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HomeMy WebLinkAboutArts Commission - 01/09/2006 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 2006 7:00 P.M. CITY CENTER 8080 MITCHELL ROAD PRAIRIE ROOMS A AND B COMMISSION MEMBERS: Steve Mosow, Chair; Heather Olson, Vice Chair; Lois Larson, Ann Rorem, Diane Zielke STUDENT MEMBERS: Sarah Erickson, Michael Kientzle, Grace Li COMMISSION STAFF: Sandy Werts, Staff Liaison Peggy Rasmussen, Recording Secretary SUPPORT STAFF: Bob Lambert, Director, Parks & Recreation Services; Laurie Obiazor, Manager of Recreation Services I. ROLL CALL Chair Mosow called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. In addition to the Commissioners, two representatives from the Eden Prairie Players were present to give an update - Reed Schulke, Advisory Committee Co-Chair; and Robyn Seaton, Director of House Operations. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Rorem moved, seconded by Olson, to approve the agenda as published. Motion carried 5-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF DECEMBER 12, 2005 MEETING On the first page, the second paragraph under Recap Commission Worship, Olson corrected the fourth sentence to read "Tyra-Lukens liked the Commission's idea of an art crawl, . . ... On the second page, the first paragraph under Eagle Statues, Rorem corrected the third sentence to read ". . . Integrate, a Red Wing organization, worked with Art Reach, Inc. to request orders . . ." On the third page, the first paragraph, Rorem corrected the sixth sentence to read ". . . within 24 months of signing." MOTION: Olson moved, seconded by Larson, to approve the minutes of the Arts and Culture Commission held on December 12, 2005, as amended. Motion carried 5-0. IV. EDEN PRAIRIE PLAYERS UPDATE Robyn Seaton reported that they are in the middle of auditions for the winter project, "It Wasn't Murder", an original work that will be performed two weekends in February. The dress rehearsal of the play on February 16 will be open to the public at a reduced rate, in hopes they will persuade others to come to the performances. Ticket prices for performances will be $10, $8 for seniors and students. There will be no group rates. ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION MINUTES January 9, 2006 Page 2 The Eden Prairie Players are planning to hold a garage sale April 22 in order to have extra funding for the summer musical, "Oliver!" which will be held the last two weekends in June. Auditions for that production will be in April. The Community Band is expected to play for the musical. The Children's Theater Camp was highly successful last year, and will be presented again this summer. The camp runs for four weeks, beginning July 17, after which the students will perform a play. This year it is a variation of "Sleeping Beauty." Seaton said the Collection of One-Acts went over very well in 2005, at the Riley-Jacques barn, and they plan to do another group of one-act plays in September. Seaton said the advisory committee recently has had an idea for getting more publicity in the newspapers and involving residents in the summer musical. They plan to have a contest inviting interested people to submit original artwork. A committee would choose the winner, and that artwork would be used on all the advertising materials for "Oliver!" They hope to have the original drawing framed and auction that off to raise more funds. Seaton said they would like to start this project as soon as possible, and would welcome assistance from the Commission in promoting it. She asked the Commissioners to invite artists they know to enter the contest. Rorem replied that names of all types of artists are listed in the Eden Prairie Resident's Guide and perhaps they could use the database for Art on City Walls. Asked if they wanted to limit the contest to Eden Prairie artists, Schulke said he would prefer to have Eden Prairie artists; however, other artists would be welcome to enter. Color drawings, rather than black and white, should be submitted. It is hoped that proceeds from the garage sale, as well as the sale of advertising space in the programs, will raise enough money to pay for the cost of printing the programs. They could use the cover for the whole season and just change the interior pages. Kientzle said he could inform students who submit drawings to the school's literary magazine about the contest. Olson suggested promoting it at the winter play. Schulke said they would be putting out a press release that would give information about how to contact one of their members if they want to submit a drawing. Rorem suggested also including a location to drop off entries. Werts recommended paying for an advertisement in the newspaper, as well as doing an interview with one of the reporters to get free publicity. Schulke said he would like to develop a synergy in the arts community, particularly with the Community Band and the Arts and Culture Commission, to explore possibilities for helping each other