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HomeMy WebLinkAboutArts Commission - 04/09/2007 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION MONDAY, APRIL 9, 2007 7:00 P.M., CITY CENTER 8080 MITCHELL ROAD THE PRAIRIE ROOM COMMISSION MEMBERS: Ann Rorem, Chair; Heather Olson, Vice Chair; Kelly Brandon, Karen Busack, Farida Kathawalla, Steve Mosow COMMISSION STAFF: Sandy Werts, Staff Liaison Peggy Rasmussen, Recording Secretary STUDENT MEMBERS: Sarah Ericson, Kristy Shillock, and Colin O'Donnell SUPPORT STAFF: Laurie Obiazor, Manager of Recreation Services I. ROLL CALL Rorem called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Student member Ericson was absent. • Introduction of New Commissioner Kelly Brandon Brandon was introduced to the other Commissioners, and the members introduced themselves to her. Brandon said she has lived in Eden Prairie about four years. She likes learning about new cultures and enjoys the arts,particularly acting. • Resiination of Commissioner Diane Zielke Zielke sent an e-mail to Werts submitting her resignation due to illness. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Mosow moved, seconded by Olson, to approve the agenda as published. Motion carried 6-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 12, 2007 MEETING The following corrections were made to the February 12, 2007 meeting minutes: On page 2, under IV.A., the fourth sentence in the second paragraph should read "However, the Staring Lake Amphitheatre is being shut down for renovations next summer . . ." Under IV.B., the first sentence in the second paragraph should read " . . . July 29 at Staring Lake." On page 3, under V.A., the goals listed should be typed in lower case. On page 4, under V.C., the first item should read "Provide topics of the next Council meeting to Commissions, so that they can develop questions . . ." Under VLA., the second sentence in the second paragraph should read "Shillock said she would ask her mother about . . ." Under VLB., in the last sentence the word "restaurants" should be singular. On page 6, under VILC., the third sentence in the second paragraph should show the cost for a booth is $35. ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION MINUTES April 9, 2007 Page 2 MOTION: Olson moved seconded by Busack, to approve the minutes of the Arts and Culture Commission held on February 12, 2007, as published and amended. Motion carried 6-0. IV. EDEN PRAIRIE PLAYERS and COMMUNITY BAND UPDATE A. EDEN PRAIRIE PLAYERS Schulke reported that everybody who went to see `Barefoot in the Park" last February seemed to enjoy it, but the audience was lower than expected. Bad weather was likely one reason. There will be a garage sale on Saturday, April 21, at Homeward Hills Park barn, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with donations being taken on Friday from noon to 8 p.m. Auditions for "South Pacific" are being held that evening, April 9, and Tuesday, April 10. The performances are in June. The plays for "A Collection of One Acts"have been chosen, and the children's play will be "Hansel and Gretel." Schulke said the group is talking about doing a dinner theater type of show for next winter. The Advisory Committee is looking for another location to hold a summer show in 2008, since Staring Lake Amphitheatre will be closed during construction work on Pioneer Trail. Werts said the top priority amphitheatre improvement for Eden Prairie Players would be replacing the stage. B. COMMUNITY BAND Werts said the Community Band is going to be playing with the Central Middle School Concert Band on the first Thursday in May. V. OLD BUSINESS A. FESTIVAL OF INDIA The name was changed from Festival of Lights to Festival of India. Kathawalla distributed a revised list of programs and costs that would be associated with the festival. She is trying to get the festival sponsored by a local company. Kathawalla estimated the cost to be $1,750, but after increasing promotional expenses to $700, that figure was revised to $2,150. Werts said there is no budget for funding the Festival of India this year, but it could be included in the 2008-2009 budget. Even then, the event would still be expected to raise 25% of the actual costs. Rorem asked if they could highlight a particular culture at the International Festival. This year it could be the Festival of India that would be featured, and ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION MINUTES April 9, 2007 Page 3 perhaps next year another culture or community could be featured. Kathawalla said if India is highlighted this year, it could provide a template for future years. She believed that would be better than having two festivals and that it would make more sense to incorporate India into the International Festival. Werts said it has been the American Muslim community that been most supportive to the International Festival the last couple of years. It has been difficult to get other cultures involved. Only three or four food vendors can be sustained because they have to cover all their costs. The India Palace has been one of them. Mosow said the idea of featuring India this year could expand the International Festival. He suggested making an announcement in advance that one culture is being featured and other cultures will be invited to be featured next year. MOTION: Kathawalla moved, seconded by Olson, to make Festival of India part of the International Festival. Motion carried 6-0. B. REVIEW OF 2007 WORK PLAN AND REVIEW OF CHARTER STATEMENT Scott Neal has recommended that all City Commissions review their charter statement and work plan with the start of the new commission season. It was pointed out that the Charter Statement was updated and approved in April 2006, so it would need no further review. The 2007 Work Plan, approved at the February 12, 2007 meeting, was reviewed. 