HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-08-13 Commission on Cultural Development Minutes
City of Bangor, Commission on Cultural Development
Minutes
August 13, 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: Elissa Young
Unexcused Absence: Kat Johnson
Guests: J Martin, Normand Martin, Rob Frank, and Babe Builders—the supportive team behind the Babe
the Blue Ox proposal
1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
Caitlin noted that a correction needed to be made in page two, paragraph two of the previous month’s
meeting minutes. This included changing “improv” to “improve” to describe comedy. With this change,
Uli made a motion to accept and Mary seconded. Vote unless doubted, no one doubted.
3. Arts and Public Monuments Policy – Art in Public Places Subcommittee
Caitlin summarized the 2007 Art and Public Monuments Policy that is the current roadmap for approval
of public monuments and art in the City of Bangor. She noted that this policy is to be followed until (and
if) a new one is passed by the City Council. The Commission needed to elect people to serve on a
subcommittee—the Art in Public Places subcommittee—to review the application/proposal in
conjunction with appropriate City staff (section 5 of the policy outlines this). They will meet and review
the conceptual design of a proposal, make a recommendation to Council and Council will have final
authority over whether or not to approve the proposal. Further details about the process are available in
the full Policy. Mary, Tom and Kierie all volunteered to be part of the Art in Public Places subcommittee.
4. Babe the Blue Ox Presentation and Discussion
Kierie noted that the proposal would be presented today and discussed, but a recommendation on the
conceptual design, per the Arts and Monuments Policy, would lie in the hands of the Art in Public Places
subcommittee and City staff.
Artist Normand Martin and his son J Martin gave a summary of the Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox
story then unveiled the scale model of Babe the Blue Ox. Emily asked about the location at the Cross
Insurance Center and J answered that they haven’t specifically sited the project but are working with
WBRC to get drawings that would showcase some options. Rob Frank (WBRC) showed some options
and provided details about possible locations and the area in general. Kierie asked which City
Departments have been consulted and J noted he has spoken to quite a few City staff members about the
project. He’d also be in conversations with outside City entities like the UMaine Folklife Center and
Bangor Historical Society—he noted it was important to meet with as many stakeholders as possible to
help raise funds and work through the details. The Commissioners were glad to know these meetings had
taken place. Kierie also asked about a maintenance plan and endowment for future repair and upkeep of
the statue. J summarized the 2009 restoration of Paul and noted the conversations he had with various
community members and businesses about the current condition of Paul and the maintenance that would
be needed for Babe.
Commissioners gave their thanks and praise for the thoroughness of the proposal. A meeting of the Art
in Public Places subcommittee will be scheduled.
5. Arts and Economic Prosperity Study
Arts & Economic Prosperity® V is an economic impact study that local non-profits, in cooperation with
the City of Bangor, hope to participate in. This is the fifth national study and is conducted by Americans
for the Arts and looks at economic impact on spending by nonprofit arts and culture organizations and
their audiences. The Maine Arts Commission is supporting the study. By meeting with local arts non-
profits both individually and through Bangor Arts, Kierie has found that there is majority interest in
helping collect data as well as financial support. The City’s Community and Economic Development
Department will be paying for ½ of the study and the local non-profits will be supplying the remainder
($2500 total). It is important to know that the Commission will be the point group for this task and aid
the non-profits in data collection and direction. This will help showcase the value of arts non-profits in
the area and give economic development agencies data when representing Bangor. Emily made a motion
to move forward with the Commission’s participating in the study, Judy seconded. All were in favor.
6. Committee Updates
The Marketing Committee gave an update on the planning of ARTober. There are currently 63 events
listed in the printed guide with many more to be put online. Emily requested access to the Bangor Arts
Facebook page to aid in promotion.
The Education Committee has two workshops remaining for this year, both set at the Bangor Public
Library.
The Cultural Vibrancy Committee reported on a very successful presence at the Chapin Park Block
Party. Though the activity was well received and a terrific publicity opportunity for the Commission,
they felt these sorts of opportunities were best left to the local non-profits to provide.
7. Other Business
Kate Dickerson from the Maine Science Festival provided a brief summary of the final report she
submitted for the MSF’s grant awarded by the Commission. They are full steam ahead for next year and
are adding a full day of programming on Friday, March. The festival will be from March 18-20. The
additional Friday time was added to accommodate school-aged children and teachers who would like to
bring students on field trips. Sunday is going to be a focus in downtown programming.
The role of Vice Chair needs to be filled. Mary was nominated by Kierie, Judy seconded the nomination.
All in favor. Kierie made a motion to vote Mary as Vice Chair, Uli seconded. All in favor.
Kierie noted that there was a slight revision to the Continuity of Community language that needed to be
voted on by the Commission before it would go to the Business & Economic Development Committee
on 9/8. Kierie made a motion to accept the change, Uli seconded. All in favor.
Being no other business, the meeting was adjourned.
To watch a full version of the Commission on Cultural Development’s August 13 meeting, please visit:
http://bangormaine.pegcentral.com/