out. Mosow agreed it would be good to bring those communities together. Zielke asked if it would be possible to get members of the Eden Prairie Players or the Community Band on the Commission. Seaton and Schulke agreed that it would be good to have representation on the Commission and would help them to know what the other groups are doing. Werts said she has the names of Community Band members, but doesn't know which ones live in Eden Prairie, a requirement for being on the Commission. Schulke said he has discovered that not many people know about the Eden Prairie Players. Olson said perhaps people are not aware of the organization because it doesn't have a permanent place to perform. Schulke agreed that was very true. Olson said ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION MINUTES January 9, 2006 Page 3 nothing has come of using the former theaters at Eden Prairie Center. Schulke said he has heard the City has a long-term goal to have an art center. The short-term goal of the Eden Prairie Players is to become better known within the community and to become more diverse. The group is talking about doing more original plays. If they did something like that for Minnesota playwrights, there might be some grants available to put them on. Olson inquired if the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council gives grants. Werts replied that it does,but that would have to come through the City. V. OLD BUSINESS A. Eagle Statue Project Rorem distribution the information she had obtained from TivoliToo and Fiberstock about costs associated with construction of statues. She did not get a response from Fast Korp. Rorem said TivoliToo was the most willing to share information. Their cost for design, mold, and construction would be $6,000, which includes a $3,000 discount if the eagle sculpture prototype is used. The cost of production would be $15,000, making a total cost of $21,000. The company would charge $100 to $150 to build the bases for the statues. Shipping would be $400 to $500 per truckload. Stickers are available that would say "Sponsored by ." or "Transportation provided by . . .", at a cost of$30 per sticker. Fiber Stock was very vague about their charges, Rorem said. They told her the total production cost would be $1,000 to $1,250 per statue. The statues are individually made. The cost of bases would be the same as TivoliToo. Fiber Stock would truck the statues here from Buffalo. Rorem reported that if the Commission decides to go with TivoliToo, she was told that the eagle prototype could be borrowed to show the Eden Prairie Foundation, the Chamber of Commerce, etc. As a promotion, small copies of the statue could be made for$1 each that children would be invited to decorate. Werts said she didn't know if any companies would be interested in supporting the project. Start-up money would be needed. The City could apply for a Foundation grant but that is not until the spring. Rorem said the start-up cost would be $6,000, but could be paid as the money is available. Another $15,000 would follow. This would be a big commitment. Mosow said the Commission could create a community support or study group of people who would be willing to take on promotion of the project. Olson said there are marketing students involved in the "Business-Professional Association" at the high school who work on projects. Werts said the City's biggest annual event is the 4"' of July celebration. Mosow said perhaps small eagle statues, decorated with the stars and stripes, could be sold there to raise money. ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION MINUTES January 9, 2006 Page 4 Werts said the City would need donors up front, but if that does not happen, she questioned whether the City should sign an agreement. As the next step, Mosow suggested inviting a representative from TivoliToo to attend a Commission meeting and talk about the project. Rorem said they could discuss what the Commissioners want for our community to make it a destination. Larson asked if there is any way to get more people, such as business owners, to come and listen to TivoliToo's presentation. Rorem said it could be an open Commission meeting, inviting people from the Chamber of Commerce and the Eden Prairie Foundation. Zielke agreed the more diversity we have from the community, the better. Werts said she has a membership list from the Chamber of Commerce. She recommended that Commissioners look over the list and send invitations to individual members, then follow up to find out if they will be coming. A member of the City Council will also be invited to come. Olson wondered if it is appropriate to bring in another group of people to hear TivoliToo. Rorem offered to call the representative she has been working with and find out what his thoughts are about this. She would ask him to bring the eagle statue at the same time. Rorem was excused from the meeting at this point. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. 