Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout20240814 - Arts & Culture Commission Minutes Page 1 of 6 Hastings Arts & Culture Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, August 14, 2024 – 6:00 PM Hastings City Hall – Volunteer Room 1. Call Meeting to Order Meeting called to order at 6:08 p.m. Present: Chair Hollenbeck; Vice Chair Read; Commissioners Humphrey, Maner, McCoy and Wagner; Staff Representative Lee and Economic Development Coordinator Menke Absent: Commissioner Tribe 2. Approval of Agenda Chair Hollenbeck requested to add to items to the agenda: 4.C.1. Postcards to Collect Email Addresses - Lee 9.1. Indigenous Peoples Day Project – Humphrey Vice Chair Read motioned to approve agenda as amended; Commissioner Wagner seconded. Motion carried. 3. Approval of Minutes – July 18, 2024 Regular Meeting Vice Chair Read motioned to approve minutes as presented; Commissioner Maner seconded. Motion carried. OLD BUSINESS 4. Subcommittee Updates a) Policy & Procedures No updates – did not meet b) Finance & Fundraising Not currently active c) Outreach & Communications - Humphrey and Tribe No updates – did not meet 1. Postcards to Collect Email Addresses – Lee Lee reported that Communications Coordinator Skelly had drafted a postcard-type document for commissioners to distribute at events as a way to collect contact information of participants, including email addresses. The cards contain a QR code that will lead interested people to the sign-up page on the city’s website where they can input their information and request commission news and updates. Skelly is the staff person with access to this information, so anything commissioners want to send to people on the list needs to be provided to Skelly for distribution. Neither Lee nor commissioners will have direct access to this information. Arts and Culture Commission August 14, 2024 Minutes Page 2 of 6 Hollenbeck asked about email addresses collected previously. Lee requested those be provided to her, to then be forwarded to Skelly. On the 5.5 x 4.5-inch postcard mockup provided to commissioners, Skelly indicated she could order 500 printed copies for $95.00, which is 19 cents apiece, and asked for the commission’s approval to order. Motion by Vice Chair Read to purchase 500 postcards for $95.00. Seconded by Commissioner McCoy. Motion carried. McCoy will add the sign-up link to the Google calendar site. 5. Recap of Electrical Box Painting Event – Wagner Wagner reported she and Hollenbeck were at the event all day on Saturday and said it was great for community building, and the finished product is an asset to the community. They lauded Artist Jessie Eckroad for all her hard work and countless hours dedicated to the project. They agreed she was the best person to do the project, with both an art and environmental sciences background to support the content. Read said he saw many positive posts by community members about the event on Facebook. Wagner then offered constructive feedback for future painting events. She said they could have arrived earlier because there were a lot of questions from pickleball players at the nearby courts about what was going on, which slowed things down. Many, but not all, timeslots were filled by people coming to paint, which left a lot unfinished that day. Some people went back afterwards to paint and finish because not as much was accomplished during the sign-up period as anticipated. She acknowledged these unforeseen circumstances, which were difficult to predict for a first-time event like this. Wagner suggested commission members have identification such as nametags or shirts to distinguish them as commissioners at events. Lee will look into this and report back. Hollenbeck said Mayor Fasbender and Artist Eckroad were onsite today to finish the painting of the electrical box and addition of anti-graffiti coating ahead of the unveiling event being held tomorrow night at 6:00 p.m. for those who can show up. Eckroad told commissioners she would like to do a similar project again if the opportunity presents itself, though would increase to two days of signups for painting to ensure project completion. She also said she would simplify the project by having participants paint by color rather than divided squares. Commissioners agreed the project was worthwhile and would like to explore the painting of more electrical boxes in the future, whether hand painted or wrapped. Hollenbeck will connect with Parks Arts and Culture Commission August 14, 2024 Minutes Page 3 of 6 and Recreation Director Jenkins to discuss future electrical box painting opportunities and subsequent funding, as well as which electrical boxes are owned by the city. Wagner asked if anyone alerted the media about the unveiling event. She was directed to contact the Hastings Journal and KDWA. 6. “Artistry in the Air” Fall Event Update – McCoy Saturday, September 28 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at Vermillion Falls Park Commissioner McCoy has officially confirmed with musicians The Roe Family Singers (acoustic performance) and Classical