HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-07-27 Commission on Cultural Development Minutes
Commission for Cultural Development
Minutes of July 27, 2007
Minutes of Regular Meeting July 27, 2007 7:30 a.m.
Minutes of Regular Meeting 7:30 a.m.
Attendees: Members: Evelyn Silver, Gerry Palmer, John Rohman, Sandra Leonard, Susan Jonason
Attendees: Members: Evelyn Silver, Gerry Palmer, John Rohman, Sandra Leonard, Susan Jonason
Staff: Sally Bates
Staff: Sally Bates
The Commission approved the minutes of their April 27, 2007 meeting.
Evelyn Silver gave a report Report of Program and Grants Subcommittee, and its
recommendations. The Commission voted on each of the items separately. The
recommendations to Bangor City Council are as follows:
To expend $2,000 to fund programming in City Council Chambers for the
12/31/07 Downtown Countdown 12/31/07 (Payable to Bangor Center
Corporation, the producing sponsor of the event.) (Based on success of 12/31/06
and expansion of partners and activities planned for 12/31/07; most funding coming
from other sources.) Unanimous.
To grant $5,000 to Bangor Book Festival (Bangor Public Library, fiscal agent)
with funds restricted to marketing costs and food/lodging for authors. This is
a new event constructed to appeal to all age groups and to promote and build
audiences for Maine authors. Activities to be held downtown. Majority of funding coming
from other sources.
Unanimous.
To grant $10,000 to Maine Discovery Museum for a public awareness
campaign for new exhibits. Strong proposal for purpose essential to promoting the
Museum’s sustained quality and appeal. Museum is raising > 50% from other sources.
Unanimous.
To grant $15,000 to Bangor Symphony Orchestra for lighting and sound for 4
performances at Bangor Auditorium for its upcoming season. (While MCA is not
available.) BSO had requested $30,000. Committee believes that other funders should
participate in covering the BSO’s incremental costs. Commissioners Jonason and
Leonard abstained from the discussion and the vote.
To Grant Penobscot Theatre $5,000 to restore heating capacity to former
Jewish Community Center so it can be used as carpentry shop and
administrative offices. The move frees up Opera House for greater utilization by other
groups, thereby enhancing rental revenues while better serving the community.
Unanimous.
Penobscot Theatre had requested $25,000. PTC will be vacating rental space now used
for construction, and will be saving utility costs at Opera House. Committee’s analysis
led it to conclude that the $25,000 in improvements is in essence advance rent to J
Bapst, the JCC’s owner. The project doesn’t increase costs to PTC, it creates a cash flow
problem for the theatre ($25k out of pocket versus monthly rent of $450). Committee
also did not believe the City should foot the entire bill for improvements to be made at
JCC. Committee recommends that PTC borrow the remaining $20k if necessary.
The Art in Public Places Subcommittee presented a revised Policy for Art in Public Places Policy.
Based on its experience reviewing public art and memorial projects over the past two years, the
Commission for Cultural Development determined that the policy should be clarified to assure
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that projects are completed in accordance with their approved plans, and that the policy defines
a process for addressing projects that do not comply with their approved plans. The vote to
recommend a revised policy to City Council was unanimous.
ANNUAL WORK PLAN
The commission unanimously approved the following annual work plan, and authorizing use of
the remaining funds from the 2006 Discovery Research Grant (Approx $2,200) and up to $8,000
from the current year’s appropriation for cultural development, making the total budget for the
annual work plan $10,200.
Establish a separate “City” website for cultural matters, including an email
account for people to send information and suggestions to the Commission. Link
to it from the City’s site. Encourage blogging. Include an on-line registry for
artists, events, etc (supports S.O. #1, #2, #3, #4, #6) Could be contracted and
paid for with funding from the cultural appropriation and grants.
Use file specs for the registry data base (from MAC). Put out rfp for
site development and hosting. Get site up and running. Put out rfp for site
administration...consider combining with newsletter.
Establish an e-mail newsletter (cultural listserve) (supports S.O. #1, #3) Could
be contracted and paid for with funding from the cultural appropriation and
grants. Put out rfp for newsletter…consider combining with site admin.
Partner with a variety of media to help the public access information about
arts/culture/heritage activities. (supports S.O. #1, #2, #3, #4, #5,#6) This can
take the form of providing content, speakers, expertise, and some degree of
financial participation. The Commission could be a clearing house for proposals.
Establish a modest budget for speakers and related costs. Candidate for
capacity building funds for projects after July 1, 2008. John Rohman volunteered
to work with staff to select topics and cultivate partnerships, and to make a room
at WBRC AE available for meetings.
Provide technical assistance for cultural organizations collectively, and for artists
and businesses collectively. Can be delivered in seminars, on-line, and in articles
and widely distributed materials. (supports S.O. #1, #3) (Commission should
work with cultural organizations to identify topics and resources. Commission
should also entertain suggestions coming in from its web site for topics and
resources that address individual artists.) This service could be contracted and
paid for with funding from the cultural appropriation and grants.
Candidate for capacity building funds for projects after July 1, 2008. John
Rohman volunteered to work with staff.
Encourage and support activities that break down barriers between
arts/culture/heritage organizations and potential audiences. (supports S.O. #2,
#3) Commission could assist Cultural Organizations in developing and hosting
networking activities.
Candidate for capacity building funds for projects after July 1, 2008. John
Rohman volunteered to work with staff on this.
Cultural Commission closely follows, and comments on, plans for replacement
auditorium and civic center as they progress. (supports S.O. #5) No budget
required.
Susan Jonason volunteered to be the lead Commissioner on this.
Capacity building grant deadline is 12/14/07 for projects beginning after
7/1/2008. Maximum grant $10,000 with a 1:1 match (cash or in-kind).
Prepare an application for a $20,000 project: $10k from MAC; $5k from City;
$5k in-kind from City. This will require City Council approval before staff may
execute.
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ANNUAL WORK PLAN, CONTINUED.
ANNUAL WORK PLAN, CONTINUED.
Year 1 spending $10,200
Year 1 spending $10,200
$4000+$1000+$1000+$1000= $7,000 and $600+$1,200+$1,200= $3,000
$4000+$1000+$1000+$1000= $7,000 and $600+$1,200+$1,200= $3,000
Estimated recurring spending, year 2 and beyond = $3000
Estimated recurring spending, year 2 and beyond = $3000
Year 2 spending for capacity building activities = $15,000
Year 2 spending for capacity building activities = $15,000
(presumes full funding from Maine Arts Commission)
(presumes full funding from Maine Arts Commission)
$10,000 MAC grant , + $5,000 from City (plus $5,000 in-kind from City)
$10,000 MAC grant , + $5,000 from City (plus $5,000 in-kind from City)
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