2006 Commission Work Plan Werts pointed out that the Commission accomplished its 2005 goals. The Commissioners were asked to look at what they want to do for 2006. She had listed some suggestions, and the members added to them and prioritized them. 1. Recruit candidates to fill open positions on the Commission and encourage a wider spectrum of the arts community. (by January 30) 2. Review and revise the charter statement and submit to the City Council for approval. (by April 10) 3. Review and evaluate current arts and cultural programs and study new programs, including completion of the eagle project. (by August 14) 4. Revise arts resource directory. (by June 12) 5. Examine the major center area plan and learn if public art can have a role. (by October 9) MOTION: Olson moved, seconded by Zielke, to approve the 2006 Work Plan. Motion carried 4-0. B. Commission Terms of Office and Recruiting Additional Members Werts noted that the terms of office for three of the Commissioners expire in March. They are Lois Larson, Ann Rorem and Diane Zielke. They will be receiving a letter from Mike Barone, Assistant to the City Manager, which will ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION MINUTES January 9, 2006 Page 5 contain a form for them to send in by January 31 indicating whether they wish to continue on the Commission. The deadline for new applicants is on February 3. There will be an open house for people to learn more about commissions, probably in late January. Werts said she would invite either Commission Chair Mosow or Vice Chair Olson to talk to the applicants at the open house. Larson indicated she would not be continuing on the Commission. Zielke said she planned to continue VII. REPORTS OF STAFF AND COMMISSIONERS A. Review of Art and Cultural Programs for Sprinp,/Summer Werts reviewed the programs that are being offered this spring and summer, including: • Arts and Antiques in the Garden - June 10. • History Tour—date and itinerary to be determined • Poetry Open Mike - April 17 • Summer Concerts — Staring Lake, KidStock, Fridays at Purgatory Creek, and Theater Offerings ("Oliver!" produced by Eden Prairie Players in June, and "The Merchant of Venice" by Theater Calibanco on July 9) • Riley-Jacques Twilight Specials • The Spell of Sleeping Beauty— Summer Children's Theater Camp • Community Band—concert and jazz bands • Eden Prairie International Festival—Sunday, August 13 • Art on City Walls Special Events • Kite Festival—April 29 or May 6 • Home Town 4t' of July Celebration • Beach Party—July date TBD Olson asked about the International Festival. Werts said they might not go after arts and crafts vendors this year. They will try to get more displays that are ethnic and will limit food vendors because they do not generate enough business. B. Park Sisn Update Werts reported that the City Council approved the design selected by the Arts and Culture Commission. Now they were being asked to select the color for the signs. The Commissioners preferred the green color. ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION MINUTES January 9, 2006 Page 6 C. Life in the Prairie—December Featuring Board and Commissions Werts said the Commissioners could view the DVD on this after the meeting. There is a short interview with Steve Mosow. VIII. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS A. Developing an Art Center Werts said she attended the first of a series of five meetings the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council has set up about the development of community art centers. Twenty-eight people attended he first meeting at the Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts in Fridley. It was about how to build community value of the arts. Developing a community art center was discussed. They also talked about community-based arts programs. They were asked to consider organizational values. For example, does the community want the eagle statues or does the Commission think the city wants the eagle statues? The Bloomington Art Center mission statement was discussed. "Why do we exist; whom do we serve?" "What principles guide our decision-making?" Werts said she would send out all the information she received with the February meeting packet. There are five different components to these meetings. The next one is at White Bear Lake when they are going to talk about programming and whether a facility is needed to offer successful programs. The meetings fall on the same day as the Commission's meetings. Werts asked if the Commission's meetings could be set back to 7:30 p.m. to help facilitate her attendance at the programs. The Commissioners agreed to this. B. 2006 Council Meeting Schedule The City Council meeting schedule for 2006 was included in the Commissioners' packets for their information. IX. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Mosow moved, seconded by Olson, to adjourn. Motion carried 4-0. Chair Mosow adjourned the meeting at 9:00 p.m. Commissioners were reminded that the next meeting is on Monday, February 13, at 7:30 P.M.