HomeMy WebLinkAboutArts Commission - 11/10/2008 APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2008 7:00 P.M., CITY CENTER
8080 MITCHELL ROAD
COLLABORATION ROOM
COMMISSION MEMBERS: Ann Rorem, Chair; Heather Olson, Vice Chair;
Ana Armstrong, Farida Kathawalla, Steve Mosow,
Elizabeth Petry-Lee
CITY STAFF: Sandy Werts, Recreation Coordinator
Lindsey Scott, Art Center Coordinator
STUDENT MEMBERS: Nicole Garbowicz, Katy Johnson
RECORDING SECRETARY: Katie Hood
I. ROLL CALL
Rorem called the meeting to order 7:08 p.m. Commissioner Armstrong was excused. Jack
Becker and Judy Clifford from Forecast Public Arts were in attendance. Linda Hayden
was in attendance for the Eden Prairie Players.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: Olson moved to approve the Agenda, seconded by Kathawalla. Motion
carried 5-0.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF OCTOBER 6, 2008 MEETING
Section V. New Business A. Major Center Area and Public Art—Janet Jeremiah:
Changed "The street furnishings could be customized." To "The street furnishings
(benches, manhole covers, etc.) could be customized."
Section VI. Old Business A. Art Center Update: changed "Werts referred to an update on
the Art Center Update." to "alerts referred to an update on the Art Center."
MOTION: Petry-Lee moved to approve the October 6, 2008 minutes, seconded by
Mosow. Motion carried 5-0.
IV. EDEN PRAIRIE PLAYERS and COMMUNITY BAND UPDATE
Werts said Peter Pan will be the Eden Prairie Players production next summer. Auditions
will be held next week for On Golden Pond, the winter comedy.
Hayden said there are seven parts for On Golden Pond. There is one part for a boy.
Hayden said there has been discussion about changing the name from Eden Prairie
Players because many people do not understand they are a Community Theatre.
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November 10, 2008
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Werts reported that the Eden Prairie Community Band has a number of concerts coming
up. The concert band plays on December 4 at the Eden Prairie Mall in small ensembles,
on December 18 at the Arboretum, and at the Cummins House on December 7.
V. SPECIAL PRESENTATION
A. Presentation by Jack Becker, Executive Director, Forecast Public Arts
Werts referred to a memo regarding Jack Becker's visit from Forecast Public Art. The
memo stated Forecast Public Art is recognized nationally as a public art resource.
They provide facilitation and consultation services to communities, agencies and
artists throughout the nation seeking to create public art. Forecast Public Art's
services include:
• Project Planning, Development, and Administration
• Master Planning, Site Analysis and Location Analysis
• Design, Amenities and Cultural Development Consultation
• Artist Search, Design Collaboration
• Community Facilitation, Consensus Building and Collaboration
• Management of Artist Selection and Assistance with Artists' Contracts
Becker said he has a general packet of information for the Commission. Public Art
Review is a magazine Forecast Public Art publishes two times per year. Forecast
Public Art has been in the statewide grant program for 20 years and worked with a
variety of different artists. They have worked with both temporary and permanent art
as a form of public art.
Becker said the costs of maintaining public art over the years should be considered,
when developing plans for public art, and the costs are often underestimated. Becker
said Forecast Public Art's consulting group can help with the planning of public art.
They helped with the Wayzata public library and are currently consulting for a project
in St. Louis Park. St. Louis Park requires the private developer to work art into the
development and has a group called Friends of the Arts. Wayzata does not require art
in their developments and is trying to form a group for art support in the community.
The establishment of group like Friends of the Arts can help support public art.
Some projects have a set course for how public art is implemented. There are many
things to think about during the development of art. What is the goal?What are the
priorities? Is there a set of guidelines?Is there a strategic plan?
Becker brought information for"Grants for Artists". It is for what the artist would
like to do. One artist received a grant for doing art in the skyways. This artist would
now like to look at doing art in skyways in St. Paul, the airport, and the skyways
Chicago.
Becker said Forecast Public Art works with the artists about working with clients.
Becker said they just finished a feasibility study for a sculpture park in Stevens Point,
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November 10, 2008
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Wisconsin. The plan was 40 pages, cost$12,000, and took six to seven months. The
Eden Prairie Library public art study cost$50,000 to $60,000 and took four to five
months.
Forecast Public Arts can bill hourly,bill a flat fee, or work on a project in phases and
bill for each phase. The project can be tailored to each clients needs. They help run
the art program in Hennepin County because Hennepin County does not have an art
person. Judy Clifford with Forecast Public Art said public art is a highly collaborative
process. People are aware and the artist is soliciting feedback throughout. Judy said
Charlottesville, Virginia has a small budget and they change the art each year. The art
can very from year to year from traditional to edgy folk art.
Petry-Lee asked how to get the community involved when the community wants
people to participate together. Becker said there are many ways get people involved.
One example is the artist could control how the community is involved. A program
could be structured to have children involved or say how the community should be
involved. Then the artists could dictate their art. This helps the artist have the ability
to work on the art. The City can be a liaison to the community.