Harpist Amy Nam for the event. He hasn’t yet heard back from the Moss Piglets (bluegrass band) or Nick Fox, who he invited to fill the last slot. If that opening needs to be filled, he will contact the University of River Falls Music Department. McCoy reminded that the commission has committed $500 to the Roe Family Singers, $200 to Amy Nan, $500 to the Moss Piglets, and $200 to Nick Fox—which falls within the approved budget. All performers will need to submit an invoice for payment. McCoy will be the point of contact for them. Harpist Nam inquired about the weather cancellation policy. McCoy suggested the determination be made the day of the event. He and Read will make the decision and contact musicians immediately. There will be no backup date for event. Commissioners discussed providing canopy tents, four in total, for musicians that will be spread out along the trail. Hollenbeck and Read/HPAC both committed to providing one each. Hollenbeck will reach out to the Parks Department and Spiral Brewery to see if tents can be borrowed. Wagner will contact the Historical Society. Regarding plein air painting at the event, Read said the University of River Falls will let him know about event participation when school starts. Should they have any interested artists, they will be added to the existing confirmed painters. Hollenbeck spoke with owners of The Studio Downtown, and they are excited to display the plein air paintings. Read will make the tags with artist identification and contact details, though none of the pieces will be titled. McCoy and Read will walk the venue next week and identify spaces for musicians and plot the zones for plein air artists. 7. Creative Convergence Event – October 3rd, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Hollenbeck asked the group about details. They discussed venue. McCoy will contact the Confluence to see if they have availability on October 3rd. Hollenbeck will reach out to The Studio Downtown, which is where the spring event was held, as a backup location. Hollenbeck will reach out to River Valley Band to see if they would like to host the event. Arts and Culture Commission August 14, 2024 Minutes Page 4 of 6 Commissioners discussed the introductions and social aspects of the last event and how it could be more time efficient. Suggestions included bingo, clarity of expectations and modeling of that behavior, or table topics managed by commissioners stationed at each table. Commissioner McCoy will be unable to attend the event. 8. Commission Sign Update Read worked with Graphic Design on composition and printing of signs—a two-sided A-frame and smaller black and white directional signs to use at events. 9. Public Art Map – Hollenbeck Hollenbeck reported that while she was at a meeting with the Downtown Business Association, it was suggested the public art map be expanded to include a scavenger hunt. Further details and time frame were not given. 9.1. Indigenous Peoples Day Project with School District – Humphrey Humphrey reported the School District very recently hired a liaison. The parent group is meeting with the new hire tomorrow to fill her in, and the superintendent is going to transfer event planning responsibilities to her. Right now, the Native American Parent Advisory Committee (NAPAC) has the Nashke Native Games owner coming to family night at the library on October 8th to teach the games. The library will be hosting an indigenous author event on October 14th. If the commission wants to partner and contribute, it can invite an indigenous artist to perform music in the pavilion area to supplement the library’s author event. Humphrey will reach out to her contacts to find a musician to perform. Wagner asked how the commission can best support Humphrey, who will be representing NAPAC at the event. She suggested commissioners could attend the next NAPAC planning meeting on Thursday, September 5th at 6:00 p.m. Wagner will be out of town on that date, and Read will check his schedule. NEW BUSINESS 10. HPAC Tour of 213 Ramsey Street – Read Read shared that the Hastings Prescott Arts Council (HPAC) is looking for space for their organization, as they are currently in the throes of finding out if they will be losing their existing space in Prescott. He said the tour at 213 Ramsey Street was great and described the space as ideal for HPAC and spoke of the opportunity to utilize that ADA-compliant space for art classes, gallery shows, movie screenings, and small community events. He said the space could be utilized as a central location for others to use as well, and they could form a partnership with Hastings Community Education. Read said a report on the space was presented to the HPAC Board, and they voted to formally put together a proposal to pursue the space. Arts and Culture Commission August 14, 2024 Minutes Page 5 of 6 Economic Development Coordinator Menke, who gave the tour, said the property is under the Hastings Economic Development and Redevelopment Authority (HEDRA) umbrella. He added the city plans to invest in furnace and air conditioning replacement. He explained that the existing tenant has expressed interest in remaining at the property, so the plan at the September 12th HEDRA meeting is to present both options. It will be up to the HEDRA Board to decide which option it would like to pursue, and that neither is guaranteed. 