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Home My WebLink About09-09-2009 Public Art Advisory CommitteeMINUTES PRELIMINARY PUBLIC ART ADVISORY COMMITTEE THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2009 LOBBY CONFERENCE ROOM -CITY HALL Members Present: Jan Finlayson, DaLayne Williamson, Ann Kahn, Rick Fosse, Patrick Carney, Mark Seabold Members Absent: Terry Robinson Staff Present: Marcia Bollinger, Karl Burhop Public Present: Melissa Mitchell, interested party RECOMMENDATIONS TO CITY COUNCIL Recommend approval of Simple Flight sculpture by artist Jason Messier for location at the Peninsula Park Sculptor's Showcase. Moved by Finlayson; seconded by Carney. Motion passed 6:0. CALL TO ORDER Seabold called the meeting to order at 3:08 PM. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA None CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE APRIL 2, 2009 MEETING MOTION: Seabold moved to approve the minutes; Williamson seconded. The motion passed 6:0. PENINSULA PARK SCULPTOR'S SHOWCASE -JASON MESSIER PROPOSAL Bollinger talked about the Peninsula Park Sculpture and passed out pictures of the proposal. Jason Messier is the artist, and the proposed Simple Flight sculpture is a 3' square steel powder coated sculpture representing a bobber with a dragonfly on top. Originally Jason Messier had submitted the proposal to be installed downtown at the Iowa Sculptor's Showcase. As the Committee chose Jerry Cowger's Banjolin for exhibit on that showcase, Jason is requesting that his sculpture be considered for the Peninsula Showcase Pad. Several questions were asked to Bollinger about the location of the Pad. Seabold agreed that the proposal was excellent and would work well at the new location. Bollinger added that the City Council needs to approve the proposal. MOTION: Finlayson moved to approve Jason Messier's proposal for location at Peninsula Park Sculptor's Showcase; Carney seconded. The motion passed 6:0. Public Art Advisory Committee Thursday, June 4, 2009 Page 2 of 5 PUBLIC ART PROGRAM In response to recent discussion by the City Council of removing the funding for the Public Art Program, Bollinger stated the future of the Committee is in doubt. Bollinger suggested there have been discussions regarding the feasibility of keeping the Committee intact, but the future is somewhat ambiguous. Bollinger passed out finance/budget sheets and went through the Art Program expenses. Seabold and Fosse discussed funding issues, such as maintenance. Fosse suggested the possibility of a "mini-endowment" for the next 3-5 years, which he described as potentially being a "lean period." Fosse stated that the Committee should maintain itself in some fashion so that it wouldn't permanently go away. Bollinger indicated the City Council perhaps wants to keep neighborhood art projects or smaller funded art projects. Seabold suggested that downtown business could possibly help by donating to keep the program going. Bollinger stated that Poetry in Public doesn't have many hard costs; the costs are more or less labor and time costs. Carney reminded the Committee that they are all volunteers and asked why the City Council would disband an all volunteer committee. Bollinger stated that the committee was staffed by City employees and there is a cost associated with that. Carney stated that many artworks and exhibits are already in place throughout Iowa City, regardless of future projects, that require maintenance and upkeep. Ideas were floated by numerous Committee members and Bollinger to put a letter together and send to each member of City Council. Seabold stated Iowa City is a city of culture; therefore the Art Program is essential. Seabold suggested getting all past members to sign a letter to the City Council as well. The committee acknowledged that hopefully cuts are temporary and that City Councilors aren't happy with the idea of cutting the Art Program either. Fosse again stated that the Committee is free, but staff time isn't. Fosse suggested listing alternatives in a letter to Council, like using the Committee to continue maintenance. Finlayson asked if other funding is available, such as grants. Seabold responded that individuals and corporations could be asked for donations. Williamson stated that art projects have done very well in Iowa City because of City Council approval and involvement. Bollinger suggested having the Acting City Manager speak to the Committee to clear up any confusion about whether or not the Committee is to be disbanded. At this point Burhop passed out City Council transcripts that