HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-12-08-ARTS-minLexington Council on the Arts
Approved Minutes December 8, 2014
Town Offices Building 7:00 p.m.
Present: Jean Hart, Leslie Masson, Diana South, Emily Passman, Lynne Klemmer,
Cristina Burwell, Jessie Steigerwald, Matt Pronchick, Cheryl Meadow, Seetha
Rammath, Emily Passman.
Minutes were taken by Cheryl Meadow & Jessie Steigerwald.
Absent: Zoe Perry -Wood
Meeting was called to order at 7:08 p.m.
Secretary's report - Jessie Steigerwald
Cristina read November minutes
Lynne Klemmer moved to approve minutes and Matt Pronchick seconded the
motion and they were approved unanimously.
Jessie distributed the October minutes
Diana moved to approve minutes, Emily seconded. Vote was unanimous.
Treasurer's report - Diana South
2014 grants total $5,137
Chairperson report - Cristina Burwell
CB read letter from Leixngton Historical Society to extend funds to June 20,
2015
CM made motion to request a reply to LHS, Leslie seconded. Vote was
unanimous
Deadline will be extended from November 2014 to August 31, 2015. Any
future delays and they would have to forgo this money and reapply for 2016.
New Business
Website / Blog
Cristina would love to see a way to have one site for what is happening in
Lexington in one space. Zoe and Emily are working on website for links to
arts and culture. Have been working on it for two years. Cristina would like
to know how we can help make it happen sooner. Emily said she and Zoe will
have a date when it could be finished. Discussion of FB and /or wordpress
blog. How many people see FB posts? Cristina posted something recently
and it had 150+ views. Cheryl noted that we should make sure to share posts
on our FB page. Plan in advance for more "art in progress" plans so there is
great incentive to share posts with friends. Example: Emily Passman did a
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great series of posts when she was painting truck painting for Community
Farm.
Lexington Open Studios Update
New plan took into consideration revising whether individual home studios
and /or group showings in community spaces are preferable. Meeting will
take place tomorrow 12/9/14 to decide. There will be a reception and we
will hear more. It is close in timing to Revolutionary Revelry.
Future idea - trolley to take people to places. Somerville has a trolley.
Wondering about Liberty Ride or Lexpress or School Bus.
Discussion around Somerville's maker space called "The Asylum ".
Revolutionary Revelry
Jean Hart shared some updates on May calendar with some chances to
connect around open air painting or May Day. Between Woburn Street and
DPW. Emily Passman has done this in the past and you do get assigned a
space. You can bring your information along. You need to be off bike path
and on the shoulder.
They are trying to have street pianos. People donate pianos and artists
decorate them. They are costly but someone manages the pianos, brings
them and then takes them away. Emily is interested. 10 - 15 pianos at
various locations in town. Maybe one in front of LHS, one in front of Munroe,
East Lexington, Depot Square? We need more information and we are
interested. Might be a way to manage this locally through outreach to save
funds. People sometimes post on Lexington list that they are seeking a home
for a piano they want to give away.
Hidden Treasures Project Update (www.freedomsway.org)
Cristina shared updates from meetings with Polly Kienle to learn how
Lexington might connect. Cristina drafted a weekend map that layers from
ACROSS Lexington. Different towns have different treasures to feature.
Different Historical Societies are getting together. May 16 & May 17th.
Munroe Tavern has artifacts from when George Washington came to visit.
Old Burying Ground offers some possibilities. Leslie shared that the stone
pile at Whipple Hill is an idea as well. It is near the pond and is a huge stone
pile - could date back to Native Americans. Vine Brook was a quarry.
New person shared that Grace Chapel has a very special organ and perhaps
someone could play it.
Local examples: Sculpture of polar bear on Coolidge. Lynne Klemmer noted
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that it was a family of polar bears. Leslie is interested in making a list of
interesting lawn art, etc. New idea: could encourage people to participate in
a lawn art challenge month. Low entry, can share with anyone. Might work
as connection to Revolutionary Revelry in month of May.
Retailers' Association
Jessie participated in snowflake making for children during the post -
Thanksgiving Small Business Saturday event at Depot Square on behalf of
Lexington Council for the Arts. It would be helpful to keep a version of the
LCA sign on google that members can print if they are attending an event on
behalf of LCA and can't access pre -made signs.
2015 Grant Review
*Disapproval Reconsiderations
(no notifications were received by Chair as of 12/3)
*Review of Approvals & Funding - confirming balances
*Prepared mailing that will be sent to applicants who will receive Approval
Letters to
Approved
1. Pops Chorus -
2. MUSIC dance.edu -
3. Metropolitan Wind Symphony -
4. Contemporary Arts International -
6. Discovery Museums -
8. LACS: Ceramics -
9. LOS -
10. Special Needs Arts Program -
11. Lexington Symphony -
12. In Good Company -
13. New Repertory Theater -
15. Stephen Collins -
17. Sunanda Sahay -
18. William Diamond Fife & Drum -
19. Munroe Sat. Nights -
24. LACS -
25. Belmont World Film -
26. Chamber Music-
Not approved
5. Karen Berman- Mulligan-
7. The Marble Collection -
14. Denise Doucette -
16. Henry Lappen -
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20. Kammerwerke Double Wind Quintet -
21. Zoe Perry -Wood -
22. Fruitlands Museum -
23. Zoe Perry -Wood -
Announcements
LACS Holiday Open House - through December 24
Cheryl Meadow announced on Martin Luther King Day of Service. Looking for
volunteers for a day of activity. Cheryl has new idea for organizations in town to
sign up members or committee to volunteer together. January 19th. Okay to sign up
as individuals or as a group. Go into the activity and sign up in an activity. Cheryl is
chairing the card - making activity. There will be slots for 100+ children to make
cards for children at Ronald McDonald House or Veterans Hospital. Some other
projects include supporting Cradles to Crayons, seniors, meals, etc. YMCA in
Waltham is location for services for homeless people and families, and is a service
location opportunity. Unity march is secular activity from Battle Green to Grace
Chapel. SNAP Chorus and Regie O'Hare Gibson and some others will be in an
opening morning presentation. Harrington elementary students are singing in a
chorus. Buses will take people to different venues for service.
Cristina reminded members that everyone is open to post items for the upcoming
agendas by adding topics to the appropriate google document.
Cheryl attended a seminar to learn how to apply for larger grants and will make a
presentation for us. In the future we could seek Town Meeting matching funds.
LACS Holiday Market Place through December 24th
Next meeting:
January 12, 2015 (Parker Room, Town Office Building)
Cristina adjourned the meeting at 9:00 pm
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