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HomeMy WebLinkAboutArts Commission - 05/10/2004 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION MONDAY, MAY 10, 2004 7:00 P.M. CITY CENTER 8080 MITCHELL ROAD PRAIRIE ROOMS A & B COMMISSION MEMBERS: Susan Dickman, Chair; Lois Larson, Steve Mosow, Heather Olson, Ann Rorem, Soni Styrlund STUDENT MEMBERS: Evan Estrine, Carly Hofstedt, Andrew Krause COMMISSION STAFF: Sandy Werts, Staff Liaison Peggy Rasmussen, Recording Secretary SUPPORT STAFF: Bob Lambert, Director, Parks and Recreation Services, Laurie Obiazor, Manager, Recreation Services I. ROLL CALL Dickman called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Commissioner Mosow was excused. Commissioner Larson arrived at 7:12 p.m. Student Representatives Estrine and Hofstedt were absent. Former Commissioner Pernsteiner was present as a visitor. Allison Nelson, a Senior at Eden Prairie High School, was also a visitor. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Werts added Item F., a report on the summer concert series, under Reports of Staff and Commissioners. The agenda was approved by consensus. III. APPROVAL OF MINUES OF APRIL12, 2004 Olson made a correction in the first sentence of paragraph 4, page 2, which should read, “Olson inquired if the Commission hopes to increase attendance at arts events.” MOTION: Olson moved, seconded by Rorem, to approve the minutes of the Arts and Culture Commission meeting held on April 12, 2004, as published and amended. Motion carried 5-0. IV. OLD BUSINESS A. Develop a Recommendation for Arts Promotion in Eden Prairie The Commissioners presented their priorities from the list developed at the April meeting. The results were: (1) having a theme or logo; (2) using a consistent identity; (3) developing a small publication, a directory and calendar; (4) use of an attendance punch card; (5) use of a Web site, and having a booth at community events. ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION MINUTES May 10, 2004 Page 2 Dickman said she thought it would be a good idea to try to put out a directory separate from the school calendar. She pointed out that sometimes a school calendar has too much on it so the printing becomes very small, and not aesthetically pleasing to look at or fun to read. She is hoping the Commission can put out a directory that is interesting. Styrlund suggested having a separate section for adults and children. Rorem suggested color-coding the items according to age. Dickman said the reason the Commission wanted an Arts Promotion Group was to get input from the arts community. Promotion of the arts is not just the responsibility of the City, and the Commission wanted a larger group to get involved. Dickman said it is hard to get the arts community together because the City doesn’t have an art center. Everything is a separate entity. However, that doesn’t mean the Commission can’t get arts information out to the public. Dickman has seen a publication when she goes to California that contains information about all the arts activities in the area, and the advertising in it pays for its publication. She enjoys reading it and finding out what is going on while she’s there. Styrlund asked if the Commission wanted to reflect the branding that the City is working on or if it would stand alone as a separate entity. Werts replied she thought the Arts and Culture Commission would come up with its own identity. Styrlund said branding for the community hasn’t been solidified, so perhaps the Commission could make a recommendation to the City Council. Werts said the City’s vision statement has nothing about culture and arts in the community, so this is something the Commission can endorse. Rorem said she assumed that arts groups would pay a fee to be included in the printing of a directory or calendar. Larson replied that is the ultimate goal, but the Commission should make a start somewhere. Styrlund wondered how to make advertising of the arts in the newspaper something that people would tear out every week. Right now, “Arts & Leisure” activities are located behind the sports section and don’t always get noticed. Olson suggested items on arts activities scattered throughout the paper rather than in one place. Krause inquired if the City could have an arts column in the paper. Werts replied that Renée Stewart does an article once a month for the Parks department, and perhaps would do one for the arts. Krause wondered if the paper might do a feature article about local artists. Werts said that three or four times a year, beginning in June, there is going to be a separate section for Parks and Recreation Services’ activities at the back of the Eden Prairie News. Krause asked if the arts could be separated from other parks activities. Werts replied that they could. ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION MINUTES May 10, 2004 Page 3 Styrlund said she believed identity of the group was important; one that would always remain no matter who is on the Commission. Werts said a previous Arts Commission prepared a brochure called “Eden Prairie Arts” that defined the Commission. There was a logo and T-shirts using the logo. Larson wondered if the group should select its own identity. They agreed to do that at another meeting. Werts said the calendar on the City’s Web site only allows six or eight entries. After listing the City Council, Boards and Commissions meetings, there isn’t much more room. It would be an advantage to have the Web site upgraded so that there could be a section under Recreation Services for arts and special events. The consensus of the Commissioners was they would like to see the Web site upgraded. Werts said the Commission would have to let her know what size budget it needs in the next few weeks and if it plans on beginning with promotional material in the fall or later. The editors of Eden Prairie Magazine said they were willing to consider a quarterly listing of events. They would probably be willing to print out a number of extra copies of the listing that could be placed in different locations around the City for people to pick up, such as Eden Prairie Center, the Staring Lake amphitheater, etc. There would be a cost connected with the extra printing. Werts pointed out that Eden Prairie Magazine already covers anything the City is doing and other known community events. She and someone from the Commission should meet with the editors to let them know what kind of arts promotion the Commission would