Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-07-28 Commission on Cultural Development Minutes Commission for Cultural Development Minutes of Regular Meeting July 28, 2006 7:30 a.m. Minutes of Regular Meeting July 28, 2006 7:30 a.m. Attendees: Members: Evelyn Silver, Steve Ribble, Susan Carlisle, Sandra Leonard, Susan Attendees: Members: Evelyn Silver, Steve Ribble, Susan Carlisle, Sandra Leonard, Susan Jonason Jonason Staff: Sally Bates Staff: Sally Bates Discovery Research Update Christina Piazza, the person employed by Bangor Symphony to work with the Commission on the Discovery Research Project a/k/a Cultural Assessment, provided a description of her activities to date, and received suggestions from Commissioners for changes to be made in the on-line survey that is accessible from both bangormaine.gov and downtownbangor.com. Ms. Piazza reported that over 200 surveys had been received already, that she is currently updating the cultural inventory, and is approaching individuals, groups and companies to spread the word that the City would like to get many respondents to the survey. Two public meetings are scheduled for August 17 to help raise awareness of the survey and cultural assessment project. More public meetings will be held in the fall after survey and focus group data has been received and preliminarily analyzed. The Commission reviewed the report of the Subcommittee for Programs and Grants, and decided on the following: Grant request from Bangor Museum and Center for History $500,000: $100,000 for 5 years, beginning in 2006, in connection with a capital campaign to raise $2,900,000 in cash . The request to the City would be used 1) for the inventory, inspection, conservation and preparation of the museum’s collection for exhibition and/or storage and 2) the design, fabrication, and installation of exhibits and interpretation at the museums 25 Broad Street location.  At this time The Commission for Cultural Development concluded that it needs more information from BM&CFH before making a recommendation to the Council. Commission will invite the BM&CFH to meet with them again in September, at which time the BM&CFH will provide more information. Grant request from Penobscot Theatre Company $25,000 Funding for a $67,425 project: First Annual New Play Festival at the Bangor Opera House in May 2007, with pre-production expenses beginning in Sept, 2006.  The Commission for Cultural Development will recommend to Council (on 8/14) that PTC be awarded $10,000 for this project if it can raise $23,000 in cash from other funding sources by March 31, 2007.  Susan Jonason abstained from voting on this item. Grant request from Maine Discovery Museum Funding of $125,000 to be applied to annual operating expenses.  Commission for Cultural Development will not recommend any funding for this request. The Commission believes that this organization and other major cultural organizations could benefit from technical assistance to identify new operating models. The Commission will pursue grants from foundations in support of the arts, and may also appropriate some of its funding to be used to bring technical assistance to those organizations as a group. Proposal for the City of Bangor to participate in getting an annual New Year’s Eve celebration underway in Downtown Bangor. Total budget for year 1 is $12,500, and Bangor Center Corporation is committed to producing the event this year, in partnership with other businesses and organizations providing a mix of cash and in- kind services. BCC invited the City to put its name on the event as a sponsor, particularly since Council Chambers will be one of the several venues in which an evening of entertainment will be programmed.  Commission for Cultural Development will recommend to Council (on 8/14) that the City allocate $2,000 from its FY 2007 cultural appropriation to help get this event started. Funds are to be used for programming to be presented in Bangor City Hall.