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HomeMy WebLinkAboutArts Commission - 04/12/2004 - Other CITY OF EDEN PRAIRIE ARTS PROMOTION GROUP MONDAY, APRIL 12, 2004 7:00 P.M. CITY CENTER 8080 MITCHELL ROAD HERITAGE ROOM I Mission of Arts Promotion Focus Group The mission of the Arts Promotion Focus Group is to advise the Arts and Culture Commission on the future direction of arts access, awareness and promotion in Eden Prairie and to develop recommendations to be presented to the City Council that can be incorporated into the City's future vision. I. INTRODUCTIONS ARTS PROMOTION GROUP: Basil Wissner, Chairman, Jean Harris Memorial Committee Alissa LaSavage, Eden Prairie Magazine Rachel Peters, Eden Prairie Magazine Ann Coates, Adult Program Coordinator, Eden Prairie Community Educational Services ARTS AND CULTURE COMMISSION MEMBERS: Susan Dickman, Lois Larson, Steve Mosow, Heather Olson, Ann Rorem, Todd Pernsteiner STUDENT MEMBERS: Andrew Krause, Evan Estrine COMMISSION STAFF: Sandy Werts, Staff Liaison, Peggy Rasmussen, Recording Secretary SUPPORT STAFF: Laurie Obiazor, Manager of Recreation Services Commissioner Mosow opened the meeting at 7:05 p.m. by explaining that the focus of the meeting was to brainstorm the components of a recommendation on an arts promotion piece to be presented to the City Council, that will include arts awareness, promotion of opportunities in Eden Prairie, and information on accessing the opportunities to participate in the arts. II. BRAINSTORMING IDEAS Werts reviewed the Arts Promotion Document. The objectives are: (1) to promote awareness of arts opportunities in Eden Prairie to residents so they can experience the arts as an audience and/or can participate with hands-on experiences; (2) to promote the opportunities that are available through a marketing plan; and (3) to provide accessibility to the arts through affordability, facilities, and transportation. Mosow asked how they could collect more information about arts opportunities that are not listed in the document. Werts replied that more could be obtained through the schools. Also, when the publication comes out and arts groups see they are not included, ARTS PROMOTION GROUP MINUTES April 12, 2004 Page 2 they would let the City know that they would like to be included. Mosow said an item in the local papers could state that the City is assembling information about the arts in Eden Prairie and ask people to send information in by a certain date. The Arts Promotion Group was asked for ideas on what to recommend to the City Council regarding promotion of the arts. The following were suggested. • Put out a small publication • Establish a dedicated phone line (Arts Hot Line) • Have a booth at an art fair or opening event • Publish a provider directory of dance schools, music schools, etc. • Provide a calendar that would be a resource guide to the arts • Put arts information on Web site • List an art directory on Paragon cable • Have a consistent identity • Use an attendance punch card • Use kiosks at various localities to advertise the arts • Develop a theme logo Obiazor said there will be questions from the Council about the cost of implementing the above ideas and whether City funds would be needed, or if there would be fund-raising projects. City departments have to finalize next year's budgets in the next two months. They have been asked not to increase spending. Money can be taken from other projects, but that means looking at whether the idea is worth the cost, how it would benefit the City, etc. The Commission would have to lay out its ideas to the Council, with the time line and costs involved, and would have to indicate a strategy to carry them out. Mosow asked if there are any funds available for this year. Obiazor replied that there are some funds available; those would have to be examined to see if any of the ideas could be worked in this year. But first they have to figure out what the cost might be. Werts said the Commission has to solidify its recommendations, prioritize them, and then develop specifics, such as a time line on implementation. Regarding funds, they could pursue grants,but would have to know where to go for them. LaSavage suggested one method of fund-raising might be asking artists to bring samples of their work to an art fair and then to donate one that would be auctioned off, with the money going to the Arts and Culture Commission. Coates said to keep the arts promotion piece simple. The people in this group are really interested in the arts, but don't know what the average person is interested in. We have to determine what they want and how we want them to respond. Werts asked if LaSavage would be able to put a listing in the Eden Prairie Magazine of arts-related activities that are coming up within a three-month period. La Savage replied it would be very easy to list items according to the season. It could be a pull-out insert. ARTS PROMOTION GROUP MINUTES April 12, 2004 Page 3 III. CONCLUSIONS AND NEXT STEPS Dickson wondered if they would try to put these ideas into the form of a recommendation within the next month. Werts replied they would need to meet and prioritize them. Mosow said he thought they would take these ideas, add some recommendations, and then begin to prioritize them along a time line not limited to this year. They would try to put a cost on the items and how they could be supported. Obiazor recommended, once a strategy is formalized and in draft form, that the Commission share the information with those in the focus group and ask if anyone wants to assist in certain areas. Mosow said they would continue to distribute information to the entire group. The focus group would be welcome to attend the next meeting of the Arts and Culture Commission on May 10. Wissner stated the necessity of keeping the recommendation simple or there would not be enough money in the budget to pay for it. Use three big ideas from those suggested and go with those. Olson said there are two big events this summer—the July 4"' celebration and the opening of the new Purgatory Creek Recreation Area. She suggested having information on the arts at those two events. IV. ADJOURNMENT Mosow thanked everyone in the focus group for participating. He adjourned the meeting at 8:00 p.m.