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Home My WebLink About03/03/2009 - Minutes i r '�„ `,��' ti`SY p ��enl�arl _ CfTYOFRENTON � � ,� � ��rr��r��Q� MAY 1 9 2009 , f��f,s ��lv'r�� )OII21221SSIC�J2 CITY CLERKS OFFICE RENTON MUNICIPAL ARTS COMMISSION Meetinq Minutes March 3, 2009 Renton City Hall 4:30 pm. Council Conference Room Municipal Arts Commissioners Present: Patricia Pepper, Jerri Everett, Valerie Gower, Doug Kyes, Fred Lund, Linda Middlebrooks, Mike O'Halloran, Britt Peterson, Wesley Van Doren and Denise Zullig. Municipal Arts Commissioners Absent: Dalia Amin, Evelyn Reingold City Staff Present: Jennifer Davis Hayes, Community& Economic Development Vivienne Lietz, Administrative Secretary, Community& Economic Development Vincent Orduna, Carco Theatre, Community Services CALL TO ORDER: Commissioner Pat Pepper called the meeting to order at 4:30 pm. ��b,�aw� r APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The Commission motioned to approve the�a�ay�'200� minutes. MOVED BY FRED LUND, SECONDED BY DENISE ZULLIG. COMMISSIONERS CONCUR, MOTION CARRIED. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: Commissioner Lund distributed mail to RMAC. Items of Note: • Various notices from local Arts agencies regarding upcoming events • Congratulations to Eduardo Mendonca—appointed to 4Culture Arts Advisory Board OLD BUSINESS: Local Arts Agencies—4Culture, next meeting March 26 —SoCo meeting tomorrow, March 4 ACTION ITEM LIST Committee Reports • Communitv Development: Committee Chair Fred Lund 1. Discussed revamping the Renton River Days booth to be congruent with the Commission's activities. Community Services asked that the Commission be the organizers of the kids coloring contest. MOVED BY MIKE O'HALLORAN, SECONDED BY DOUG KYES. COMMISSIONERS CONCUR, MOTION CARRIED. The theme of the contest will be discussed in the Community Development Committee and discussed with Doug Kyes by the next meeting. 2. The Committee discussed an idea to present a new award, similar to Bravo Award, for improvement of landscape and architectural esthetics. Mike O'Halloran asked could we get developers to contribute to cost of award. This idea is still under development. • Performinq Arts: Committee Chair Mike O'Halloran 1. Homework assignment was to work on RMAC mission statement and he submitted suggestions. 2. It was suggested that RMAC should have a Facebook page. Vincent Orduna offered to look into this option. 3. The group created a list of advantages and disadvantages to hosting a Performing Arts season. The group will continue discussion of this idea and present to the Commission at a later time. 4. Read mission statement words they had come up with and submitted their suggestions. 5. Next meeting Monday, March 9, at Carco 5:00 pm. Municipal Arts Commission Min�` � Page 2 of 4 March 3, 2009 • Visual Arts: Committee Chair Britt Peterson 1. Carco Artist reception was a lovely event. All sorts of people showed up including artist's friends. Cookies and punch were offered as refreshments. Pat Pepper spoke and also Dan Wend, the artist. Forty-seven people attended. It was suggested to host the event from 5— 7 pm in the future. It was asked if this was a quarterly event; Britt Peterson stated it's up to artist if they want to have a reception. Need to make sure previous artists are invited to receptions. • 1%for Arts: Committee Chair Pat Pepper 1. Wesley Van Doren will be on a grant review panel for 4Culture construction projects. 2. Wesley Van Doren continues research on the City's architecture to highlight as part of the Commission. He is checking with the Renton Historical Society and noticed that there is a gap of information for more recent"history" of buildings. He's been in contact with Jeffrey Howser who runs the state preservation agency for more information who referred him to the University of Washington. Unfortunately, the information is currently referenced by name, not by city. 3. Americans for the Arts created a report of the number of jobs and value of business for arts related businesses by state legislative district. Since Renton consists of five different districts, Valerie Gower is creating a visual presentation of this information for Renton. 4. Mission statement words—Welsey Van Doren provided a list of powerful words and Dennis Zullig created a few example statements for the committee to review. The words that stood out include those that include celebrating community, business success and partnerships. "Key" was a big focus. 5. The committee also discussed a potential new direction for funding support in the future. The Commission could provide grants for local arts organizations to apply for funds to work with "masters" in the various fields. This could help to strengthen local organizations. Commission Budget Last Friday was the deadline for the grants. We received 10 applications for a total of$9,011. All organizations that have applied in the past did again this year, except Renton Civic Theater. This round of grants will distribute $5,000 out of$8,000 budgeted because of current budget climate. Jennifer Davis Hayes, Pat Pepper and Committee Chairs will be on an adhoc committee to review proposals and make recommendations at the next meeting for Commission approval. Vincent Orduna asked if all organizations turned in the work products. Jennifer Davis Hayes said that all organizations did, and that Valley Community Players explained that the work they did not bill for was completed by a volunteer from his own expenses and therefore she didn't know she could turn that information into the Commission. Brainstorm of Potential 2009 Goals • Provide more connection to a younger audience • Host a Renton IKEA performance season • Write a mission statement • Complete a Master