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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/07/2023 - Minutes RENTON MUNICIPAL ARTS COMMISSION MINUTES Tuesday, March 7, 2023 – 6:00 pm Renton City Hall – Conferencing Room (726) or via Zoom Members Present: Brianna Burroughs, Evelyn Reingold, Janna Kushneryk, Kaie Wise, Marsha Rollinger, Marvin Rosete, Mary Clymer, Susan Jessick Staff Present: Jessie Kotarski, RMAC Staff liaison Guests Present: • Marianna Spiritakis – Renton resident, Commission Applicant • Sara Palmer – Renton resident, Commission Applicant • Vasudha Sharma – The Voice of Planet, Commission Applicant • Baily Pereverzin - Children’s Services Librarian, KCLS (Renton and Renton Highlands libraries) • Colin Petkus – Community Collaborations Manager, Eastrail Partners • Ashley Long – SoundTransit • Patrick “Dozfy” Nguyen - Artist • Maryjane VanCleave, EHHS Administrator Call to Order: Meeting was called to order by RMAC Chair, Susan Jessick at 6:00pm. Introduction of Guests: • Baily Pereverzin attended the Arts Commission meeting as a representative of the Renton branches of KCLS to express the library’s interest in partnering to support art programming and exploring future collaboration opportunities. • Colin Petkus from Eastrail Partners gave a presentation on the Eastrail, a 42-mile shared-use trail that runs from Renton to Snohomish. Eastrail Partners is a non-profit designed to bridge the gap between trail owners, within the 8 districts through which the trail passes. A master plan was deemed inappropriate due to the trail spanning multiple jurisdictions, instead approved arts principles were adopted. The goal is to provide a unified user experience, support arts coordinators and commissions to collaborate, synthesize existing public art plans, and partner with art near the trail. The Coulon South trail portion is still owned by BNSF. While the acquisition timeline for the remaining trail is unknown, the next three years are expected to be a key period of progress. • Ashley Long from SoundTransit provided an update on the South Renton Park and Ride Murals project, which is set to begin construction in late 2024 and continue until 2026. The project includes 75 murals, with 25 murals per artist on each panel, and each panel spanning 10ft (250ft total). Preliminary designs have been developed by the three selected artists and were presented for review. Artist "Dozfy" Patrick Nguyen spoke about his work, which incorporates animal spiritual elements used in art in the Pacific Northwest and specifically by the Duwamish Tribe. The project will coordinate with the tribes and use iconography heavily referenced in local art projects. The installation is projected to take place in late spring or early summer, consolidating artwork on the S Grady Way and Rainier Ave S fences. • Maryjane VanCleave, EHHS Administrator, spoke about the role of the “new” Equity Housing and Human Services Department in the City, including the goal of the program to strengthen the Neighborhood program, which recognizes over 100 neighborhoods and provide opportunities to bridge the gap between residents/neighbors and the arts. Programs coordinated by the department include the Lunar New Year Celebration and the Multicultural Festival. The department is helping build out the cultural calendar and is open to recommendations and connections from the Commission. The department’s event budget relies heavily on grants, with some costs absorbed by the City and some budget/general fund through EHHS. Correspondence & Announcements: • Issaquah Philharmonic Performance (free community concert) at the IKEA Performing Arts Center on Monday, March 13 at 7pm. • Music Sings, Music Dances! Sunday, March 19 at 2pm at the IKEA Performing Arts Center featuring the Renton City Concert band. • Main Street Entrepreneur Workshop & Pitch Competition. Save the date for the Final Pitch presentation on April 18 at the Renton Civic Theatre at 5:30pm. Approval of Minutes: A motion was made and carried to approve the minutes from the February meeting. MSC (Evelyn/Marvin) Budget Update: The budget allocations for the year have been approved as follows: RMAC Promotions Committee - $28,000 (for events, sponsorships, and promotional materials) RMAC Roadshow program - $20,000 Grants (round one funding) - $19,005 The remaining budget in the Arts & Culture project account is $34,804 $11,000 Sustained Support award from 4Culture $15,000 for the Capital Art Project Grants Committee update: The Grants Committee reviewed 19 applications (with requests totaling $145,385) received in the second round of the 2023 program. The recommendations of the Committee were presented for discussion. A motion was made and carried to approve $38,600 for nine grant requests as recommended by the Grants Committee. MSC (Marsha/Kaie) Promotions Committee update: The Promotions Committee are working on the Dragon Celebration that will launch in April. The call for art for the dragon treasure (for the April scavenger hunt) closed in February. Three were selected to create the treasure for the hunt. The scavenger hunt will begin on April 1. Roadshow Committee update: The Roadshow is currently reviewing performers for the selection and scheduling of artists for the following events: 1) Farmers Market (June through September) 2) Summer Concert series (4) 3) Community Picnics (4) Old Business: • “Renton Connector” Burnett Linear Park project – Commissioners were asked to volunteer to participate in a subcommittee to support Public Works and their MIG design team prior to the Open Houses scheduled this spring. The Committee will be asked to meet before the end of the month to help guide the discussion and provide feedback on the how art is included and presented in the public presentations and final project plan. • Fred Meyer Totem Pole – The City has received comments from members of the community concerned about the current treatment of the totem pole in the Fred Meyer Plaza on Rainier Ave S. The son of the artist has requested that the totem be moved closer to the Cedar River and installed near Carco Theatre and the Renton Community Center. No action has been decided at this time. The recommendation is to reach out to the Duwamish Tribe to determine if consideration can be taken a location and treatment of the totem pole that respects the heritage and history of the art. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:07pm.