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HomeMy WebLinkAboutArts Commission - 09/12/2005 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2005 7:00 P.M., CITY CENTER PRAIRIE ROOM A & B 8080 MITCHELL ROAD COMMISSION MEMBERS: Steve Mosow, Chair; Lois Larson, Heather Olson, Ann Rorem, Soni Styrlund, Diane Zielke GUEST CONSULTANT: Judy Reishus, Executive Vice President, Baker Associates COMMISSION STAFF: Sandy Werts, Staff Liaison Allison Burr, Recording Secretary SUPPORT STAFF ABSENT: Bob Lambert, Director, Parks & Recreation Services Laurie Obiazor, Manager of Recreation Services I. ROLL CALL OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS Chair Mosow called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. He noted he has taken the position of chairman of the Commission as Susan Dickman resigned her position. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Ann Rorem moved to approve the agenda as published and Soni Styrlund seconded. Motion carried 6-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF AUGUST 1, 2005, MEETING Heather Olson noted a correction on page 3 of the minutes. The second paragraph of Section A under New Business should read: "Styrlund said one long-term goal is to create Eden Prairie as a destination people would come to that is unique and would tell people they are in Eden Prairie." Mosow noted an additional change on page 3, the fourth paragraph of Section A under New Business. The phrase "or to do business" should be added at the end of the second sentence. MOTION: Olson moved to approve minutes of the Arts and Culture Commission meeting held August 1, 2005, as amended and Styrlund seconded. Motion carried 6-0. IV. REPORT FROM EDEN PRAIRIE PLAYERS Sandy Werts gave an overview of upcoming culture events in Eden Prairie. Four one-act plays will be performed October 6, 7, and 8: "Mere Mortals," "Zoo Story," "The Lady of Eden Prairie Arts & Culture Commission September 12, 2005 Page 2 Larkspur Lotion," and "For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls." Two of the plays are comedies and two are dramas. Tickets are $10 each, and the plays will be performed at the Riley-Jacques Barn. Werts reported the play performed in August at the Barn was standing-room only. It turned out really well. All the kids had a great time. Mosow asked how the success of this event is conveyed to the City Council. Werts said it usually is not. Mosow stated that should be an objective of this Commission, to let the City Council know of these successes. Werts continued, the Cemetery Walk is the next event in the fall. Then in December auditions will be held for the play "It Isn't Murder," written by a local playwright. The playwright is from Minnetonka and this is his third play. Styrlund asked if there is a citywide map so that citizens can know ahead of time when things are going on in other communities. Werts stated such a map may not be necessary because one community is always going to have something every weekend. V. OLD BUSINESS A. Eden Prairie Residents Guide—Art Promotion Mosow stated the Eden Prairie Residents Guide has gone to press. Olson noted she caught several errors, misspellings, and name mix-ups in the guide. After some group discussion, Werts and Olson determined some of the errors were caught prior to the guide going to press. Werts stated the guide is already at the printer's, and the next edition will be published next year at this time. Styrlund would like to suggest to the City Council this publication should be its own established book in the future. Mosow added the Commission can tell the Council this is our first attempt and we have a bigger vision about Eden Prairie culture. The Commission agreed the guide was a good, concrete start. B. Eagle Sculptures Rorem provided an update on the information she has gathered about the sculptures. In most cases, you need to send in your own sculpture. It is important to think of the texture of the sculpture because it has to be painted. It is also necessary to consider how we want to have Eden Prairie represented through the statue. A prairie dog or an eagle are possibilities. After speaking with Fiberstock, they sent her a book on the city arts projects information they did for Buffalo, Minnesota. The cost may range from$500 to $1,500 per statue. Styrlund asked if the price point drops with larger quantities of sculptures and Eden Prairie Arts & Culture Commission September 12, 2005 Page 3 Rorem indicated it does not. Buffalo charged $2,500 for sponsors and the artist received a $500 stipend. A fee was paid to have a statue in front of the business sponsors during the parade. Fiberstock indicated it cost$70,000 to do the project in Buffalo, and they took in $140,000. Rorem continued both Fiberstock and Tivoli Too are very willing to send out consultants to Eden Prairie. The sculpture material would be fiberglass. Fiberstock recommended to allow plenty of time, six to nine months, to organize the sculpture project and to focus on the auction, ensuring the sculptures are sellable. Styrlund contributed the idea of perhaps tying in a black tie dinner as well, bringing corporations in. Rorem agreed as there are several area corporations to bring in, including the Vikings who have a practice facility in Eden Prairie. Styrlund suggested the Commission talk with the Foundation; perhaps there can be a launch to unveil the project. Rorem stated Fiberstock indicated one drawback or obstacle may be that Eden Prairie does not have a downtown. A possible timeline may be to have the statue example out by March 15ffi; give the artists 30 to 45 days to render their own