HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-01-08-ARTS-minLexington Council for the Arts
Date
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Location
Parker Room
Attending
Present: Mamata Banerjee, Alix Fox, Lisa Hebert, Eric Hellweg, Marie-Aude Hewes,
David Hoose, Shalini Kakar, Claudia Lach, Elizabeth Xu, Jennifer Zacharis
Absent: All present
Recording Secretary: David Hoose
Call to Order (Claudia): 7:06 p.m.
• Report on new secretary (Claudia)
§ David Hoose confirmed as recording secretary. (Note: DH must be absent
for March 5 meeting.)
• Future LCA meetings
§ Beginning with the February meeting, LCA meetings will return to the first
Wednesday of the month. (Note: next meeting, February 5, 2025)
• Treasurer’s report (Marie)
§ Marie presented an overview of the budget, based upon her Google
spreadsheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YwaMhnvKXqUbVBnMgcRjiCh
VX_Pas0oC/edit?pli=1&gid=2027093448#gid=2027093448
§ It was noted that grant money may not be dispersed prior to a supported
event’s having occurred.
§ Exception: LCA events, such as Porchfest
• Grant Cycle Update
§ Letters have been sent to grant recipients. Numbers of organizations
have responded with thanks.
§ During the 15-day “waiting period,” no group raised questions about not
having received funding for this cycle.
§ Newsletter should have arrived yesterday (January 7).
§ It was noted that Porchfest participants should be included among
newsletter recipients.
§ Each grantee will be assigned a council member to serve as liason. During
this cycle, each member is asked to be the liason for three groups.
§ There is a request that a calendar of related events be created for the
LCA’s benefit.
• Grantee Reception
§ As a way of increasing connections between grantees and the LCA, as
well as fostering groups’ knowledge of, and interest in, each other’s
activities, LCA will hold a reception in the Spring.
§ Proposed date and time: Thursday, March 20, 5-7pm.
§ Reception organizer (“Champion, to use Claudia’s word): Mamata
Banerjee agreed to lead this effort; Marie-Aude Hewes and Elizabeth Xu
agreed to assist.
§ There can be no alcohol served.
§ Location: TBD
• Native American Project Update: Status of the Seven Fire Prophesy Project
§ Shalini Kakar has created a rough draft for the project.
§ The musicians have not yet confirmed their involvement.
§ Shalini will work to get an detailed proposal from the musicians.
§ It was observed that $12,000, the current estimated cost, is an amount
considerably larger than the LCA has ever supported (or been able to
support). Other funding sources were discussed.
§ Alix wondered whether some of the musicians might also be interested in
participating in Porchfest.
§ There will likely be two events.
§ Tentative date: June 1, 2025
• New Business
§ There was a brief discussion about AI in the Lexington Public Schools.
§ Elizabeth spoke about “Dance Around the World,” wondering whether
there is sufficient interest and ability to support this effort, and whether
a sponsor (who would fund the Thai dancers) could be found. A planned
event is scheduled for March 8, 2025, at Cary Hall. Various suggestions,
included: Chinese dance, American dance (square dance, for instance),
ballet (Lexington Ballet), Indian dance, Irish dance, Greek dance,
Cambodian dance. The costs are currently unclear, and Claudia requested
much more information before the LCA could act on any involvement.
o For more information: https://www.lexartscouncil.org/dance-
around-the-world.html
§ Eric Hellweg inquired about the 2025 Porchfest date(s). Date (tentative):
September 27; Rain Date (tentative): September 28
Meeting Adjourned: 8:37 p.m.
Motioned by: Jennifer Zacharis
Seconded by: Lisa Hebert
Minutes amended by David Hoose, February 4, 2025