Minutes_Arts and Cultural Affairs Advisory Commission 5 28 13Minutes
ARTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS ADVISORY COMMISSION
May 28, 2013
Auditorium
Carnegie -Stout Library
The meeting was called to order by Chair Marina O'Rourke at 4:00 p.m. following staff
assurance of compliance with the Iowa Open Meeting Law.
Commissioners present: Ellen Henkels, Louise Kames, Marina O'Rourke, Sue Riedel, Gina Siegert,
Julie Steffen
Commissioners not present: Paul Hemmer
Staff present: Jerelyn O'Connor, Jan Stoffel
Members of the public present: Sue Becker, the Dubuque Chorale; Aaron Hefei, DubuqueFest; Jean
Tucker, the Dubuque Symphony, and; Dan LoBianco, Downtown Cultural Corridor.
Approval of Minutes of April 23, 2013. Motion made by O'Rourke and seconded by Henkels to
approve minutes. Motion carried 6 -0.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Approve funding levels of FY2014 Operating Grant Applications
Staff presented two possible funding scenarios — one with a maximum cap of $40,000 or 5.5%
of the organization's operating expenditures, and one with a cap of $45,000 or 5% of the
organization's operation expenditures. Commissioners noted that again, they were not able to
fund the maximum of 6% or $50,000 to eligible arts groups in Dubuque because of funding
limitations. It would be a good time to reinforce with the City Council the need for additional
funds for this program. Consensus of the commission was to select the the maximum funding
level of $40,000 or 5.5% be used this year. A motion made by Karnes and seconded by
O'Rourke to approve the funding formulas. . Motion carried 6 -0.
A motion was made by Henkels and seconded by Steffen to fund Bell Tower Productions
$14,097. Motion carried 5 -0. Riedel abstained.
A motion was made by Siegert and seconded by O'Rourke to fund Colts Drum and Bugle
$40,000. Motion carried 6 -0.
A motion was made by O'Rourke and seconded by Kames to fund the Arboretum $6,291.
Motion carried 6 -0.
A motion was made by Riedel and seconded by Henkels to fund Dubuque Arts Council $4,542.
Motion carried 5 -0. Siegert abstained.
A motion was made by Henkels and seconded by Siegert to fund Dubuque Chorale $1,397.
Motion carried 6 -0.
A motion was made by O'Rourke and seconded by Siegert to fund Dubuque County Fine Arts
Society $3,176. Motion carried 5 -0, Steffen abstained..
A motion was made by Riedel and seconded by Karnes to fund Dubuque County Historical
Society $40,000. Motion carried 6 -0.
A motion was made by Siegert and seconded by Kames to fund Dubuque Main Street, Inc.,
$5,263. Motion carried 6 -0.
A motion was made by O'Rourke and seconded by Siegert to fund Dubuque Museum of Art
$18,844. Motion carried 5 -0. Steffen abstained.
A motion was made by Henkels and seconded by Steffen to fund Dubuque Symphony
Orchestra $40,000. Motion carried 6 -0.
A motion was made by Siegert and seconded by Riedel to fund Fly -By -Night Productions
$1,061. Motion carried 6 -0.
A motion was made by Henkels and seconded by O'Rourke to fund The Grand Opera House
$17,233. Motion carried 6 -0.
A motion was made by Riedel and seconded by Henkels to fund Julien Dubuque International
Film Festival $3,750. Motioned carried 6 -0.
A motion was made by Kames and seconded by Henkels to fund Matter, Inc. $3,026. Motion
carried 6 -0.
A motion was made by Henkels and seconded by Riedel to fund Northeast Iowa School of
Music $9,248. Motion carried 6 -0.
A motion was made by Riedel and seconded by Henkels to fund Rising Star Theatre Company
$2,072. Motion Carried 6 -0.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Review and Scoring of FY2014 Special Project Grant Applications.
There are 12 applications this year with a total request of $61,807. One additional
application was not eligible. There were 14 applications in FY13, 9 applications in FY12, 14
in FY11, 13 in FY10, and 8 applications in FY09. There are six first -ever applicants —
Better Together Dubuque, Healing Moments, Studio Works, DubuqueFest (not under
DCFAS) , Carnegie -Stout Public Library Foundation and Voices Productions (not under
DCFAS). Applications were:
Bell Tower Productions, Free Summer Musical Program, $5,000 (introduced by Steffen, Riedel
abstained)
The project connects summer theatre to plays that are based on popular children's movies to attract a
wider audience. Budget reasonable. Shows a good track record of success and has done unique
marketing at Farmer's Market. Will expand to the 7 -16 age range.
Better Together Dubuque, Vibrant Dubuque, $7,000 (introduced by Siegert)
The intent of the project is good and the leaders qualified. The marketing cost should be broken down
more. There was some confusion in what was done in the past and what would exactly be the new
event. "Art infused workshop" was too vague. Should have addressed the controversy of the play.
This project has great potential. It would be of great value to target audience. The event was
budgeted on a full house which is hard to fulfill.
Carnegie -Stout Public Library Foundation, The Gospel of Wealth: Andrew Carnegie Interpreted
Through Sculpture, $4,495 (introduced by Riedel)
The subject matter was strong and included an element of live theatre as well as visual arts. It was
;onfusing how the project fit in with the art work already created and displayed in the library in 2007.
What would be different about this project? The application should have addressed this. Did not
address costs related to bussing students.
