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Home My WebLink About2024-06-05-ARTS-min LEXINGTON COUNCIL FOR THEARTS Lexington Council for the Arts Meeting Wednesday,June 5, 2024 7:00-8:30PhN Location: Hybrid |nPerson: Parker Room, Town Hall (Lower Level) Via Zoom: Attendance Present: A|ixFox, Lisa Hebert, Eric Hellweg, Marie-Aude Hewes, David Hoose, Shalini Kakar, Claudia Laoh, Ashley Rooney, Elsie Xu Absent: Sue Benson, Steve Po|torzyoki Recording SecnetarV: A|ix Fox Meeting Start Time: Call to order7:1Zprn Secretary's Report (Marie) Minutes from May Z, ZOZ4meeting: A|ixnoted two minor word changes. Motion to approve as amended, Elsie moved, Ashley seconded. Approved byunanimous vote. Marie will file our minutes with the Town Clerk. A|ix notes that we are still in need of new Secretary since Marie has transitioned to Treasurer. Treasurer's Report (Marie) Marie presented an updated spreadsheet with new data to help the Council better understand how much money iaavailable todisperse. Marie noted that there are a few things she would like to confirm with Steve, but she believes that there ia $147G.8Gleft inour Town Budget account touse byJune 3Oth. Suggestion that Porchfest expenses can use up the Town funds before the expiration date. We have engaged a graphic designer, which will use a chunk of it, and can print materials ahead of time. There was some discussion around understanding grant money allocation and spending details— when do the grantees of MCC (Massachusetts Cultural Council) funds need to spend their grants, which of our local Lex Council's funds are available/expire on a fiscal year basis vs. calendar year, etc. Discovery Day Event Review There was lot oftraffic atour table. Greatest interest was in Porohfeat, but fair amount of conversation about utility boxes, some inquiries about how to become an artist for that, and some interest in the doors project. Afew folks talked about wanting to see another project along the bike path. For next year, our signage needs to be much more visible, have the Porchfest date on the banner, and more prominent on the poster. Definitely need to have photos and numbers from Porohfeatto really It is noted that the arts supplies went over well, thought there weren't as many kids at our table this year as last year. Other tables had more fun things to do. It is important to attract kids to the table so that we can engage with their parents. A few people commented that they signed up to host a band for Porchfest last year, but never heard from our team. Lisa noted that our sign up process wasn't as organized as it could have been last year, and we may have inadvertently missed a few people. Should be smoother this year. We also really need to make sure that we either clear up people's handwriting on sign-up lists or send them to the website to sign up—some writing is very hard to read, and we can lose people that way. Suggestion: We have a built-in family activity that we could develop with the painted utility boxes. We could create a scavenger hunt around town for kids. We could also add QR codes to the boxes to connect to the artists' info. Immigration Story Event Review Ashley says Elsie did a great job organizing this event. There were over 40 submissions from people ages 8-86, wide variety of stories, lots of creativity. Elsie talked about changing the time to winter so people have more time to prepare for it. Mona Roy is interested in helping with the event next year if it happens again. Next year may be a variation on the theme— I Am Lexington, origin stories, etc. It is noted that Lex250 would like to pivot focus to the present and future, not exclusively focus on the past. Perhaps the next Immigration Story event could be in February, before Patriots Day. There is a citizenship ceremony scheduled to take place on the green the Tuesday after Patriots Day 2025 that would also be a great connection to an Immigration Story event. Judges did a great job, gave lots of feedback. Elsie noted that some of the pieces were more sophisticated, and everyone who submitted something was recognized. Perhaps future event doesn't need to be judged and can be more of a community celebration. Utility Boxes Project Update The box in front of Peet's has been started, so it seems like the three latest boxes are underway! Are we considering an unveiling event for this one, which features African American colonial era soldiers, perhaps connect with Lex250? End of FY24 See Treasurer's Report above. Current Project Proposals Under Consideration for FY25 We believe that we have about $13,000 to spend outside of state MCC grants, based on receiving $6000 from the Town budget for FY25 and the remaining $6941 in our Local Account, which rolls over year to year. Question was asked: If we're considering these projects now, does that suggest that it is more advantageous to apply for funding from the Lex Arts Council outside the MCC grant cycle? It may be, but our decisions depend on a number of factors and priorities, which can change over time. 1. LexSeeHer Play Proposal Discussion of the playwright and her previous work. Confidence is expressed that the LexSeeHer project has done a great job so far and that we can trust the quality of material. It is noted that the llllllluuu LEXINGTON COUNCIL IIVu FOR THE LexSeeHer Play Proposal, continued play is also related to Lex250, which is something the Council is hoping to engage more with, and that this project would create a permanent piece to go along with the women's monument. Alix asks how much we typically support a project with— Lisa answer that it is typically 20-25%. Motion to support this proposal with $1500,Ashley moved, Claudia seconded. There was further discussion, and a suggestion that Council members who have supported LexSeeHer should abstain from the vote. Motion failed. Motion to support this proposal with $1000,Alix moved, Shalini seconded. Approved by majority vote. 2. Sarasa Ensemble Lex250 Celebration Concert Proposal: @1775 Boston, London, Paris& Vienna The Council agrees to vote on this proposal at our July meeting 3. MetWinds Proposal: Lex250 Concert Proposed for July 2025 at Hastings Park. It's nice that it's outdoors, the sing-along aspect is fun. Noting the proposed date, it makes more sense to roll this proposal into the fall grant cycle. Motion to move this proposal to our regular MCC grant cycle, Ashley moved, David seconded. Approved by unanimous vote. 4. LexArts Proposal: Free Speech:Art &Activism Panel The Council discussed the possibility of re-directing our FY24 Festival grant from MCC to this event. If we can, it could be a good way to use some of the money rather than lose it. There was some concern about the event being controversial, as free speech can mean that anything goes. Motion to inquire if MCC will allow our council to re-direct our FY24 Festivals& Projects grant to this event. Alix moved, Claudia seconded. Approved by unanimous vote. Motion to support this proposal with $500 from either Town Budget or Local Account funds if MCC does not approve our requested change. Alix moved, Claudia seconded. Approved by majority vote. Porchfest Planning Most Porchfest discussion fell under Treasurer's Report and Discovery Day Event Review above. Motion to adjourn, David moved, Maire seconded. Approved by unanimous vote. Meeting Adjourned at: 9:07pm