HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-05-14 Commission on Cultural Development Minutes
City of Bangor, Commission on Cultural Development
Minutes
May 14, 2015
8:30 a.m.
City Council Chambers
Commissioners Present: Kierie Piccininni (Vice Chair), Tom Avila, Judy Boothby, Mary Budd, Kat
Johnson, Elissa Young, and Caitlin Brooke (staff)
Excused Absence: Emily Burnham, Ulrike Guthrie, Elissa Young
Unexcused Absence: Josh Plourde
1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
A motion was made by Kierie and seconded by Mary to approve the previous meeting minutes. Vote
unless doubted, no one doubted.
3. Website and Social Media Policy Update
Caitlin confirmed that the City’s Legal Department had reviewed the drafted Website and Social Media
Policy but would like to meet with a sub-group of Commissioners to discuss the path forward. There was
a lot of good information in the draft and we’ll need to meet to discuss what information we can pull from
the draft and what information needs to be developed. Caitlin will work with Jamie to set up a meeting the
week of 5/25 with the City’s Legal Department.
4. Committee Updates
Education Committee hosted its fourth workshop, Business Partnering with the Arts, on May 6 at WBRC
Architects and Engineers on Central Street in downtown Bangor. 22 people, all from Bangor, attended the
workshop. Kierie noted that she thought it was the most dynamic workshop because of the way the
panelists worked off of one another and the incorporation of audience discussion. She also thanked all of
the panelists along with the host site.
Marketing Committee is focused on ARTober. Jamie reminded everyone that this month was important to
the Commission and all hands on deck are needed. She said that the first way someone could help was by
taking on the task of the poster. The Commission threw some ideas around about what/who may be
involved in the poster’s development and Kat volunteered to head up the project. Other needs are to
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engage Bangor organizations in ARTober and figure out how they are participating. The June 10 work
session will be dedicated to ARTober.
Funding Committee has begun to draft two upcoming grant applications for the Stephen and Tabitha King
Foundation and Bangor Savings Bank. They are still waiting to hear back from the Maine Community
Foundation about the grant which was applied for in early 2015.
Cultural Vibrancy had a productive meeting in which they brainstormed ideas about how to integrate the
arts throughout Bangor. Ideas included: outdoor murals (cement wall by the old Family Dollar. State
St./Oak St., City Hall); encouraging and sourcing more outdoor public art work, both temporary and
permanent; banners of all sorts because the moment of the fabric lends energy to its environment; events
in the parks to include a cultural event in every park at least once year round. The idea of events in the
park was expanded from just summer to include year round activities that engaged neighborhoods in
friendly competitions. These would be great opportunities to have snow sculptures, chalk art contests,
igloo building, etc. Caitlin reiterated their desire to meet with the airport to discuss some potential ways in
which the arts can be integrated into the facilities. She is working to set up a meeting with airport staff to
discuss. Jamie encouraged members of the community as well as the Commissioners to send ideas
forward!
Advocacy Committee is looking forward to its 6 month update to City Council. At the May 27 work
session they will be diving into a Public Arts and Monument Policy to put forward for City staff, the
Business & Economic Development Committee, and Council to review. They are also beginning to work
on an inventory for the public which lists arts/organizations/venues.
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5. May 13 Work Session Update
5 Commissioners attended the work session on Wednesday, May 13 to discuss the following:
Review Edited Individual Grant Application
The group worked to edit this document and discuss potential updates that could be made to
make the grant clearer and more consistent with similar applications. A draft version of this
document will be sent around to Commissioners. Any final changes will be made to a public
document with proper oversight and review from City staff, Committees, and Council.
Review Grant Scoring Rubric
There was not ample time to discuss this item.
6. Other Business
Caitlin announced that the Commissioners receive free admission to next week’s Build Maine Conference
in Lewiston. If anyone would like to attend, please email Caitlin for the discount code.
This is the final weekend of August: Osage County. Next up is four performances of A Piece of Her
Heart: A Tribute to Janis Joplin in June. And the final youth production of this season is James and the
Giant Peach running the last weekend in May.
The University of Maine Art Museum is in its final weeks of the Andy Warhol exhibition and hosts a
presentation by the Andy Warhol Foundation on Friday evening.
Bangor Ballet will be at the Gracie Theatre in June for its next performance.
Standpipe tour on May 20.
Big Dig Day for the Downtown Bangor Partnership’s Adopt a Garden program is May 16.
Being no other business, the meeting was adjourned.
To watch a full version of the Commission on Cultural Development’s April 9, 2015 meeting, please
visit: http://bangormaine.pegcentral.com/.