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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/06/2020 - Minutes RENTON MUNICIPAL ARTS COMMISSION MINUTES Tuesday, October 6, 2020 (via Zoom) Members Present: Amelia Ossorio, Bill Huls, Brianna Burroughs, Christie Randolph, Dave Samek, Kaie Wise, Kiley Thornton, Marsha Rollinger, Mary Clymer, Susan Jessick Staff Present: Jessie Kotarski, RMAC Administrative Assistant Chip Vincent, CED Administrator Guests: Sonja Mejlaender, Community Relations & Events Coordinator, City of Renton Call to Order: Meeting was called to order by RMAC Chair, Mary Clymer at 6:02 pm. Introduction of guests: Sonja described preliminary plans by the City’s Recreation and Neighborhoods division for virtual performance art opportunities this fall/winter. The program is in the early stages of development, and Sonja will return to the Commission with more detail at future meetings. Approval of Minutes: A request was made to update the minutes from the September meeting with a correction to the approval of funding for the Ravishing Women’s Wearable Mask program to read, “funding up to $10,000 for reimbursable costs submitted following the conclusion of the virtual event.” A motion was made to approve the minutes from the September 2020 meeting with the correction. MSC (Bill/Susan) Correspondence & Announcements:  Welcome to Amelia Ossorio! Her appointment to the Youth Commission position was approved by Mayor and Council on September 28.  The current owner of the Renton Rocks facebook page is seeking someone to take over the page. He has asked the Arts Commission if there is an interest from the group to take ownership of the page. The Commission will seek partnership with other groups to provide collaborative support.  The Renton Civic Theatre will launch a scary ghost story radio program on October 25 that will be available to the public free of charge. Budget Update: The Commission has committed a total of $134,636 in 2020. Of those funds, $95,567 have been grants awarded to outside organizations, $19,650 have been for RMAC managed projects, $1,419 was spent for maintenance of city-owned art and $18,000 is being held pending updates from grant awardees for events that have been affected by the pandemic. Grants Committee Update: The Grants Committee made the recommendation to the Commission to approve funding for the following applicants:  KingConNW Global Creative Spectacular - $3,000 for a virtual night of contests designed to inspire and reward innovation and community offered free to the public. Prizes will be awarded in categories including cosplay, prop building, and photography. The event will be held October 30 and 31.  Renton Downtown Partnership - $10,000 to fund the creation of a mural on the west wall of the Renton Civic Theatre designed by Brelse Illustration featuring a reclining dragon playing a Hendrix- inspired guitar while sasquatch watches in the trees nearby.  Olde Fashioned Halloween Scavenger Hunt – The Arts Commission will participate in the downtown Halloween scavenger hunt by sponsoring the purchase of arts and craft kits to be included in the pre- filled goodie bags that will be handed out on Halloween day in Tonkin Park. Additionally, the Commission will fund the design and printing of Halloween-themed RMAC-branded stickers to include in the bags. The Commission agreed to a value up to $1,000 for the purchase of kits, stickers and design fees. A motion was made and approved to grant funds and support for the three projects as recommended by the Grants Committee. MSC (Kaie/Kiley) Project Update:  Pieces for Peace – The art walk was launched on September 12 and will be available for viewing on the VisitRenton app until the end of the year. Embroidery kits are available at Wyldwood Creative while supplies last.  Benson Hill Mural – The mural continues to progress and community groups have been scheduled to put their mark on the wall.  PSE ARTility – Three artists (Marsha Rollinger, Mari Shibuya, Yvonne Chan) are currently working with PSE and the City to finalize designs for art on several PSE power poles in Renton. The theme will be Pollinators/Local Flora & Fauna. Marsha presented her design concepts to the Commission for review. The City will work with PSE to select the final artwork. New Business: BLM postcards – A proposal was made by the Renton Chamber of Commerce to create and produce promotional postcards using art from the BLM artwalk to illustrate Renton’s connection and support of the Black Lives Matter message. The Commission will seek additional information and would like to consider additional items to help promote the work of the RMAC and highlight local art and artists from the year. I-405/NE 44th St interchange – The Arts Commission has been asked to begin looking for inspiration for art that can be added to the pedestrian underpass and landscaping areas in the future interchange project. Early plans were shared with the Commission and updates will be provided as the project develops. The meeting adjourned at 7:40pm.