Minutes_Arts and Cultural Affairs Advisory Commission 2 25 14Minutes
ARTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS ADVISORY COMMISSION
February 25, 2014
Lacy Boardroom, Carnegie -Stout Library
The meeting was called to order by Chair Ellen Henkels at 4:32 P.M. following staff
assurance of compliance with the Iowa Open Meeting Law.
Commissioners present: Ellen Henkels, Katherine Kluseman, Sue Riedel, Marina O'Rourke,
Julie Steffen and Jessica Teckemeyer. Gina Siegert was unable to attend.
Staff Present: Jerelyn O'Connor, Megan Starr and Maurice Jones
Members of the public in attendance: Louise Kames
Approval of Minutes of February 4, 2014. A motion was made by O'Rourke and seconded by
Riedel to approve the minutes. Motion carried 6-0.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Approval of 2014 Art on the River Exhibition Selections
In December, the "Call for Sculptors" for the 2013-2014 Art on the River Exhibit was
emailed to hundreds of artists, galleries and educational institutions, posted on regional
and national online sources, and advertised locally. This year, there were 83 entries from
53 artists from 20 states from Arizona to New York. The 2014 Art on the River Exhibition
will be installed in June 2014, with the date for the opening event scheduled for
Thursday, June 19, 2014, at 5-7 P.M. at the Grand River Center.
Staff presented the 10 finalists and 3 alternates chosen by the 2013-2014 Art on the
River Jury:
Finalists:
• Break Away, by Beth Nybeck, Kansas City, MO
• At the Water's Edge, by Zachary Bowman, Ankeny, IA
• Fly Away Home, by Andrew Arvanetes, DeKalb, IL
• Whirlette, by Bounnak Thammavong, Swisher, IA
• In Between Sometimes by Jason Scott, Prairie DuSac, WI
• Zodiac Totem I, by Pokey Park, Tucson, AZ
• Time Warp, by Thomas Riefe, Davenport, IA
• Journey, by Zach Schnock, Cedar Falls, IA
Alternates:
• Cherry Bomb, by John Anderson -Bricker, Dubuque, IA
• Twist, by Mary Angers, Long Branch NJ
• King of Prairie Town, by Nicole Beck, Chicago, IL
The jury also made recommendations on siting the works along the Riverwalk and the
Grand River Center. Since none of the submitted works are suitable for siting at site #5,
the Jury recommended that the City contact artist Jeff Boshart to inquire if he is willing to
keep his work there an additional year.
Motion made by Riedel, seconded by O'Rourke, to approve the recommendation of the
Art on the River jury and forward to the City Council for its approval. Motion carried 6-0.
2. Status of Arts Coordinator Position: Maurice Jones
(Item was moved later in the agenda to accommodate Jones' arrival)
Jones explained that due to a city instituted hiring freeze that the Arts and Culture
Coordinator position would not be filled before July 1, 2014. Economic Development
Coordinator Megan Starr will act as the interim contact for arts and culture. Jones
explained that the responsibilities of the arts and cultural coordinator will be shared
among economic development department staff with continued support from Jerelyn
O'Connor. Riedel expressed her concern that this was a step back for arts and culture
and that a dedicated staff person was necessary to do the job successfully. Riedel asked
if it would be possible to fund the position with an alternative funding source. Jones
indicated this was not an option. Steffen requested that the minutes reflect their
appreciation for City Staff fulfilling the Art and Culture coordinator role.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Master Arts Plan
Jessica spoke with council member Resnick about the need for a master plan,
expressed that the commission did not have the collective expertise or capacity to
develop a master plan. Steffen emphasized the need for a grassroots plan
developed specifically for the Dubuque community and said she would contact
Council members to emphasize the importance of a master plan.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION
1. Henkels requested that staff arrange a meeting space and send out an invitation
to participate in an Americans for the Arts webinar called Building Arts Marketing
Skills forindependentArtists on March 19thfrom 11-12 P.M..
2. Budget Hearing for Arts and Culture on Wednesday, March 5, 6:30 P.M.. Staff
will attend and Commissioners are welcome.
3. Teckemeyer announced that Clarke Universtiy will host a reception for artists,
Kayla Carlson, Margaret Scahill and Traci Bauer. Saturday, March 1, 4-6pm at
Quigley Gallery. The event is free and open to the public.
INFORMATION SHARING
1. Update on FY2015 Grants
Starr reported that application for FY2015 Arts and Culture Grants are available
on the City of Dubuque website. City staff will offer two grant workshops specific
to the Special Project funding on Wednesday, March 19, at noon and 5 p.m., in
the Lacy Board Room, 3rd Floor, Carnegie -Stout Library, 360 W. 11th St. The
deadline for applications is May 12, 2014. A workshop specific to Operating
Support Grants will be held at noon on Wednesday, March 12, in the Lacy Board
Room. The deadline for these applications is April 10, 2014.
2. Administrative 2014 Budget Correction — Impact on travel for conferences
O'Connor explained that the city has implemented a freeze on travel due to
FY2014 budget shortfalls.
3. Voices X Call for Artists
Deadline for submissions to Voices 10 is March 1, 2014.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by O'Rourke and second by Riedel to Adjourn. All approved. Meeting adjourned
at 5:34 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting is Tuesday, March 25, 2014.
Respectfully submitted,
Megan Starr
Economic Development Coordinator
These minutes were passed and approved on