HomeMy WebLinkAboutArts Commission - 05/18/1999 APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE ARTS COMMISSION
TUESDAY, MAY 18, 1999 7:15 P.M.
City Center Atrium Conference Room
8080 Mitchell Road, Eden Prairie
COMMISISON MEMBERS: Ann Birt, Deb Campbell-Potter, Susan Dickman,
Andrea McGillan, Barb Nordby and David
Steppat
COMMUNITY EDUCATION LIAISON: Ann Coates
PERFORMING ARTS ENSEMBLE: Ann Crawford
STAFF: Carol Pelzel, Recorder
I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Campbell-Potter at 7:15 p.m. Performing Arts
Ensemble Representative Ann Crawford was excused. Commissioner Dickman arrived at 7:20
p.m.
Chairperson Campbell-Potter reported that Mann would be excused from this meeting due to
medical complications.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Nordby asked that Poetry Update be added to the Reports of Commissioners, Item VII. A. 3.
Motion: Birt moved, McGillan seconded, to approve the agenda as amended. The motion carried,
5-0.
III. OPEN PODIUM
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — Tuesday,April 20, 1999
Steppat asked that the last sentence of the first paragraph on Page 3 be deleted. Also, the last
sentence of the third paragraph on Page 3 read "It is a neighboring community and has
accomplished some of the things this Commission has been discussing." Steppat suggested that
the word "they"be changed to "we" throughout discussion of the Arts Center on Page 3 and the
fourth sentence of the fourth paragraph on Page 3 read "Steppat said we need to formulate a
process to determine the Commission's direction regarding an Arts Center."
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May 18, 1999
Page 2
Motion: Birt moved, Dickman seconded, to approve the April 20, 1999, minutes as corrected.
The motion carried, 6-0.
V. OLD BUSINESS
A. 2000 Budget Draft
Campbell-Potter reported that she, Steppat and Mann had met prior to this meeting to begin
developing the Commission's 2000 Budget. Campbell-Potter indicated that the budget group
would be meeting again on June 2 and plan to have a draft budget to the Commission for
review so that it may be discussed at the next Commission meeting.
Steppat stated that as discussed earlier on, the Commission needs to address inflationary
costs. It is obvious that things are costing more and they need to start building those costs
into the budget. Steppat said they must also trim down their revenue expectations for the
programs. These are important messages that must be presented to the City Council.
B. Center for the Arts
Campbell-Potter reported that she had met with City Manager Chris Enger to discuss the
Center for the Arts. The Eden Prairie Shopping Center is proceeding with Phase I while
Phase II will be the complete renovation of the Center. The general plan and design will
show community space which may include an ice rink which could become a multi-use
facility. The community space would be somewhat generic. Campbell-Potter explained that
negotiations could occur within the next 30 to 60 days. Campbell-Potter stated that Mr.
Enger feels there is nothing the Commission can do at this time regarding the Art Center.
Campbell-Potter said she had informed Enger that the Commission has discussed conducting
a survey and doing research on an Art Center. He felt this would be very useful in designing
that space,however, the City's first step is to obtain the space and then decide what to do
with it. Campbell-Potter said they had also discussed the possibility of the Guthrie theater
moving out of the City of Minneapolis and perhaps that theater could locate in Eden Prairie
or even a satellite theater could be located in the City. Campbell-Potter said the Commission
might want to consider trying to get some type of satellite facility located in Eden Prairie.
Given the information received from Enger, Campbell-Potter asked how the Commission
wanted to proceed. She wanted to know if they should proceed with their research or begin
the process of reactivating a group to do some brainstorming. Another alternative would be
to wait and see what develops from the negotiations to see what space would be available. It
was the consensus of the Commission that they wait to decide what their next step will be
once the negotiations for space with the Eden Prairie Center is complete.
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May 18, 1999
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VI. NEW BUSINESS
A. Harry Gerrish Resignation
Campbell-Potter reported that Gerrish contacted her to tender his resignation. Because of a
number of commitments,he felt it necessary to resign from this Commission. Campbell-Potter
said Gerrish shared with her how much he enjoyed serving on the Commission and working
with the Commissioners. Nordby suggested that they invite him to the Commission's picnic in
June and at that time present him with a small momento in appreciation for his serving on the
Commission.
VII. RECOMMENDATIONS AND REPORTS
A. Reports of Commissioners
1. Grant Update—David Steppat
Steppat reported that he did submit a grant application to MRAC to do the community
arts needs survey and should be notified by June 9 whether or not we have been awarded
the grant. Steppat said he has a good feeling about being awarded this grant based on the
fact that the City was awarded the pre-project planning grant and MRAC felt it was an
excellent subject for the Commission to pursue. Steppat suggested that a letter be sent to
MRAC suggesting that one of the Arts Commissioners serve on the MRAC panel for
awarding grants. He felt this would be excellent experience for this Commission.
With regard to the Arts Across Minnesota grant application, Steppat reported that he did
not submit an application. We did fit the criteria, however, there was a major problem
with putting the information together. When conducting festivals, the criteria asked for
work samples. Steppat said he called the grant administrator and explained that Eden
Prairie had a unique situation in that we don't know who our participants will be for our
next festival and, therefore, don't have samples. This is a very competitive grant and we
could be severely handicapped by not being able to submit high quality work samples
such as videotapes, music,pictures, etc. Steppat said in his best judgement, we could
have submitted the grant but would have had very little chance of getting it.
Campbell-Potter suggested that a subcommittee be established for the next festival to pull
samples such as those requested together. Steppat said he agrees and he suggested that at
next year's Arts Festival they designate someone to develop some good visual and audio
recordings of the festival. Birt said she would check with her husband to see if he would
be willing to record the festival. Dickman said she has some friends that may be able to
do the editing for a fee.