Becker said in St. Paul the City is placing poetry on the sidewalks. There were 20
poems chosen. As sidewalk sections are replaced, each section will be stamped with a
poem. Werts said $50,000 was spent on the poems. Becker said art was included on
the Minneapolis manhole covers on the sidewalks on Nicollet Mall. Becker said
Forecast Public Art helps with the resources, grant writing or will help with the
editing of the grant once it's written.
Petry-Lee asked what types of art, other than fountains, should be avoided in this
climate because of weather. Becker said metal sculpture can be difficult because the
salt is really hard on them. Skateboarders and graffiti artists are another threat. Petry-
Lee asked if liability should be kept in mind during the planning. Becker said a
conservator should review the plans. Mary Altman, with the City of Minneapolis, is a
great resource. The City of Minneapolis took on a big project of drinking fountains.
The project could be challenging, but if the drinking fountains are maintained they
should last. Becker said the quality of paint can be an issue for murals. Many choose
mosaic murals or digital murals. Becker said if the piece of art is climbable guidelines
may need to be put into place for safety and liability. Something may need to be put
underneath for safety or to prevent climbing. Werts said the recent sculptures
installed in Eden Prairie have granite underneath. Becker said there could be liability
concerns. Petry-Lee asked about the Centennial Lakes swinging benches. Are they
too risky? Becker said art should not"never be put in because things are too risky".
Liability should be looked at,but art should still be installed.
Becker said requests for qualifications, not proposals, should be asked for from the
artist. It isn't considered ethical to request proposals without the artists getting paid.
Artists copyright their work, so this should be considered during and after the art
selection process. The ethical treatment of the artists needs to be considered during
the whole process.
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Forecast Public Art is a 501(c)(3) and is funded by earned income, grants, the
magazine, and foundations. The consulting portion of the business keeps Forecast
Public Art working.
Becker said the magazine is $24 per year and is published two times per year. The
community is welcome to visit Forecast Public Arts' resource library.
Mosow asked if there should be a theme for continuity when placing art within the
community. Becker said it seems like the Commission could use a consultant to help.
Becker said who is/are the audiences now and in five plus years should be considered.
What do we know about the audience? Becker asked if there is money set aside for
the planning of the art within the community. Werts said possibly a grant could used.
VI. OLD BUSINESS
A. Art Center Update
An Art Center update was reviewed by the Commission.
Scott said she submitted a Minnesota Regional Arts (MRAC) grant for bathroom
updates. Rorem and Scott will provide a high school screen printing event on
November 15. There will be snacks and hot chocolate. The event is at 7:00 p.m. in the
East Commons at the High School for nineth—twelveth graders. Rorem said the
event was going to be advertised on Facebook. Scott was going to look into adding
the event to the daily bulletin.
Rorem said the event on December 6 has been cancelled. Currently Stacy Desai and
Rorem are doing the fundraising.
Scott said the parking lot is finished.
Rorem said there was an event on October 30 and $2,494 was raised. Scott said she
will be going to the City Council meeting on November 18 to try to get the additional
building improvements approved. The additional improvements are $83,000. The
brochure for the summer camps will be printed soon and a decision needs to be made.
Rorem said it would take 60 days to complete the work on the inside of the building.
Scott said the Architect has been paid. Scott said the Eden Prairie Foundation Grant
application for the pottery studio has been turned in. Scott said Beth Mester wrote
most of the Eden Prairie Foundation Grant.
B. Artist Network Get Together
Werts said staff is collecting addresses and e-mail addresses for the Artist Network.
ADC does not rent their space out for groups to use. Werts said she is waiting to hear
back from Mark Sexton in Marketing about the graphic and marketing display that
was at ADC. Werts said the Commission could have a gathering in the atrium in the
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November 10, 2008
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City Center in January or February. Rorem said she doesn't think a get together
should be put off any longer. Werts said punch and desserts could be served. January
15 was the date selected for the Artist Network gathering. Rorem volunteered to help
with the planning of the event. Rorem suggested a book be put together with a photo
of the artist's work. Werts said the event will be from 7:00— 8:30 p.m. and a specific
time will be included on the invitation to talk about the Art Center.
C. Veterans Memorial Dedication
Werts said the Veterans Memorial was dedicated on Sunday, November 9. Werts
passed around pictures of the Veterans Memorial. A reference was made to the Jean
Harris Bridge. Werts said it would be nice to have an interpretive panel with the
meaning of the symbols on the bridge.
D. Filling Commission Vacancy
Werts said the Commission is encouraged to suggest people apply in
January/February.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
A. 2009 Work Plan
Werts referred to a memo reviewing of the 2008 work plan and discussion of the
2009 work plan. The 2009 Work Plan was tabled until the December Commission
meeting.
VIII. REPORTS OF STAFF AND COMMISSIONERS
A. City and School Facility Use Advisory Committee—Mosow
Mosow said Jay Lotthammer was at the meeting and 90 percent of the meeting was
spent talking about turf.
IX. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Upcoming Events
• Art on City Walls—November—Quincy Studios—work of 7 women artists
X. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Olson moved, seconded by Mosow, to adjourn the meeting. Rorem
adjourned the meeting at 9:00 p.m.