11. Letter of Support for HPAC Leasing 213 Ramsey Street – Hollenbeck Hollenbeck said that during the tour, she was approached by HPAC to ask if the Arts and Culture Commission would be open to offering a letter of support for HPAC to lease the space. Menke advised that the HPAC proposal and recommendation letter would need to be done before HEDRA receives their meeting packet for the September 12th meeting. He said both the proposal and letter would need to be received by September 3rd at the latest, so he would have time to review the materials before the HEDRA packet is sent out. Read said he would like to deliver a proposal to commissioners for review, and they could write a letter of support. Due to time constraints before the commission’s next meeting, Hollenbeck suggested Read create a proposal and email it to commissioners for review. Those who have comments or questions can contact Read directly. The letter of support would then be put together by Hollenbeck to go into the HEDRA packet as an attachment to HPAC’s proposal. Hollenbeck sought authorization from commissioners to write a letter of support for HPAC and requested a motion. Commissioner Wagner moved that the Arts and Culture Commission write a letter in support of HPAC securing the space at 213 Ramsey Street. Seconded by Commissioner McCoy. Vice Chair Read abstained from the vote. Motion carried. 12. City Hall Tour – September 21st, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. - Hollenbeck Hollenbeck said she was approached by the Historical Society for the commission to host another City Hall tour on September 21st in conjunction with the downtown Fall Festival, an Artspace event, and Foxtoberfest at Spiral Brewery. She asked Cindy Taupin, a gifted tour guide who will be unable to attend, to tweak and expand the script for others to conduct the tours. Mayor Fasbender will be on site to open the building for the tour. Hollenbeck suggested getting more information on the project currently happening at City Hall because it is now part of the building’s history. She was directed to contact City Planner Justin Fortney, who is the project manager. Hollenbeck asked for commission volunteers to serve as tour guides or be on site to help guide traffic. Read and Wagner offered to help. Arts and Culture Commission August 14, 2024 Minutes Page 6 of 6 13. Recap of Action Items • Collection of Email Addresses o Hollenbeck – provide Lee with email addresses previously collected o McCoy – add signup link to the Google calendar site • Electrical Box Painting o Hollenbeck – connect with Chris Jenkins to discuss future electrical box painting opportunities, subsequent funding, and which electrical boxes are owned by the city • Artistry in the Air Event o Hollenbeck – contact Parks Department and Spiral Brewery about borrowing tents o Wagner – contact Historical Society about borrowing tent o McCoy – send musician/painter names to Humphrey for marketing and flyer creation o McCoy and Read – visit venue and identify spaces for musicians and plot the zones for plein air artists • Creative Convergence Event o McCoy – contact the Confluence o Hollenbeck – reach out to The Studio Downtown if needed for backup location o Hollenbeck – reach out to River Valley band to see if they’d like to host event • Indigenous Peoples Day Project with School District o Humphrey – reach out to contacts to provide musician to perform at library event o Read – confirm NAPAC meeting attendance on September 5th at 6:00 p.m. • Letter of Support for HPAC Leasing 213 Ramsey Street o Read – email proposal to commissioners for review o Hollenbeck – provide letter of support to go with HPAC proposal * deadline to submit materials is September 3rd at the latest * • City Hall Tour – September 21st o Hollenbeck – contact Justin Fortney about current City Hall construction o Read and Wagner – committed to volunteering at event 14. Announcements • McCoy provided an update on Google calendar site. There is minimal posting on calendar other than a few individual artists. Groups have access, and they just need to post. • Hollenbeck reminded that the deadline for the civic mural project is September 1st. Read said the quality of the submission received is fantastic, and other great artists have reached out. The city and hockey association have also posted the RFP. • McCoy announced the startup of the community choir in Hastings in September. They are getting a good response. • Read suggested at the next meeting we discuss the upcoming year for the commission. 15. Adjourn Commissioner McCoy motioned to adjourn at 7:20 p.m. Seconded by Vice Chair Read. Motion carried. The next Arts and Culture Commission meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 11, at 6:00 p.m. in the Volunteer Room at City Hall.