HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-12-11 Commission on Cultural Development Minutes
City of Bangor, Commission on Cultural Development
Minutes
December 11, 2014
8:30 AM
City Council Chambers
Commissioners Present: George Kinghorn (Chair), Judy Boothby (Vice Chair), Tom Avila, Jamie
Ballinger, Mary Budd, Emily Burnham, Uli Guthrie, Kat Johnson, Kierie Piccininni, Elissa Young, and
Caitlin Brooke (staff)
Guests: Anna Hepler, Chris Roberts
1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
A motion was made by Kierie and seconded by Uli to approve the previous meeting minutes. The motion
passed by a unanimous vote.
3. Review Grant Application from Anna Hepler
Eastport, Maine artist Anna Hepler applied for an Individual Artist Grant and presented her project in
summary to the Commission. The application would, in part, fund the construction of a floating sculpture
in the Kenduskeag Stream. The exact location of the sculpture would be near the footbridge that crosses
to the UMaine Art Museum’s entrance.
Anna explained that the tidal characteristic of the Kenduskeag is ideal. The sculpture will almost be a
secret during low tide and more obvious to passersby during high tides. The material will be primarily
fiberglass, same as a boat’s hull, and brightly colored. It will coincide with an exhibition of the artist’s
work that will be on display at the UMaine Art Museum from June through September 2015. Caitlin
noted that she and Anna have connected with the City’s Environmental Coordinator to address any
environmental concerns and work closely with the necessary organizations throughout the process.
Mary asked how the artwork will relate to the works in the exhibition? Anna explained that her work is
both 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional—etchings, prints, sculpture.
Jamie asked if Anna is concerned about damage to the sculpture if it beaches on the rocks in the Stream at
low tide? Anna said she is not. It will be the same durability of a boat hull and she knows it won’t be
pristine afterwards. Ideally, she’d like to move the piece to the Eastport waterfront in October.
Tom asked how the general viewers will figure out the connection to the UMMA show. Also, how will
the process move forward since it’s the first time the artist has worked with these materials? Anna
answered that she intended for passersby to be curious and mystified by the sculpture’s presence. She will
work with consultants and other resources to develop workplans, etc. Caitlin noted that she has had
experience working with Anna at the Portland Museum of Art and that the artist was receptive to the
needs of the institution and openly communicated at every point of that process.
Uli asked how the public will be able to understand what is going on? Anna said that she hopes the
sculpture will be more of a surprise for the general public while the connection will be more obvious for
museum visitors. It isn’t the artist’s intention for the audience to interact with the piece in a specific way;
there will be enough organic conversation because of the piece’s abstraction. George did note that the
piece will be described in the Museum’s didactic material. He also commented that the Commission
should note that the Commission funding would only cover a portion of the material cost.
Tom noted that the Commission should remember that these are public funds that are being utilized so the
public should be served by what is being put forth.
Elissa asked if the image provided was the final design? Anna said she may choose a simpler form.
Commissioners voiced excitement about the project, its originality, and how it speaks to the
Commission’s interest in promoting the creation of more public art.
Mary made a motion to approve the funding of the grant at the amount requested ($1,000), Kierie
seconded. Six “yeses” with George and Kat abstaining from the vote.
A conversation was entered into that looked at the Individual Artist Grants. George gave a bit of
background on how the grant was developed and some of the elements of the conversations that molded
the grant into how it is presently. He noted that the reason individual artists have not applied to this grant,
prior to Anna Hepler, is because it is not consistent with other individual artist grants from other
organizations. It only deals with funding an artist’s materials in the form of a reimbursement. He
suggested the Commission look at reformatting the Individual Artist Grants to look at the artist's prior
history of excellence and to base decisions on their past work—consistent with ways in which other
grants and funding opportunities are evaluated.
