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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/07/2023 - Minutes RENTON MUNICIPAL ARTS COMMISSION MINUTES Tuesday, February 7, 2023 – 6:00 pm Renton City Hall – Conferencing Room (726) or via Zoom Members Present: Amelia Ossorio, Bill Huls, Brianna Burroughs, Bruce McIntyre, Dave Samek, Evelyn Reingold, Janna Kushneryk, Kaie Wise, Marsha Rollinger, Marvin Rosete, Susan Jessick Staff Present: Gina Estep, CED Director of Economic Development John Collum, CED Redevelopment Manager Jessie Kotarski, RMAC Staff liaison Guests Present: • Vasudha Sharma, The Voice of Planet, Founder • Piyali Biswas De, Sadhana, Founder • Val Thomas-Matson, Look, Listen and Learn, Founder • Nathan Polanski, MIG, Senior Civil Engineer • Matthew McCreary, MIG – landscape designer • Melanie Davies, MIG – senior landscape architect • Keith Woolley, City of Renton, Civil Engineer Call to Order: Meeting was called to order by RMAC Chair, Susan Jessick at 6:00pm. Introduction of Guests: Vasudha Sharma and Piyali Biswas presented together on the Tagore Festival scheduled for May 4-7. The event, curated by Sadhana and Voice of Planet, is a fundraising event dedicated to South Asian culture and artists. Val Thomas-Matson provided background on the television program, Look, Listen, and Learn which will air on Renton’s Channel 21 beginning in May. The team from MIG returned to provide follow up discussion on the Burnett Linear, Renton Connector, project. The team presented a selection of public art types and images gathered for the project public open house scheduled for later this spring. The request to the Commission was for feedback and consideration on how and when public art might be commissioned and installed; and how art might be integrated and installed in the shared use path pavement would need to be commissioned during the initial shared use path design/construction process. The Commission expressed concern and requests to the design team to consider the use of lighting and art, where possible, to provide for an increased sense of security and safety in the area and to consider the impacts of removing parking as part of the project. The Commission also requested that thoughtful consideration be given when communicating to public the availability of funds for art in the current project, and to be transparent about the future potential versus the reality of funds available in the Public Works project. John Collum presented the opportunity for collaboration between the Arts Commission and the Williams Streetscape Project currently in the design phase. The streetscape project presents an opportunity for activation of public spaces with an art focus. Several art opportunities (including sidewalk inlays and artistic treatments, the addition of functional art and artistic lighting) were presented and the request for a sub- Committee to identify additional opportunities was made. The project is currently at 50% design, and feedback is requested as soon as possible to add to the anticipated 90% design drawings scheduled for preparation by early spring. Marsha and Mary have volunteered to work with the Williams Streetscape project team to identify additional opportunities. Correspondence & Announcements: • The appointments of Bruce McIntyre and Marvin Rosete to the Arts Commission were officially approved by City Council at the meeting on Monday, February 6. • Redmond Public Art Intensive Eastside is a two-day training program sponsored by the City of Redmond to provide education for artists interested in learning more about the public art process. • The Renton Downtown Partnership is partnering with OneEastside, the Port of Seattle, City of Renton, and Renton Chamber of Commerce to offer entrepreneurs and existing businesses an opportunity to share their business ideas and win the resources they need to open a brick-and- mortar business in downtown Renton in the Main Street Entrepreneur Workshop & Pitch Competition. Artists and arts organizations are encouraged to participate in the program beginning February 21. Approval of Minutes: There are no minutes from January to approve. The Commission met on January 7 for the annual retreat and election of officers. Review Notes from the January Retreat Notes from the January retreat were reviewed, during which the participants discussed the priorities for the year. It was noted that the priority for this year would be on communication, organization, outreach, and promotion. Participants acknowledged the importance of effective communication in ensuring that everyone is informed and engaged, and that the operation of the Commission runs smoothly. The importance of outreach and promotion was acknowledged in promoting the organization's activities and engaging the community. The discussion on next steps to be taken to implement these priorities included: • Establishing a platform for conversation, file and photo sharing and a central calendar. A Teams channel for the Arts Commission has been set up. • An artist roster form to collect information from local artists and arts organizations has been added to the Arts Commission landing page. • A template for labels for all public art pieces has been created and will be added to pieces in the collection around the City. The labels include a QR code that will direct viewers to rentonwa.gov/publicart for more information. Budget Update: The Arts Commission has been awarded $11,000 through the 2023-2024 Arts Sustained Support program. Promotions Committee update: The Promotions Committee provided an update on their activities during the meeting. They mentioned the special events the Commission will have direct roles in planning and producing, including Olde Fashioned Halloween, Small Business Saturday, Erasmus Hatch Day, and participation in 4 community picnics organized by the EHHS Department. The committee requested budget support in the amount of $28,000 to cover the expenses related to these events, sponsorships, and general promotion efforts and items. The request was made to support the committee's efforts to raise awareness and increase participation in their planned events and activities. A motion was made and the Commission has authorized the allocation of the requested funds to the Promotions Committee for their planned activities as presented. MSC (Bruce/Bill) Roadshow Committee update: The Roadshow Committee provided an update on their planned activities for the year. They mentioned their pop-up performance program, which is expected to take place throughout the year, and requested budget support of $20,000 to cover the expenses related to the program. The budget support will help the committee to successfully execute the program and provide a platform for local artists and performers to showcase their talents. The request was made to support the committee's efforts to create a vibrant and dynamic community by providing support for performance art pop-up events and the Roadshow stage. A motion was made and the Commission has authorized the allocation of the requested funds to the Roadshow Committee for their planned activities as presented. MSC (Bri/Marsha) Grants Committee update: The second round of the 2023 Art Grant program closed on February 3. In total (17) applications for funding were received with requests totaling $145,385. The Committee will review the applications and present their recommendations for funding to the Commission at the meeting in March. Old Business: SoundTransit Fence Project – The selection panel chose the following artists to take on the temporary mural project on the site of the former Sound Motors (Rainier and Grady). Concepts from the artists will be presented at the Commission meeting in March for review. The artists include: • Dozfy (Patrick Nguyen) • Tatiana Garmendia • Stevie Shao • Utility Box Project Update- The Call for Art for (6) utility boxes around the city closed on January 28. In total 50 proposals were received. The review will be conducted online by members of the Arts Commission and City staff members from Planning, EHHS and Economic Development. Applicants will be notified of the selection by February 14, 2023. • AEP Study update – 474 surveys remain to be collected by the new deadline of May 31, 2023. Americans for the Arts will send the survey to each of the organizations included on the comprehensive list for the City of Renton on February 22. The Commission is asked to reach out to these organizations to encourage their participation in the survey. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:00pm.