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HomeMy WebLinkAboutArts Commission - 11/08/2004 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2004 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 Chair Dickman called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Commissioners Styrlund and Zielke were excused. Student member Casey Carlson was excused. Student members Evan Estrine and Carly Hofstedt were introduced and welcomed. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Olson moved, seconded by Rorem, to approve the agenda as published. Motion carried 5-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF OCTOBER 11, 2004 On page 3, the last sentence in the first paragraph, Fabrics was replaced with Fabric Design. MOTION: Larson moved, seconded by Olson, to approve the minutes of the Arts and Culture Commission, held on October 11, 2004, as published and amended. Motion carried 5-0. IV. PETITIONS, REQUESTS & COMMUNICATIONS A. Eden Prairie Players (Community Theater) Report— Shelly Smith Smith was not in attendance, and no report was given. B. Eden Prairie Mall Theater Update Werts said the City is waiting for drawings from an architect. V. OLD BUSINESS ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION MINUTES November 8, 2004 Page 2 A. Arts Promotion Brochure • Discussion from October 25 subcommittee meeting. Attending the October 25 subcommittee meeting were Susan Dickman, Steve Mosow, and Sandy Werts. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss components of an Arts promotional brochure, which were as follows: 1. Introduction, including a Vision Statement 2. Feature Articles. Some suggested ideas: "Art is Alive and Well in Eden Prairie", "Design of the Bridge", "Art on City Walls 2005" 3. Art on City Walls —2005 —Artists Biographies 4. Pages on: Summer Concert Series, Summer Musical, Community Band, Eden Prairie Players, High School theater and music, Community Education educational opportunities, Parks and Recreation opportunities, community offerings (churches, Dunn Brothers, etc.) 5. Directory of Art Resources in Eden Prairie. (send a letter about inclusion in brochure, include a reply card, follow-up call) 6. Calendar of Art Events in the Community 7. Advertising Other things to do: 1. Talk to Communications Manager Pat Brink for ideas 2. Talk to Todd Pernsteiner 3. Write demo letter for directory contacts 4. Newspaper promotion to reach other potential directory contacts 5. Memo to City Council(FYI) 6. News articles about booklet in news media and Eden Prairie Magazine Commissioners said this would make a good first publication. Mosow explained that, although there would be just one directory published in 2005, updates would be inserted and redistributed quarterly, with approximately 1,500 copies being distributed at drop sites each time. Werts said the subcommittee talked about using the Eden Prairie News to distribute the directory, which would reach 10,000 households. There would also be copies dropped off at different locations, possibly different ones each quarter. Dickman said the subcommittee also talked about testing the brochure on a focus group, like the Arts Promotion Group the Commission used earlier this year to get input on an arts publication. Olson suggested having a "Letters to the Editor" section in the brochure so people could state what types of art they wish to see more of in Eden Prairie. There was a discussion about charging for advertisements. Werts said they hope to have advertising cover the expenses. Businesses that want to be listed, but are not in Eden Prairie, would have to pay for the listing. In addition to that, business ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION MINUTES November 8, 2004 Page 3 sponsors might be found. Mosow suggested contracting with someone to obtain advertising. Werts said she would talk to Pat Brink about it. The Commission would have to decide how much to charge for advertisements. With regard to the listing of arts-related businesses, it was decided to call those listed to verify the type of work they do, the name of a contact person, and other information. It also would give an opportunity to describe the brochure. The list was divided up, with Rorem taking the first page, Dickman taking Fiber Arts through Stamping, Larson taking Creative Writing through Dance, Werts taking Music Instruction through Music Publishers, Mosow taking Photography and Story Tellers, and Olson taking Textile Arts through Wood Art and Design. They would complete their phone work by the December 13 Commission meeting. Mosow recommended having a script for the phone call so the Commissioners would all ask the same questions. Werts suggested the following script: "I am on the Eden Prairie Arts and Culture Commission, working on a project to promote art in Eden Prairie. Our goal is to publish a directory of art resources in the community. We have you listed under --------------- Is this the type of work you do? Are you the person we should contact? Would you like to receive more information?" Rorem pointed out that framers listed under Art Galleries should be asked if they exhibit local artists who have their artwork framed by them, or if they just do framing. If the latter, the business should not be listed under Art Galleries, and a listing of Framers should be added. • Review letter to directory contacts. The draft letter written by Werts was reviewed. It was modified as follows: "The City of Eden Prairie's Arts and Culture Commission has identified you as an artist or business related to the arts. This Commission is putting together a resource directory for the residents of Eden Prairie, to promote community awareness and support of performance and visual arts, and cultural activity. We would like to list you in the directory, which we expect to distribute to the public in early 2005. Besides listing resources, we will have feature articles on the arts, information on programs offered by the City, School District, churches and others, a calendar of art events in the community, and advertising. If you would like to have a free listing in the directory,please complete the attached form and return it in the enclosed envelope. You have the opportunity to advertise in our first directory, which would give you a full year of exposure to a broad segment of the community. Eden Prairie has a lot to offer in the way of visual and performing arts, and this directory is a first step to get the community aware and involved in the arts. ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION MINUTES November 8, 2004 Page 4 Thank you for participating in this exciting project." Werts said the form that is referred to in the letter would be developed after December 13, when the phone calls to businesses have been completed. It was recommended that space be left for the person receiving the letter to include the name of another person or business to contact for inclusion in the directory. There was a discussion about how many pages would be in the directory and how much advertising will be needed. It was decided to have a meeting of the subcommittee to work on this prior to the next regular Arts and Culture Commission meeting. Dickman, Mosow and Werts will meet on Monday, November 29, at 5:45 p.m. at Dickman's home. On another date, Werts and Dickman will meet to decide on pagination of the directory. B. Upcoming Meetings Per an e-mailed memo from Werts, the following meetings of the Arts and Culture Commission are scheduled for the second Monday of each month: December 13, January 10, February 14, March 14, April 11, May 16, and June 13. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. 2005 Art on City Walls Werts sent letters on November 3 to past participants of the Art on City Walls program, and to those who requested information after the 2004 schedule was set. Application forms were included. The Commissioners were encouraged to pass this information on to artists who might be interested in exhibiting their work. The program is open to area artists; they do not need to be residents of Eden Prairie. B. Review 2003—2004 Goals, Develop 2005 Goals The 2003-2004 goals were: 1. Develop a partnership with the School District to expand access to School District facilities for community arts programming. 2. Establish a committee to develop all-inclusive arts promotion initiatives. 3. Have a workshop with the City Council to discuss arts and culture in Eden Prairie. With regard to the first goal, Mosow pointed out it is very difficult to expand access to School District facilities now, especially with the tight budget the School District has to work with. Werts said the City is paying double what it was last year for the Eden Prairie Players to use the facilities. The City is being charged for every hour the group uses the stage. The second goal was achieved, with the establishment of the Arts Promotion Focus Group, which met several times early in 2004. ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION MINUTES November 8, 2004 Page 5 The third goal was not met. Werts said she believed the Commission could request a date in March or April 2005, where the Commissioners would talk to the City Council at a workshop about the arts promotion directory and ask the Council about the Commission's future direction. Werts said it is a good idea for the Commission to communicate regularly with the City Council. The Council workshops are held prior to the regular Council meetings. Dickman said the Commissioners should perhaps ask for funding support for 2006. Werts said that would be a good idea because they are working on the 2006-2007 budget in the spring. Goals for 2005 were discussed, and the following were suggested: (1) Print and send out all-inclusive arts promotion brochure in the first quarter of 2005. (2) Speculate on possibilities for arts development in Eden Prairie. Create a vision to talk to the City Council about. Could have the same focus group that was used earlier this year. (3) Have a gathering of all the people listed in the directory for a social occasion — a "Town Hall Meeting of the Arts." It could be held as a kick-off for the publication of the directory. (4) Hold the first Eden Prairie Art Fair at Purgatory Creek Recreation Area. Werts said the Commissioners could think further about these ideas before the next meeting. Goals are supposed to be measurable and attainable. C. Report on Arts and Culture Events Werts reported that the first performance of "Murder at the Banquet" was held on November 4. There are nine shows over three weekends. All of the shows are sold out and people are still calling. It will be repeated in April of 2005, but may be moved to the Riley-Jacques barn, because there would be room to accommodate more people. "A Cummins House Christmas" is an annual event that will be held on Sunday, December 5, from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the J.R. Cummins Homestead. There are many activities for families to participate in. Werts said she could use volunteers to help with some of them. Dickman offered to help. VII. REPORTS OF STAFF AND COMMISSIONERS A. Eden Prairie Identity Project Because Commissioner Styrlund was not able to be present, there was no report. VIII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Olson moved, seconded by Mosow, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0. Dickman adjourned the meeting at 8:57 p.m.