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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20230712 - PacketHastings Arts and Culture Commission July 12, 2023 – Regular Meeting Agenda Hastings City Hall – Volunteer Room 6:00 p.m. 1. Call Meeting to Order 2. Approval of Agenda 3. Approval of Minutes – June 14, 2023 Regular Meeting 4. Hwy 61 Presentation from Bryant Ficek Mn Dot Rep Metro District – South Area Engineer for Dakota County OLD BUSINESS 5. Subcommittee Updates a) Policy & Procedures b) Finance & Fundraising c) Outreach & Communications 6. Updates from Commissioner Liaisons with City Commissions 7. Performing Arts on the Trails NEW BUSINESS 8. Select Artwork from Dale Lewis to Lease for the Riverwalk 9. Goals for 2023 and Strategies for Achievement a) Use workplan and budget request (2023) as guiding documents 10. Discussion on goals for 2024 11. Adjourn Page 1 of 6 Hastings Arts & Culture Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, June 14, 2023 – 6:00 PM Hastings City Hall – Volunteer Room 1. Call Meeting to Order Meeting called to order at 6:01 p.m. Present: Commission Chair Hollenbeck; Vice Chair Read; Commissioners Humphrey, Skeba, Tribe; Staff representative Lee Absent: Commissioners Becker, McCoy, McGinn Others present: HEP President Mark Sanstead, HEP member Joe Beattie, Travis Lockwood – Hastings Arts Center, Abby Hilo (candidate for student seat on commission with vacancy left by McGinn) 2. Approval of Agenda Vice Chair Read motioned to approve; Commissioner Tribe seconded. Motion carried. 3. Approval of Minutes – May 10, 2023 Regular Meeting Vice Chair Read motioned to approve; Commissioner Humphrey seconded. Motion carried. OLD BUSINESS 4. Hastings Environmental Protectors (HEP) Community Investment Fund Grant a) HEP members Sanstead and Beattie were present to discuss project and answer any questions The grant provides $3,000 over next 3 years to install sculpture in Linear Park. HEP member Beattie asked for information about the Arts and Culture Commission. Chair Hollenbeck explained the commission’s recent formation and its purpose to bolster public art in Hastings, as well as drive economics and development through art. Commissioners introduced themselves. Sanstead explained the purpose and sustainability mission of HEP and its current projects and events in the city. Various ideas were presented for the Linear Park sculpture project as a way to highlight that mission. HEP is excited to work with the city and creative minds of the commission. HEP member Beattie explained why Linear Park is such a great place to install a sculpture: residents may not even know it’s a park because it has no sign; however, lots of people use the trail system, as it is part of 10-mile loop. Arts and Culture Commission June 14, 2023 Minutes Page 2 of 6 Beattie then gave a history of how the park came to be. It used to be floodplain, but is now highly managed—the forest has been restored and a great deal of effort has gone into eradicating invasive plants to slowly restore the prairie. HEP’s hope is to highlight that beautiful place where people will come through and look at art, as well as restoration of the park. HEP representatives and commissioners discussed artist Dale Lewis’s catalog of sculptures. HEP does not have a particular sculpture or location chosen, though they want to make it relevant with sculptures of animals that might be in this area (such as bison or otter) or foliage of this particular region. Discussion continued about Dale Lewis and Dale Lewis-type sculpture options. Chair Hollenbeck reminded that the grant is written as three-year lease, with a sculpture rotated every year. HEP suggested there be opportunities for education with each rotation to tie in the value of the park. Future ideas for walking arts trail tours were discussed. Commissioner Skeba asked if HEP had made a decision about sculpture placement with consideration of weight, size of base, maintenance, and liability and suggested the Parks Department be contacted for installation and cost. It was proposed that HEP work with Friends of the Mississippi, as well as the Commission, to select art and figure out installation space based on scale. Vice Chair Read has experience with sculpture installation and offered his expertise. The City’s Parks Department will also need to be involved for site selection/ease of access and logistical aspects of installation. Commissioner Skeba asked if HEP has a timeline for the project. They said they do not, though the terms of the grant money stipulate when it needs to be spent. HEP offered to come back in a month or so with a clear idea about pieces, and proposed commissioners can join them in a tour of the park and make observations for commission input. It was suggested the artist also be included in the discussion. Chair Hollenbeck affirmed the commission’s goal is to collaborate with an environmental group, the city, and Parks Department to make Hastings a better place and will help HEP facilitate and guide the sculpture selection process. Skeba said the best sculpture options will be leasable, created by local artists, and carry the message of sustainability. HEP will contact the commission when they have made sculpture selection and are ready to move forward. 