HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-05-24 10-205 ORDERCOUNCIL ACTION
Item No. 10 ('--'0 5
Date: May 24, 2010
Item/Subject ORDER, Authorizing Grant of $2,000 to the Bangor Book Festival,
Bangor Public Library Fiscal Agent
Responsible Department: Community & Economic Development
Commentary: The City Council has established and assigned to the Commission on Cultural
Development the responsibility to review grant applications to the City from arts and cultural
organizations and to provide to the City Council its recommendations for funding of the requests for the
Council's review and consideration.
The Bangor Book Festival has requested $2,000 from the City of Bangor. A group of volunteers
has teamed up with the Bangor Public Library as fiscal agent, to produce a Bangor Book Festival in
Downtown Bangor on Columbus Day weekend, 2010. The group includes individuals with strong
experience in literary arenas and festivals, and connections with authors. At the time of the grant
application, 19 Maine authors had already agreed to participate. The total fund-raising goal for the
project is $19,622, and the project has received grants, sponsorship commitments and in-kind support
from sources other than the City.
In its review of the application, the Commission noted that this is an ongoing annual event
constructed to appeal to all age groups and to promote and build audiences for Maine authors. They
noted that holding the activities downtown is healthy for local businesses, which will provide venues, and
that the majority of the project funding will come from sources other than the City. The Commission
recommends funding the $2,000 request in full, and that its use be restricted to food/lodging for
authors, festival opening event, and payment for downtown venues.
(NOTE: The Council has approved grants of $15,000 to Penobscot Theatre, $2,000 to Downtown Countdown, and
$20,000 to Bangor Symphony out of the current year's appropriation of $85,000 and FY 2009 carryover of $11,950,
leaving $46,000 remaining available, if this grant is approved.)
Department Head
Manager's Comments: Reviewed and recommended for approval by the Cultur issi
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Interim City Manager
Associated Information: Order
Budget Approval:
Legal Approval:
Introduced for
x Passage
First Reading
Referral
Financ6 Director
City Solicitor
Page _ of
10 X05
Assigned to Councilor — Gratwick May 24, 2010
GI'TY OF BANGOR
(TIli-E.) ORDER, Authorizing Grant of $2,000 to the Bangor Book Festival,
Bangor Public Library Fiscal Agent
WHEREAS, the City Council has made an appropriation of funds to support arts and cultural
organizations; has established a Commission on Cultural Development; and has
assigned the Commmission the responsbility of reviewing grant applications from
arts and cultural organizations, and to make recommendations for grant funding
to the City Council; and
WHEREAS, a group of volunteers with experience in literary arenas and festivals, and
connections with authors has teamed up with the Bangor Public Library as fiscal
agent, to produce a Bangor Book Festival in Downtown Bangor on Columbus Day
weekend, 2010, and has requested grant funding of $2,000 from the City; and
WHEREAS, at the time of the grant application, 19 Maine authors had agreed to participate;
and
WHEREAS, the total fund-raising goal for the project is $19,622, and the project has
recevied grants, sponsorship commitments and in-kind support from soruces
other than the City; and
WHEREAS, this is an event constructed to appeal to all age groups and to promote and build
audiences for Maine authors; and
WHEREAS, festival activities will be held downtown, local businesses will provide venues,
and festival activities are expected to bring 500 people to downtown; and
WHEREAS, this is an ongoing annual event, established in 2007; and
WHEREAS, the Commission on Cultural Development voted to recommend to the City
Council approval of a grant in the amount of $2,000:
BE IT ORDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BANGOR THAT
A Grant of $2,000 is hereby authorized for the Bangor Book Festival, Bangor Public Library
Fiscal Agent, and that its use be restricted to food/lodging for authors, festival opening event,
and payment for downtown venues.
IN CITY COUNCIL
May 24, 2010
Motion Made and Seconded for Passage
Pass
CITY CLERK
(TITL$,)_Authorizing Grant of $2,000
rn the Bangor Book Festival, Bangor
Public Library Fiscal Agent
Assigned to Councilor�c�"`(L✓je,C,