detailed the Council discussion about the Committee and the Art Program in their Budget Prioritization meetings. Seabold stated that the committee needs to continue to meet. Fosse again suggested alternative roles the Committee could temporarily play as it rides out the budget problems, such as maintenance, facilitate small art projects with organizations and neighborhoods, and that the committee should not disappear. Seabold backed this up by saying how recent projects had been successful. Group discussion again focused on the letter, with a need to acknowledge the financial hardship the City Council was going through. Fosse stressed that the letter must indicate the temporary nature of any cut or change to the Committee and the Art Program. There was group unanimity on this issue; the Committee must continue to meet and, if necessary, perform alternative functions. Kahn stated that a component of the PIN Grant funding Neighborhood Art project could be administered through the Committee if it involved art projects. In this way the Committee could continue to be an Public Art Advisory Committee Thursday, June 4, 2009 Page 3 of 5 advisory group and review art projects submitted for PIN Grants. Kahn again wished to stress to Council that they are all volunteers. Seabold asked if the Committee needed someone to perform in a secretary role. Bollinger said that wouldn't be necessary. Bollinger said that art projects might come under Neighborhood Services. Seabold reminded the Committee that they needed city staff to draw up art contracts. Fosse pressed upon this point further, stating that contracts are important with artists, as a waiver of rights, and must be carefully construed or public art can become an encumbrance in the future. Seabold then asked if they should just draft a letter or also go and talk to Council at a Council Meeting. Bollinger said they should do both. Carney reiterated that the Committee plays a big role in Iowa City. With the Arts Festival coming up, Carney pressed on this point that Iowa City is defined by art. Finlayson agreed with this. Seabold concluded the conversation by saying he would draft a letter to the City Council and have other members approve and sign it. UPDATE ON ARTS FEST Bollinger explained how volunteers would pick up artist donations for Kidz Tent. Finlayson and Kahn and Mitchell have volunteered to pick up art donations. Burhop handed out information and maps about picking up donations. Bollinger suggested to pick-up volunteers to ask other artists if they would like to donate items as well. Bollinger stated that Cheryl Jacobson, the calligrapher, would also be at the Kidz Tent. Seabold and Fosse clarified that no adults would be allowed in Kidz Tent, it is exclusively for children to select art work they appreciate and purchase it. There was some conversation between Kahn and Finlayson about dividing up the donation list. Bollinger then clarified the location of Kidz Tent; it will be located where Dubuque Street runs into and ends at Washington Street. COMMITTEE TIME/UPDATES At this point Bollinger updated the committee on Poetry in Public Art Program. Originally artwork was to be unveiled during Arts Fest, but Bollinger explained that this was no longer happening because, though poets were very enthusiastic and many had agreed to participate, there weren't enough artist submissions to proceed. Bollinger suggested that next year the program would be pushed harder - if that potential existed under the current budget cuts. Bollinger also stated that poetry from Poetry in Public had been posted in downtown kiosks. Bollinger commented on the unveiling of Lemme Leopard art project and said it had been a success. Bollinger also stated that the Creekside Mural was complete and was a very intricate artwork piece with a wavy flowing pattern. Bollinger updated the committee on her meeting with Jill Harper, who was drawing a design for a cement bench. Bollinger passed out pictures of the design; the design is a mosaic art piece. Fosse asked about maintenance and safety issues. Bollinger said the artwork should be safe. Seabold seconded this. Public Art Advisory Committee Thursday, June 4, 2009 Page 4 of 5 Finlayson and Seabold ended the meeting on a lighter note, suggesting that the band Squirrel Nut Zippers should be good at the Arts Fest. ADJOURNMENT Kahn motioned to adjourn; Fosse seconded. Meeting adjourned at 4:05 PM. Minutes submitted by Karl Burhop. a~ 00 Uo N o~ ~ ~ > c Q ~ u> ~ T ~ a~~ U N ~ L (6 ai-a a~ .,, E 0 U ~. 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