Plan • Host a forum or outreach to find out what the community, artist groups and individual artists want for the City of Renton • Increase the leadership of professional artists • Enhance participation in Renton River Days • Renton Arts Show • Kids Coloring Day • Commission booth • Complete a 1% for Arts projects— mural? • Support local arts agencies with grant dollars • Host artist receptions at Carco Theater, provide greater visibility for artists at Carco • Create a blog/Facebook page • Create an event calendar on web • Promote the artists registry • Include an architectural section on website • Increase interaction with Renton School District ,. Municipal Arts Commission Min;�, � Page 3 of 4 March 3, 2009 Meeting with Renton School District officials Jennifer Davis Hayes and Suzanne Dale Estey, Director of Economic Development, met with Mary Alice Heuschel, Superintendent, Jay Leviton, and Randy Matheson regarding Art in the schools. The purpose of the meeting was to find out how the Commission could find out more information and how to better connect with the various arts projects in the schools. Mary Alice Heuschel stated she is committed to art in the schools and mentioned the new effort to rotate student art in the Kohlwes Education Center. Other school efforts include Gary Grossman at Hazen High School who is working on graphic art and the poster art annual contest. Jennifer shared information about the SAM school resources and the school district explained that unless the information is approved by Randy's office, the schools are not allowed to distribute. Jennifer will provide that information to Evelyn. Randy Matheson and Jennifer Davis Hayes will discuss ways to connect teachers and the Commissioners. This may be attending a professional development meeting of teachers during their Friday staff development time or hosting a separate meeting after school and inviting all teachers who utilize art and culture in their classroom. The idea of hosting a performing arts series was also discussed. Mary Alice Heuschel mentioned that Renton School District is very supportive of the idea, but the district cannot fund it. Currently they are subsidizing the Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center. The Commissioners discussed ideas to work with the school district: • Invite to Arts Commission meeting and find ways to work together and allow RSD to see the diversity of the commission. • Facilitate community artists to adopt and work with elementary schools within the district. • First meeting could be a workshop or a time to network(the latter was preferred) 1. Meet with them to get to know them 2. Network with them, what do they do and how do they make it work 3. Learn what they do 4. Discuss how to get the kids buy in 5. How can we continue to keep in contact, website, blog, keep them informed 6. How do they connect the dots • How can we inform kids that art can be a profession in which they can earn a living It was suggested to check out www.northwestgoldcoast.com for local information. NEW BUSINESS: Master Plan Jennifer Davis Hayes passed around a DRAFT Master Plan Scope of Work and requested input on the four main focuses from a community-wide perspective. 1. Assess community assets and needs by conducting stakeholder consultation and public outreach 2. Assess current public art collection to identify strengths and weaknesses, leading to recommendation to guide future recommendation 3. Develop a plan that will provide strategies, policies and procedures and resources needed to excel (for City and other stakeholders) 4. Identify partnership opportunities, goals and further plan development for the potential topic areas (not in prioritized order): a. Funding and sustainability b. Cultural facilities c. Organizational development and technical assistance for art groups d. Support for artists e. Community/neighborhood arts development f. Marketing audience development g. Arts education h. Cultural and ethnic diversity i. Public art j. Cultural tourism k. The Business of Art—building upon creative cluster opportunities i Municipal Arts Commission Min� � Page 4 of 4 March 3, 2009 The Commissioners discussed several key questions including: 1. What type of art programs can a city our size support? 2. What opportunities exist to expand the presence of art in the newly annexed areas? 3. How can we best integrate the new communities in Renton? Jennifer Davis Hayes asked if Commissioners had a preference for topic areas if we needed to reduce the scope. Commissioners felt that all the areas need to be included and that a professional consultant can provide guidance and best connect the dots for the items. A discussion of how to find out more about what the community wants so that there is buy in and how to connect better to the idea of art as a business ensued. Renton Reporter coverage of Finger of God The Renton Reporter covered the preview of the fourth episode of the Finger of God. All four films will be played in Bellingham. Mike O'Halloran suggested inviting them to the next Commission meeting. He also wondered if their films could be played here in Renton, including at Carco Theatre. Mike O'Halloran will invite them. Fred Lund announced that the Renton FilmFrenzy committee decided that the winner of the Best Picture Curvee would create a promo for the following year's event. The Commission's $250 support of the event helps to fund the$500 provided to the winners to create this item. It will be shown at the summer movies in the park and offered to other film and movie events throughout the region. Adjournment: The March 3, 2009, meeting was adjourned at 6:07 pm. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at 4:30 pm. n ,�� ►(,5.�� J�- ' 1 � i^ Patricia Pepper, C r