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HomeMy WebLinkAboutArts Commission - 04/10/2006 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION MONDAY,APRIL 10, 2006 7:00 P.M. CITY CENTER 8080 MITCHELL ROAD Prairie Room COMMISSION MEMBERS: Steve Mosow, Chair; Heather Olson, Vice Chair; Karen Busack, Elizabeth Grant, Farida Kathawalla, 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 & INTRODUCTION OF NEW MEMBERS In the absence of Chair Mosow, Vice Chair Olson opened the meeting at 7:35 p.m. Commissioners Mosow and Rorem were excused. Commissioner Zielke arrived at 7:45 p.m. All of the student members were absent. Student Intern Theresa Dalman was also present. Reed Schulke, co-chairman of the Eden Prairie Players Advisory Committee, was in attendance to give a report for the Eden Prairie Players. All of the members introduced themselves and gave their reasons for wanting to serve on the Commission. The new members are Karen Busack, Elizabeth Grant and Farida Kathawalla. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Busack moved, seconded by Kathawalla, to approve the agenda as published. Motion carried 4-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MARCH 13, 2006 MEETING Olson made the following corrections: On page 2, in paragraphs 5 and 6, "United Artist" should be changed to "United Artists." In paragraph 8, in the second sentence, the word "building" should be added after "amphitheater." In the following paragraph, the first sentence should read " . . . graphics contest being held to promote `Oliver'." On page 3, in the second paragraph, the word "opportunities" should be added to the end of the first sentence. In paragraph 4, the word "it" should be removed. ARTS AND CULTURE COMMISSION MINUTES April 10, 2006 Page 2 On page 6, the first sentence should read "Werts stated she will call Art on City Walls participants . . ." Under New Commissioners, in paragraph 2, the third sentence should read ". . . who previously had an exhibit downstairs . . ." On page 7, under item number 2., the third sentence should read " . . . and send them up." Under item number 3., the first sentence should read "Olson and Mosow received . . . They intend to . . ." Under item number 4., the first sentence should read " . . . with this graphic arts group . . ." Under item D., the second paragraph should read ... . . . some writings by Ann Markausen from the Humphrey . . ." On page 8, the first line should read "Institute regarding economics and the return on investment in art centers." MOTION: Zielke moved, seconded by Olson, to approve the minutes of the Arts and Culture Commission, held on March 13, 2006, as corrected. Motion carried 2-0. IV. EDEN PRAIRIE PLAYERS UPDATE Reed Schulke reported that tryouts for "Oliver!" were held two weeks ago and he believed the cast is complete. He and another member of the Eden Prairie Players made a presentation at Oak Point School to about 150 students and interested some of them in trying out for parts in the musical. The advisory group will be meeting on April 11 to discuss plays for the one-act shows at the Riley-Jacques barn. They are moving the performances to September because last year it was too cold in October. They will also talk about what to do next spring and summer. The garage sale to benefit the Eden Prairie Players is on Saturday, April 22, in the barn at Homeward Hills. Schulke asked for volunteers to help with pricing on Friday. Schulke also asked for volunteers to work on signs to advertise "Oliver!" Werts said she uses a company that makes vinyl signs to be put on plywood. Six signs would cost about $80. She recommended making something generic that could be used in future years by just changing the dates of the performances and name of the musical. Schulke said he met with the marketing director of the Eden Prairie Center regarding sponsorship opportunities. While they won't directly contribute money as a sponsor, they are looking for greeters for the Christmas season and would be willing to hire members from the theater to do that. The players could be in costume if they like. Also, before Mothers Day the players could get the use of an empty kiosk to promote "Oliver!" from June 1 until the end of the show. The group is looking for vendors to sell food at the amphitheater during performances of the musical. Schulke said they are thinking about asking Schwann's or Culvers to be a major sponsor in addition to being a vendor. Werts said the City generally requires vendors to pay for the privilege of selling. Schulke stated they are also hoping to have a plane from Flying Cloud trail a banner advertising the musical on the opening weekend. Schulke asked the Commissioners if they know of any potential sponsors. ARTS AND CULTURE COMMISSION MINUTES April 10, 2006 Page 3 V. OLD BUSINESS A. Eagle Statue Project