HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/05/2010 - Minutes � �
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RENTON MUNICIPAL ARTS COMMISSION
Meetin�Minutes
January 5, 2010 Renton City Hall
4:30 pm Conferencing Center(7`h Floor)
Municipal Arts Commissioners Present: Patricia Pepper,Jerri Everett, Doug Kyes, Fred Lund, Linda
Middlebrooks, Mike O'Halloran, Britt(Peterson) McKenzie, Evelyn Reingold and Denise Zullig
Municipal Arts Commissioners Absent: Dalia Amin and Wesley Van Doren
City Staff Present:Jennifer Davis Hayes, Community& Economic Development
Liz Stewart, Renton History Museum
Kris Stimpson, Community Services
Vivienne Lietz,Administrative Secretary, Community& Economic Development
CALL TO ORDER: Commission Chair Pepper called the meeting to order at 4:30 pm.
Guests: Jim Seitz,Transportation Planner for the City of Renton; and Kjris Lund, Lund Consulting,for
the Arts and Culture Master Plan.
Jim Seitz passed around the City's six year Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP)for 2010-2015. These
projects become part of the City's Capital Improvement Projects budget which is how the Commission's
1%for Art funding is collected. He highlighted the following projects which might be appropriate for art
projects, although some of the projects are not yet funded:
• Rainier Ave
• NE 3`d/NE 4`h Corridor
• Garden Avenue widening—gateway to the City
• Lake Washington Trail (South Lake Connector)
• Highiands to Landing pedestrian connection
• Lake to Sound trail
• South Renton Burnett Park Neighborhood Street Improvement
lennifer Davis Hayes noted that the 1%for Art program does not always collect 1%from the project's
full funding because some sources of funds are ineligible. Jim clarified there are possibilities to request
funding for art projects within transportation grants if there is early planning. He has seen some grants
where up to 3%can be allowed in certain grants. The 1%for Art funding is deposited into a fund if the
money is not spent on that project. The Transportation Department is always open to ideas from
citizens for projects. Evelyn Reingold mentioned she had seen tiles in the sidewalk outside Lafayette
Elementary in Seattle,and felt it was very effective.
Municipal Arts Commission Min,�, ,�
Page 2 of 4
January 5,2010
Kjris Lund, Lund Consulting —Arts and Culture Master Plan consultant. They have spent time
familiarizing themselves with the community by taking tours with City staff and on their own,
interviewing opinion leaders and listening to peopie in the community to get their take on where they
feel art should be in the City of Renton. Peggy Weiss did an assessment of the City art collection
identifying the gaps to allow us to move forward. The first community Steering Committee meeting will
occur at the end of January with about 50 people including business leaders, artists, faith-based
community leaders and people who have an interest in arts and culture. The plan will include strategies
for quick action and community building. The hope is that the Arts master plan will work cohesively
with the Museum master plan.
People interviewed were from a broad cross-section of the community. They wanted to build on what
we already have and not create something new. They identified arts organizations and works of art in
Renton. The sense is not to make to make Renton an arts destination, more to nurture the kinds of arts
available here and help them grow. Carco Theatre and theater groups around town were mentioned. A
home town feeling, sense of community, small town feel were important and it's good that people
perceive it this way. Downtown is perceived as the center of the City. It was suggested that arts
organization boards need more business people on them to help with business planning.
Challenges:
• Arts are always the first to go in tough economic times.
• More resource sharing is needed but this would be difficult to make practical. Organizations
could combine services such as copiers, accounts person etc. which would allow them to share
expenses and keep their costs down.
• Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center donors may be a good resource. Could be an opportunity
for a new beginning at the theater.
• Empty store fronts, property owner's disinvestment, letting things sit.
• Young people missing from participation.
• Diversity, noted many times about the number of different languages spoken in our schools. US
Senator Patty Murray is very interested in this and there may be opportunity for federal funding.
• Folks didn't know how to reach out and draw people in.
The Commission was asked for their input regarding arts opportunities. Responses included: parks,
Farmers Market, Library, antique stores,Tea Palace, Riparian Forest, Lorna Jordan Gardens, Car show,
Renton FilmFrenzy should bring top five Seattle films from Seattle International Film Festivals to Renton
theaters.
