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Home My WebLink About2026-01-28 26-071 Order *��a�$qH a CITY COUNCIL ACTION / !,�/' 1�,, Council Meeting Date: 01/26/2026 If��-' �'� Item No: 26-071 _ - _ . -,,n, `�n�= � '��A��ti Responsible Dept: Community & Economic Development ren,� Requested Action: Order Map/Lot: N/A Title, Order Accepting the 2025 Annual Report from the Commission on Cultural Development Summary This Order authorizes the acceptance of the 2025 annual report from the Commission on Cultural Development. The City of Bangor's Commission is required to submit an annual report to the City Council. The report was presented at the Business and Economic Development Committee meeting on January 21, 2026. Committee Action Committee: Business & Economic Development Committee Meeting Date: 01/21/2026 Action: Recommend for passage For: 5 Against: 0 Staff Comments &Approvals �� ,�„ b� City Manager City Solicitor Finance Director Introduced for: Consent �-art_aa;y�� CITY OF BANGOR ORDER c�*�'; ,°�+ i%�m��;� ��m Date: 01/26/2026 f��. ,n�_:-.... _.=�;M �,v�. .� Item No: 26-071 'AJ°�'�`�� `4 °Rar�n,��-�� Assigned to Councilor: Fish Accepting the 2025 Annual Report from the Commission on Cultural Development WHEREAS, the Commission on Cultural Development is charged by the City Council with preparing and submitting an annual report to the City Council outlining its activities; and Be it Ordered by the City Council of the City of Bangor that the 2025 Annual Report from the Commission on Cultural Development is hereby accepted. 26-071 JANUARY 26, 2026 ANNUAL REPORT of the CULTURAL COMMISSION for the Calendar Year 2025. 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 2025: Nina Earley, Chair; Hollie Adams, Vice-Chair; Sundance Campbell; Kelly Chenot; Cody Clark; Kal Elmore; Benjamin James (joined in April); Rosemary Lausier; Barbara McDade; Samantha Schipani; Jennifer Snow. Grant Subcommittee, Chair Hollie Adams Reviewed spring and fall applications and made recommendations to the full Commission. Discussed creating a more equitable division of funds across the two grant cycles and presented award recommendations accordingly. Initiated discussion on whether to move to a single grant cycle per fiscal year instead of two. • Spring 2025 Grant Awardees - Total awarded $8,428 • Bangor Ballet - $1,964 awarded to support production costs for their 2025 productions of "Nutcracker in a Nutshell," held at the Gracie Theater in Bangor. • Bangor Beautiful - $2,000 awarded to support their mural at Bangor's Downeast School, inspired by art created by Downeast School students. • Bangor Public Library - $500 awarded for an exhibit to celebrate the art and influence of Bangor artist Jeremiah Pearson Hardy. • Downtown Bangor Partnership - $2,000 awarded to support the launch of a community-centered public art project called "Free Art Exchange Boxes." • Maine Academy of Modern Music-$1,964 awarded to support their Bangor Rocks! program. • Fall 2025 Grant Awardees — Total awarded $10,500 • Bangor Authors' Collaborative - $1,500 awarded to advertise and buy supplies & materials for the 4t" Annual Bangor Authors' Fair and Literary Festival on December 13, 2025, and the Holiday Literary Kick-Off Party on December 12, 2025, both held at the Bangor Public Library. 26-071 JANUARY 26, 2026 • Bangor Symphony Orchestra - $3,000 awarded to support the expansion of the Music & Wellness Program through a series of free chamber music concerts — three at Wabanaki Public Health & Wellness' Cultural Center in downtown Bangor and one at the Gracie Theater at Husson University. • Penobscot Theatre Company - $2,500 awarded to support the production of two of John Cariani's plays, Almost, Maine, and Darker the Night, Brighter the Stars. • Robinson Ballet - $1,500 awarded to support the production of Play.i, to be held May 16 & 17, 2025, at the Gracie Theater in Bangor. • Some Theatre Company-$2,000 awarded for the purchase and installation of new LED stage lighting equipment. ARTober Subcommittee, Chair Sundance Campbell The City allocated the Commission $2,500 for the fiscal year above the $20,000 base budget. The creation of a Bangor Arts award was approved by City Council. Community members submitted twenty-eight nominations for the Bangor Arts Award. A five-member jury selected Bangor Beautiful as the recipient of the $1,000 award, which was presented at the opening reception. Besides the Bangor Arts award, the ARTober committee, in coordination with the Downtown Bangor Partnership, maintained a calendar of arts events in October and actively used social media. Cultural Assets Subcommittee, Chair Barbara McDade - Discussed options for completing a cultural asset survey without additional funding - Continued discussion on additional projects that could lead this committee in the future 2026 Work Plan 1. Review applications and make recommendations for spring and fall 2026 grant cycles; continue discussion on use of funds across grant cycles and whether to change the schedule of grant offerings. 2. Work on refining the Commission's budget proposal for fiscal year 2027. 3. Continue to collaborate with area organizations in commissioning public art projects, including leading the commissioning of art for several installations in Pickering Square. 4. Continue to research and pursue additional grant funding opportunities. 5. Continue to work on the 5-year vision plan. 6. Address other issues as they may arise or are referred by City Council. IN CITY COUNCIL JANUARY 28, 2025 CO 26-071 Passed ��:,w�,��° '" .�� °,„�,��"��,°��*°.�� CITY CLERK