5. Subcommittee Updates a) Policy and Procedures Arts and Culture Commission June 14, 2023 Minutes Page 3 of 6 1) Commissioner Skeba presented information on draft City Lease Agreement Subcommittee met last week with the goal to draft a city lease agreement for artists. Commissioner Skeba said they looked at a bunch of lease agreements and came up with one draft, which is still in early form. The point is to have a legal lease agreement the commission can default to, since any legal thing we do needs City Administrator and City Attorney approval. Once subcommittee gets something in place that everyone is comfortable with, the commission can get signatures and bypass legal review. The goal is for the contract to cover the basics of installation indemnity, including a way to work in third parties that aren’t artist or commission (such as HEP, that has made commitments to maintain and protect sculpture) as part of the lease agreement. Without this third-party clause, the city would not have authority, though sculpture uses city property and equipment. Lease agreement draft is currently in the works and will eventually be brought to the City Administrator. Skeba stated that two of the subcommittees have shared Google drives, where all working documents are housed—and will make a way to get to other subcommittees. 2) Discussion of a City Lease vs. Artist Lease Chair Hollenbeck had discussion with Dale Lewis and his assistant Mecca. They would prefer to use their own lease. While that model would make it easier, an artist lease is from their perspective and not necessarily in the city’s best interest. Each lease agreement would need review, and then the City would sign off, which would slow things down. Using the commission’s lease would streamline the process and contain information on commission money, maintenance, make the install/de- install instruction set clear to protect city. Skeba will post a copy of Red Wing’s agreements on the Google drive. Vice Chair Read spoke of his experience working with artists. Commissioner Skeba stated a call for art doesn’t need a lease agreement, as all details are contained in the call itself. Conversely, a lease agreement covers all questions and bases at one time. It is important for the commission to have ready when the situation warrants. The commission discussed a copy of a Dale Lewis example lease agreement. Though many artists prefer to use their own leases to alleviate time delays and save money on legal review, the commission wants the city to have its own lease moving forward. Arts and Culture Commission June 14, 2023 Minutes Page 4 of 6 Commission will ask City Administrator about the preferred route with legal documents. b) Finance/Fundraising Subcommittee did not meet. Hollenbeck offered to join subcommittee upon exit of student representative. Skeba said he has added information to the grants spreadsheet on Google drive. c) Outreach/Communications 1) Hastings Creative Convergence Subcommittee members met briefly and discussed tabling at city events and using commission business cards with QR codes to create a list of artists. As a city commission, limitations were brought up about information gathered and how it is used. Lockwood suggested this information can be housed at Hastings Art Center, since they have a robust webpage and presence, along with a nonprofit arm that can house and manage the information. A partnership with Hastings Prescott Area Arts Council (HPAAC) was suggested. Subcommittee discussed art groups collaboration at city events like Rivertown Days and collaboration with other arts organizations and city commissions, like Red Wing and Prairie island. Commissioner Humphrey will set up meetings with her contacts at Prairie Island, Anderson Center, and the Red Wing Arts and Culture Commission. She has created a Partnership tab with contact information on the subcommittee’s Google Drive spreadsheet—along with an Events tab with dates we should have on our minds for our commission presence. There was discussion about how to get information on the City’s website. The subcommittee did not discuss the Creative Convergence event. They were not sure of subcommittee’s role – is it to plan and promote? The date was originally targeted for August, but that is now too close. They will identify a date and reach out to individual artists, as arts groups are often present. 