HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-06-11 Commission on Cultural Development Minutes
City of Bangor, Commission on Cultural Development
Minutes
June 11, 2015
8:30 a.m.
City Council Chambers
Commissioners Present: Kierie Piccininni (Chair), Tom Avila, Emily Burnham Judy Boothby, Mary
Budd, Ulrike Guthrie, and Caitlin Brooke (staff)
Excused Absence: Kat Johnson, Josh Plourde, Elissa Young
1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
A motion was made by Uli and seconded by Judy to approve the previous meeting minutes. Vote unless
doubted, no one doubted.
3. Review Language for Continuity of Community Sculpture
Kierie reported that she and Caitlin have been working on finding accurate historical language to place on
a plaque to identify the Continuity of Community sculpture. The basic fields like artist name, life dates,
title, and medium have been acquired, but they will need the assistance of the Bangor Historical Society
in order to create a summary of historical details. Hopefully, this will be completed by July.
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4. Review 2 Draft of Grant Scoring Rubric
During the past few Work Sessions, Commissioners have been developing and fine tuning a grant scoring
rubric and processes outline which will provide greater transparency to applicants and the public about
why and how applications are approved or denied. The rubric is directly tied to the areas of consideration
outlined in City of Bangor’s Code of Ordinances. Edits and suggestions made by the Commissioners will
be incorporated into a final draft that will be compiled by Caitlin.
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5. Review 1 Draft of Public Arts and Monuments Policy
Kierie introduced the Public Arts and Monuments Policy (PAMP) by noting that the majority of the
work was done by past Commission Chair Jamie Ballinger. And, most recently, UMaine Art Museum
Director George Kinghorn was asked to participate in a discussion about PAMP as he is experience with
crafting and administering public arts policies.
The group went through PAMP section by section and provided insights and edits including: adopting
the Maine Art Commission’s definition of public art; adding specific language to either PAMP or the
grant application processes that suggests a point at which a grant application needs to be funneled into
PAMP or not.
Council Graham was present at the meeting and added a few thoughts for the group to consider when
developing the final draft of PAMP: look at situations surrounding temporary pop-up art and a process to
be followed when such installations are on City property; include connecting Historic Preservation
Commission on pieces that may be within their assigned duties to review and approve; public versus
political art and when the PAMP should give way to state guidelines; and requirements for didactic
materials when a piece of public art or a monument is erected. Kierie thanked Councilor Graham for his
insights and Caitlin suggested he attend the next Work Session to help flush out the details of those
sections.
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6. Review 2 Draft of Individual Artist Grant Application
Another document that has been improved during the Work Sessions is the Individual Artist Grant
Application. Discussion took place, and a decision made to eliminate the last question on the draft
application which asked the applicant to note any alternate funding sources that will be in place if the
Commission grant is denied.
Discussion also took place surrounding the deadlines of the individual artist grants which are currently
accepted on a rolling basis monthly. Caitlin noted that this proves to consume a lot of staff time as the
applications often require a lot of back and forth between the applicant and staff liaison. Kierie noted is
also helps the Commissioner better appropriate funds. Emily and Uli agreed that they felt comfortable
with quarterly as twice yearly seemed to discourage responses from artists to other events and
happenings. The group will finalize any recommendations about submission deadlines when the revision
to the application is done in July.
7. Committee Updates
The Finance Committee announced that they received a grant from the Maine Community Foundation in
the amount of $10,000 to support ARTober. Thanks goes to Jamie Ballinger (past Chair) along with Mary
and Tom for all their incredible work. Mary and Tom are now onto working on applications for the
Bangor Savings Bank and Steven and Tabitha King Foundation grants.
The Marketing Committee submitted notes from previous Work Sessions. (See ARTober Notes – June
2015).
The Cultural Vibrancy Committee is working with groups throughout the City who are beginning to
organize block parties within their individual neighborhoods. The first will be held in Chapin Park on July
28. On June 23 a Planning Committee will be meeting to discuss logistics and a member of the Cultural
Vibrancy Committee will be attending.
The Education Committee provided a summary on the most recent workshop, Business Partnering with
the Arts. Arrangements are being made for the September and October workshops about grants and
marketing.
The Advocacy Committee is looking to provide a six month summary/update to the full Council. They are
also considering census tools and ways in which they can measure economic impact of the arts in our
region.
8. Other Business
Kierie announced that Jamie Ballinger has resigned as Chair and that she (Kierie) will be stepping into the
role.
To watch a full version of the Commission on Cultural Development’s June 11 meeting, please visit:
http://bangormaine.pegcentral.com/