HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-02-12 Commission on Cultural Development Minutes
City of Bangor, Commission on Cultural Development
Minutes
February 12, 2015
8:30 AM
City Council Chambers
Commissioners Present: Jamie Ballinger (Chair), Kierie Piccininni (Vice Chair), Tom Avila, Judy
Boothby, Mary Budd, Emily Burnham, Ulrike Guthrie, Josh Plourde, Elissa Young, and Caitlin Brooke
(staff)
Excused Absence: Kat Johnson
Unexcused Absence: Chris Roberts
Guests: Gerry Palmer, Normand Martin, Paul Nichols
1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
A motion was made by Emily and seconded by Tom to approve the previous meeting minutes. The
motion passed by a unanimous vote.
3. Commission Governance
Assistant City Solicitor Paul Nichols spoke to the Commissioners about the City Ordinance which directs
their actions, meeting processes, grant requirements, and best practices.
4. Babe the Blue Ox
Gerry Palmer and Normand Martin presented a cardboard mock-up of a statue representing Babe the
Blue Ox. Mr. Martin is the artist who designed the Paul Bunyan statue which is placed in front of the
Cross Insurance Center. Mr. Palmer noted it would be an asset to the community to have Mr. Martin
create Paul Bunyan’s companion, Babe the Blue Ox, for display. The first step in this project would be
developing a scaled down model out of clay. Mr. Martin did create a cardboard version for the
Commission to view. Mr. Palmer noted that the application for an Individual Artist Grant is in the works
but he wanted to present the idea to the Commission prior to the application.
5. Arts and Culture Month
The Commission’s Arts and Culture Policy directs the group to create an Arts and Culture Month in
Bangor to promote the arts in the City. Jamie presented the idea of “ARTober,” full-fledged effort to
showcase the arts in all of Bangor’s neighborhoods. The Commission would act as an umbrella organizer
via Committees. Mary made a motion for the Commission to lead a marketing effort to highlight the year
round resources available in Bangor; the breadth and depth of cultural activities that happen all the time;
and to serve as a umbrella organization to identify ongoing activities, but also to spearhead the
coordinator of special events that excite and engage residents and in the month of October--ARTober.
Judy seconded the motion. The motion passed by a unanimous vote.
The Marketing Committee will focus on developing goals and strategies to execute ARTober.
6. Funding Committee (Item was switched with #7 on the agenda)
Jamie asked if the Commission would find it appropriate for the Funding Committee to identify grants
and to pursue support endeavors for the Commission’s activities. Emily made a motion to grant approval
to the Funding Committee to apply for grants without seeking approval from full Commission for each
individual grant it applies for. Uli seconded the motion. The motion passed by a unanimous vote.
Jamie noted that the Committee had applied for a Maine Community Foundation grant that was in the
review process. It had been brought to the Business and Economic Development Committee for
presentation and then the action of the Commission applying for the grant was going to be ratified by the
full Council since the deadline was looming.
7. Review Proposed Grant Eligibility, Review, and Scoring Changes
In 2013 the Commission drafted a document that outlined proposed changes to the grant review and
scoring process. It was designed to mimic Maine Arts Commission’s process. The document, which was
provided prior to the meeting in the public documents packet, was reviewed by Commissioners and Jamie
asked if it was something the Commissioners felt was worth pursuing or if the Commission should start
fresh. Tom noted that some sort of scoring system takes emotional reactions out of the process and
allows for further deliberation in a constructive format.
It was decided that the Funding Committee should review the nitty gritty and devise a full review and
scoring system.
8. Education Workshop Update
Kierie and Uli gave a summary of the Grant Writing and Application workshop that happened on
February 4. Upcoming workshops will be about publishing (March) and businesses partnering in the
community (April.)
9. Continuity of Community Signage Update
Caitlin updated the group that the signage for the Continuity of Community was not passed by the
Business and Economic Development Committee in the form the Commission originally presented. The
BED Committee requested that the sign contain language about the history of the sculpture in Bangor.
Caitlin has requested confirmation of historical language from the Bangor Historical Society and is still
waiting for their response.
10. Cultural Forum Updates
Section 4, goal 4 of the Commission’s Arts and Culture Policy directs the group to host two cultural
forums annually for the public and organizations to voice questions, comments, and ideas. To this end,
the Commission will host such a forum on March 11, at 6 p.m. in the John Bapst High School
Auditorium. There will also be a more focused forum with Bangor Arts affiliates during their March
meeting. (Note: This has been moved to their April meeting.)
11. Other Business/Upcoming Events
Commissioners updated the group of events occurring in March.
Being no other business, the meeting adjourned.
A full version of this meeting can be found on the City’s website:
http://bangormaine.pegcentral.com/player.php?video=569dae41de04cc69a652bdce998555ed