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HomeMy WebLinkAboutArts Commission - 01/08/2007 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2007 7:00 P.M., CITY CENTER 8080 MITCHELL ROAD THE PRAIRIE ROOM COMMISSION MEMBERS: Steve Mosow, Chair; Heather Olson, Vice Chair; Karen Busack, Farida Kathawalla, Ann Rorem, Diane Zielke COMMISSION STAFF: Sandy Werts, Staff Liaison Peggy Rasmussen, Recording Secretary STUDENT MEMBERS: Sarah Ericson, Kristy Shillock, and Colin O'Donnell SUPPORT STAFF: Bob Lambert, Director, Parks & Recreation Services; Laurie Obiazor, Manager of Recreation Services I. ROLL CALL Mosow called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. Commissioner Zielke was absent. Student member Ericson was excused. Student member O'Donnell was introduced. He is a Junior at Eden Prairie High School. The Commissioners introduced themselves to him. Mosow told O'Donnell the Commission would give him an opportunity to chair a meeting if he would like to do that. Also present for portions of the meeting was Jeff Strate, a member of the Human Rights and Diversity Commission. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Olson added approval of the October meeting minutes. Busack added the Request from the Community Education Advisory Committee to Review Topics for a Partnership Breakfast, as C. under Item VII. Olson added a report on Honoring Cultures and Customs Event on December 12, as D. under Item VIII. MOTION: Olson moved, seconded by Kathawalla, to approve the agenda as amended. Motion carried 5-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 9, 2006 AND DECEMBER 4, 2006 MEETINGS MOTION: Rorem moved, seconded by Busack, to approve the minutes of the Arts and Culture Commission held on October 9, 2006, as amended. Motion carried 5-0. MOTION: Busack moved, seconded by Olson, to approve the minutes of the informal meeting of the Arts and Culture Commission held on December 4, 2006 as published. Motion carried 3-0. ARTS AND CULTURE COMMISSION January 8, 2007 Page 2 IV. EDEN PRAIRIE PLAYERS A. UPDATE ON CURRENT PROJECTS OF THE EDEN PRAIRIE PLAYERS The Commissioners reviewed two diagrams from Reed Schulke, showing proposed changes and additions to the existing building behind the stage at the Staring Lake Amphitheater. The diagrams include storage space and other facilities in the building. Werts said the Eden Prairie Players were asked to put some ideas on paper to show the Commission the changes they have in mind. Bob Lambert said when he sees what they want, cost estimates could be obtained. Lambert told Werts the money for this request would come out of the General Fund and would be competing with other Capital Improvement Projects. Werts said she would talk to the Eden Prairie Players to find out if these diagrams are what they want to turn in to Lambert. She will then ask him if they are sufficient or if he needs more information. V. OLD BUSINESS A. STUDENT ART ON CITY WALLS — OAK POINT EXHIBIT IN JANUARY Werts said she understands the student exhibit has been hung on foamcore, but has not had the opportunity to look at it. The exhibit is to be up through January. Several Commissioners said they would look at it after the meeting. Olson said she had a note from Cecilia Johnstone, an art teacher at Oak Point, that she could have prints hung next fall, and suggested a K-12 show in May. That is the end of the school year and teachers would have collected artwork for the year. Werts said she would have to see what times are available, but those suggestions would be possibilities. B. FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS —NEXT STEPS Kathawalla said she has found someone who has a beautiful set of wooden planks, arranged like steps, and a whole array of collected items she can use to put up an Indian-style decorated tree. The items would have to be handled very carefully and only put up on the day of the event. The display would be surrounded by ribbon to keep people from touching it. Kathawalla said she believed this woman would be more than willing to put it on display and even talk to people about it during the event. Rorem suggested having a brief written description so people could read about the display when the woman is not there. Kathawalla said other aspects of the Festival would include dancing and the use of small lanterns. It would be held at the beginning of November. Werts suggested holding the event in the Garden Room. Kathawalla asked who would ARTS AND CULTURE COMMISSION January 8, 2007 Page 3 prepare the food and how that would be organized. Werts recommended bringing in an Indian caterer. A nominal fee would be charged for the food and other costs associated with the event. Strate asked that the Human Rights and Diversity Commission be informed once plans are in place. Olson said perhaps that Commission would like to join the Arts and Culture Commission in putting it on. Werts asked the Commissioners if this event is something they want to pursue and if so, they should put together an outline of what the festival would look like and what the costs would be. Werts inquired if Kathawalla knew of anyone else in the Indian community who would be willing to join the Commission in working on it. Kathawalla said she would look into finding some people from the Indian community. Werts asked that several people on the Commission put together a timeline and a proposal for the March meeting. Mosow noted that an ad hoc committee would have to meet in February to prepare a proposal for the March meeting. Rorem said she would be interested in being on the committee. The two student members present said they were also interested. A date for the meeting will be sent out by e-mail. C. CEDAR HILLS GOLF CLUB HOUSE Werts said she does not know if anything is happening with regard to this. It will be dropped from the agenda until there is something to report. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. 