HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/06/2021 - Minutes
RENTON MUNICIPAL ARTS COMMISSION MINUTES
Tuesday, April 6, 2021 (via Zoom)
Members Present: Amelia Ossorio, Bill Huls, Brianna Burroughs, Christie Randolph, Dave Samek, Evelyn
Reingold, Kaie Wise, Kiley Thornton, Mary Clymer, Neil Sheesley, Susan Jessick
Staff Present:
Chip Vincent, CED Administrator
Jessie Kotarski, RMAC Administrative Assistant
Guests:
Ashis Joshi, AmeriCorps VISTA 2020-21 City of Renton, Downtown Community Development Specialist
Caren Sumption, current applicant for the vacant position on the Arts Commission
Call to Order: Meeting was called to order by RMAC Chair, Mary Clymer at 6:02 pm.
Introduction of Guests: Ashis briefed the Commission on plans for a Children’s Day/Día del Niño Celebration on
April 30. The AmeriCorps VISTAs and St. Vincent de Paul’s Centro Rendu, have put together an event for
children and families to enjoy the holiday locally following COVID-safety protocols. The event organizers have
partnered with local businesses, volunteers, and organizations to raise funds and donations, and expect to give
toys and handouts to roughly 500 children. The event will take place on Friday, April 30th, 2021 from 3-6pm at
Renton Memorial Stadium, 405 Logan Ave N, Renton, WA 98057. It will be a drive-through event.
Approval of Minutes: A motion was made to approve the minutes from the March 2021 meeting. MSC
(Kaie/Bill)
Announcements/Correspondence:
• The presentation at the Committee of the Whole (on Monday, April 5) was well received by Council.
There were a number of good questions from Councilmembers and opportunities for the Commission to
consider ways to expand outreach efforts and program offerings. A couple of items that were brought
up for consideration included:
o The Children’s Day celebration collaboration with Renton’s Sister City Cuautla, Jalisco, Mexico.
o The site tour with Evergreen Ballet and follow up regarding their efforts to find a new location
and keep their studio doors open.
o Providing equitable access and invitations to participate to all communities in Renton.
• The Grants Committee is hosting a virtual Grants Workshop tomorrow, April 7, at 7pm via Zoom.
Promotions Committee update:
The Facebook audience has exceeded 1000 followers! Messaging in March included:
• Promoting the Erasmus egg contest (the “show us your eggs” post has received the most traffic with
over 1300 views and 64 comments across facebook).
• Continued regular posting schedule – focusing these next two weeks on the egg contest and
upcoming anniversary of Erasmus’ “Hatch Day”
• Thanks to the Renton Road Show crew for streaming the most recent shows live on Facebook.
• Amelia made the recommendation that the Committee consider the addition of Spanish translations
to social media posts
o The Committee will look into adding translations, and targeted language specific
posts/promotions, to reach a more broad audience representing Renton’s diverse
communities.
Grants Committee Update:
• Renton Community Art Contest Allied Arts of Renton is requesting $2,800 for a visual arts contest for all
Renton residents in four age classifications, including a Seniors grouping. Suggesting expressions of
pandemic reactions and moving forward. Entries will be sent electronically and judged by Allied Arts
members and local art patrons. May 1 – Sept 1, 2021. Accepted entries will be displayed in 3rd St Renton
store windows/sidewalks & shared via social media and other online and news sites. Recommend:
Approve funding.
• Spirit Wear Design Competition Bryn Mawr Elementary PTA is requesting $2,715 - $3000 to support
school spirit week. All students receive drawing kit. All students will receive a T-shirt. T-shirts will
display Bryn Mawr school logo and colors. Signage displayed will say “Spirit-Wear T-shirts provided by
the Renton Arts Commission.” June 2021. Recommend: Approve funding.
• Artistic Postcards Franchesca Vargas and Diane Dobson are requesting $5,000 for a project to print
original art designs from the 2020 Black Lives Matter artwalk on postcards with the message Renton
Washington, where equality, equity, and diversity are valued. Recommend funding $4,800 to reflect $600
per artist for 6 artists to provide 2 designs each. Final designs will need to approval from the Arts
Commission before funds can be released.
• “NOTNER” The Renton Robot Marsha Rollinger is requesting $4,500 to wrap the utility box at the corner
of NE 4th St and 144th Ave SE with a design featuring a vintage robot containing Rebus Puzzles relating to
beloved Renton locations and businesses, past and present. July 2021, sooner if possible
A motion was made and approved to accept the (four) grant applications for funding as recommended by the
Grants Committee with a total allocation of $15,100. MSC (Christie/Evelyn)
The Grants Committee is seeking additional information and clarification on the following received
applications:
• Seven Public Performances in the Park Drama Kids of South and East King County and Carco Theatre are
requesting $7,150 for 8 weeks of Summer Camps and Public Performances.
• Winds of Change Franchesca Vargas Smith, Project Manager is requesting $9,783 for a community-
created, public art installation painted on nuclear power plant blades.
• Seattle Film Summit 2021 The Seattle Film Summit is requesting $10,000 for a multi-tract educational
and networking event that unites regional film and digital media partners with A-list production
professionals from major film markets. Sept 3-11, 2021
Outreach Committee Update:
The Renton Road Shows program continues to gain support from the public and is expanding reach (and
scheduling pop ups in neighborhoods Citywide.
The Committee is requesting $400 from the Arts & Culture budget to expand the events and promotion of the
third anniversary celebration of the Rooftop dragon’s Landing Day in Renton. Funds will be used to support a
“Hatch Day” scavenger hunt on Saturday, April 17 to encourage engagement with the community in the
celebration of public art and support small business community downtown. MSC (Mary/Neil)
New Business:
Neil attended a meeting of the Renton River Days Board. There is discussion around moving the annual festival
into the neighborhoods with pop up events July 23 through 26. The Board is requesting partnership with the
Road Show program to provide entertainment in the neighborhoods, possibly as the warm up act before (4)
movie nights in July.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:03pm.