HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-05-03-ARTS-min IIIIIIII 111111dal Lexington Council for the Arts
Meeting Minutes
Monday, May 3, 2021
7:00 PM— 8:30 PM
Location: Via Zoom in accordance with Town of Lexington guidelines.
Facilitator: Jillian Tung
Pre-Meeting Tasks
Review of minutes from April 5, 2021 meeting
Attendance:
Present: Jillian Tung, Steve Poltorzycki, Melissa Talal, Hema Gandhi,Anwell
Tsai, Shalini Kakar, Marie Hewes, Jessie Chen,Ashley Rooney, Lisa Herbert
Absent: David Hoose,Doug Urban
Meeting start time: 7:04
I. Call to order
II.Approval of April 5, 2021 meeting minutes
A. A. Minutes were unanimously approved.
I11. Co-Treasurers'Report
A. Steve gave a short update about the budget:
a. 3 or 4 FY 2020 grantees submitted requests to be funded for
which we are still attempting to obtain adequate documentation.
b. The books will soon be closed for FY 2020. The state money not
used will be automatically returned to the budget for FY 2022.
The "local"money not used will be available to us for projects or
other purposes within our mission.
c. The MCC allocation for FY 2021 has been received.
d. The 3rd account(the town account) has 1200 S left over after
payment of Doors artist fees that can be used for the website or
other purposes. That money evaporates by the end of June if it is
not used.
IV. Go Out Doors - Lexington project update
A. Location and logistics of installation
a. 12 new doors
i. (4 from LHS). : We proposed to use the grassy area left to
the boardwalk of LHS. Principal Stephens needs to
approve that location.
b. 8 doors from local artists +4 doors from last year will be installed
along the bikeway from Hancock to Fletcher. Keep them grouped
together. The area next to Seasons Four was considered, but
permission was necessary, so it was decided to keep the doors
closer to the center.
B. Publicity
a. Write-ups about each artist will be finalized by mid week,posted
on the website and used for the auction.
b. Anwell is in the process of updating the website (he is using
Weebly). Anwell shared his many ideas about the website:
i. The website will be shared with council members once it
is approved.
ii. Next step : All information about the artists needs to be
received and included, then a first page will be created.
iii. The website will allow more than one user to update the
information.
c. A Doodle Poll will be created for a small group to make
decisions on the organization of the website.
d. Publicity will be posted on Facebook (Ashley), Instagram and
Twitter (Shalini)/Jessie
e. Events will have to be added on different calendars when the date
will be determined.
f. Articles will be written (Ashley) : Colonial Times (One article has
already been written and will be published in May).
g. We need to determine other newspapers/magazines to promote
the event: Wicked Local? Blogs?
h. Signage for the doors (Lisa)
i. Ideas : The sign will contain directions to the website,
doors , QR codes (simple to use) could be added.
ii. Questions about the signs : When are they needed? When
will they be installed? These questions are on hold as we
wait for DPW .
iii. Lisa is waiting for a quote from Wales. If that quote is too
high there will be other possible providers : Swifty
Printing in Arlington.
iv. Attendees discussed the importance of keeping the signs
simple and moving forward without waiting for signs
from the Umbrella arts organization.
C. Works in progress
a. All the artists sent pictures and updates about their work.
b. Attendees shared their vision about the website and how it should
help promote the works of the artists:
i. Adding short videos of artists:(Using Google
drives/private for each artist)
ii. Adding music/teasers
iii. Adding video courses for artists...as well as the whole
community.
c. Possibilities for an opening or a closing ceremony.
i. Not sure what will be allowed by the Town of Lexington
(Covid)
ii. In conjunction with Garden Club
iii. Inviting artists would allow a dialogue with the
community.
iv. Adding a musical performance would make it special:
(Small ensemble): This would need the approval of the
Select Board.
D. Silent Auction
a. Silent auction(online): All the doors will be auctioned off in the
Fall. 25% will go back to the artists and the rest will go back to
the council.
b. Volunteers are needed to participate in the organization of the
auction.
c. Discussion about the importance of having a database: This
database will be a way to reach out for the auction (Constant
contact).(Lisa)
i. Collecting names at PTA and PTO : Bring parents to the
site.
ii. There is an email list associated with the arts in
Lexington.
iii. From the website ,you get people happy by creating
videos and then they give emails (Anwell)
E. Other topics
a. Steve suggested reflecting on the purpose of the Council for The
Arts.
b. How should the 1200 dollars be spent?
V. Cultural District project update
A. Steve : Mass Cultural Council: Raise the level of awareness about the
Community (Gallery,performances...) Lexington does not have a
Cultural District : The tourism committee is working on it: It is in the
planning phase (2 years process)
a. Looking for volunteers: being part of that project that will make
us part of a bigger community ( Concord....).
b. Jillian : Creating a list of all the cultural assets of Lexington+
communicating and collaborating with other groups (could add
important content to the website.
B. Final topic : What is next?
Steve : When we ask for money, we need to have a next "dream":
Ideas were discussed :
- Celebrating diversity .
- Music project.
Meeting Adjourned at: 8.30
Motioned by: Jillian Tung
Seconded by: Steve Poltorzycki