interpretations, and have the final statues out in June. Rorem added she would like to talk with Tivoli Too soon in order to obtain an idea of their pricing. Mosow commented the fact that Eden Prairie does not have a downtown can turn into an opportunity for a wider distribution of the eagles. Styrlund agreed, adding perhaps it might be fun to exploit the fact that nobody knows the layout of the city and have a map, instructing people to find the 25 eagles around town. Rorem stated perhaps sponsors can have their eagle in front of theirs business and then pull them together for an activity, for example, a concert, and then group the eagles all together for the final auction. Mosow suggested the Commission go before the Council with all these pieces of the puzzle—the eagles, art, et cetera— and communicate to them what the big vision is. Styrlund added the Commission can tell the Council this is what we see as our role, what we would like you to approve. Mosow concluded the Arts Commission big picture and the Eden Prairie need to be tied together. C. Ideas for the Use of Eden Prairie Brand Styrlund introduced the guest consultant, Judy Reishus of Baker Associates, who has worked with the City on branding. Styrlund noted Eden Prairie is in the lead on thinking of branding the community; everyone now wants to brand their city. Reishus began by stating the importance of showcasing Eden Prairie as a place to live, work, and dream. A style guide is created and subsequently touchpoints are Eden Prairie Arts & Culture Commission September 12, 2005 Page 4 looked at: for example, music, a mascot, water tower, flowers, "parkitecture." Styrlund added we want it to all fit within the brand identity: music played in buses, window boxes, etcetera. We want entering the City of Eden Prairie to be distinct; that it be obvious, you have entered a new city. Reishus stated in working with the Fire and Police Departments, they were able to really focus on the idea of gaining, not giving up. Now the new logos are in symmetry with the City logo. Styrlund stated the importance of figuring out the role of the Commission. What can we touch in this City? What can we tackle? Mosow asked what the Council's position is on branding. Reishus answered the Council is 100 percent on board with branding. Mosow then suggested the Commission tell the Council if you want branding, we are here to help you do that through art. We will touch the community through brand influence. Styrlund stressed the importance of all touchpoints remaining in sync. The Commission can act as a clearinghouse and Sandy can be the gatekeeper. Pat Brink does one component, communication,but what about the rest? She asked if there is anyone else that is playing the role of defining the look and feel of the community within City government. Werts responded no, there is not. The Planning Commission is the only entity that comes close in terms of their role in advising on building facades. Mosow suggested the Commission frame this discussion by first looking at its roles and responsibilities as set out in its charter statement. Styrlund asked if the Commission is advising or leading on this project. Mosow responded all commissions are advisory. He suggested the Commission create a statement of work that will let it take a key role in branding. Werts asked for clarification on the definition of a touchpoint. Styrlund stated it is anything you have contact with related to the City. Werts responded she does not think the Commission can tell everyone in the city how to look. Styrlund mentioned the cities of Martha's Vineyard, Carmel, Monterrey, noting they each have a tangible different feel. Olson stated she does not want the city to look like Disneyland. Larson asked if it is necessary to have things all look the same. Styrlund stated there is no heart in Eden Prairie because there is no downtown, so how do we create that warmth? Through branding. Mosow suggested let us use the arts,but not as a rubberstamp. Reishus assured the goal is to create continuity, not conformity. Mosow commented the original purpose of branding was to create a sense of place, a great sense of community, not a monolith. Branding can be used as a means of attracting people. However,branding may suggest to a lay person structure or something dictatorial. He asked the group if there are any other downsides to branding. Eden Prairie Arts & Culture Commission September 12, 2005 Page 5 Styrlund replied if branding is done without elegance and taste, the end result could be Pleasantville. A style guide should be used; it should not be cookie cutter. Mosow suggested the group look further at the role of the Commission. Styrlund added we need to look at creating a sense of community. Mosow continued "heritage"is mentioned in the Commission's roles and responsibilities. Community is initially formed around services, for example, streets. Styrlund suggested Maslow's hierarchy be used as s a model. The Commission wants to go to a higher point of the pyramid—to self-actualization. Everything below that is functional, analytical, and logical. She mentioned that Uptown has a very distinct feel throughout. Olson responded Uptown is a much smaller area than Eden Prairie and the latter is much more spread out as well. Styrlund stated she has been to other sides of the city without knowing if she was still in Eden Prairie or not. She believes it is important to know you are in Eden Prairie. Even Chanhassen has some clear rules and regulations. Mosow commented it is important to know where you are,but there is an inherent struggle between individual identity and city cohesion. Olson