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Home My WebLink About12/01/2020 - Minutes RENTON MUNICIPAL ARTS COMMISSION MINUTES Tuesday, December 1, 2020 (via Zoom) Members Present: Amelia Ossorio, Bill Huls, Brianna Burroughs, Christie Randolph, Evelyn Reingold, Kaie Wise, Kiley Thornton, Mary Clymer Staff Present: Chip Vincent, CED Administrator Jessie Kotarski, RMAC Administrative Assistant Guests: Ed VanValey, Interim Chief Administrative Officer, City of Renton Call to Order: Meeting was called to order by RMAC Chair, Mary Clymer at 6:01 pm. Introduction of guests: Ed VanValey’s appointment as interim Chief Administrative Officer took effect on December 1. VanValey is a native of Renton, a graduate of Lindbergh High School, and a member of the Renton Police Department since 1998. He was promoted to sergeant in 2008, commander in 2012, deputy chief in 2013, and sworn in as chief on Oct. 3, 2018. He is a graduate of Central Washington University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Law and Justice. VanValey expressed his support for the work of the arts commission and attended the meeting to observe and learn about the process and plans of the Commission. Approval of Minutes: A motion was made to approve the minutes from the October 2020 meeting with the correction. MSC (Bill/Kaie) Announcements/Correspondence: • 300 art kits (sponsored and branded by the Arts Commission) were included in the Small Business shopper bags distributed at the event downtown on Saturday, November 28. • The Black Lives Matter Art walk continues to gain momentum with “Feature the Artist” posts and webpage highlighting the individual artists and the businesses (and small business owners) hosting their art work. The features can be viewed at https://visitrentonwa.com/meettheartist/ Budget Update: A recap of the budget reveals funds available in the 4Culture Sustained Arts program ($10,000) and in the Capital Arts Project account; intended for projects with an expected life longer than 1 year ($15,000). In the general Arts & Project account, a total of $11,806 remains before. • $127,682 has been granted to support artists and arts organizations in 2020 • $6,450 has been spent on maintenance/repairs to RMAC projects (Sunset fence, downtown murals) • $21,671 has been spent on RMAC managed projects (utility box wraps, art contests, event sponsorships and promotional items Grants Committee Update: The Grants Committee made the recommendation to the Commission to approve funding for the following applicants: 1. RentonLIVE! Renton Chamber of Commerce $10,000 for a weekly “broadcast” intended to bring together Renton businesses, nonprofits, City of Renton and community activities, events, and happenings, and generate awareness and positivity. Funding includes $3,500 for video equipment upgrade at Carco Theatre to improve switching of virtual content. 2. Floating Diamonds Christina Caravaglio $4500 for a geometric “yarn bomb” on the chain link fence around the baseball field at SE 168th & 116th Ave SE. The committee recommends approving funding for the project contingent on approval from Cascade Vista Baseball who own and manage the field. 3. Nutcracker Suites – Virtual Presentation Evergreen City Ballet $5,000 to support ECB’s first-ever film, combining archival and newly created footage, ECB dancers and their families, guest artists, Bellevue Youth Symphony, and Renton’s Mayor to celebrate family and community (Dec 11-13, 18-20, 25-27) A motion was made and approved to grant funds and support for the three projects as recommended by the Grants Committee. MSC (Evelyn/Kaie) Also presented by the Grants Committee was a request from a group calling themselves, Renton Residents for Change, who are requesting funding for a mural on the side of the building at 332 Burnett Ave S (Vigor Fitness) to celebrate the message of Black Lives Matter. The recommendation of the Committee is to seek additional approval from the City/City Council to use the words “Black Lives Matter” in this art piece. The Committee recommends funding the project without the use of the words (until such time as the City approves the use of the words in the art piece (in a manner similar to the recently adopted Ordinance allowing the use of the words “Black Lives Matter” in a street mural). The recommendation to the group requesting funding is to phase the project and start the mural without the words until approval is received. Funding will be contingent on approval from the City and an ordinance from City Council. Project Update: • I-405/NE 44th Project – Bill, Brianna and Marsha met with the team working on the underpass at 405 and 44th and continued the discussion around art in the project. No decisions were made, and the team will continue to work with the three commissioners to design an artistic sign and consider additional art pieces in the project. The project team is seeking additional feedback on possible art pieces to be installed under the bridge and would like to have a piece/plan identified by February 2021. The meeting adjourned at 7:51pm.