HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-10-08 Commission on Cultural Development Minutes
City of Bangor, Commission on Cultural Development
Minutes
October 8, 2015
8:30 a.m.
City Council Chambers
Commissioners Present: Kierie Piccininni (Chair), Judy Boothby, Mary Budd, Ulrike Guthrie, Kat
Johnson, Josh Plourde, Elissa Young, and Caitlin Brooke (staff)
Guests: Melissa Gerety and Amanda Black (Bangor Historical Society)
1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
Judy made a motion to accept and Elissa seconded. Vote unless doubted, no one doubted.
3. Grant Application for Bangor Historical Society
Melissa Gerety, Executive Director of the Bangor Historical Society presented the grant application
and summarized the program the funds would support. BHS is planning to incorporate children’s
programs and activities into their initiatives beginning in January 2016. This is part of the
“renaissance” that the organization is going through since Melissa joined in April of 2015 and has
revitalized programming. One of the key audiences that BHS fails to engage is children and families.
The development of focused programming is critical in reaching those audiences. Amanda Black,
AmeriCorp/BHS staff person, will be developing and implementing the program that will include
outreach to communities, trips to schools, interaction with historical material outside of the Hill
House as well as within its property, educational community programs, and more informal
interactions.
Discussion commenced about the application including outreach to schools, Maine Learning Results
integration, collaboration with other non-profits and organizations in the region, anticipated
attendance, goals for number of families/students to participate, and advertising/marketing. Mary
noted that she felt it was important for the Commission and the City to be at the ground level of this
initiative to spark other sponsors to see the value in bringing history into our community.
A motion was made by Mary to fund the grant at $1,500 and Judy seconded. During discussion an
amendment was made by Judy to fund at the full request of $2,000, Kierie seconded. All in favor.
4. Updating Organizational Grant Application
The Commission would like to standardize the organizational grant to the individual grant which has
been worked on extensively in work sessions to reflect a more professional and clear process.
Discussion was had about the deadline for the grant and whether or not it should be a rolling
deadline, quarterly, etc. To be consistent with other granting bodies and help the CCD manage their
small budget, it may be better to have fewer opportunities to apply for the grants. The Commission
will iron out the details of the actual grant application in November work session.
5. Publicizing Awarded Grants and Associated Openings, Installations, and Events
A discussion took place about establishing a system or process to follow in regards to public
relations activities that are associated with grants, grantees, etc. This will be developed further in
a work session and brought back to the Commission for input and, if necessary, approval.
6. ARTober
Elissa provided a summary of ARTober thus far and what the Commission could expect to see for
the remainder of the month.
7. Committee Updates
The Funding Committee is beginning to look at other grants to apply for as well as wrap up the
Maine Community Foundation grant once ARTober has concluded.
The Education Committee had a successful workshop to wrap up the series. With 14 attendees the
group discussed marketing, networking, and representation. As a bonus, SPACE Gallery will be
presenting an information session in Bangor in mid-October on their granting program, The Kindling
Fund.
Judy suggested that the Cultural Vibrancy Committee look at working with the Penobscot Senior
College for future endeavors.
The Advocacy Committee is wrapping up the details of the AEP V Study and launching into
volunteer training and implementation of this initiative.
8. Other Business
Commissioners went around the table and noted events happening in the City over the next month.
Being no other business, the meeting was adjourned.
To watch a full version of the Commission on Cultural Development’s September 10 meeting,
please visit: http://bangormaine.pegcentral.com/