HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-02-13 23-079 OrderCITY COUNCIL ACTION
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ANNUAL REPORT of the CULTURAL COMMISSION for the Calendar Year 2022.
Per the City of Bangor Code, Chapter 23, Article III, "Commission on Cultural
Development," § 23-20, Meetings; annual report; quorum: "The Commission shall
meet at least quarterly and, prior to December 31 of each calendar year, shall prepare
and submit to the City Council an annual report outlining its activities during the
preceding twelve-month period."
The Commission on Cultural Development's mission is to promote the development of
Bangor as a regional arts center that nurtures the artistic and cultural expression of its
diverse peoples, and is authorized to assess Bangor's cultural needs; to develop and
maintain a comprehensive arts and cultural policy based on a 5-year vision statement,
assuring that plans and policies are developed with consideration of the needs of the
community's future adults, providing them with additional incentive to remain or return to
Bangor.
Commission members for 2022: Jane Bragg, Chair; Barbara McDade, Vice -Chair; Hollie
Adams, Aubrae Filipiak; Tristan Greenlaw; Katherine Malea (resigned due to competing
obligations); Marge McGill (resigned December; moved out of Bangor); Margaret Rieley;
Kevin Smith; Shane Smith; Lovern Stockwell, Dina Yacoubagha (City Council).
Grant Subcommittee, Chair Marge McGill
Requested and received approval to move grant application deadlines to April and
October (from May and November). Reviewed spring applications and made
recommendations to the full commission. For fall applications, there were ample funds
available and all applications worthy of support and the grant committee chose to not
review them before the general commission meeting in November.
• Spring 2022 Grant Awardees - Total awarded $4,840
• Launchpad — $840 requested and awarded for wheat paste mural project in
downtown Bangor featuring 12-15 installations of temporary artwork, increasing
vibrancy, and positively promoting the value of public art.
• Penobscot Theatre Company - $4,000 requested and awarded to produce
"Queen" by Madhuri Shekar as the opening production for the 2022-2023 season
and helping bring two actors and a dramaturg to guide in the portrayal of the Indian
diasporic culture that is fundamental to the production.
• Fall 2021 Grant Awardees — Total awarded $12,895
• Bangor Community Theatre - $2,895 requested and awarded for support of their
project expenses such as performance royalties/rights and purchase of scripts,
costumes/sets/props, printing of posters, tickets and programs, and fees for online
streaming and publicity.
• Bangor Symphony Orchestra - $5,000 requested and awarded for support of its
full return of its Bangor Arts Exchange educational and performance programs.
• Maine Discovery Museum - $5,000 requested and awarded for support of the
Maine Science Festival
ARTober Subcommittee. Co -Chairs Barbara McDade and Kevin Smith
The city granted the commission $5,000 for the fiscal year over the $15,000 base budget.
Creation of a Bangor Arts award was approved by City Council. Thirteen nominations
were received from community members. A five -member jury selected Annette Sohns
Dodd as the winner of the $1,000 award presented at the opening reception held at the
Zilman Art Museum on December 2. In addition to the Bangor Arts award, the ARTober
committee, in coordination with the Downtown Bangor Partnership, maintained a calendar
of arts events occurring in the month of October and made use of social media. There
was a window display at the former Epic Sports building, and 14 State Street. City
provided banners.
Cultural Assets Subcommittee, Chair Aubrae Filipiak
- Reviewed and completed survey of existing public art/monuments, submitted condition
report to Parks and Rec director
- Finalized new signage for Paul Bunyan statue, submitted content and files to Parks and
Rec director
- Continued work on third and final story map, focused on family -friendly activities and
attractions in Bangor
- Led the RFP process for a new piece of public art to be installed on the Davis Brook
Stack, reviewed proposals and selected a piece by Wabanaki artist Stephen Hooke. The
piece, a stainless -steel replica of a traditional Wabanaki canoe, is under fabrication
currently and will be installed in early 2023.
2023 Work Plan
1. Review applications and make recommendations for spring and fall 2023 grant
cycles.
2. Continue work on refining grant rubric.
3. Plan and execute an ARTober program.
4. Continue to review cultural assets and development of Story Maps.
5. Address other issues as they may arise or referred by City Council.
To Be Approved by the Commission on Cultural Development on January 6, 2023.
IN CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY
CO 23-079
Passed
CITY CLERK