HomeMy WebLinkAboutArts Commission - 04/11/2005 APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION
MONDAY,APRIL 11, 2005 7:00 P.M. CITY CENTER
8080 MITCHELL ROAD
PRAIRIE ROOMS A & B
COMMISSION MEMBERS: Susan Dickman, Chair; Steve Mosow, Vice Chair;
Lois Larson, Heather Olson, Ann Rorem, Soni
Styrlund, Diane Zielke
STUDENT MEMBERS: Casey Carlson, Evan Estrine, Carly Hofstedt
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
Vice Chair Mosow called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Commissioners Dickman,
Styrlund and Zielke were excused. All student members were present.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: Rorem moved, seconded by Olson, to approve the agenda as published.
Motion carried 4-0.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MARCH 14, 2005 MEETING
Larson asked for clarification of the fourth sentence in the second paragraph under Arts
Promotion Brochure on page 2. Werts changed it to read " . . . it would be necessary to
either increase the number of ad pages or decrease the number of content pages."
MOTION: Olson moved, seconded by Rorem, to approve the minutes of the Arts and
Culture Commission held on March 14, 2005, as corrected. Motion carried 4-0.
IV. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
A. Eden Prairie Players Update
Werts said the Eden Prairie Players have just finished six nights of performing
Murder at the Banquet", and sold out all but three seats. Auditions are being held
April 12 and 13 for "The Pajama Game," the summer musical to be held at the
Staring Lake amphitheater.
The advisory committee is hoping to make a decision soon on what musical they
will be performing next year.
ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION MINUTES
April 11, 2005
Page 2
B. Recommend Acceptance of Eden Prairie Players Sponsorship Request
Werts explained that a member of the Eden Prairie Players advisory committee
came up with the idea to invite community businesses to sponsor a night at "The
Pajama Game." If approved by the City Council, donors of$1,000 or more would
be offered a benefit package that includes free use of the Staring Lake Park
building from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. for a pre- and post-musical get-together; two
reserved rows of seating for up to 40 people at the amphitheater; and reserved
parking for 20 cars. Because this is a public park, staff wanted approval of the
City Council to give these items away, and that will be requested at the April 12
Council meeting.
Werts said the City usually spends $13,500 to produce the summer musicals.
Getting sponsors would be a good way to raise money. Right now the only way
to get money back is through free-will donations.
Mosow asked how many seats would remain for the public after selling two rows
of seats to a sponsor. Werts replied the amphitheater comfortably seats 500, but
could seat 600 or more. She said they are not really selling seats because the
businesses may not actually use them.
MOTION: Olson moved, seconded by Larson, to request the City Council to
approve the Sponsorship Benefits package proposed by the Eden Prairie
Community Theater. Motion carried 4-0.
C. Reminder to RSVP to the Board and Commission Banquet
Werts asked for the names of Commissioners who were going to the banquet on
April 18.
V. OLD BUSINESS
A. Arts Promotion Brochure
• Grant Status
Werts reported that the request for a grant from the Minnesota Recreation and
Parks Foundation was turned down. An application for a grant from the Eden
Prairie Foundation was mailed by the March 30 deadline. A response is
expected later in April.
• Response of Eden Prairie News and Eden Prairie Magazine
Werts met with Marie Esch of the Eden Prairie News, and she said the
newspaper is very interested in including the arts promotion brochure in their
"Residents' Guide." They are going to a new format, with glossy pages. The
Commission or City staff would have to provide the content.
ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION MINUTES
April 11, 2005
Page 3
Werts said the editor of the Eden Prairie Magazine presented the idea to its
publisher, who said it would take 7- to 10 days to decide whether or not they
can do it, what the costs would be, and if the City could help them with the
costs. Werts doesn't know if Southwest Publishing, which publishes the Eden
Prairie News, would charge the City for including the brochure in the
"Residents' Guide." There would be a cost if the Commission requests a
separate distribution.
Werts said she should have more information for the next meeting, including
whether the grant request from the Eden Prairie Foundation is awarded.
B. Brainstorm Ideas for Use of Eden Prairie Brand
Mosow suggested using figures of eagles to represent the City. There could be a
contest to decide on the style. Rorem said they could be done in different colors,
and materials. The figures could be set in front of businesses that purchase them.
Werts pointed out that someone would have to front the cost.
Rorem said she would bring photographs to the next meeting that she took of
dolphins made of cement on Sanibel Island in Texas.
Mosow asked to have this item on the agenda for next month's meeting, and they
will brainstorm more ideas.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
VII. REPORTS OF STAFF AND COMMISSIONERS
A. Report on First International Festival Committee Meeting
Styrlund is representing the Commission on this committee, but was on vacation
and unable to attend the first meeting. Werts said there are two representatives
from the Human Rights and Diversity Commission, but the committee is looking
for more people. Mosow suggested asking the International School if someone
would be willing to serve on the committee, and Werts agreed to do that.
At its first meeting, the committee discussed its goals. A charter statement is
being written. The next meetings are April 20 and May 18.
Werts reported she has some entertainment booked for the International Festival
on July 31. There is a group that comes to St. Paul every year, called "Sound of
Hope", and they are booked to perform at the festival. Another group is Cyril
Paul and the Calypso Monarchs. Larson gave Werts the phone number of a
Hawaiian band, called "Hawaiian Sugar." Werts said that is the kind of
information she needs.
ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION MINUTES
April 11, 2005
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Werts said she would like to have working subcommittees. The work might
involve looking for resources and places to send information to vendors,
exhibitors and performers. Mosow suggested that Werts e-mail the members of
the Commission and ask if they want to volunteer.
Regarding the Diversity Fair held recently at the high school, Hofstedt said she
could have the teacher in charge of it contact Werts.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
It was noted that May will be the last meeting for the student members who are
graduating from high school.
MOTION: Olson moved, seconded by Rorem, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried
4-0. Vice Chair Mosow adjourned the meeting at 7:45 p.m.