HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Arts Commission - Meeting Date: 10/25/2018GLENI^.
MINUTES
ARTS COMMISSION
GLENDALE PUBLIC LIBRARY
5959 W. BROWN ST.
GLENDALE, ARIZONA 85302
OCTOBER 25, 2018
6:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Carrie Richards called the meeting to order at approximately 6: 3pm.
ROLL CALL
Present: Carrie Richards, Chair
Eva Ndavu, Vice Chair
Bernadette Bolognini, Commissioner
Thomas Cole, Commissioner
Helen Fokszanskyj-Conti, Commissioner
Absent: Mark Fast, Commissioner
Cheryl Gangemi, Commissioner
Also Present: Mojgan Vahabzadeh, Arts & Culture Program Manager
Michael Beck, Chief Librarian
Jana Weldon, Associate
CITIZEN COMMENTS
Staff explained that citizens wishing to speak on a matter concerning the Glendale Arts
Commission that is not on the printed agenda, please complete a Citizen Comment Card
Speakers should limit comments to a period of three minutes or less. The floor was open for the
public to speak.
Members supporting the project "Saluting Arizona Veterans Memorial" attended the meeting.
Christopher Block of Mesa, Arizona, stated he was here today to speak on the Saluting Arizona
Veterans Memorial. Mr. Block indicated he is a former veteran and in his opinion the current
official Glendale Veterans Memorial, 5959 W. Brown Street, does not honor women and
hlispanics who fought past wars. He feels that the veterans group he represents should design
another memorial. He would like this memorial to be designed by the veterans group he
represents.
Richard Cochnan of Sun City, Arizona, stated he was with the Legacy of Valor Committee. He
said this memorial should recognize Hispanic heritage, which is something very special to him.
He indicated he would want this memorial to be installed in downtown Glendale
4.
Bobby Casares of Glendale, Arizona, stated that approving this Salute to Veterans memorial
would do a lot for the many veteran that live in Arizona and the Glendale community. He said
that this was something they could do for the families and the brotherhood community. He asked
the Commission to consider this dream they have for the community.
Adela Guerra stated she is a resident of Glendale, Arizona. She was here to speak on behalf of
the women that serve in wars and are now retired. She explained that this memorial will serve as
a monument to women who fought alongside men. She asked that they place this memorial
project in downtown Glendale.
John Oesterreich of Phoenix, Arizona, stated he was here in support of another Veterans
Memorial in Glendale. He supports both men and women who fought for this country. He
believes women do not always get the respect they deserve so this was a good way of
supporting veterans, hle noted that the downtown area was a great place for the project. He
believes that veterans who have firsthand knowledge of war should design the memorial rather
than relying on an artist.
William Corriston of Mesa, Arizona stated he was in favor of the Saluting Arizona Veterans
monument. He said he was a Navy veteran who supports having this project in downtown
Glendale. He also supports incorporating figures of men and women in the memorial. He added
it is important that veterans design the memorial.
Mojgan Vahabzadeh, Arts and Culture Program Manager, thanked the speakers for attending
the meeting. She stated the Arts Commission would take this item under advisement.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
Chairperson Richards called for approval of the September 27, 2018 Arts Commission Meeting
Minutes.
Motioned by Commissioner Bernadette Bolognini, seconded by Commissioner Helen
Fokszanskyj-Conti
AYE: Chair Carrie Richards
Vice Chair Eva Ndavu
Commissioner Bemadette Bolognini
Commissioner Thomas Cole
Commissioner hlelen Fokszanskyj-Conti
Other: Commissioner Mark Fast (ABSENT)
Passed
5.NEW BUSINESS
ACTION: Centerline District Arts & Cultural Initiative Project Proposal Presentation -
WHAM Art Association
Mojgan Vahabzadeh, Arts and Culture Program Manager, presented this item. She said the
Centerline Arts and Cultural Initiative is an application-based funding opportunity, which is part of
the FY 2018-19 Arts Projects Plan, approved by the Arts Commission. She noted the city has
developed this funding opportunity to motivate, increase and support free cultural events and
performances to enrich the experiences of Glendale residents and visitors, while increasing foot
traffic in the Centerline District. Connie Whitlock, with WHAM Art Association, presented their
proposal to the Arts Commission for funding consideration.
Ms. Whitlock stated WHAM Art Association is a successful art organization with 11 years of
history. WHAM currently occupies an 8500 sq. ft. community art center that provides 16 artist
studios, classrooms, and a professional art gallery. WHAM intends to make arts education
accessible to all ages and abilities and to broaden the scope of the Arts outreach to populations
without access to services in an innovative approach to arts programming. She said one way to
reach those who cannot come to WHAM's art center is through their traveling art studio "WHAM
on Wheels". She explained the traveling art studio is set up in an easily accessible area for the
park or parking lot so students of all ages and special needs can participate.
WHAM on Wheels traveling art studio project is designed to provide a series of six interactive
traveling artist-led participation projects and workshops for children and youth in priority
neighborhoods, community parks or at city events. Since formal dates and events for the
proposed project were not already secured, the grant application did not qualify fora vote at the
meeting. However, the Arts Commission encouraged Ms. Whitlock to apply at a future date for
the same project concept, but with secured venue partnerships and event dates.
b. ACTION: Centerline District Arts & Cultural Initiative Project Proposal Presentation -
Phoenix Conservatory of Music
Ms. Vahabzadeh presented the next applicant of the Centerline Arts and Cultural Initiative.
Members of the applicant organization, the Phoenix Consen/atory of Music, presented their
proposal to the Arts Commission for funding consideration.
