City of Lawrence

Lawrence Arts Commission

Meeting Minutes for March 9, 2005

 

Members Present:

Judy Greer Kellas, Elizabeth Hatchett, Kay Henry, Mary Kennedy McCabe, Liz Kowlachuk, Marlene Merrill, Margaret Morris, Evie Rapport, Jeff Ridgeway, James Schaefer, Sandra Wiechert, Brenna Daldorph (student)

 

Members Absent: None

 

Staff  Present: Michael Tubbs

 

 

Meeting was called to order at 6:30pm

 

 

A. Recognition/Proclamation/Presentation:

1.      Introductions of new members – Introductions were held until announcement of new members. 

 

2.      Election/Appointment of new Secretary:  Commission Chair Merrill nominated Commissioner Morris as Secretary. Nomination was moved by Commissioner Henry and seconded by Commissioner Wiechert. Nomination was put to the table for vote. Commissioner Morris will be the new secretary.

 

B.  Regular Agenda Items

1.      Approval of Minutes -01.12.05 LAC meeting: A motion to approve the minutes was made by Commissioner Greer Kellas and seconded by Commissioner Henry. Corrections were made to commissioner contact list: Sandra Wiechert’s email was misspelled: it is wiechert@ku.edu. Commissioner Ridgeway’s last name does not contain an “e”. Commission Chair Merrill mentioned that arts commission meeting is listed on as occurring at 7pm, however we commonly begin at 6:30pm. Staff Liaison Tubbs explained that it is our discretion to begin the meeting at 6:30 instead of 7pm. Commission Chair Merrill clarified that the Arts Commission meetings will continue to begin at 6:30pm, the second Wednesday of each month.

 

2.      Announcements from Chair

a.      Resignation of 2 members: Commission Chair Merrill announced the resignations of Commissioners Sureva Towler and Paul Hotvedt. Commission Chair Merrill extended appreciation for their time and efforts on the Arts Commission.

b.      Appointment of new members – New commissioners were welcomed and introduced: Brenna Daldorph: LHS student representative, Mary Kennedy McCabe: Executive Director of the Mid America Arts Alliance, and Lawrence resident since 1987. James Schaefer, Lawrence Artist with BFA in painting from University of Kansas. Elizabeth Hatchett, visual artist and long-time art teacher in the Lawrence Public Schools. Liz Kowalchuk, art education professor at the University of Kansas, and Lawrence resident for 11 years. Evie Rapport: former entertainment editor of the Kansas City Star.

c.      Brief update on sculpture that was stolen and then found: The sculpture Pollywiggle was stolen in January from its placement in the Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit. Commissioner Ridgeway made announcements on radio and television in Lawrence and Topeka requesting its safe return. The sculpture was returned in satisfactory condition, with some minor damage. Staff Liaison Tubbs explained that repair costs will be covered by insurance, and that the city risk-management is currently processing this. Because of the kind of damage incurred by the sculpture during the theft, it will not be able to be returned to the exhibit. Commissioner Greer Kellas, Commissioner Rapport and Commission Chair Merrill stressed the importance of increasing public understanding of the medium of sculpture and of including information about the pieces in the exhibit as a possible way of deterring vandalism in the future.

 

3.      Update on Grassy Verge % for art project – Sesquicentennial project: the artist Stephen Johnson has received his first payment and begun the sculpture “Free”. A life-sized maquette of the piece will be placed on the grassy verge first. After this, the permanent steel sculpture will replace the maquette. A public unveiling will be held in May. Exact dates will be announced in the future.

 

4.      Subcommittee updates (as appropriate): A detailed discussion on the subcommittees was deferred until the orientation meeting. Commissioner Kennedy McCabe requested that we review the subcommittee responsibilities and timelines before making commitments, in order to ensure that commissioners are able to plan arts commission responsibilities with their regular workloads. Therefore subcommittee assignments will be deferred until the orientation meeting.

a.      Grants – This subcommittee will oversee the entire process and will establish the granting criteria. We need to establish a timeline as soon as possible and distribute the applications. Current subcommittee members will continue their work until new members join the subcommittee.

b.      Outdoor Sculpture – Commissioner Ridgeway reviewed the current status of this project: the call for entries has gone out. Applications have been received and need to be prepared for the judge, Stacy Switzer of Grand Arts in Kansas City. They applications will be sent to her early next week. After she makes her selections, Commissioner Ridgeway will meet with Parks and Recreation to review selections for public safety concerns. Ms. Switzer has been instructed to select alternates that could replace selections that are of concern. Sculptures will be placed in mid- late May. A reception will be at the Lawrence Arts Center on June 11. The walking tour lead by Ms Switzer will begin promptly at 5:30pm, with a reception to follow. Staff Liaison Tubbs requested that written proceedures for the outdoor sculpture exhibit be updated in the near future.

c.      Percent for Arts – Future percent for art projects will be the new fire station located on Iowa Street, and possibly the Lawrence Public Library. A discussion on the budget and specifics are deferred until Commission Chair Merrill has met with the City Manager to discuss budgets and determine the details of new projects.

d.      Development Workshops – a new subcommittee to develop these workshops.

 

C.        New Business

    1. Plan Orientation date/time topics: The orientation meeting will be Saturday April 9, from 9-11am. This meeting is designed for new commissioner, but is helpful for all commissioners. We will select subcommittees at this meeting. Commission projects, budgets, procedures and responsibilities will be reviewed in this meeting. Members of the city managers office will present to  go over this information. Staff Liaison Tubbs will have nameplates and tags made for the new commissioners.

 

    1. Sign up for 2005 Committee Assignments: this was deferred until the orientation meeting to allow new Commissioners to receive full information on the timing and responsibilities of each subcommittee project.

 

    1. Upcoming budget development: New FY begins January 31st. Commission Chair Merrill must submit the budget for FY 2006 in April. We received an increase in the budget for FY 2005; the increase was to hold a development workshop. We have not held the workshop to date. Planning this workshop is pending assignment of Commissioners to subcommittees, as a new subcommittee will be established to plan and develop these workshops. Commission Chair Merrill explained that the Lawrence Arts Commission is one of two city commissions with its own budget, so we have a responsibility to justify it and make it worthwhile. Detailed descriptions of our project budgets will be covered in the orientation meeting.

 

D.        Calendar

1.         Next meeting: Wednesday, April 13, 2005 Lawrence Arts Commission City Hall

 

2.         Orientation Meeting: Saturday April 9, 9-11am

 

E.        Motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner Ridgway, seconded by Commissioner Rapport.

 

Meeting was adjourned at 7: 40pm