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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/02/2020 - Minutes 1 | P a g e RENTON MUNICIPAL ARTS COMMISSION MINUTES Tuesday, June 2, 2020 (via Zoom) Members Present: Bill Huls, Brianna Burroughs, Christie Randolph, Dave Samek, Kaie Wise, Kiley Thornton, Marsha Rollinger, Mary Clymer, Neil Sheesley, Susan Jessick Staff Present: Jessie Kotarski, RMAC Administrative Assistant Cliff Long, Economic Development Director, CED Guests: Drey Hicks, Neighborhood Program Coordinator, Community Services, City of Renton Call to Order: Meeting was called to order by RMAC Chair, Mary Clymer at 6:02 pm. Introduction of Guests: Drey presented a new program created by the Recreation & Neighborhoods division designed to engage the community through a community art project. As part of their 4-week virtual “Campin’ Out” series, the final week has been designated, “Van Gogh Outdoors” and will feature virtual art sessions and project inspiration to encourage community members to decorate and post images of their art-themed birdhouse projects. The City will provide 1,000 birdhouse kits to the community for individuals and families to decorate and display. The division is asking the Arts Commission to support “Project Cuckoo” and help identify artists willing to hold virtual demonstrations to illustrate unique ways to dress up their birdhouses and contribute their completed birdhouses to be displayed in City parks as part of the “take an artistic journey through recreation” program. Approval of Minutes: A motion was made to approve the minutes from the May 2020 meeting. MSC (Bill/Neil) Correspondence and Announcements: The WA State Department of Commerce announced changes to their Building for the Arts funding for the 2021-2023 legislative session. Changes include an increased match from 25 up to 33% and an increased cap on projects to $2,000,000. The Civic Theatre is currently the only eligible entity to receive funding from Commerce (city-owned buildings are not eligible). The application is due August 6, and funding will be approved during the Capital budget process in June 2021. (Project costs are eligible for reimbursement on work beginning after July 1, 2020). The Civic Theatre has been encouraged to apply. It is the intent of the Theatre to submit an application for $150,000 to upgrade the lighting in the building. A capital campaign is required to show that the theatre has made a “good faith effort” to raise matching funds. The theatre has been encouraged to apply through the Arts Commission grant program for fundraising seed money to help launch their capital campaign. On-going Projects, Events and Programs:  Sunset Community o Utility Box wraps – The four utility boxes in the Sunset neighborhood are on deck for installation in the next 10 to 14 days. o Sunset Fence – the diamonds on the fence continue to suffer damage and five more are in need of replacement. Leatherback Printing has provided quotes for printing the diamonds on 2 | P a g e an aluminum composite material called dibond. The durable material would be better able to withstand punctures and damage caused by vandals. A motion was made and approved to print a test batch of the large diamonds in the amount of $1,290 to determine whether the dibond material should be used to replace all the diamonds on the fence. MSC (Bill/Susan) o Sunset Community Park - Construction continues and the park is scheduled to open in late summer. The contractors are currently working with the artist, Kirk Seese, to install the art in the park in mid-summer, before the park opens.  Downtown – o Storefront art walk – The tour has been viewed 208 times since the “walk” launched in early May. The art will be on display through the end of June. o Printery Mural – The call for artists for the mural on the Printery building closed on May 30. Six artists responded to the call and the property owners, along with Allied Arts will be selecting the artist to present to the Arts Commission for final approval. o Equi - The South Renton neighborhood is working on their application for the Neighborhood grant program to paint the Equi statue in Burnett Linear Park. The neighborhood has asked the Commission their opinion on the proposed color scheme; the choices being bright/saturated colors to draw attention, or an hombre red to bright yellow. A vote was held in the chat box, and the commissioners voted in favor of the bright color scheme. o The Loop – The final location of the sculpture has been determined and all on-site utilities have been located. City permits have been secured and the site foundation will be completed by the end of the month. The sculpture will go into fabrication at the Western Neon shop the week of June 22 and project installation is planned for August 12 through 14. An invitation to visit the studio to see the sculpture in progress has been tentatively scheduled for July 16.  Benson Hill o Petrovitsky Mural – The artist for the Benson Hill mural has been selected. Artist, Mari Shibuya, raised in Renton in the Fairwood area, will be scheduling several community engagement opportunities to allow the neighborhood to have a say in the final design process before painting begins.  Student Art Contest – The “Envision a Healthy Future” art contest will continue through June 16. The contest has been advertised on Facebook, Instagram and through the City’s social media channels. Submissions have been slow, but a few more have come in since May. New Business:  Rubber Ducky Derby – The Renton Rotary is preparing a grant application to submit to the Arts Commission to help fund a film to celebrate the traditional “running of the ducks.” This annual event is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the rotary, and with River Days canceled for 2020, the film will be an attempt to maintain tradition and educate the public on the good work the Rotary does in the community. The Commission discussed the film idea, and would like to see that the film support local artists and be formatted in a documentary style and not an infomercial format. The Grants Committee is awaiting the application for funding.  Penney Lofts – The owner of the former JC Penney building downtown has submit a grant application for matching funds to install four frames and art on the side of the building facing S. 3rd St. The artist selected to complete the art is Troy Gua. The total project costs are $18,392 and the ask from the property owner is for a match from the Arts Commission of $9,196. The Grants Committee will review the application and provide their recommendation to the Commission. The meeting was adjourned at 7:19pm.