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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/02/2021 - MinutesRENTON MUNICIPAL ARTS COMMISSION MINUTES Tuesday, March 2, 2021 (via Zoom) Members Present: Amelia Ossorio, Bill Huls, Brianna Burroughs, Christie Randolph, Evelyn Reingold, Kaie Wise, Marsha Rollinger, Mary Clymer, Neil Sheesley, Susan Jessick Staff Present: Chip Vincent, CED Administrator Jessie Kotarski, RMAC Administrative Assistant Guests: Ben Andrews, Seattle Film Summit 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 6:08 pm. Introduction of Guests: Ben Andrews appeared before the Commission to express gratitude from the Seattle Film Summit for the 2020 grant from the Commission. The virtual event held in November included 42 industry-specific panels, including 170 industry leader panelists (50% female and 25% BIPOC experts). There was over 70 hours of current and relevant film industry education and speakers and participants from 27 countries. The November event was also supplemented by a weekly webinar series “Filling the Void” in partnership with the Albuquerque Film & Music Experience. The plan for 2021 is a virtual event beginning September 3 through 11 and culminating in a single in-person day at the Hyatt on the 11th. Approval of Minutes: A motion was made to approve the minutes from the February 2021 meeting. MSC (Su/Neil) Announcements/Correspondence: •Mary met with two Arts Commissioners from Bothell for a discussion about successes and roadblocks from the prospective of the Renton Commission. •Jessie attended a meeting of the Allied Arts of Renton who are interested in connecting with the Commission and seeking opportunities to partner on projects in 2021. Grants Committee Update: City of Renton Community Services Department Parks and Trails Division is requesting grant support for a PopUp StoryWalk program designed to promote literacy, health and art appreciation through an interactive outdoor experience. The book Bea’s Bees by Seattle author Katherine Pryor will be put on display at the Sunset Neighborhood Park for three weeks (March 8 through the 28). The recommendation of the Grants Committee is to approve a grant in the amount of $500 with the stipulation that the RMAC logo be added to an “introductory” panel and support from the RMAC acknowledged in social media posts and City promotions of the program. The Committee recommends an additional $150 for reimbursement for repairs and maintenance with the submission of invoices. A motion was made and approved to fund the PopUp StoryWalk as recommended by the Grants Committee. MSC (Kaie/Bri) Outreach Committee Update: The Renton Road Shows program had a pilot performance on February 22nd at St. Matthew’s Lutheran during Sustainable Renton’s Free Grocery program. The “safe” outdoor concert performance was well received by the church, volunteers and car loads of residents waiting for their turn to drive through the grocery line. The artist, Steve Biscarret, was delighted to be invited to participate and pleased to have the opportunity for a live performance. The Committee is requesting $5,000 from the Arts & Culture budget to support the program. The Renton Civic Theatre has agreed to co-sponsor the event and commit $2,500 to the program. The proposed budget will allow for approximately 36 shows over the course of the year. Artists will be paid $200 for a 2-hour performance. The program presents an opportunity to engage with a broad audience of residents, businesses and local artists and the added benefit of generating brand recognition for the Commission throughout the City. A motion was made and approved to support the Renton Road Shows program in the amount of $5,000. MSC (Su/Kaie) In honor of the 3rd anniversary of the landing of Erasmus on the rooftop downtown (April 13), the Committee is proposing a craft project and social media competition to engage the community in the creation and celebration of art. The program will include a make your own dragon egg kit available for residents to take home and create. Participants are encouraged to share their finished eggs on RMAC social media channels, tagging the rentonartscommission, for their chance to win a prize and receive an RMAC pin! The contest will run March 19 through April 13 and winners announced on the anniversary day. The Committee is request up to $500 for the purchase of supplies (which will make 80 kits). Recommendation from the Commission is to allow for expenses up to $750 for additional supplies when the initial 80 run out. A motion was made and approved a spend of up to $750 to support the Erasmus Landing Day Anniversary celebration. MSC (Su/Bill) Promotions Committee update: The Facebook audience increased by 14 followers in February (there are 871 current followers at the end of February). The newsletter audience also grew by 14 in February. Connections were made in February with art teachers in the Renton Schools. A zoom meeting has been scheduled for March 12 between five local art teachers to discuss ways to better connect the Arts Commission with students and teachers in Renton. Vacancy Committee update: The Committee met with Caren Sumption (via Zoom) to discuss her interest in serving as a Commissioner. The Committee was pleased with Caren’s enthusiasm to support art in Renton and the connection she would offer the Commission to the literary artists in Renton. Caren is a professional writer and active in writing groups, National Writers Union and Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America. The Committee recommends appointing Caren to fill the seat on the Commission recently vacated by Duffy Delgado whose term expires on 12/31/2021. A motion was made and approved to appoint Caren Sumption to the Commission as recommended by the Vacancy Committee. MSC (Bill/Su) New Business: The Civic Theatre has been tagged again with graffiti. The recommendation was made to look into the possibility of a “tagger’s wall” where people can go to lawfully create graffiti art and hopefully discourage unwarranted tagging. Executive Session & Adjournment The Commission recess into Executive Session to discuss with legal counsel matters of potential litigation pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) for approximately 30 minutes with no official action to be taken and that the Commission meeting be adjourned when the Executive Session is adjourned. Time: 7:16 PM An additional 60 minutes was required. Executive Session was conducted and no action was taken. The Commission meeting adjourned when the executive session adjourned. Time: 8:46 PM.