Werts explained to the new members that FiberStock is one of the companies being considered for the work. The Commission is at the point where it needs to establish a document to present to the Chamber of Commerce to show why the Commission wants to do this project in Eden Prairie. The members were to bring their ideas to this meeting to prepare a draft document and decide whom to invite to a Commission meeting. Olson said she could think of many retailers who might be interested. Zielke said they still have to decide how many eagle sculptures would be ordered and where they would be located. Olson said a large number would probably be required in order for them to be noticed because Eden Prairie doesn't have a main street where they could be placed. Busack suggested they could all be in one area, like a sculpture garden. Werts said in Charlottesville, Virginia, there is a sculpture project throughout the town called Art in Place. People apply to put their sculptures up for a year, resulting in a revolving type of program. In Eden Prairie the sculptures could be set up in the Major Center Area. Grant wondered if the City would put a number on each one, like number 2 of 6, and pinpoint each location on a topographical map of Eden Prairie, so that people could seek out all the statues. Olson said they could look at a map of Eden Prairie, see where the high traffic areas are, and select certain locations to place the statues. They could then decide how many would be needed. Busack inquired if there would be restrictions on where they could be placed. Werts replied they couldn't go in a street right-of-way. Olson said the statues could be on display June through September and then auctioned off. Werts said an alternative to auctioning them off would be if sponsors buy them when the statues are first made available. Olson asked what if the eagles were made of living topiary material instead of Fiberglas. Grant said she knows of a person who makes animals out of driftwood, but they could also be made out of branches and other natural materials. Kathawalla pointed out if businesses bought them they would want them to last longer than natural materials would last. Olson suggested further discussion on why the Commission wants to build the statues. Some cities do it as a fund-raiser for a particular project. The Commissioners need to decide if the purpose of the statues would be to raise money for a purpose,perhaps an art center or other art projects. Busack asked, if the purpose is to build a sense of community, why not have small eagles built and let anyone in the community decorate them. Werts replied the big money comes from sponsorships or an auction. ARTS AND CULTURE COMMISSION MINUTES April 10, 2006 Page 4 Zielke said the original reason for the eagle project was to bring people to the community as a destination. Busack replied drawing people to the community to look at the statues would be for a limited time. They could be made of natural materials, and the City could have some kind of an event to draw people to Eden Prairie to see them. Werts pointed out that would require looking for artists to design them. Kathawalla said it would be interesting to see the different forms they take, but someone would have to oversee the project and bring it together. Werts replied that would become a Commission project. Olson and Zielke suggested tabling the eagle project for a while because there didn't seem to be a consensus on what direction to take. B. Revision of Art Resources Directory Werts told the new members that this art resources directory is in the Eden Prairie Residents Guide, published last September. It is a step toward reaching out to the community of artists. The Commissioners are in the process of updating the list of businesses in the directory. Zielke reported that she had made phone calls to two-thirds of the people on her list. She is also obtaining their e-mail addresses. Werts said the printer removed all the addresses last year, probably due to space constraints. They also would not allow dates of events to be included. They did include a picture from last year's summer musical, which was appreciated. The deadline for completing the phone calls is the May Commission meeting. C. Appointment of Commissioner to the Veterans Memorial Committee Werts said at a recent meeting the Commission expressed an interest in serving on the Veterans Memorial Committee. Bob Lambert agreed that the Arts and Culture Commission should have a representative on the Committee. The Commissioners received a copy of the committee's Charter Statement. Werts asked if anyone wished to volunteer to serve on the Veterans Memorial Committee. Commissioner Grant volunteered to represent the Arts and Culture Commission on the committee. Werts said she would give Grant's name to Lambert and he