6. HWY 61 Update Chair Hollenbeck had asked for MN DOT to be at tonight’s meeting, but didn’t realize the city didn’t have the document signed until this past Monday and referred to resolution in Arts and Culture Commission June 14, 2023 Minutes Page 5 of 6 commission packet. At some point she would like to have a MN DOT representative attend a commission meeting. Commission discussed five spaces in the MN DOT play they could utilize for art—and collaborate with the Parks Department—and wondered how big the spaces are, where they are located, and if there are easements and restrictions. Skeba suggested the commission outline questions for MN DOT before they attend a meeting. Hollenbeck wants to understand process first. She met with City Administrator Wietecha who said MN DOT has $10 million budget for the Highway 61 corridor, and once the preliminary agreement is signed, the city will pursue state and federal grants. Wietecha told her the city will ask for Arts Commission dollars within its request for grants funds. 7. How we spend our budgeted funds in 2023 Commissioners discussed various ideas: • Lease four unoccupied concrete pads along the Art Walk (the fifth is currently occupied) • Budget for persistent art on River Walk, with focus to get people down there • Money for attorney • Money for artist calls • Floral art/living art sculptures • Sponsor emerging artists • Acoustic music walk and how to differentiate it from other city events. Discussed sculpture installation unveiling in tandem with acoustic music walk as a way to piggyback events. Commissioners discussed accomplishments for this year. They agreed that they need to make an impact, and time is of the essence. NEW BUSINESS 8. Discussion on Performing Arts a) How to include Performing Arts as a part of public art Commissioners discussed persistent art versus performance art and what they want that to look like. They offered suggestions on who they could partner with—artists, city departments, Art Space, and the Native community/Prairie Island—and how they can piggyback on already scheduled events. They will talk with other cities, groups, and organizations and incorporate that into planning. They will also contact other sculptors. Arts and Culture Commission June 14, 2023 Minutes Page 6 of 6 Chair Hollenbeck asked how the commission can help the performing arts sector. Lockwood responded that people share, promote, and attend events; make referrals; and coordinate grants. 9. Budget for 2024 Chair Hollenbeck met with City Administrator Wietecha, who clarified that any unspent commission funds would carry over. She stressed the importance of tying any unspent funds to upcoming projects. Hollenbeck requested the same $25,000 funding as 2023 ($20,000 for projects and $5,000 for staff salary). Commissioners referred to previous ideas on how to spend money in 2024 and added chalk art along river for Rivertown Days 2024. Skeba suggested the commission figure out how to become financially independent and self-fund. 10. A & C Commissioners Liaison with other City Commissions The Arts Commission is interested in working with other city commissions to better coordinate. Each commissioner will take a liaison position for other city commissions – which means they will check the city’s website, look at agendas, and have a presence with designated commission. If any art-related come up, commissions will know who to reach out to. Skeba suggested we also need a representative for the Parks Department. Hollenbeck decided to carry this item forward to the next meeting so commissioners could check dates of other commission activities. Members tentatively volunteered as follows: a) HEDRA - Hollenbeck b) Planning - Read c) Parks - Skeba d) Heritage Preservation - Tribe 11. Adjourn Commissioner Tribe made motion to adjourn at 7:52pm. Seconded by Vice Chair Read. Motion carried. Next Arts and Culture Commission meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 12th at 6:00pm in the Volunteer Room at City Hall. (Note: McCoy will be absent from the next meeting, but will be available for subcommittee work.) Hastings Arts & Culture Commission Work Plan Timeline All goals are dependent on funding availability Started by Task Force, Maintained by Commission ● Create a regularly occurring networking gathering / meet & greet for the arts community and interested individuals, organizations, and businesses to identify opportunities and create plans (Hastings Creative Convergence starting Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at 7:00 pm) ● Build and maintain a database of local artists and arts organizations ● Create policies and procedures for donations and/or art loans ● Determine where the new Hastings Arts and Culture Events Calendar resides (City of Hastings or Chamber of Commerce / Tourism Board) Year 1 ● Engage key stakeholders in developing and building a cohesive Hastings’ brand including tagline (TAP Report, HPAC