like. Rorem said the Bloomington Art Center lists classes that are available as well as art events. Werts said the magazine list would not include all the classes that are available; it would just list community events. However, classes could be listed in a directory. There was discussion about the cost of printing and mailing an informational guide to the arts. Werts said the City’s Parks and Recreation brochure costs about $7,000 to print 26,000 copies. It is mailed to all households and businesses. Pernsteiner was asked to give Werts an estimate on producing a directory twice a year, in February and September. Not all the information would be available, but a phone number would be included where people can get more information. MOTION: Olson moved, seconded by Styrlund, that the City set aside funding for promotion of an arts vehicle that could be a piece of printed literature, which would contain community, business, private and school events, produced twice a year and mailed to the entire community. Motion carried 5-0. Werts reminded the Commissioners they wanted to have a workshop with the City Council to discuss how arts fit into the whole City scheme and anything else they want to talk about. Before that, they need to develop a cost for their proposal. ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION MINUTES May 10, 2004 Page 4 V. NEW BUSINESS A. Discussion on the Eden Prairie Players Becoming an Official Subcommittee of the Commission The Commissioners reviewed the Bylaws developed by the Eden Prairie Players. Werts said a separate group like this could not act autonomously, and would have to become a subcommittee of the Arts and Culture Commission. The group would report to the Commission. Werts said she attends all the meetings. The City budgets about $13,500 for the Summer Theater. Money comes back to the City through ticket sales. MOTION: Olson moved, seconded by Larson, to accept the Eden Prairie Players as an official subcommittee of the Arts and Culture Commission. Motion carried 5-0. VI. REPORTS OF STAFF AND COMMISSIONERS A. Summer Musical – Annie Get Your Gun Werts reported that auditions were held in April and the parts were cast. The performances at Staring Lake amphitheater will be held on June 18, 19, 20 and 25, 26, 27. Werts displayed the advertising poster that was created by Pernsteiner’s printing business. B. Report on Community/School Facility Meeting Commissioner Mosow attended the most recent meeting, but was not at the Commission meeting to make a report. C. Report on Reviewed to Death Werts reported that actors from the Community Theater performed the program on six nights. Four out of the six performances were sold out; meaning 20 persons bought tickets, while two had only 12 persons at each performance. However, the event still broke even. Werts said it has been done for five seasons and will probably not be repeated. D. International Festival Werts obtained the support of the Human Rights and Diversity Commission before planning this event, which will focus on the new immigrants in Eden Prairie. A number of people from that community serve on the subcommittee making the preparations. Werts asked the Commissioners to let her know if they are interested in serving on that subcommittee. The festival will be held July 31 from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the amphitheater in Staring Lake Park. ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION MINUTES May 10, 2004 Page 5 E. Arts & Antiques in the Garden This event is being held at the J. R. Cummins Homestead on June 12. A student from the Hennepin Technical College is working on a promotional piece that will probably be distributed through the Eden Prairie News. Werts has put out ads for artists and crafters and has received a good response. F. Summer Concert Series Werts also showed a flyer that will advertise the summer concert series, with the header “There’s No Business Like Show Business.” She said they are trying to arrange to have “Shakespeare in the Park” perform on July 10. The Eden Prairie String Academy will be part of the series this year. There is also a teen jazz and blues segment. G Fourth of July Brochure Werts reported that Pernsteiner’s company is printing a brochure and T-shirt for th the July 4 celebration. Instead of the T-shirt not being available until that date, the Commissioners thought they should be sold ahead of time to promote the event, and people could wear them that day. Werts agreed they could be sold at the City Center. VII. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS A. Parks and Recreation Annual Report Commissioners received copies of the annual report, which summarizes the work of the department, including arts events. B. Report on Use of Former Theaters at Eden Prairie Center Olson reported that she looked at the empty theater space at Eden Prairie Center with Councilmember Jan Mosman, City staff member Dave Lindahl, and Sandy Luker. The City Manager is in favor of pursuing this. A private, non-profit group will be considered for this space, and the City would be seeking various groups that might be interested. MacPhail is extremely interested in having a branch in Eden Prairie. There are five empty theaters with 23,000 square feet of space. Reconstruction work will be needed. It would be necessary to break through the outside wall next to Barnes & Noble in order to gain access to the theaters. Olson said this could be an exciting opportunity for the City and the School District. For example, Central Middle School is now reserving the high school Performing Arts Center for its students and needs another space. There are seats for about 400 in some of the theaters, and the others are smaller. ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION MINUTES May 10, 2004 Page 6 Werts said it would be more realistic if there were a joint powers agreement between the City and the School District. The School District would have to pay rent if it used the space. Olson agreed, and said any business that uses it would have to pay rent. Olson said the next step would be for the small group that toured the space to meet again. General Growth would charge $100,000 a year for its use, and there would be other costs. The City hopes a corporate sponsor could be found. VIII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Olson moved, seconded by Larson, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0. Chair Dickman adjourned the meeting at 9:00 p.m.