questioned if it is the Commission's role to do that. Werts asked if this Commission would be in charge of reviewing new businesses and their signs. Styrlund stated no,just things the City has invested in, such as flowers, signs, et cetera. She added the question to consider is whether this Commission wants to have influence over the process or not. Judy will be doing the branding anyway, so it is just a question of whether we want to influence her or not. Mosow asked who articulates the big vision for the City. Is it the mayor, the Council? Werts replied the City Manager and five department heads play key roles. She continued, if the Commission wants to take on this role, we should bring it up at our workshop. We need to dialogue with them, stating this is what we would like to do; is this what you want us to do. Mosow commented the big picture has been presented to the Council already and they loved it. Reishus agreed, adding no one has become the key stakeholder in the process yet. The Commission members continued its discussion on what its role is. Mosow stated it is important the Council to appreciate the possibility of arts and culture creating a sense of community. Olson added branding is just one aspect of that. Styrlund suggested regarding music, perhaps the City can have classical or country-western or some other selected style playing while people on the telephone are on hold with a governmental office. In New Orleans, for example, you may hear jazz all the time. Olson stated she does not want to hear one style of music all of the time. It sounds too restrictive. She suggested caution be used in Eden Prairie Arts & Culture Commission September 12, 2005 Page 6 phrasing these ideas. Larson agreed. Olson continued, Eden Prairie is diverse. We are not all of one ilk. Reishus stated Wayzata has signs marking its heritage, the original streets of the city. It is not meant to put handcuffs on the city but rather to give it a focus. Mosow asked the group to consider how the arts and culture road and the big picture road converge. And furthermore, what is the Commission's role in the next piece of our road? How we do benefit from the branding and how do we benefit the branding? Styrlund suggested perhaps Werts be given the key stakeholder role to provide a vision to City staff. Werts stated she has not yet looked at the style guide and she doubts anyone else has either. Mosow continued right now we have the Council, City Manager, department heads, the mayor, and the Foundation. These all are stakeholders in contributing to the vibrancy of community in Eden Prairie. The question is, what is the Commission's role related to the direction of the City. How do we contribute to and benefit from arts and culture of the City? Regarding the workshop with the Council in November, Mosow suggested there needs to be a discovery process with them and subsequently address what can we do to help them realize the vision and also make Eden Prairie a more artful place. Let's lay out what we have done, what we are thinking about, and how do we see the possibilities. Reishus stated Pat Brink's governmental reach in branding needs to be determined. There are some gaps, things that are not currently being stewarded in the branding process. We need to list what is being overlooked. Mosow questioned if that is the role of this Commission. Mosow further noted this will be an iteractive process. We will have to go through several discussions with the Council. Styrlund stated the workshop is to be a place where we dialogue, a time to let them know where we would like to see the arts going. Styrlund noted at the last meeting, the Commission decided to come up with some examples and budgets for projects. Werts stated budgets were submitted in June and she does not know if further funding can be obtained in addition to what is in the budget. Styrlund stated she would like the Commission to be bolder with the City Council. For example, state to them this is what we would like our role to be. Here are some examples and price tags. Do you agree with it? Mosow suggested at the next meeting, the Commission make a list of all things it does and all things it can possibly do and make recommendations on how those contribute to the greater whole. Eden Prairie Arts & Culture Commission September 12, 2005 Page 7 Styrlund stated Reishus is meeting with the Liquor Group soon. A possible idea may be to make a label for Eden Prairie wine or Firemen's beer. Many residents do not know the City owns the liquor stores. Werts agreed, stating nobody knows that money goes back to police and parks. Larson asked Mosow if he will be the spokesperson for the Commission at the workshop. He replied not necessarily;he just articulates the group's thoughts. Mosow suggested the next meeting be used to answer the following: here is where we are; what does it mean; and now what? Werts stated there are two more meetings prior to the workshop with the Council. Is that enough? Styrlund responded by asking if it is good use of our time to try to define our role or should you, Sandy, tell us what it is? Werts stated there was an Arts Commission that was dissolved and then reformed. However, it has never really found its niche. Rorem indicated she would have a comparative chart ready for the next meeting so we can move ahead on discussing the statue project. Werts handed out the Eden Prairie Strategic Plan 2003 and volunteered to answer the "here's what"portion of the question before the Commission. At the next meeting the "so what" and "now what" questions will be discussed. XI ADJOURNMENT Mosow adjourned the meeting at 9:10 p.m.