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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Arts Commission - Meeting Date: 10/25/2018 (3)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 6:13pm. 2. 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 3. 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 Hispanics 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. 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. He 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. 4. 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 Bernadette Bolognini Commissioner Thomas Cole Commissioner Helen Fokszanskyj-Conti Other: Commissioner Mark Fast (ABSENT) Passed 5. NEW BUSINESS a. 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 for a 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 Conservatory 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 Centerline 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 C. 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. d. 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 December 6, 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 6. 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. Heroes 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. 7. 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. He 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. 8. 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. 9. 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 Helen 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. Mojgan V abzadeh Recording Secretary