HomeMy WebLinkAboutM_Arts_Commission_Draft_Minutes_250902_v1Renton Municipal Arts Commission
Tuesday, September 2, 2025
City Hall, Council Conference Room 726 or Zoom
Commissioners Present: Alycia Ruiz, Brooke Ciquera, Evelyn Reingold, Jake Heare, Nadya
Helt, Susan Jessick, Sujata Acharya, Sara Palmer.
Renton Staff (RMAC liaison): Jessie Kotarski
Call to order: 6:00 pm
Introduction of Guests: No guests present
Correspondence & Announcements:
• J.R. Learning Labs Mobile Mural:
o Event scheduled for Oct 11 and 25 at 12pm at the Renton Library.
o Renton Library to host the mural for six months after completion.
o Potential transfer to Renton Rowing Club afterward.]
• SoCo Culture Member Meeting
o Scheduled for September 17 at the Federal Way Performing Arts Center.
o SoCo Culture is now fiscally sponsored by Shunpike and entirely volunteer-
led.
Review of minutes from August meeting:
• Brooke moved to accept the August 5th meeting minutes. Seconded by Sujata.
Motion passed.
Budget update:
• $27,603.09 spent to date from the Arts & Culture Project account.
• $86,275 awarded to date in the 2025 Art Grant Program.
• Currently $15K over for programs and grants awarded.
• Discussed improving planning for Q4 grant requests; will add to 2026 planning
retreat agenda.
• Consider creating sub-budgets by category (e.g., school murals).
Committee updates:
Promotions Update:
• Next Promotions Committee Meeting Scheduled: September 8, in recognition of Labor
Day.
• Suggested treating future promotions meetings similarly to a planning retreat.
Discussion included logistics around hosting a public meeting such as securing a larger
meeting space if needed, identifying which listservs to use (no dedicated volunteer list),
volunteer management, and opportunities to include those interested in joining the
Commission.
• Halloween Costume Swap: - September 27, 9 AM–12 PM at Highlands Neighborhood
Center (new location)
o Prep: Friday, September 26, 1 PM–6 PM for sorting costumes.
o Volunteers: 3–4 needed on Saturday for setup/tidying.
o Collections: Starting September 2 at Farmer’s Market; all monster collection
boxes in place by September 3.
o Signage & Activities: Sara & Jessie collected signage; Vera Project will be
onsite for shirt screen printing.
• Olde Fashioned Halloween Event: October 25, hosted by RDP in Cugini Florists
parking lot. RMAC is responsible for the costume contest, photo booth and
entertainment.
Grants Update:
• 11 applications to review; the grant review committee met on August 8. A draft of the
2026 grant plan will be needed.
• Evelyn motioned to accept the Grant’s Committee funding recommendations as
presented for $24,900. Jake seconds.
• Approved awards include:
o Dimmit PTSA – Irene Miyamoto: $1,000 for a mural project on Native history and
education (Nov–Dec 2025).
o Pink Llama Drama LLC DBA ConFab Arts – Kathryn Swenson: $1,200 for
storytelling and creative expression events (Nov 15, 2025).
o Jennifer Treese – Jennifer Treese: $1,700 for community textile storytelling
workshops (Nov 1–30, 2025).
o G&O Music (DBA: Bobby Collins) – Bobby Collins: $3,000 for live performance of
BIPOC composers’ works with a brass clinic (Sept 1–Dec 31, 2025).
o Northwest Entertainment Foundation – Brian Morris: $4,500 for monthly open
creative workshops (May 1–Oct 31, 2025).
o Encanto Arts – Jose Iniguez: $5,000 for “A Night of Encanto: Holiday Concierto”
event blending Latin and classical music (Nov 29, 2025).
o Evergreen City Ballet – Beth Sanders: $8,500 for The Nutcracker at Renton IKEA
Arts Center with free student performances (Sept 1–Dec 15, 2025).
Metrics
• RMAC Dashboard: Draft debuted. Requests for consideration for inclusion include:
o 2024–2025 volunteer hours
o Event attendees (total and by event type)
o Money spent toward events and public event support
Calculated as money spent per attendee to estimate community impact,
popularity, and funding leverage
• Future Analysis:
o Metrics committee to review 2024–2025 grant approvals for trends,
subcategories, and budget considerations for planning meeting
o Examine legacy grant recipients: frequency, amount, and comparison to
grassroots requests
Old Business Updates
• Paint with Purpose – Bruins Storage Container: Contract and design review. Sara moved
to approve the design for the two storage containers prepared by Wow Murals as
presented; Brooke seconded. Motion passed.
• Paint with Purpose – 231 Main Ave S - 2026 FIFA Building Poster: Jake moved to approve
the design for the south facing wall of the building at 231 Main Ave S as prepared by
artist Shogo Ota; Brianna seconded. Motion passed.
• Wizard’s Mural: Design concepts approved in July. The location has been selected and
the mural will be installed at 231 Wells Ave S. The original design has been adjusted for
a single-story building near Erasmus. Painting to begin in September.
• Vacant Positions: Three positions open. Jake, Sara, and Brooke will meet to discuss the
application process and interview date availability.
• Kennydale Lyon’s Fence Update: Yarn art approved; installation planned for the
weekend of September 6th. Discussion included changes to design and location, and
considerations for flexibility in grant requests.
New Business
• Poet Laureate – Everett, Vashon programs and presentations to consider for 2026
Adjournment 8:03 PM