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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-11-07 Commission on Cultural Development Minutes � = . .�� � ,. @� - � CITY o� BANGOR Commission on Cultural Development November 7, 2025 City Hall Council Chambers, 73 Harlow Street Meetinq Minutes Commissioners Present: Sundance Campbell, Kelly Chenot, Nina Earley, Benjamin James, Rosemary Lausier, Barbara McDade, Jennifer Snow Others: Sarah Maquillan — Development Assistant 1. A quorum being present the November 7, 2025 meeting of the Commission on Cultural Development was called to order by Chair Earley at 8:33 AM. 2. Meeting Minutes— Postponed until the December 2�d meeting. 3. Report of Chair— No report from Chair Earley. 4. Financial Report— Balance of$20,081.00 as of today's date, as well as $1,448.30 in the ARTober account. 5. Committee Reports: a. ARTober— No report from Committee Chair Campbell —will schedule a follow-up meeting in November. b. Cultural Asset— No report from Committee Chair McDade. c. Grant—As Committee Chair Adams was absent, Chair Earley introduced the Fall 2025 grant applications. 6. Fall 2025 Grant Application Presentations & Review a. Bangor Authors' Collaborative —As applicant representative unavailable for this meeting, Development Assistant Sarah Maquillan presented their written response to the Grant Committee's follow-up questions. b. Bangor Symphony Orchestra— Renia Shterenberg presented the application. Commissioner Lausier asked for clarification re: Versant donation —Shterenberg responded and clarified. Commissioner Snow asked for clarification re: travel & hotel costs—Shterenberg responded and clarified that these are for the musicians, many of whom live outside of the immediate area. c. Penobscot Theatre Company—Jen Shephard presented the application. d. Robinson Ballet—Applicant representative presented the application. e. Some Theatre Company—As applicant representative unavailable for this meeting, Development Assistant Maquillan presented their written response to the Grant Committee's follow-up questions. f. Commissioner Lausier presented the Grant Committee's award recommendations: $1,500 for Bangor Authors' Collaborative, $3,000 for Bangor Symphony Orchestra, $2,500 for Penobscot Theatre Company, $1,500 for Robinson Ballet, and $2,000 for Some Theatre Company, for a total of$10,500 in awarded grant funds. g. Chair Earley and Commissioner Campbell discussed possibly using remaining ARTober funds towards grant awards — Earley recommended saving these funds for Spring 2026 grant awards, h. Commissioner Snow clarified that the Grant Committee's goal was to award no more than $12,000 in grant funds for the Fall 2025 cycle. � = . .�� � ,. @� - � CITY o� BANGOR i. MOTION by Commissioner McDade to accept the recommendations of the Grant Committee, SECONDED by Commissioner Chenot. All in favor, none opposed; one (Commissioner Campbell) abstained due to conflict of interest. Motion passed. j. Commissioner McDade expressed support for pursuing additional funds for grant awards in the next fiscal year's budget. Commissioner Snow added that an increase to $25,000 in overall budget would potentially open up grant opportunities for the Commission to pursue. Commissioners discussed the budget proposal process. 7. Wabanaki Veterans' Memorial — Project Proposal a. Steve Ribble, Context by Design, presented to the Commission and gave an overview of the project proposal. b. Commissioner Campbell asked about the previous sculpture at the proposed site, and whether this positively or negatively influenced this project— Ribble responded and reported that the contrast between the two monuments has been favorably received. c. Commissioner Chenot expressed support for the project but hesitance over the financial costs. d. Chair Earley expressed support for the project. e. Commissioner James asked for clarification of the relationship between the orientation of the monument and the Summer Solstice — Ribble responded and clarified. f. Commissioner Campbell asked for clarification about the overall design and use of the surrounding green space— Ribble responded that this is yet to be determined. g. MOTION by Commissioner McDade to provide support for the project and recommend its approval to City Council, SECONDED by Commissioner Snow. All in favor, none opposed. Motion passed. 8. Chair Updates a. Chair Earley confirmed that the ME250 grant application was submitted. Reported that the NEA grant application was found to be ineligible and discussed this with Commissioners. b. Commissioner Snow asked about the Commission's grant follow-up reports — Development Assistant Sarah Maquillan responded and discussed with Commissioners. c. Commissioner Chenot suggested collaborating with Downtown Bangor Partnership on collecting metrics. d. Commissioner Campbell discussed a Chamber of Commerce event that he led with Development Director Anne Krieg and Alex Gray of Waterfront Concerts. Campbell also mentioned the Arts & Economic Prosperity study and asked about potentially updating this in the future. Campbell also asked about TIF funding, especially in regards to multi-use spaces — discussed with Development Assistant Maquillan and Commissioners. e. Commissioner James discussed other funding opportunities with Chair Earley and Commissioner Snow—Commissioner Campbell suggested reaching out to Eastern Maine Development Corporation. 9. Adjourned at 9:31 AM.