Mike O'Halloran said to work on the steps to achieving the goals that were identified at the outset. He
would prefer 1%for Art monies focused on where people can see in i.e. in parks,trails rather than on
streets where you just drive by it. Renton has a lot of theaters; are there ways to build their vitality
whether as a theater district or individually? A cultural art festival incorporating all the diverse groups
we have in the city. A gateway is important and 1%could be used for that. Doug Kyes would like to
bring in folk arts, knitting,woodworking, sculpture, pottery, etc. Hold workshops and bring teachers in
from outside. We should try to enhance the community we already have and our art community more
visible. RMAC could help support to make citizens of the arts available in Renton and encourage
cooperation with the other arts groups.
The consultant team will look at the opportunities and look for the best bang for the buck.There will be
near term strategies and a game plan including more ways to get funding. Commissioners can help us
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January 5,2010
make goals a reality and reach out to new people. As you wish you could do something,think about
how it can be accomplished.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: COMMISSIONER LINDA MIDDLEBROOKS MOTIONED TO APPROVE THE
DECEMBER 1 MINUTES AS WRITTEN SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRITT McKENZIE. COMMISSIONERS
CONCURED, MOTION CARRIED.
PUBLIC ART PIECE OF THE MONTH: Commissioner Reingold gave a quiz on art. Fred Lund guessed
Summer Breeze. Jim Demetro was the artist, located at the Piazza. 1%for Art was used to purchase this
artwork. Linda Middlebrooks passed around an ad showcasing another Summer Breeze located in
Puyallup.
CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: Commissioner Lund distributed mail highlighting local art
events.
People interested in attending Legislative Day on February 2 in Olympia should let Jennifer Davis Hayes
know. EVELYN REINGOLD MOVED TO MOVE FEBRUARY'S MEETING TO FEBRUARY 9T"TO ALLOW
COMMISSIONERSTO ATTEND THE FEBRUARY 2 LEG DAY. DENISE ZULLIG SECONDED. COMMISSIONERS
CONCURED, MOTION CARRIED.
OLD BUSINESS:
Local Arts A�encv: No 4Culture meeting in December. Next meeting is in January. SoCo culture next
meeting January 13, please attend if you can.
ACTION ITEM LIST:
Communications:
No action needed by full commission at this time. Using social media tools,submit a monthly article to
SoCo site and each month a commissioner submit an article on topics such as architecture, ballet, etc.
The committee would like to reach out to the Sister Cities Committees. Jennifer Davis Hayes mentioned
two of our sister cities had been contacted and are on the steering committee for the Master Plan. The
committee will also regularly monitor the website. We need more artists to exhibit at Carco Theatre.
Resource Development:
The group is finalizing the RFQ for the Logan Ave N project. The 4 Cow project volunteers are putting
together a package and attending the Renton Chamber's Downtown Committee meeting to garner
support for the project.
Executive Committee: The Commission's arts acceptance policy was presented last month for review
and comments. MIKE O'HALLORAN MOVED TO ACCEPT THE POLICY AS WRITTEN. DENISE ZULLIG
SECONDED. COMMISSIONERS CONCURED, MOTION CARRIED.
Renton River Davs: Dalia not in attendance; review her attached report. Dalia to work with
Communications committee and provide recommendations for Renton River Days at next meeting. The
focus is on the Arts Commission mission and educating the public. Bring three options and commission
will vote at next meeting. Renton River Days committee can work out the details.
Commission Bud�et: Jennifer Davis Hayes clarified the 1%for Art balance includes deposits from
transportation through 2008. Each year the transportation project actual expenses are calculated to
determine that year's deposit to the fund.
Municipal Arts Commission Mi�,�, �
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January 5,2010
Outstandin�proiects: Pop up Gallery: There is currently art in four storefronts with three property
owners. Fred Lund is extremely happy that property owners are on board with this project. John Lu's
business partner is interested in doing a rotating display of art at the Go Deli.
NEW BUSINESS: Thank you from Allied Arts for the$750 grant they received. Piazza Renton is looking
for new people and new ideas. Soroptimists are having an auction. Ryan Runge invites people to join
him at the Red House for a networking event on January 28.
Evelyn Reingold met Bob Talley and he agreed to visit Seattle Art Museum. Only two schools have ever
signed up to visit the museum. There are grants available for transportation. Evelyn Reingold would like
to continue to pursue working on this. The complexity of taking kids out of the classroom is very
challenging. We can heip identify a successful pilot program and then try to spread the word. PTSA
round table would be a good place to connect.
Anyone wanting to participate in the annual one night count for the homeless should contact Mike
O'Halloran.
Adiournment: The January S, 2009, meeting was adjourned at 6:30 pm. The next meeting will be held
on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 4:30 pm.
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Patricia Pepper, Chai