1. Recruit to fill the Commission openings by February 16. (One more member is needed, due to the resignation of Diane Zielke.) 2. Continue to review programs for the 2008-09 Budget by May 14. (Werts said she has to submit budget information by mid-June.) 3. Update and revise Resource Directory by June 11. 4. Meet with Janet Jeremiah to learn how the Arts and Culture Commission can assist in integrating public art into the Major Center Area by June 11. 5. Provide input to the City Council on matters related to arts and culture in Eden Prairie by December 31. 6. Make a recommendation for a Festival of India Celebration by April 9. (This has been accomplished.) Olson asked if there would be a concert series included in the 2008-2009 Budget, even though the amphitheatre will be closed. Werts replied many of those programs could be done at Purgatory Creek Recreation Area. People would have ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION MINUTES April 9, 2007 Page 4 to bring their own chairs or sit on the lawn. The City could also work in conjunction with Bloomington for a place to hold the musical. The cost of the musical, as well as the income, would have to be split with Bloomington. Werts said MRAC is having a workshop on arts advocacy on April 18. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. BOARD AND COMMISSION BANQUET Werts reported that the Board and Commission Banquet would be on Wednesday, May 9, from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Roy Terwilliger will be the speaker. At this banquet the City recognizes commissioners who have completed their terms, welcomes new commissioners, and celebrates with commissioners continuing their terms. Students are included. B. NEW COUNCIL AND COMMISSION PROTOCOL The new Council and Commission Protocol was approved by the Council on March 6, 2007. In it, Neal states he plans "to initiate a post-commission meeting meeting with commission staff liaisons to get a timelier and in-depth briefing of commission meetings and activities." He also plans to sit in on at least one regular meeting of each commission every year. The City Council will be assigning defined policy development tasks to the commissions. In addition, commissions are to develop work plans each year. C. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS AT CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS Scott Neal sent information to Commission liaisons about Commissions making presentations to the Council during regular Council meetings. Each Commission would make a status report on an annual or semi-annual basis. The presentation should be a broad summary of current issues. Five minutes are allowed for the presentation and five minutes for questions. The Arts and Culture Commission was scheduled for April 17; however, Werts said she sent a memo to Neal asking if that could be changed to a later date, as the Commission has not met since February and would not be ready to make a presentation that soon. At this time, the Arts and Culture Commission is not on the schedule for the rest of the year. D. REVIEW OF 2006 ANNUAL REPORT The 2006 Annual Report covering arts and historical programs was reviewed by the Commissioners. Werts explained that the subsidy goal for art programs is 75%; the actual subsidy in 2006 was 60%, which includes the 20% administrative fee. The subsidy goal for cultural programs is 75%; the actual subsidy was 78%, including the 20% administrative fee. ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION MINUTES April 9, 2007 Page 5 Approximately 13,000 people attended arts events in 2006, and approximately 1,765 people attended cultural programs. Actual revenues were $30,075; actual expenditures were $86,958, leaving a net loss of $56,883. Revenues came from ticket sales,registrations and contributions from local businesses and individuals. The Staring Lake Concert Series has been going on for 24 years. In 2006, approximately 4,817 people attended the 26 performances, with an average attendance per performance of 185. Werts said attendance has dropped in recent years. The starting time for Kidstock, a ten-week series of music for children, was changed from 11:00 to 10:30 a.m., to take advantage of the cooler mornings, but Werts said attendance dropped last year. However, total attendance was 1,731, with an average attendance per performance of 173. The Eden Prairie Players presented the summer musical, "Oliver." They had to cancel three shows out of six due to rain, but still drew 2,640 people. Over 5,000 volunteer hours were given by Eden Prairie