Regina Nixon, Executive Director, stated the Phoenix Conservatory of Music provides a
continuum of high quality music education and experiences to hundreds of students annually,
with programs ranging from introductory level in-house education programs and after school
programs to more advanced private lessons. She was very proud they were a 2017 National
Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award Winner, as well as, a 2017 Phoenix Mayor's Arts
Award Winner.
Ms. Nixon said the project for this grant is titled "Music in Centeriine Celebrated." As part of this
project a stage will be setup at the 2019 Glendale Glitter and Glow on January 12, 2019. The
project will consist of six hours of music programming, with three hours of student music and
three hours of professional music performances. A set of educational and hands-On free music
workshops will also be held at the Velma Teague Library starting in February 2019.
Ms. Nixon played a clip of a student group performance on YouTube. Everyone was very
impressed with the high quality level of the performance.
A motion was made to approve funding in the amount of $10,000 for the Phoenix Conservatory
of Music as part of the Centerline District Arts & Cultural Initiative.
Motioned by Commissioner Thomas Cole, seconded by Vice Chair Eva Ndavu
AYE: Chair Carrie Richards
Vice Chair Eva Ndavu
Commissioner Bernadette Bolognini
Commissioner Thomas Cole
Commissioner Helen Fokszanskyj-Conti
Other: Commissioner Mark Fast (ABSENT)
Passed
INFORMATION: Community Initiated Public Art Projects Initial Discussion
Jana Weldon, Arts Coordinator, stated that the Glendale Public Art Program staff had been
approached by a Glendale veterans group that is seeking to fundraise and design a permanent
memorial to be placed on city property. She explained that at present time, the Public Art
Program cannot take up this request for the Commission's consideration, because only
completed artworks can be evaluated under the Program's Gift Policy. She said that
newly-initiated permanent public art is only authorized with city capital funding and the Public Art
Program's selection guidelines and oversight. She explained that some public art programs in
the country do have policies and procedures to cover community-initiated public art, others do
not allow it. She noted that this discussion was not for or against any art project, but only for the
Commission to consider whether the Glendale Public Art Program should consider adoption of
some form of policy that would allow consideration of such a project request. She provided
several examples of what other cities in the valley and across the country have in place for their
guidelines.
She noted that her research showed that within those programs that do allow, there are varying
approaches. She shared several variations of what other cities do in these circumstances. She
stated the Arts Commission might wish to consider adopting guidelines to for community-initiated
public art. If so, staff would first need feedback and guidance from the Arts Commission on the
types of policies and guidelines that reflect the Glendale Public Art Program's mission.
Commissioner Cole noted that any process and guideline should retain the requirement of
oversight by city staff.
The Commissioners all agreed to move forward with further discussions on this item at future
meetings.
ACTION: Vote to Change the Date of the November Meeting of the Commission and to
Vacate the December Regular Meeting
Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, the Commission discussed and voted to move the November
22, 2018 meeting of the Arts Commission to Decembers, 2018. The Commission also voted to
vacate the December 27, 2018 meeting of the Arts Commission due to the Christmas holiday.
Motioned by Commissioner Thomas Cole, seconded by Vice Chair Eva Ndavu
AYE: Chair Carrie Richards
Vice Chair Eva Ndavu
Commissioner Bernadette Bolognini
Commissioner Thomas Cole
Commissioner Helen Fokszanskyj-Conti
Other: Commissioner Mark Fast (ABSENT)
Passed
STAFF UPDATES
Ms. Vahabzadeh stated that several of the Commissioners' terms were expiring in January
2019. Chairperson Richards and Vice Chair Ndavu will end their terms at the beginning of the
year. Commissioner Gangemi has decided not to renew her term. Commissioners Cole,
Fokszanskyj-Conti, Fast and Bolognini have graciously accepted another term.
Every year the city offers Coyotes hockey tickets to Boards and Commissions, and this year the
Arts Commission has tickets for January 6, 2019 game. More information to come.
hleroes Regional Park Library's capital project is on track and moving nicely along. Staff will
present City Council with the final concept design at their November 13, 2018 Workshop.
COMMISSION COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Commissioner Cole said he attended Councilmember Turner's district meeting hoping to have a
question and answer session with the City Manager regarding Glen Lakes Golf Course.
However, because of scheduling reasons, the City Manager was not available to attend, hle
expressed his concerns with the lack of communication with city staff. He cited the Saint Vincent
de Paul Thrift store project and how it was handled by the city. He explained that the last thing
the Commission heard was that the building was under consideration to be used as an arts
incubator. He said the city did not follow through with the proposal the Arts Commission had
been tasked with to research through the release of an RFI. He was concerned the same under
the cover of darkness might happen with the Glen Lakes Golf Course.
Commissioner Cole indicated that he wanted to note for the record the lack of communication by
the city to the Arts Commission on this issue. He said no feedback was given that the project
had been tabled.
NEXT MEETING
The next regular meeting of the Glendale Arts Commission will be held on December 6, 2018 at
6:00 p.m., in the Boardroom, on the second floor of the Glendale Public Library, 5959 W. Brown
St., Glendale, Arizona, 85302.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairperson Richards asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m.
Motioned by Commissioner Bernadette Bolognini, seconded by Vice Chair Eva Ndavu
AYE: Chair Carrie Richards
Vice Chair Eva Ndavu
Commissioner Bernadette Bolognini
Commissioner Thomas Cole
Commissioner hlelen Fokszanskyj-Conti
Other: Commissioner Mark Fast (ABSENT)
Passed
The Arts Commission meeting minutes of October 25, 2018 were submitted and approved this 6th day of
December, 2018.
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Mojgan Vatiabzadeh
Recording Secretary