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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-11-04 Commission on Cultural Development Minutes Commission for Cultural Development Minutes of Regular Meeting November 4, 2005, 7:30 a.m. Minutes of Regular Meeting November 4, 2005, 7:30 a.m. Bangor City Hall Council Chambers Bangor City Hall Council Chambers Attendees: Attendees: Members: John Rohman, Geoff Gratwick, Evelyn Silver, Steve Ribble, Jim Members: John Rohman, Geoff Gratwick, Evelyn Silver, Steve Ribble, Jim Linehan, Susan Jonason, Sandra Blake Leonard Linehan, Susan Jonason, Sandra Blake Leonard Staff: Sally Bates (and Frank Comeau for item 2) Staff: Sally Bates (and Frank Comeau for item 2) 1. Minutes of the September and October meetings were accepted. Minutes of the September and October meetings were accepted. 2. The Commissioners gave approval to the recommendation of the Art in Public Places subcommittee to acceptance of a gift of a bench from Thomas Civiello, to be placed in Fairmount Park. Thomas G. Civiello has proposed to donate a park bench to be placed, in a spot chosen by Bangor Parks and Recreation in Fairmount Park, in memory of his mother, Joyce Elizabeth Civiello. The bench would be of the style placed along Front Street and Railroad Street in 2003 and 2004, which constitutes the current standard generally preferred for City parks. Affixed to the bench will be a 2" by 10" plaque engraved "In loving memory of Joyce Elizabeth Civiello. The Commission noted in its review process that the project met the guidelines for accepting public art and monuments to be located on City property. The full Council for Cultural Development voted to recommend that the City Council approve acceptance of this gift. 3. The Commissioners gave their full approval to the recommendation of the Program and Grants subcommittee to recommend to City Council approval of a grant request of $950 from Maine Discovery Museum. On September 30, the Maine Discovery Museum submitted an application for funding of $950 in partial support of a $2,545 program to provide a membership to the Bangor Public Library and partial support of outreach programs to Head Start Centers and Park Woods. The Commission noted in its review process that the project provides a lot of value for the cost; that large numbers of children will be served, both in the museum and in the outreach program; that the museum has already raised partial funding from other sources; and that the project involves a collaboration with the Bangor Public Library. 4. The Commissioners discussed the recommendation of the Program and Grants subcommittee to recommend to City Council partial funding, at a level from $10,000 to $15,000, of a grant request of $25,000 from Penobscot Theatre. The Commission noted in its review process that the project met all funding criteria and the application was complete. The Commission noted as specific strengths that the project  is a collaboration between Penobscot Theatre, Bangor Symphony, and Robinson Ballet;  involves an educational component on domestic violence and will bring in Spruce Run to help convey the nature of the social problem;  has strong artistic merit, and is actually a Maine-based musical;  addresses community demand to bring back outdoor theatre;  production will provide healthy programming activity for Pickering Square;  fleshes out the summer event schedule for downtown Bangor;  will encourage increased retail and restaurant activity in downtown during the weekend of production. The Commission noted that the budget in the application appeared to underestimate both revenue potential and operating expenses, and that details for additional sources of revenue should be better analyzed during the production planning process. However, the Commission identified this as the type of project that it would like to see annually and that Penobscot Theatre is actively seeking grants from other sources that would provide the match for City funds. The Council for Cultural Development recommends that the City Council approve a grant of $12,500, which is 50% of the amount requested. Because Bangor Symphony is a partner in the production for which the Theatre seeks funding, Commissioner Susan Jonason did not vote on this issue at either the subcommittee proceedings or at this meeting. 5. The Commissioners scheduled another workshop with representatives 5. The Commissioners scheduled another workshop with representatives proposing a memorial for Charles Howard. The workshop will take place on proposing a memorial for Charles Howard. The workshop will take place on December 2, separately from the regular meeting of the Commission. December 2, separately from the regular meeting of the Commission. Attendees discussed strategy for applying for a grant from Maine Arts Attendees discussed strategy for applying for a grant from Maine Arts Commission for either Discovery Research, or followup to Discovery Research. Commission for either Discovery Research, or followup to Discovery Research. Sally Bates drafted an abstract of the project for which funding will be Sally Bates drafted an abstract of the project for which funding will be sought, to establish a common understanding. Commissioners agreed with sought, to establish a common understanding. Commissioners agreed with the following abstract, and directed Sally Bates and John Rohman to pursue the following abstract, and directed Sally Bates and John Rohman to pursue funding as they deem most advantageous: funding as they deem most advantageous: Bangor, Maine Cultural Assessment Project Abstract: Bangor's Commission for Cultural Development will conduct a “Cultural conduct a “Cultural Survey”, updating the community's cultural assets, creating a list of Survey”, updating the community's cultural assets, creating a list of cultural needs, and assessing how well the cultural assets meet the cultural needs, and cultural needs. Strategies will be identified for meeting those needs and rategies will be identified for meeting those needs and preserving existing assets. The Commission will then develop a preserving existing assets. T comprehensive “Arts & Cultural Policy” for the community based on a 5- year vision and related strategic objectives. 6. The next meeting is scheduled for Friday, December 2, at 7:30 a.m. 6. The next meeting is scheduled for Friday, December 2, at 7:30 a.m. in Council Chambers. in Council Chambers.