2007 PLANNING SESSION The Commissioners decided on the following list of goals for 2007 and dates for meeting them: 1. Recruit and Expand Membership (by end of January) 2. Continue to Review Programs for the 2008-09 Budget(May) 3. Revise Resource Directory (June) 4. Work with New City Council 5. Continue Investigating Possibility of an Art Center in Eden Prairie 6. Planning Around Major Center Area — Invite Janet Jeremiah to Commission Meetings (April and June) 7. Make Plans for Festival of Lights (by April meeting) With regard to the Major Center Area, Mosow said when Janet Jeremiah comes to a Commission meeting to talk about it, the Commissioners should let her know what they would like in terms of making the City a destination area. The Commissioners could put together a concept that they can then submit to the Major Center Area group to use or decide not to use. Werts said the ARTS AND CULTURE COMMISSION January 8, 2007 Page 4 Commissioners should find out what the group visualizes now; she believes that a plan has been adopted. Mosow suggested formulating a general statement about exploring future opportunities for expanding the arts in this community; one of the ways would be to study the Major Center Area plan. Mosow said the Commissioners would look at the list again at the next meeting. VII. REPORTS OF STAFF AND COMMISSIONERS A. 2007 OPENINGS ON COMMISSION — RECRUITMENT AND CHAIR POSITIONS Olson inquired when the deadline is for people to apply for openings on the Commission. Werts said she did not know, but if the Commissioners begin recruiting efforts, they could inform prospective applicants once they find out when the deadline is for getting applications in. Olson and Mosow, whose terms expire in March, said they would reapply. Mosow said he believes it is time to rotate the job of chair. He cannot be sure he will be able to attend every meeting. Olson said she is willing to continue as vice- chair. The City Council appoints the chair and vice-chair. Werts said she would inform Mike Barone that there is one opening on the Commission, and that one is to fill the unexpired term of Elizabeth Grant. B. CONNECTING WITH THE NEW MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS — NEXT STEPS Werts read an e-mail from Scott Neal, dated December 11, stating that the new mayor wants to establish a closer relationship with the Boards and Commissions. He wants more feedback from the Commissions and input to the Commissions from the Council. Neal said he understands this would begin when the new members come on in April. The chairs of the Boards and Commissions were to receive a copy of the memo. Mosow said he did not receive it, and Werts offered to make one for him. C. REQUEST FROM COMMUNITY EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO REVIEW TOPICS FOR PARTNERSHIP BREAKFAST Busack, who is on the Community Education Advisory Committee, said the members put on a community breakfast and invite people from the community and commissions. This year it is on April 20, from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. It is basically about bringing awareness to the Community. Olson said she attended last year, when the topic was Conversations on Race. Possibly the topic for this year would be continuing last year's discussion. Busack said another topic being considered by the advisory group is Social and ARTS AND CULTURE COMMISSION January 8, 2007 Page 5 Economic Issues, inviting Nancy Holden from PROP to speak on that subject. Another topic suggestion is A Deeper Conversation on Peace Within our Community. Werts said she saw that as a tie-in with the International Festival. Knowledge creates peace. Busack asked the Commissioners for their ideas. Mosow suggested getting in front of issues such as aging of the community, more diversity within the community, and how the population distributes itself within the community. These topics would explore what kinds of things we could be doing to keep this community cohesive, in order to create understanding and appreciation for differences. Olson said she would like to do Social and Economic issues this year and do Peace next year, as a progression to apply the knowledge gained. Werts pointed out that last year Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners raised $1.5 million for the homeless. There is such a need out there with people losing jobs, etc. that put people in a crisis mode. Busack said last year's Partnership Breakfast raised awareness. She asked if there was any action that should be taken by the Commission. Werts replied in other years, participants have tried to put together the action part, but it is difficult to keep it going. Olson suggested participants could help by volunteering with PROP or finding a location for the PROP Shop drop-off. VIII. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS A. UPCOMING EVENTS • Eden Prairie Hiizh School Wind Ensemble — This group is playing at the High School on January 16. • Rock on Ice — This Parks and Recreation event is planned for January 20 at Miller Park's outdoor skating rink. It combines ice skating with rock `n roll music. Werts said a decision would be made by January 11 about whether or not to hold the event because of the lack of ice due to warm weather. • One-Act Play — This play is being performed by the Eden Prairie High School Drama Department at the High School January 25, 26 and 27. • The Little Princess Musical — It is being performed by the Eden Prairie High School Drama Department on February 1, 2 and 3. • Taste of Eatin' Prairie — The event, sponsored by the Foundation for Eden Prairie Schools, takes place this year at Life Time Fitness, on February 3 from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m. ARTS AND CULTURE COMMISSION January 8, 2007 Page 6 • Teens Alone - Battle of the Bands — This event is on February 16 at Minnetonka High School. • Barefoot in the Park — Eden Prairie Players will be performing this play February 16, 17, 23, 24 and 25. • La Danse Fatale — Student member Shillock is performing in La Danse Fatale's 2007 Showcase Performance in the High School's Performing Arts Center on February 24 and 25. B. BURNSVILLE ART CENTER—FUNDING METHODS Olson sent the Commissioners an e-mail about the City of Burnsville's plan to build a performing art center as part of a new development in the city's center. If a private company does not fund a $31 million arts center, the city will finance a smaller, $25 million theater facility. Taxes would help pay for it. Scott Neal said it is unlikely Eden Prairie would do that here because it is a more conservative community. C. THANK YOU NOTE SENT TO ACADEMY OF RUSSIAN BALLET Olson said she sent a thank you note from the Commission to the academy because the event they put on, the Nutcracker Ballet, was beautifully done. D. HONORING CULTURES & CUSTOMS EVENT—DECEMBER 12 No one from the Commission attended this event, but Werts said there was an article in the local paper about it that indicated it was well attended. Busack said some of the people on the Community Education Advisory Committee went to it and thought it was a good program. They noted that the speakers were from Eden Prairie. Olson wondered if Community Education would want to join this Commission in putting on the Festival of Lights. Busack said she would find out if anyone from Community Education would be interested in helping. IX. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Olson moved, seconded by Kathawalla, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0. Mosow adjourned the meeting at 8:50 p.m.