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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-08-08 Commission on Cultural Development Minutes City of Bangor, Commission on Cultural Development Minutes August 8th, 2013 8:30 AM City Council Chambers Commissioners present:, Judy Boothby, George Kinghorn (Vice-Chair), Jamie Ballinger, Josh Plourde, Councilor Blanchette and Jason Bird (staff) Commissioners not in attendance: Tim Lo (Chair), Elisabeth Young 1. Previous Meeting Minutes Jamie Ballinger made a motion, which was seconded by Josh Plourde, to approve the minutes as presented. The motion passed by a unanimous vote. 2. Update on Changes to Grant Review Requests After a brief discussion, the group reached on consensus on the type of review for the two grant applications that will be considered in the next agenda item. The reasoning behind the use of the older review or approach was that Chair Lo was unable to attend the meeting and he was the architect of the new process. The Commission felt that it was best to implement the new review for the next round of applications. 3. Consideration of Two Grant Requests The Bangor Book Festival, with the Bangor Public Library as its fiscal agent, submitted an application for funding of $2,000 in partial support of this year’s Bangor Book Festival, an annual celebration of thth authors and/or books with a connection to Maine. Scheduled for October 4-5, this will be the 7 year of the event. The Commission members expressed their support for the event, citing the program’s popularity and benefit to the community. A motion was made by Jamie Ballinger and seconded by Councilor Blanchette to approve the application as presented. The motion passed by a unanimous vote. The Bangor Ballet submitted an application for funding of $2,400 in partial support of an evening workshop in collaboration with the Penobscot Theatre to introduce local families to the works of Shakespeare through theatre, music and dance. The total cost of the workshop is estimated to be $5,250. A cost of $20-$50 will be charged to families depending on the family size and level of participation. Workshop costs include advertising, supplies, staff time, costumes and more. The Commission members expressed their support for the event, citing the collaboration and of the reputation for good programming of the Ballet and Theatre. A motion was made by Jamie Ballinger and seconded by Josh Plourde to approve the application as presented. The motion passed by a unanimous vote, with Judy Boothby abstaining from voting due to a conflict of interest. 4. Optional Cultural Investment Fund Josh Plourde presented the intent behind the creation of the Fund. If supported by the Commission and the Council, an opt-in form would be added to the City sewer bills that are sent to each user. Those donations would be held in a separate account and available to the Commission for Cultural Development to invest, using the same policies and guidelines it currently has in place. As always, the Council will review and consider the projects that are recommended for passage by the Commission. The group offered suggestions to the verbiage of the form and the longer description of the form. They include further detailing the year round arts and cultural organizations. Those recommendations will be made before the document is sent to the Council. Jason Bird suggested that the Commission request the use of up to $500 for the initial printing costs of the form for the first wave of sewer bills. A motion was made by Josh Plourde and seconded by Jamie Ballinger, to recommend that the Council adopt the Fund and the use of up to $500 from the Commission’s funds for the printing of the forms. The motion passed by a unanimous vote, with Councilor Blanchette abstaining. 5. Discussion of Comprehensive Arts and Cultural Plan and Maine Arts Commission Grant George Kinghorn discussed the past attempts to update the 5 year Cultural Plan. He went on to explain that the Bangor Arts group has decided to hold off on the application to MAC, which would have included plans to develop a larger and more comprehensive cultural investment plan. As a result, it makes sense for the Commission to revisit the process and the development of its own plan. The group suggested that the Commission work closely with the City’s arts and cultural organizations to develop the strategy. Jason will send an email to the group to discuss the development of the plan. The group also discussed the need and how to market the cultural assets. Some discussed that the scope may be more than the Commission could address. Discussion also focused on working with the Convention and Visitors Bureau and others to do the marketing. The group also discussed the idea of promoting the arts and cultural organizations on the government access channel. Residents and visitors alike would then have greater knowledge of the events and activities happening in the City. 6. Other Business The Commission discussed the community mural project again in light of the Historic Preservation Commission meeting that evening. Jason discussed the logistical and administrative work that he and Jennifer Hooper of Spark! Bangor has been working on. The group reinforced it support for the project and Judy Boothby said that she planned on attending the meeting to help convey the Commission’s support for the project.