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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-11-01 Commission on Cultural Development Minutes � = . �a%��, � °:;� �m " � CITY o� BANGOR Commission on Cultural Development November 1, 2024 Room G41 at Penquis CAP, 262 Harlow Street Meetinq Minutes Commissioners Present: Hollie Adams, Sundance Campbell, Kelly Chenot, Cody Clark, Nina Earley, Kal Elmore, Barbara McDade, Samantha Schipani, Lovern Stockwell Others: Anne Krieg — Director of Development, Sarah Maquillan — Development Assistant, Tracy Willette— Director of Parks & Recreation (via Zoom) 1. A quorum being present the November 1, 2024 meeting of the Commission on Cultural Development was called to order by Chair Earley at 8:40 AM. 2. Meeting Minutes— Motion passed to approve the minutes of the October 4th meeting. 3. Financial Report— No questions; Development Assistant Sarah Maquillan noted that there is an additional expense for ARTober not yet noted on the report. 4. Committee Reports: a. ARTober— No updates b. Cultural Asset—As Committee Chair Greenlaw was not present, no update given; Vice Chair Adams and Commissioner McDade asked staff to follow-up on new plaque for canoe sculpture and kiosks at the Paul Bunyan statue. c. Grant— Committee Chair Adams provided a summary of the committee's review of the fall grant applications. 5. Review of Fall 2024 Grant Applications a. Bangor Symphony Orchestra—Sarah McCarthy presented to the Commission and provided an overview of the Orchestra's grant application. Vice Chair Adams asked for clarification regarding salaries and travel expenses for musicians— McCarthy responded that these are both included in the budgeted expenses. Chair Earley asked if the proposed project would still be able to be completed without funding from the Commission — McCarthy responded that it would. Adams also asked for clarification about the total budget and whether this covered just the proposed one-day performance— McCarthy responded that the proposed budget is for the full year-round program, not just the one performance. Commissioner Campbell asked whether the requested $5,000 would go towards the whole program or just the one performance— McCarthy responded that it would go towards the whole program, but that the majority would be used for the one performance. b. Christopher Packard —Applicant not able to be present; Vice Chair Adams provided an overview of his grant application. c. Penobscot Theatre Company—Jen Shepard presented to the Commission and provided an overview of the Theatre's grant application. Vice Chair Adams asked if the proposed project would still be able to be completed without funding from the Commission —Shephard responded that it would. d. Robinson Ballet— Hilary Graebert presented to the Commission and provided an overview of the Ballet's grant application. Chair Earley asked if the proposed project would still be able to be completed without funding from the Commission —Graebert responded that they would still put � = . �a%��, � °:;� �m " � CITY o� BANGOR on a similar production, but not at the same scale without grant funding. Commissioner Stockwell asked whether the Ballet has applied for other grants for this project— Graebert responded that they have not and that grant writing is still new a process for the Ballet due to staffing; clarified her new role with the organization. Commissioner Campbell asked for an estimated annual budget for the Ballet—Graebert responded that it is about $125,000, including staff salaries. e. Vice Chair Adams presented the Grant Committee's funding recommendations for the four applications —fully fund Christopher Packard's application ($1,000), and fund the remaining applications at 60% of their requested amounts ($3,000 each for Bangor Symphony Orchestra and Penobscot Theatre Company, and $2,250 for Robinson Ballet). Noted that, if Commission agreed to only award $10,000 in total this cycle, this would leave $750 remaining that could be added to the award for Robinson Ballet. Commissioner McDade expressed that she would be in favor of fully funding all four applications. Chair Earley responded that she would not be in favor of doing so as this would leave very little funds available for the spring grant cycle; Adams expressed agreement with this. Earley commented that there are several new grant opportunities coming up from the Maine Arts Commission that the applicants may want to consider applying for. Commissioner Campbell asked for clarification regarding how often applicants can request funds — Earley responded that they can only be awarded funds once per fiscal year (either the fall or spring cycle). Campbell added that he would like to abstain from voting on grant awards due to being a board member of Penobscot Theatre Company. Provided additional comments regarding the community contributions of each applicant. Development Director Anne Krieg stated that the Commission needs to hold a vote on Campbell's stated conflict of interests. f. MOTION by Commissioner Stockwell to allow Commissioner Campbell to abstain from voting on grant awards due to a conflict of interests. SECONDED by Vice Chair Adams and voted unanimously. g. Development Director Krieg clarified that Commissioner Campbell can continue to participate in discussion, but must leave for the vote on grant awards. Commissioners continued discussion on fairness of evenly or unevenly splitting funds between two grant cycles. Commissioner McDade asked if it was a requirement for the Commission that they hold two separate grant cycles each fiscal year. Krieg responded that they could decide to hold only one grant application period each year, but that they should not do so until the new fiscal year. Commissioners expressed some support for this. Vice Chair Adams brought up another proposal to award $12,000 for the fall cycle this year due to the strength of each application. Chair Earley asked about remaining ARTober funds that could potentially be used — Development Assistant Maquillan clarified. h. MOTION by Commissioner McDade to accept Vice Chair Adams' recommendation to award $4,000 to Bangor Symphony Orchestra, $4,000 to Penobscot Theatre Company, $3,000 to Robinson Ballet, and $1,000 to Christopher Packard. SECONDED and vote unanimously. 6. Public Restroom Art RFP —Chair Earley presented the following questions to Parks & Recreation Director Tracy Willette: a. Whether art could be installed on three sides of each restroom structure—Wllette responded that it could but each side would be a different size. b. If the City would provide plywood panels so each artist would have the same surface material, or if the City would just specify the type of material to be used —Wllette responded that it would be simplest for the City to provide the surface material. c. Whether specifications could be provided for inclusion in the RFP—Willette responded that they could be. � = . �a%��, � °:;� �m " � CITY o� BANGOR d. Timeline proposed of advertising RFP in mid-November, having submissions due 30 days later in December for Commission to vote on at January meeting, and giving selected artists until May to complete their work—Wllette responded that this would be acceptable. e. Locations proposed were the restrooms on Broad Street and Harlow Street—Willette confirmed and asked whether there would be a proposed theme. Earley read the proposed language regarding theme preference. f. Whether an amount for an artist honorarium and materials reimbursement could be provided for inclusion in the RFP—Wllette and Development Director Krieg discussed with Commissioners and responded that they would try to finalize this information. Commissioner Schipani asked when this information might be available— Krieg responded that she would aim for the next several weeks. Earley commented that the proposed timeline could be shifted a little later to allow for this information to be included in the RFP and discussed options with Commissioners. 7. Adjourned at 9:38 AM.