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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Arts Commission - Meeting Date: 5/31/2012 ARTS COMMISSION SPECIAL WORKSHOP MEETING HELD THURSDAY, MAY 31,2012 MAIN LIBRARY LARGE MEETING ROOM—FIRST FLOOR 5959 WEST BROWN STREET GLENDALE, ARIZONA 4:00 p.m. The meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m. by Chairperson Diane Lesser. Commission members, Janine Barbour, Carol Ladd, Jessica Koory, and Joann Lee were in attendance. Commissioner Elizabeth Medina arrived at 4:05pm. Representing city staff were, Mojgan Vahabzadeh, Public Arts Coordinator and Eric Strunk, Executive Director, Parks, Recreation & Library Services. PUBLIC COMMENTS At this time the Commission will hear comments from the public; however, the Commission may not discuss or consider items not appearing on the agenda unless an actual emergency exists. No public comments were made. DEACCESSION ART PLAN The purpose of this meeting is to provide the Arts Commission with an opportunity to view the city's non-commissioned,portable art collection valued over and under $1,000 for possible sale and for the Commission to receive information on a proposed sales process. As part of the recent budget review process, the Glendale City Council expressed interest to develop a plan for the possible sale of a portion of the city's municipal art portfolio. The city currently owns approximately 385 pieces of portable and non-portable art. The portable collection of 340 has a purchase value of$393,450. The non-portable art collection of 45 has a purchase value of$2,209,280. Chairperson Lesser expressed her concern with moving forward with this presentation. She read the Glendale Arts Commission Mission Statement which is to motivate, increase and support the arts within the City of Glendale. To further make her point, she read four guidelines used when considering the relocation and deaccessioning of permanent artworks. As a rule, the city's largest and most valuable artworks will not be relocated or removed from their original commissioned locations. However, occasionally,there are circumstances that warrant the relocation or deaccessioning of permanent artwork. She stated the city should allow relocation or deaccessioning only under circumstances that cannot be mitigated in any other manner. Relocation or deaccessioning should be considered only when: • The site of the artwork is to be changed or altered in a way that cannot accommodate the artwork in a respectful manner and in keeping with its original intent. • The nature, use, and function of the site have changed and pose a physical threat to the well being of the artwork. • The artwork has been severely damaged or repeatedly vandalized. • The original setting of the artwork is a threat to public safety. 1 She stated the city did not meet any of the criteria mentioned,therefore, she asked for a consensus from the Commission to suspend this discussion. The Commissioners all agreed the city did not meet the criteria as outlined. Chairperson Lesser asked to adjourn the meeting due to these new findings. Commissioner Barbour agreed that the city's art should not be sold. Furthermore, it should not be sold without having more information on the value of the art. Additionally, she believes the Arts Commission does not have the expertise to assess the art work and make sale recommendations. She also had concerns with selling artwork that might rise in value in the future. Mojgan Vahabzadeh, Public Arts Coordinator, stated the recommendation today was to only consider the sale of 2-D portable art purchased over and under $1,000. Commissioned art is not being considered for sale. She stated that the guidelines read by Chairperson Lesser from the Guidelines for the Arts applied only to permanent, commissioned art, not the 2-D artwork for possible sale. Chairperson Lesser stated it was a shame they were being asked to do this since this art collection belonged to the city and its residents. Commissioners Koory and Barbour agreed. Erik Strunk,Executive Director, Parks,Recreation &Library Services reiterated that the purpose of this meeting is to provide the Arts Commission an opportunity to view the city's non- commission, portable, art collection and to receive information on a proposed sales process. He indicated this was a follow-up on a request from City Council to possibly look at selling a portion of the city's municipal art portfolio. The City Council, in recent budget,talks had been considering the liquidation of other city-owned assets, as well. Commissioner Barbour stated it was their responsibility as an Art Commission to protect the art collection,not dismantle it. She expressed her concern about the artists hearing about the sale of their work. She noted the arts were always the first to be considered for reductions when times were hard,however, they should stop and think that everything around them was art-related including their clothing and the homes they lived in. Commissioner Ladd questioned moving forward with this plan when the guidelines clearly do not support this. Mr. Strunk stated the Commission did not have to decide this matter today since there was no timeframe on this item. This meeting was simply to explore the concept and receive their input. Seeing that it is a sensitive issue and the Commission feels strongly about it, it can be looked at more closely over the course of the upcoming fiscal year—there is no rush. Commissioner Medina inquired as to the cost of appraising the art pieces. 2 Chairperson Lesser reiterated her earlier comments that the city had no basis to sell the art collection. She believes the guidelines provided earlier have substantiated that fact. She would like the Commission to defer this matter until the June meeting and take formal action. Mr. Strunk indicated although a more formal report could be revisited and considered at the June 21, 2012,regular meeting of the Arts Commission. Commissioner Barbour wondered if they should still show the art slide presentation for the attending public. Chairperson Lesser suggested the city's non-commission, portable, art collection deemed for sale be placed on the city's arts website for public viewing. She would also like the website to have a public comment section. Mr. Strunk indicated that staff can do this and report back to the Commission. As there were no further comments, the meeting was adjourned at 4:31 p.m. Respectfully submitted, (/("1 Mojg V ahabzadeh, Public Arts Coordinator 3