DubuqueFest, DubuqueFest Fine Arts Festival Community Art Project 2014, $5,000
(introduced by O'Rourke, Steffen abstained)
DubuqueFest is well known popular festival in Dubuque. City goals were well- addressed. It is creative
community art project. Web /Facebook information confusing and budget did not tie out. Should be
clear about what has been and what will be. What will it be in the future? Great potential for this
event.
Dubuque Chorale, Let the River Run, $6,280 (introduced by Kames)
The project description was strong in describing the river themed event and was tied to a good
curriculum. It will expand audiovisual collaboration, use a city facility. The teacher guide is a real
strength. Expertise of project leaders well documented. Contacted DBQ Community Schools to find
out how to connect with underserved. Nice discussion of art as social change.
Dubuque Main Street, Millwork Movie and Music Block Party, $4,800 (introduced by Henkels)
The Block party will include programming in the Millwork gallery and multiple arts groups can be
included. The application was well- written and clear and uses community engagement and
technology. Date is not conductive to college schedule. Would have been nice to know the movie
;elected but list of projects leaders shows expertise.
Dubuque Symphony Orchestra, Rite of Spring at Voices, $7,701(introduced by O'Rourke)
The project was described very clearly and goals were addressed. It puts the Symphony out of its
traditional venue and comfort zone. The chosen music is edgy and will appeal to a wider audience.
Wonderful project and application.
Healing Moments Alzheimer's Education, Advocacy and Ministry, the Forgiving and the
Forgetting — an Original Educational Theatre Production, $3,000 (introduced by Steffen)
Good use of education through art and the use of art in a health -based arena. The artists and project
leaders are highly qualified. Innovative approach to a clinical focus. Funds being requested are in
support of artists.
Julien Dubuque International Film Festival, 2014 Julien Dubuque International Film Festival,
$5,000 (introduced by Siegert)
The application was focused on what had already happened. The film event has the potential for
great economic impact. Is there a selection committee? Focuses on tourism and not inspiring people
to become filmmakers. Does not address those who may not be able to pay admission. Evaluation is
very general. The application seems more like an operating instead of a special project.
Matter, Inc, Creativity Program Development for Youth and Adults with Autism, $3,500
(introduced by Riedel)
The project sought to extend the scope of arts education to those with autism. The application was
vague in the description of why it was needed and exacted numbers of people who might be served.
Would this be better suited to happening at Mercy where expertly trained staff could assist? Eight
hours of training in special needs is not adequate. This has great potential but need needs to be
established.
Studio Works, Collaborative Mural Project, $2,800 (introduced by O'Rourke, Kames abstained)
Project is well described and would involve an interesting artist. Mural would be a good community
engagement device. Good involvement of middle and high school aged youth. Would have been
better to have the building selected before the grant application. It is dependent upon other funding to
happen.
Voices Productions, Voices Speaks 2013, $7,231(introduced by Kames)
Strongly written application. It will present three major spoken word events, combining literary, visual
and performing arts. Great artistic merit and combines professionals with emerging and local talent
and will engage college students.
Commissioners took a short break to tally their scores. The votes were as follows.
FY 2014
Special Projects Arts Grant
scores
ORGANIZATION
FUNDING
REQUEST
PROJECT
TITLE
Hemmer
Henkels
Karnes
O- Rourke
Riedel
Siegert
Steffen
total
average
Dubuque Symphony Orchestra
$7,701.00
Rite At Spring at Voices
88.00
89.00
100.00
100.00
97.00
89.00
563
93.83
Dubuque Chorale
$6,280.00
Let the River Run
93
85
96
99
98
90
561
93.50
Bell Tower Productions
$5,000.00
Free Summer Musical Program
98
94
93
88
90
463
92.60
Voices Productions
$7,231.00
Voices Speaks 2013
90
95
88
85
96
85
539
89.83
Dubuque Main Street
$4,800.00
Millwork Movie and Music Block Party
92
86
92
90
76
82
518
86.33
Healing Moments Alzheimer's Educa.
$3,000.00
The Forgiving and Forgetting- original
76.00
71.00
96.00
90.00
90.00
91.00
514
85.67
Studio Works
$2,800.00
Collaborative Mural Project
81
89
80
91
85
426
85.20
Camegie Stout Library Foundation
$4,495.00
The Gospel of Wealth:
89
68
84
87
99
77
504
84.00
Better Together Dubuque
$7,000.00
Vibrant Dubuque
81
72
79
78
97
86
493
82.17
Dubuque Fest
$5,000.00
DubuqueFest Community Art Proj
90
60
77
81
85
393
78.60
Matter, Inc.
$3,500.00
Creativity Program Development
81.00
66.00
79.00
75.00
91.00
75.00
467
77.F
Julien International Film Festival
$5,000.00
JIFF Film Festival
82.00
61.00
70.00
70.00
82.00
74.00
439
73.1.
Total Requests:
$61,807.00
Motion by Kames and seconded by O'Rourke to fund the top seven highest ranking applications and
forward that recommendation to the City Council for approval. Motion carried 6 -0
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Karnes seconded by Henkels to adjourn. Motion carried 6 -0. Meeting adjourned at
7:00 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 25, 2013, at 4:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jan Stoffel
Arts and Cultural Affairs Coordinator
These minutes were passed and approved on
2-5; 2013
Riedel, Sec etary