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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-03-09 Commission on Cultural Development Minutes Joint Meeting with Bangor Arts Collaborative � � Joint Meeting of Commission on Cultural Development& Bangor Arts March 9, 2010 @ 4:00 PM � City Hall, Community and Economic Development Conference Room, 2"d Floor Minutes Commissioners in Aftendance: Steve Ribble, Commission Chair; Sandra Blake-Leonard, John � Rohman, Geoff Gratwick (joined meeting in progress) Bangor Arts Members in Attendance: Scott Levy, Penobscot Theatre & Bangor Arts Chair, � George Kinghorn, University of Maine Museum of Art; Barbara McDade, Bangor Public Library; Dana Lippitt, Bangor Museum & History Center; David Whitehill, Bangor Symphony; Gibran Graham, River City Cinema; � City Staff in Attendance: Shirar Patterson, Department of Community and Economic Development � 1. Review� Discussion of Bangor Arts Positioning Statement _ • Bangor Arts members met as a follow up to the February 22, 2010 meeting between Cultural Commission Members and Bangor Arts. • As the Maine Arts Capacity Building Grant project has progressed questions have arisen to how the outcomes of the grant will be utilized (logo use, marketing plan, ownership etc). � • Bangor Arts members felt it was prudent to meet and create a positioning statement to shape the group moving forward as some of the discussion re: � future possibilities/projects are outside the scope of the Capacity Building grant � that had been awarded. • In their meeting Bangor Arts members reviewed the narrative of the grant application and better understood the role of the arts organizations and the �' Cultural CommissionJCity • The group present at today's meeting reviewed the Bangor Arts positioning statement �; • Commissioners felt that the document was very strong and has real merit- it shows the big picture of Bangor Arts • All in attendance felt that these 8 organizations that make up Bangor Arts really � are the only organizations providing year round programming at this time. Perhaps in the future Bangor Arts could grow if other organizations emerge or seasonal organizations rise to the level of year round programming. � • Bangor Arts members indicated that they have no wish to formalize or incorporate beyond their current status at this time. • Bangor Arts noted that they have created a monthly meeting schedule for the � next twelve months and have elected Scott Levy as chair of the group. 2. Discussion of outcomes of Maine Arts Commission Grant(logo use, ownership etc) ,� • The group felt that the specifics of this particular grant indicate that the City, specifically Cultural Commission staff, is responsible for administering and implementing the outcomes of the grant. � • Bangor Arts members reiterated fhat the Capacity Building grant was written because the consortium of organizations approached the City requesting � � . � assistance to promote arts and cultural organizations that would in turn help grow � the creative economy • This grant period and City's involvement is finite and provides an infinite � product(s) • All in attendance agreed that the City is responsible for assuring that the project is completed and deliverables are addressed but the products pass to Bangor � Arts after the grant project is completed for implementation and follow through. • Councilor Gratwick asked if the money from this grant will be spent in FY10. It was noted that that is the plan as the grant is written. ,� 3. Other Items? • Discussion re: the Bangor Arts logo and defining the downtown district. � Some felt that the group on the project (and some outside the project) is looking at the Bangor Arts logo as one in the same as defining the downtown district. • The group in attendance determined that it is not one in the same but that we should be able to incorporate branding elements rather than the Bangor Arts logo � on downtown signage, posters etc that will allow for brand cohesiveness. • The group discussed the idea of incorporating the logos of multiple organizations on downtown signage moving forward to show shared ownership and support � (ex. Bangor Arts, City of Bangor, Bangor Center Corporation, Downtown Restaurant group etc) • It was suggested that the Bangor Arts Iogo migMt adapted as needed to � incorporate verbiage relating to different facets. The same logo would be used so the picturelbrand is recognized but the organiiation itself may be different. Many other communities do this. For example, one logo might say Bangor Arts while � another logo with the same look says Downtown Arts District. , • Discussion re: promotion of Bangor Arts, this and future projects with the City Council. It was noted that it is important to keep the arts front and center � through advocacy and demonstration that the arts is the fabric of the City and also spur the creative economy (which is one of the major reasons the Cultural Commission was created) • Several in attendance want to have a conversation with the City Council, perhaps ,� through a workshop • It was noted by members of Bangor Arts that the current grant structure for the Cultural Commission is prohibitive for long standing organizations/programs � because it favors new programs and it is not cost effective for organizations to create new programs when the existing programs work well • It was suggested that Bangor Arts put together a report or document outlining � what they have accomplished individually and as a group and how that has benefited the City focus on the economic as well as social benefits. This can highlight quality pieces and work, such as the positioning statement, and � package Bangor Arts to present for support of future projects both for the City and outside funders • Cultural Commission members noted that as a group they need to discuss the � upcoming budget cycle and plan for their workshop with the Council • It should be noted that the group is energized and excited about this project and future opportunities for arts and culture in Bangor � . � � � � BANGOR ARTS � BangorArts is a consortium of the major long-estabiished arts and cultural organizatior�s in Bangor, Maine, dedicated to increasing the visibility and patronage of � each other for the betterment of the city as a whole. Consortium members are destinations for citizens and visitors of Bangor and host an active year-round schedule of public programming and/or performances. � A member of BangorArts is at least one of the following: 1. Performing Arts Organization � 2. Visual Arts Organization 3. Literary Arts Organization 4. Museum � 5. Historic Site Additionally, each member of BangorArts: � 1. is an independent 501(c) 3 organization 2. offers programming for the citizens of Bangor throughout the year 3. has been in continuous operation for at least 5 years � � 4. has principal offices in Bangor � 5. currently and/or historically presents programs in Downtown Bangor's Arts & Cultural District � The charter members of BangorArts are: � ''Bangor Museum and Center for History *Bangor Public Library ""Bangor Symphony Orchestra �, *Maine Discovery Museum *Penobscot Theatre Company � `River City Cinema ""Robinson Ballet "University of Maine Museum of Art � � � . � � �