youth, teens and adults. The winter show "It Wasn't Murder?" was attended by approximately 574 people over five performances. Werts said 575-600 has been the average attendance for the winter show. The highest attendance for "A Collection of One Acts" was 74, and that is the most the barn can accommodate. Werts said the Staring Lake Concert Series relies on sponsors. The number of sponsors has been going down in the past few years. The City paid an average of $316 per concert to the performers. Rorem said further discussion on the programs would continue at the next meeting. VII. REPORTS OF STAFF AND COMMISSIONERS A. OPENINGS ON COMMISSION—RECRUITMENT There is still one opening on the Commission due to Zielke's resignation. Rorem said she has a prospect, and will talk to her again. If she is interested, Rorem will ask her to call Werts. B. INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL Werts reported that the first meeting of the International Festival Planning Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, April 11. Commissioners Kathawalla and Busack will be representing the Arts and Culture Commission. The festival is planned for Sunday, August 12, from 3 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Staring Lake Amphitheatre. ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION MINUTES April 9, 2007 Page 6 C. ARTS AND ANTIQUES IN THE GARDEN This event is planned for Saturday, June 9, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the J.R. Cummins Homestead. Werts said she sent out invitations to vendors on Friday, April 6. Vendor information, including applications, are available online. Werts said there have been approximately 33 vendors the last three years and there is space for about 50. Olson asked if Werts has sent invitations to the antique stores in Hopkins. Werts replied she has not, but plans to run a couple of ads in the Star Tribune. It was suggested that an item be placed on the "Craig's List" Web site. D. COMMISSION ROSTERS —PUBLIC AND PRIVATE DATA Commissioners had received a copy of the Commission Roster. The only information that is public is the Commission member's name and city of residence. All other information is considered private and could only be authorized for release by each individual commissioner using a Private Data Release Form. VIII. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS A. COMMUNITY EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP BREAKFAST The annual Partnership Breakfast is on Friday, April 20 from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. at St. Andrew Lutheran Church. The program will be "Diversity in Eden Prairie: Join a Deeper Conversation on Racial Equity Gaps." Werts said she planned to attend. Busack said she is on the commission and hopes to be there also. Brandon was encouraged to go. B. NEW GROUP CONCERNED WITH PRESERVATION OF ARTS, HISTORY AND OTHER QUALITY-OF-LIFE ISSUES IN EDEN PRAIRIE Rorem attended the first meeting of this group in Eden Prairie on February 20. Sixteen women came to the first meeting. She said only women have been involved so far, but anyone is welcome. The name of the group, voted on at the meeting, is EP CAN — Eden Prairie Community Advocacy Network. The group is attempting to preserve arts, music, history, theater, diversity of cultures, and preservation of natural areas in Eden Prairie. These are all aspects of a community that enrich it but also ones that might be harder to define or defend in times of tight budgets and philosophically limited government involvement. Rorem said they are trying to put together a mission statement for the group. They discussed the desire to have positive goals for the group: cooperation is more effective than complaining or competition, and combined efforts will accomplish great things for the community. ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION MINUTES April 9, 2007 Page 7 Rorem said the next meeting is on April 18, when they are asked to present what their individual interest groups are doing and what these groups would like to see in Eden Prairie. They plan to develop tools for communication between the interest groups and outreach to the community. They will also set up a preliminary outline of the organization. They hope to get a well-rounded representation from the community and want to get backing in terms of financial and other support. C. UPCOMING EVENTS • Poetry Open Mic This annual event is being held at the Eden Prairie Library on Monday, April 16. It is a way of celebrating National Poetry Month by reading an original or favorite poem. Werts said she noticed Eden Prairie Magazine did not mention this event, and she plans to call the editor and invite her to come and read some poetry. • Eden Prairie Players Garage Sale The sale will be held on Saturday, April 21, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Homeward Hills Park barn. D. ART ON CITY WALLS —PASTELS BY ANDREA ALTMAN Werts said Andrea Altman does oil pastels. She held an open house earlier this month. IX. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Olson moved, seconded by Busack, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 6-0. Rorem adjourned the meeting at 9:05 p.m.