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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-03-09-ARTS-min Lexington Council for the Arts Meeting Agenda March 9, 2015 Parker Room, Town Office Building Meeting began at 7:05 In attendance: Matt Pronchick, Diana South, Cristina Burwell, Lynne Klemmer, Seetha Ramath, Jean Hart, Emily Passman, Cheryl Meadow, Jessie Steigerwald Absent: Regie Gibson O’Hare, Leslie Masson, Guests from LOS: Sandra Satz, Gillian Ross, Judith Cooper, Julie Laukkanen Treasurer’s Report All the same, but minus grant reimbursements to LACS (mural) and In Good Company. Lexington Open Studios - organizers present to discuss event, and involvement w LCA Discussion began with the question of what can LCA do for Open studios. Guests indicated that they wished arts events to be integrated in town, weaved together - for example, the Chamber of Commerce Arts & Crafts fair (september ) at the Visitor's Center and town artists. Cristina explained the ways the Art Council is becoming more visible (vis-a-vis integrated), such as being involved in town projects such as the Community Center and Pocket Park project, and discussions with town groups such as the Conservation Commission, Library, Retailers Assoc. She also mentioned reaching out to the town webmaster to update the LCA website to include a listing of town arts resources (organizations) to provide an overview of information to residents, and perhaps quarterly updates of happenings. While LOS is currently represented on the arts council board, an invitation was extended for LOS members to attend monthly meetings or act as a liaisons. Open Studios was described as representing active artists in town. Discussion included topics of ways to have artists involved in the town, including Julie’s work with Aloft to hang abstract art from Lexington residents, and the idea of an “artist CSA”. To the latter, both groups found Community Supported Arts interesting, but talked about the difficulty in getting volunteers (and this effort is more for smaller works of art). In the past LCA piggy-backed their grantee reception onto the LOS opening reception. This subject was brought up both because it was a nice opportunity for LCA, but also because there was a sense by some LOS members that the LOS event was hijacked by grantees. Of most concern was than rather than just reciting the names of grantees, so many people spoke, both in LCA and grantees. Also it was done in front of the door, blocking entry. Emily, suggested that someone from LOS might simply thank LCA for their LCC grant and then only mention the other grantees. Cristina suggested that this could be even more simplified by having a display in the corner with all the grantees and any relevant information. LOS will get back to us within 2 weeks if they want to have us co-host a grantee reception, so that the Council can make other plans if this is not the case. The MCC encourages grantee receptions to recognize grantees and thank the municipal officials, legislators and members who make LCC programs possible. Cheryl suggested that a reception during Hidden Treasures might serve as an alternative opportunity. Emily asked the Council to give an overview to the visitors of what LCA does. Cristina recanted the presentation made the prior Wednesday to the Board of Selectmen about the Council’s charge and outreach projects. As part of this, she highlighted the Hidden Treasures weekend event and passed around a spreadsheet of volunteer opportunities (for logistics, planning, artwork, and day-of help). As this is now part of Lexington’s Revolutionary Revelries program for the month of May, she also brought up the desire to staff a table at this event’s kick-off on May 1st (Friday, 4-7pm, Depot area). Jean spoke about this event in more detail with Dance Inn performers at the Maypole, and kid-oriented crafts such as Wilson Farm baskets and flower-making by LACS. With no further discussions, the LOS guests left at 7:30, after very kindly taking a photo of Council members for the archive. There was a cupcake and seltzer intermission. Website & Social Media Report Diana asked who hosts the website - lest we miss a payment date. Diana reviewed finances all the way back from 2010, but no bills have come and it is not clear how this hosting is getting paid. We don't want to get cut off if the original web designer had paid for a certain time frame. Cristina said she would follow up with Zoe. Cristina mentioned that the website URL wasn’t used in the PSA because of outdated grantee and council member information. Cheryl offered to take on updating the website, but it would have to be in a more universal (and affordable) platform such as Weebly. Matt and Diana reported on the donation option for Facebook - Matt discussion how it was possible, and Diana reporting on herdead-end follow-up with the town accountant. Cheryl advised that the Town has a bank which they use for online donations that other town-affiliated organizations have