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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/02/2021 - Minutes RENTON MUNICIPAL ARTS COMMISSION MINUTES Tuesday, November 2, 2021 (via Zoom) Members Present: Amelia Ossorio, Bill Huls, Brianna Burroughs, Caren Sumption, Evelyn Reingold, Kaie Wise, Kiley Thornton, Marsha Rollinger, Mary Clymer, Neil Sheesley, Susan Jessick Staff Present: Jessie Kotarski, RMAC Staff liaison Chip Vincent, CED Administrator Amanda Askren, CED Acting Economic Development Director Guests Present: Bennyroyce Royon, Evergreen City Ballet, Artistic Director Call to Order: Meeting was called to order by RMAC Chair, Mary Clymer at 6:00 pm. Introduction of Guests: • Bennyroyce presented on the current status of Evergreen City Ballet. The Ballet moved to Renton from Auburn in 2008 and is facing an impending move from their current location. The Ballet has suffered revenue loss due to low enrollment and increased costs associated with COVID 19. They are seeking a new location and hope to remain in Renton. The Ballet submitted a Grant request to the Commission to support the 2021 Nutcracker production (returning to Auburn arts center and IKEA performing arts center). The program will offer performances December 17 through 19 at IKEA performing arts center, and will feature artists from the Washington ballet; access to high level. Announcements: • Local author, Ira Sacharoff has published a book; Everybody Comes from Somewhere in which Renton’s rooftop dragon makes an appearance. The book is available for sale at Smoking Monkey Pizza and a book signing is planned at Apparition Books. • A celebration of the Renton Athletes mural at Liberty Park is scheduled for Saturday, November 20 from 11am to 1pm. Approval of Minutes: A motion was made to approve the minutes from the October 2021 meeting. MSC (Caren/Susan) Promotions Committee update: • Olde Fashioned Halloween event recap – The RMAC hosted a coloring station and donated color- your-own-treat bags for the downtown event. In total 400 bags were ordered and distributed. o Feedback for next year: ▪ provide more signage or employ volunteers to direct guests around downtown between businesses and the event center. ▪ Include more Halloween themed or kid-friendly music on stage • The Small Business Saturday event is November 27 downtown. The event will feature an artist/vendor market in the Pavilion and the Roadshow will be managing the performances on stage. Outreach Committee: • The RoadShow program is managing the stage at Small Business Saturday and will feature 3 local artists (waiting confirmation from the artists: Byron Street Band and TBD(2)). Grants Committee Update: The Evergreen City Ballet is requesting $10,000 to support the 2021 Nutcracker program. Impressed with the emphasis on diversity illustrated in the grant application and in the variety of performers from various backgrounds and cultures) the Committee recommends approving the full amount of the request. A motion is made and approved to support the recommendation of the Grants Committee and fund the grant request made by Evergreen City Ballet as written in the grant application. MSC (Evelyn/Susan) The Committee continues to struggle with how the Commission can connect with artists who face challenges with grant applications. It was recommended that the Commission consider producing promotional videos that highlight previous grant awardees in order to illustrate the variety of programs funded. New Business: • With the recent resignation of Christie Randolph, there is currently a vacant seat on the Arts Commission. • Local resident, Lachlan Lewis, has offered the blank wall on his garage across from the Renton Chamber as a potential canvas for future art projects. • Responding to the question about connecting with local artists, a mentorship program was proposed for 2022 to serve as a platform to engage and serve as a resource for local artists. Several ideas included; o Regularly scheduled meet and greets in a casual setting ▪ Provide a platform at these meetings for artists to talk about what they are working on and help connect artists working in similar mediums and areas of art. ▪ Offer a hands-on project to bring artists/individuals together to create and share ideas and connect. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 6:57 pm.