Hastings is Arts Report) ● Identify ways to collaborate with the city and other organizations (e.g. BR4R) to highlight the city’s history in the Pioneer Room and other historical exhibits at City Hall ● Identify and address barriers to hosting special or pop-up arts and cultural events ● Identify Hasting’s distinct districts/neighborhoods and brainstorm options for expressing individual identity ● Provide input in the Highway 61 Rebuild Project (Vermillion Corridor) ● Consult with indigenous and historical relevant communities to ensure all new installations are sensitive to their history ● Collaborate on the Longer Table Event ● Continue the Rec + Art + Police Summer Program ● Assess, inventory, market and promote the wealth of arts and cultural assets, opportunities, and activities that exist in Hastings, within the city and wider region (e.g. art walking tour map) ● Identify, cultivate and strategize with arts and cultural allies to build stronger and more visible networks of opportunity to grow the creative economy, arts and cultural experiences, and educational activities in Hastings Year 2 ● Determine how to highlight, preserve and expand artworks at City Hall ● Investigate options for mural projects at the Arden Mill, Civic Arena and other locations ● Take inventory of all city owned art assets, create a database of all art assets ● Explore public, private and philanthropic partnerships that engage the creative sector, inviting arts and cultural leaders to conversations about policy and resource allocations ● Develop a plan for the installation of future art assets ● Investigate options for Art Park Benches such as memorial benches that include a QR code with the donor’s life story ● Explore options for an Arts Walk, Studio Tours, Garden/Porch Tour, and/or Historic Homes Tour Year 3 ● Explore options for a Sculpture Park in River Walk / River Flats area including original Spiral Bridge and Big Blue remnants ● Investigate textile / fiber art options for City Hall’s Community Room to beautify and help with sound issues (e.g. quilts, tapestries, soft sculptures, etc.) ● Develop a care and maintenance plan for all city owned art assets Ongoing ● Foster synergies between the creative sector and other non-arts businesses and public institutions (e.g. the Downtown Business Association) ● Focus resources and efforts on sustaining and growing Hastings’s community of artist entrepreneurs, creative businesses, and arts and cultural nonprofit organizations ● Leverage the city’s arts and cultural assets to stimulate interest in Hastings from visitors, new businesses, a younger skilled creative workforce, and a younger demographic of households ● Promote an inclusive place identity drawing on the city’s rich and diverse history, heritage, and arts and cultural assets; to attract visitors and to welcome residents and businesses ● Sustain and grow the inventory of distinctive public art and architectural assets in Hastings including but not limited to City Hall ● Animate the physical realm with beautification efforts throughout the city, crafting distinctiveness through community design and cultural references for district identification (neighborhoods) ● Foster a diversity of accessible opportunities for cultural expression and exchange to build community cohesiveness, understanding, and well-being ● Expand opportunities to engage in a multiplicity of arts and cultural experiences for all members of the community regardless of age, gender, household income, race or ethnic background, or ability ● Enable accessible opportunities for lifelong learning in the arts, from youth to senior programming The budget sum of $25,000 would be allocated as follows: ($10,000-$15,000) One Building Mural: The following properties are ideal candidates 218 2nd Street (Oliver’s Grove) 320 2nd Street (Graphic Design) 3rd story of 105 2nd Street 310 Vermillion St Instead of a mural there were two other projects identified as: Installation in center island of turnaround outside of ArtSpace Riverwalk art installation (there four areas that used to have sculptures that no longer have anything on the poured concrete slabs). ($5,000) Networking events designed to bring the creative community together to share and collaborate ideas. The Arts Task Force has named the event as the “Hastings Creative Convergence”. ($5,000 for 4 events) ($5,000) Collaboration with Friends of the Mississippi River on their installation of a wildflower area at the ponding basin Near Louis Lane (either a sign or bench) (5,000) Part-time Staff Person Please share this document with the Finance Committee of Council to be part of the budget considerations for 2023. Also, please arrange a meeting with the Planning Committee of the City Council to discuss the details of the Arts & Culture Commission formation as directed by City Council action at the June 20th meeting.