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Home My WebLink About2026-01-07-ARTS-min.docx L EXINGTON C OUNCIL FOR THE A RTS Meeting Minutes January 7, 2026 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM Location: Parker Room, Town Hall (Lower Level) Members Present: Mamata Banerjee, Alix Fox (co-chair), Thelma Goldberg, Lisa Hebert, Eric Hellweg, Marie Hewes, David Hoose, Claudia Lach (co-chair), Jeanne McDermott, Jennifer Zacharis Members Absent: All members were in attendance Guest Present: Ginny Chomitz Prior to the meeting proper, photographs of the LCA were taken for the website. Call to order. 7:10 pm (Claudia) Minutes. (David) The minutes of the December meeting were approved as amended. Treasurer’s Report. (Marie)  Marie presented an overview of the LCA finances.  Attached below is the November 2025 LCA Financial Report.  It was noted that standard practice is to compensate performers on the occasion of their performance.  There was only a tiny audience for grantee Kim Moberg’s Seven Fires performance on December 19, likely because of the event’s timing; it was suggested that there be a repeat performance, this time with sufficient publicity. 2026 Grant Cycle Review: Lessons Learned  Noted: The group tasked with reading and preliminarily evaluating the applications put in many hours work to arrive at their recommendations.  Determined: In order to aid the process, one suggestion to enable greater efficiency from LCA would be to make clear the necessity of everyone’s absorbing, in advance, the materials, both the large amount of information and the proposal reports, rather than relying largely on the preliminary evaluations by the readers group. If all members do that, the historically lengthy meeting of the entire LCA to finalize the grants distribution might be more efficient.  Agreed: The general meeting should focus on questions LCA may have about any applications, rather than a reiteration of the application contents.  History: Global Voices’s application suggested that money would go toward refreshments, and not artistic content. When the application was not funded, GV appealed to MCC for reconsideration without reaching out to LCA with questions.  Determined: To make application guidelines more specific—as to what is, and what is not, considered for funding.  Agreed: Grants should favor events that are fully open to the public.  Question: In general, should LCA fund as many qualified proposals as possible, or support fewer proposals with money that may have more significant effect on their work. No general consensus developed.  Noted: It is important to emphasize to the applicants the value of providing recordings (YouTube or otherwise) in support of their applications. This information may be added to the LCA website.  Noted: Assign liaisons to the grant recipients as soon as possible after letters of acceptance are sent out, and back up the process so that it runs smoothly.  Agreed: There should be one general meeting (rather than two) to finalize the grant distribution.  Determined: To include in the newsletter information about LCA grant recipients and their projects.  Determined: To clarify additions and changes to the guidelines for the 2027 Cycle. Community Assessment  MCC asks local cultural councils to conduct regular community assessments; LCA is due to do one. Volunteers are needed to design the opinion poll. Thelma, Eric, and possibly Lisa are willing to work on it.  Link any questionnaire about LCA activities and priorities to Lexington Town website. Linking it to the annual Porchfest may increase the response rate.  Observation: comments about Lexington arts activities tend to be responses to existing arts events, rather than toward initiating new ideas, or opinions about priorities.  Asked: Could Alix, as LCA’s representative to the Lexington Cultural District, write a letter on behalf of LCA that requests that LCD purchase one or more of the existing horses, so that they may remain in place? Alix expressed willingness to do this. Lexington Laughs Update and Logistics  The event is firmly scheduled for February 7, 2026, 7:30pm, at the Clarke Middle School.  Admission is free, but attendees must register.  Information on the LCA website about Lexington Laughs must include pertinent information about the event (date, location, tickets, sponsorship).  Claudia showed the committee the Lexington Laughs flyers.  Tony V will be the headliner, Jack Burke will be the MC.  Mamata, Jennifer, Alix, and Thelma volunteered to distribute flyers in Lexington Center.  450 is the estimated venue capacity, although the hall may (legally) hold 490 people.  LCA should have a table at Lexington Laughs, representing the committee’s activities in the community. Claudia will be on point that evening, but all members are encouraged to attend and assist in whatever way is needed. LCA will provide water for the performers.  Doors will open at 7pm. Committee members helping should arrive by 6:45.  There will be on-site technical assistance (lighting, amplification).  Information should be communicated about parking and access. It would be wise to have assistance with event parking. LCA Grantee Reception  Alix will send an email with information about plans for the reception, which will take place in March or April. New business. There was no new business. Meeting adjourned. 8:40 pm Respectfully submitted, David Hoose, Secretary Attachment: Financial Report, December 2025 https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1DWLiCWYUNLsCHwOS3QM6X- KkKWFxM5iI/edit?gid=2027093448#gid=2027093448