due to the length of the meeting, the Commission agreed to move the June
meeting up so applicant rankings can be focused on with more commissioners
present. O'Connor reminded the commission that three commission terms expire
June 30. Commissioners need to reapply through the City Clerk's office if they
want to be considered for reappointment.
Commissioner Fabricius excused at 6 p.m. Commissioner Wahlert excused at
6:40 p.m. Commissioners Kames, Fabricius, and Intriligator and staff Jerelyn
O'Connor will be attending the Community Foundation's grant writing workshop.
Next Meeting: RESCHEDULED TO June 12 at 4 p.m. in the Library Board
Room. Motion to adjourn by Riedel, Second by Kohl, passed 5-2.
Adjourned: 6:40 p.m.
ubmitted,
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