will be contacting her. D. Appointment of Commissioner(s) to serve on International Festival Committee Werts said the 2006 International Festival is scheduled for Sunday, August 13. No one from the Arts and Culture Commission has been represented on the International Festival Committee in the past. She pointed out that the festival falls under the cultural aspect of this Commission. The planning committee suggests food vendors and entertainment, helps with promotion, finding sponsors and volunteers. Sponsors are needed to cover the costs involved. ARTS AND CULTURE COMMISSION MINUTES April 10, 2006 Page 5 Commissioners Kathawalla and Busack offered to serve on the committee. Werts said the first meeting is Wednesday, April 12, at 7 p.m. VI. NEW BUSINESS None VII. REPORTS OF STAFF AND COMMISSIONERS A. Heather Olson 1. Major Center Area Wayfindins! Committee Olson reported that she attended the first committee meeting. The group has been asked to come up with a 25-year vision. They were told that Highway 312 is going to become Highway 212. Therefore, the current 212 needs a new number. The City Engineer was at the meeting and said one of the proposed numbers would be 112. The group was asked to come up with other suggestions. However, it would not be making the final decision. Also involved in the group's discussions will be Prairie Center Drive. People from Prairie Center Mall were at the meeting and they were very concerned about trying to get people driving on 494 to come to the mall. 2. AIGA Minnesota Desisn Show Olson reported that there is going to be a display of graphic art design work at ADC World Headquarters from April 24-28 in the front lobby. She is trying to encourage high school children to come, and also sent Hennepin Technical Institute an e-mail to let students know about it. The displays will include posters, brochures, etc. Werts said she is going to send the press release about the AIGA show to the Communications Department and they will probably put it on the City's Web site. B. Report on Developing an Art Center—Funding and Revenue Sources Werts reported that she went to the Bloomington Art Center for the program on funding and revenue sources for developing an art center. A speaker explained how the Bloomington Art Center was funded. After one family offered to donate $1 million, the City of Bloomington put the rest of the money needed, $8.1 million, on the bond referendum, which was approved. The art center was built adjacent to the city hall. There is a theater for performing arts, classroom space, a black box theater, an art gallery, dressing rooms and a gift shop. The Fine Arts Council has a number of fund-raisers and receives $150,000 each year from the ARTS AND CULTURE COMMISSION MINUTES April 10, 2006 Page 6 city. The Bloomington Civic Theater is part of the consortium that makes up the Fine Arts Council. A person who works for the Humphrey Institute spoke about art centers. She said Minnesota seems to be a center for artists. Artists are 15- to 20 percent over- represented in the state compared to the rest of the nation, and writers are 30 percent over-represented. The last four speakers talked about revenue sources for their work. One speaker from the Minnesota Citizens for the Arts, said it is important to put your message out at every opportunity. The speaker from Rochester talked about building a revenue base. A board chairman from a financial firm spoke about finances. The next meeting about art centers will be at the Minnetonka Arts Center in May. For the benefit of the new members, it was decided to show the power-point presentation done for the City Council last fall at the beginning of the next Commission meeting. VIII. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS A. Commission Banquet Werts reminded the Commissioners that the Commission banquet is on Wednesday, April 26. Invitations should be in the mail in the next few days. New members are also invited. Outgoing Commissioners receive a plaque and students a letter of commendation. B. Revised Charter Statement Olson requested a few minor changes before approving the revised Charter Statement. Under "Roles and Responsibilities", item A., remove letters "a)" and "b)", remove the semi-colon between those segments, inserting "and" between them. Change the wording to read "Provide input to staff on the development of new and continuing performance and visual art programs, and programs that . . . " MOTION: Zielke moved, seconded by Busack, to approve the changes as proposed. Motion carried 5-0. Werts said the revised Charter Statement would be placed on the Consent Calendar for Council approval. IX. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Kathawalla moved, seconded by Zielke, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0. Olson adjourned the meeting at 9:25 p.m.