used in the past. Diana will follow up with town treasurer. Old Business Review of January Mtg. Action Item list (Feb. mtg. cancelled due to snow) Cristina showed Jean’s submission of grantees/events to the Colonial Times and thanked her for both this and the submission to the Minuteman Newspaper. Nothing else was outstanding, other than the Facebook donation investigation noted here in the above paragraph. LexMedia PSA Report Cristina reported that the PSA was made last Saturday - shoehorning all our information into 30 seconds. LexMedia has said that they expect to finish editing within the next week, and will begin airing it after that. Cristina thanked Jean, Lynne, Emily, and Cheryl for sending in some photos to use. The piece includes our email, facebook address and community input survey URL. It highlights our charge to the community, and advertises the LCC grant process. Hidden Treasures Report This was moved to earlier in the meeting because of interest by the LOS guests. BOS Presentation Report Cristina made note of the BOS presentation going reasonably well, and that members can view it online via the LexMedia’s OnDemand website (under Playlists tab/BOS/3.3.15) New Business Discovery Day Seetha agreed to spearhead this effort with assistance from Council members. Cristina will be forwarding on a contact email for DD, and Seetha will be recruiting Council members to volunteer on the day (5/23).Council members discussed having the parade banner and signage, as well as community input forms. Jean spoke about layout of a table with tent overtop (provided?). Further discussion revolved around an activity to interest passers-by: trading cards, face painting (Matt volunteered), mystery photos from around town… The latter idea was explored such that Council members might make an effort to take some random photos of art around town and upload them to our Google drive for our next meeting. At DD, we could have a poster of all the locations and ask people to guess what the places are. We might even want to have this poster for sale as a fundraiser. Cristina will be setting up a folder on our drive immediately. Revolutionary Revelries The group discussed staffing a table for the kick-off event (described earlier in minutes), and being able to paint a piano as part of this effort promoted by the RevRev team. Folks were in support of this, providing we are able to get a piano in sufficient time. Cristina will follow this up. Community Survey Could hand it out at DD, revolutionary revelry, make labels to put link on already printed materials, promote survey monkey online. Still need a more comprehensive discussion of how/when to implement this. Lynne suggested that on paper version that there be more space for users to write comments in the area provided. Parade Plans - further discussion of what to create & next steps Last meeting’s discussion of what to do for the Council’s parade entry was elaborated on. The bird theme was expanded to “Creation Takes Flight”. Emily and Lynne volunteered to work on making colorful birds out of foam core - possibly the weekend of March 21/22 (or 28/29). Emily will ask Barbara at Munroe Center for the Arts to access their Art Room for making these birds. Jessie volunteered her lawn sign stakes to anchor birds to their nest. Cristina and Diana volunteered to work through some ideas for a portable nest. Suggested were chicken wire or hay bale frame, with a rolling base of pneumatic tires from an old stroller or perhaps, as Jean suggested, a creation by someone in the woodworking dept. at Minuteman Tech. Members suggested that 3’Hx3'Wx4'L would be a good size. Members also suggested posting paintings of birds by local artists as promo on the LCA facebook page. Additionally, it was thought to be a fun addition of making buttons with birds on them. Cristina offered her button-maker if anyone wanted to take this on. If this birds can survive the weather, they will be also used for Hidden Treasures weekend. Field Trip Meeting at Munroe Center for the Arts Munroe Center for the Arts proposed that we have a meeting there; and they give us a tour. The problem presented is that the Center is not fully accessible (required for LCA meetings). Cristina presented photos she took of possible meeting spaces that she noted when she entered the building from the level entrance at the back of the building. The group noted that these did not seem feasible given that they would be in use by other groups when we typically meet (e.g., benches outside the Dance Inn, by stairs, etc.). While the group appreciates the invitation, the space would not seem to work for LCA public meetings. Future discussions about a meeting at a non-LCA-meeting time were not discussed. Announcements Next Meeting: April 13, 2015 - Parker Room, Town Office Building Cheryl made mention of a very nice show currently at the Munroe Center for the Arts. The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 - with Cristina making the motion, and Matt seconding it.