The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2009-10-19 Commission on Cultural Development Minutes Joint Meeting with Bangor Arts Collaborative � . � Joint Meeting of Commission on Cultural Development 8� Bangor Arts Collaborative October 19, 2009 @ 11:OQ am � City Hall, Council Chambers, 3`d Floor � Minutes � Attendance: George Kinghorn, Dana Lippitt, Barbara McDade, Scott Levy, Steve Ribble, Susan Jonason, Julie Lisnet, Gibran Graham, John Rohman, Rodney McKay, Susan Carlisie, Geoff Gratwick, Kathy Tenga-Gonzalez, Andrea Stark & Shirar Patterson (Staf� � 1. Welcome 8 Introductions All introduced themselves Shirar noted that she is the staff member responsible for implementation of this grant. � John Rohman reviewed some history of this project. • A $10,000 grant from the Maine Arts Commission with a $10,000 City match. • Must advance the project quickly as it wraps up by June 2010. May ask the Arts � Commission for an extension but need to show progress before doing so. Implementation needs to occur ASAP. • Opportunity to advance the marketing aspects for all entities involved. Will allow � for better coordination of marketing and allow us to look for opportunities to collaborate. � 2. Review of Maine Art's Commission Grant Application � Timeline • Shirar reviewed the grant deliverables and gave a status update to the group • Barbara McDade asked what had happened to the street signs as that had been � part of the original discussions and is a great need. Other's echoed this concern. • Those around the table felt that signs are important but costly. This grant cannot cover the full cost of creating signage but can start the process. � • It was agreed that existing tools (i.e. websites) be used as much as possible rather than re-creating the wheei. • Materials created, logo, need to be utilized all around • The grant is a collaborative effort. With no staff link for quite some-time it has � made the project difficult but all are ready to move forward quickly. • It was noted that most importantly we need to demonstrate when have spent funds efficiently and effectively. � • Steve Ribble noted that the Commission's goal is to promote culture and arts in Bangor as a whole. This is not limited to fine arts but can include independent artists. � • Scott Levy voiced concern re: pulling independent artists into this grant process as the grant was issued specifically to the collaborators listed in the grant application. � • Susan Jonason noted that the collaborators are a key draw to Bangor and if they are strong then it will strengthen the Arts Community as a whole. • The internet project can be a place for the smaller groups and independent � � artists but the brochure/rack card group are the 8 entities that are part of the grant application • The group agreed that this particular project is focused on the key collaborators listed in the grant appl�cation. - �` • Barbara McDade felt that a marketing plan is needed � George Kinghorn noted that key signage is necessary to find Arts & Cultural _� entities in Bangor and could we scale down project to fit our budget? � � • Several noted that most peopie come into their establishments because they are � walking by and see a sandwich board sign so it reinforces how critical signage is. • Several Arts and Cuftural groups are not in the Arts and Cultural (Downtown) � district but wilf see the benefit of the marketing materials and web presence etc. • Scott noted he would like to see a brochure similar to LA Arts that has an annual calendar of events that is mailed to every resident and available through the � CVB, Info Centers etc. • Discussion of hiring a marketing professional or using knowledge and creativity around the tabfe and the group determined that they do not have enough time as � they are all managing their organizations. • Noted that LA A�ts is an independent arts council with staff etc. Kathy noted that it cou[d be a goal to develop our own in Bangor. � • It was noted that there is an opportunity to collaborate on signage with the Bangor Center Corp and that Downtown TIF funds might be available to support this infrastructure improvement but will take some time. � • Scott noted that these dollars are a foundation for what comes next. $20K is not enough to get everything we want/need but it is a starting point. 3. Next Steps � • Create RFP requesting: Org name, logo, marketing plan, signage recommendations, recommendation for integration with City and Bangor Center Corp websites, Design of template brochure. ' • An RFP committee (Steve, George, Sandy, Dana and Shirar) will develop RFP and review initial proposals. The top proposal (or proposals) will come to the full group for a presentation and the group wifl make a final decision. � 4. Schedule next meeting • Next meeting will take place in late November. Shirar will send a meetingwizard � to schedule , � � � i � � 1 