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2. Park-In-Movie Update—Barbara Nordby
Nordby said they were open for any suggestions from the Commission members as to the
type of movie to be shown. They are planning to show the movie the end of July or first
part of August and hope to get a film that would coordinate with that particular audience.
Mann did suggest that they focus on some children's area. Campbell-Potter
recommended that they look at a Friday night because of the late hour. Nordby pointed
out that most children's acts are booked on Sunday nights. Birt explained that they tried
to go later in the season because it gets darker earlier. Following discussion, the
Commission agreed that August 6 would be a good date for the drive-in movie since
Cyril Paul will be performing and draws a large audience. Coates suggested they consider
the original Parent Trap movie and Steppat suggested they consider 1950's or 1960's
movies.
3. Poetry Event Update—Barbara Nordby
Nordby reported that the Poetry night went very well. They had a good turnout with most
participants being of high school age. Nordby said she did receive an invoice from David
Salmela who served as the master of ceremonies. He is requesting payment of$75. Birt
said he was very good, however, he should have asked for payment up front. Campbell-
Potter said that although the Commission did not agree to pay him, she suggested that
they offer him the $75 as an honorarium. Funding would be available in the Special
Initiatives Fund.
Motion: Steppat moved, McGillan seconded, to approve payment of$75 to David
Salmela for his services as the master of ceremonies at the Poetry nib The motion
carried, 6-0.
Nordby indicated that if the Commission plans to hold this event next year someone
would have to begin organizing the event in November or December. The library is
interested in helping to organize this event. Birt pointed out that one participant did
distribute a sign-up sheet for participants to sign if they were interested in meeting more
frequently.
B. Reports of Liaisons
Coates reported that she did talk to Susan Anderson at the Bloomington Arts Center and
Anderson indicated that they want a limited relationship with Eden Prairie because they are
unable to meet our deadlines. Coates said she asked Anderson to continue submitting her
information and if time allows, Coates said she would include it in Eden Prairie's
publications.
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Page 5
C. Reports of Staff
1. Report on Staring Lake Concert Series
Campbell-Potter reported the concert schedule is at the printer and will be in the schools
next week and will be stuffed in the local newspaper the last Thursday of May.
2. DiverseCity on the Prairie
a. Art Tent
Campbell-Potter asked if the Commission would be interested in sponsoring
something similar to an Art Tent for DiverseCity on the Prairie. Steppat said he feels it
would be a good idea and it adds another dimension to the event. Dickman said with
the amount of diversity they have had on DiverseCity on the Prairie, they could
consider some unique arts. Campbell-Potter asked if anyone would be interested in
looking at this event to determine what could be done and bring back some ideas to the
Commission at the July meeting. Dickman and Birt volunteered to look into
developing an Art Tent for DiverseCity on the Prairie and to report back to the
Commission.
3. Judging of the 4th of July Sand Castle
Campbell-Potter asked for volunteers for developing criteria for the judging of the
sandcastles and for the actual judging. Campbell-Potter said she thought it would be
helpful to have this event a little more organized than last year. She suggested that the
participants register and receive a number to identify their sandcastles. Steppat and
Dickman indicated they would be willing to help organize this event. Campbell-Potter
said she would also help and if anyone else is interested in joining them they should feel
free to do so. Campbell-Potter suggested that this event be discussed further at the June
meeting.
4. Sunbonnet Day Involvement
Campbell-Potter reported that the Historical Preservation Commission has basically
turned this event over to the City. Campbell-Potter asked if this Commission would be
interested in taking on the responsibility for some art type events. She said she feels it
may be a challenge to do this this year because of the timeline,however, it might be
something they would want to consider for next year. Coates said she felt if they waited
until next year, they would have time to collect resources. Nordby said she feels they
need to be involved, however, she feels this is short notice and unless someone has some
ideas they should probably wait until next year. Dickman suggested that they consider
having some type of photo contest or something tied to the historic perspective of the
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May 18, 1999
Page 6
site. The Commission agreed that it would be best to wait until the year 2000 to become
involved in this event and that they discuss it further this fall.
VIII. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
A. Arts Commission Members List
Campbell-Potter distributed a listing of all Commission members that included the
members' addresses, telephone numbers, fax numbers and e-mail addresses. She asked
that each member update this list with his or her most current information.
IX. EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION
Nordby reported that the City of Minnetonka had an arts festival with its focus being the
inclusion of art for everyone. Pictures from people with different abilities were displayed. This
event was funded from a grant from MARC and was very successful.
Birt presented an article published in the Star Tribune about the Local Community Arts League
organizing a tour of museums in Russia, Stockholm, etc. Birt questioned why Eden Prairie is not
part of this organization. Campbell-Potter pointed out that many of these art organizations are
privately organized.
Commission members shared with the other Commission members information on trips and
tours that they had taken this past month.
X. DISCUSS ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
A. Next Meeting—June 21, 1999
1. 5:30 p.m. Picnic and Meeting at Staring Lake Park Shelter
Campbell-Potter reminded the Commission that their next meeting will be on
Monday, June 21, with a picnic beginning at 5:30 p.m. There will only be a couple of
items on the agenda for that evening; the budget and the Sandcastle contest. Coates
suggested that they invite the Student Representatives of the Commission to the
picnic along with former Commissioner Gerrish.
2. 7:00 p.m. Musical Dress Rehearsal
IX. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Steppat moved, Birt seconded, to adjourn the meeting Motion carried, 6-0. The
meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.