Emily asked what the process was to change the language in the grant. Caitlin noted that the Commission
would have submit suggested changes to the Business and Economic Development Committee for
approval that would then go to City Council for final approval. Tom noted that it is important to keep in
mind that these are public funds and that the Commission needs to come up with ways to evaluate artist’s
experience and integrity with facts. Uli asked about compensating artist’s time and Josh said that the
reason we, as a City Committee, cannot do that is because of labor restrictions. Caitlin suggested adding a
requirement of a resume submission and integrate questions about an artist’s experience and past funding
into the line of questioning during the grant review. Mary also suggested an interim reporting
requirement. Elissa asked if there was a requirement for signage with a piece of artwork that utilizes
funding from the Individual Artist Grant? George said there is none at this time but, if the Commission
thinks this should happen, it should happen as the group expands the criteria for the grants. Jamie asked if
this is required by other granting organizations? Tom noted that in the acceptance letter to the artist we
could stipulate any crediting requirements. George suggested that the Commission tackle this in the New
Year.
4. Project Grants from Maine Artist Commission (MAC)
After meeting with Julie from the Maine Arts Commission, George received an update that MAC has
expanded their criteria to include municipalities as applicants in some grants.
5. Committee Reports (Arts and Cultural Policy)
Kierie and Uli have sent out invitations and a press release for the January 7 Self-Employment Taxes and
Tax Issues Workshop at the Bangor Public Library. They’ve also listed the event in community calendars
throughout the region. They are now focusing on February’s grant writing workshop. Kierie asked George
or Caitlin to forward the name of someone at the Maine Arts Commission who would be a good resource
on grant writing.
Kierie attended the December meeting of Bangor Arts and the group overwhelmingly supported the
workshops. It was suggested that the workshops be scheduled at different times of day to accommodate
varying schedules. Meg Shorette (Central Gallery/Launchpad) offered to host a workshop. Caitlin will
create a Facebook event for the taxes workshop.
Elissa and Emily met to begin outlining strategies for the goals in the Marketing section of the Arts and
Cultural Policy. They hope to update and clarify the language on the individual artist grants, and to utilize
the Bangor Arts website and Facebook page more consistently to push information about arts in Bangor.
They also would like to: create a monthly events calendar; utilize in a more efficient way the platforms to
which the Commission has access; create a Cultural Commission email address (Caitlin to find out if that
is okay); and initiate a “call to artists” campaign for workshops, grants, and ways to learn more about
what the Commission on Cultural Development does.
It was requested that a final copy of the Arts and Cultural Policy be sent to Commissioners via email.
6. Election of Chair and Vice Chair
The slate provided on the agenda was from the nominations made at the November meeting: Jamie
Ballinger (Chair) and Mary Budd (Vice Chair). George noted that he would encourage the new Chair and
the City Liaison, in consultation with the other Commissioners, to write “job descriptions” for the Chair
and Vice Chair and move forward with creating a “board orientation” for newly appointed
Commissioners.
George opened the floor for other nominations for the Chair. Being none, nominations were closed.
George opened the floor for other nominations for the Vice Chair. Kat nominated Kierie.
(Caitlin stepped out of the meeting for a brief period of time to determine who the Ex-Officio members of
the Commission were. The Ex-Officio members are non-voting members unless appointed to vote by the
Chair in the absence of a voting member. She found that Uli and Elissa are the 2014 Ex-Officio
members.)
Before voting began, Mary withdrew her nomination. The new slate of officers is Jamie Ballinger, Chair,
and Kierie Piccinnini, Vice Chair. Kat made a motion to elect the slate of officers, Judy seconded, and all
were in favor.
Thanks were given to George and Judy for their efforts leading the Commission for the past year.
7. Other Items
The Commission reviewed previous signage designs for the “Continuity of Community” statue on the
Waterfront. The signage was originally proposed in 2013 and approved by the Commission, but the
process was waylaid. Emily made a motion to spend Commission’s funds to purchase signage for the
statue, Jamie seconded, all were in favor. Emily noted that the sign should be proofread before being
brought before the Business and Economic Development Committee.
Commissioners scheduled a workshop on January 14 at 5:30 p.m. to review the Individual Artist Grant
Application. The location is TBD.
Kierie encouraged everyone to attend the public forum at Husson University that evening regarding the
development and future plans for the Broadway traffic corridor.
The Commission requested information and an update about the Optional Investment Fund for the
January meeting.
To watch a full version of the Commission on Cultural Development’s December 11 meeting, please
visit: http://bangormaine.pegcentral.com/player.php?video=bbd431be2d8f87d0e3609c2d47c7aad7