HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Arts Commission - Meeting Date: 12/6/2018MINUTES
ARTS COMMISSION
GLENDALE PUBLIC LIBRARY
5959 W. BROWN ST.
GLENDALE, ARIZONA 85302
DECEMBER 6, 2018
6:00 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Eva Ndavu, Vice Chair
Bernadette Bolognini, Commissioner
Thomas Cole, Commissioner
Helen Fokszanskyj-Conti, Commissioner
Absent: Carrie Richards, Chair
Mark Fast, Commissioner
Cheryl Gangemi, Commissioner
Also Present: Mojgan Vahabzadeh, Arts & Culture Program Manager
Michael Beck, Chief Librarian
Jana Weldon, Arts Coordinator
3. CITIZEN COMMENTS
There were no public comments.
4. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
a. Arts Commission Minutes of October 25, 2018.
Vice Chair Eva Ndavu called for approval of the October 25, 2018 Arts Commission Meeting
Minutes.
Motioned by Commissioner Bernadette Bolognini, seconded by Commissioner Helen
Fokszanskyj-Conti
AYE: Vice Chair Eva Ndavu
Commissioner Bernadette Bolognini
Commissioner Thomas Cole
Commissioner Helen Fokszanskyj-Conti
Passed
5. NEW BUSINESS
a. ACTION: Centerline District Arts & Cultural Initiative Project Proposal Presentation -
ProMusica Arizona Chorale & Orchestra
Mojgan Vahabzadeh, Arts and Culture Program Manager, presented. She stated that 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. She introduced a member of the applicant organization,
ProMusica Arizona Chorale & Orchestra, to present their proposal to the Arts Commission for
funding consideration.
Yvonne Dolby, Executive of ProMusica Arizona presented. She stated ProMusica was in their
16th performance season, were a multi -generation chorale and orchestra consisting of
approximately 100 volunteer and professional musicians. The group is under the artistic
direction of Glendale -based Patti Graetz who has more than 30 years conducting and performing
experience. She said ProMusica is seeking funding to present a free performance of Mountain
Days: The John Muir Musical in Concert at the Glendale Amphitheater in Murphy Park on March
22, 2019. This would be the Arizona Premiere of the magnificent story of naturalist John Muir,
one of the early founders of the National Park System. In addition to the ProMusica Chorale and
Orchestra, she stated that this production will feature professional Arizona award-winning actors.
She added that the youngest performer is 13 years old and the oldest is in his/her 80's.
Vice Chair Eva Ndavu called for motion on this item.
A motion was made by Commissioner Cole to approve funding in the amount of $10,000 for
ProMusica Arizona Chorale & Orchestra as part of the Centerline District Arts & Cultural
Initiative. Commissioner Bolognini seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
Motioned by Commissioner Thomas Cole, seconded by Commissioner Bernadette Bolognini
AYE: Vice Chair Eva Ndavu
Commissioner Bernadette Bolognini
Commissioner Thomas Cole
Commissioner Helen Fokszanskyj-Conti
Passed
b. ACTION: Centerline District Arts & Cultural Initiative Project Proposal Presentation -
Cirque Roots
Ms. Vahabzadeh introduced the next applicant for the Centerline Arts and Cultural Initiative
funding. She explained the applicant was from Tucson and was given the option to present by
phone with Ms. Weldon assisting with the slide presentation, because weather had made it
difficult to drive up. Stephanie Cortes, Co -Director of Cirque Roots, called in and presented the
proposal to the Arts Commission for funding consideration.
Ms. Cortes stated Exist- Messengers of the Cosmos is an astronomy inspired circus
performance by Cirque Roots that takes the audience on a journey through the cosmos,
exploring what it means to be alive and present in the age of science. Exist includes cosmic
media projections, dance, acrobatics, stilt dance, and spoken word in its performance.
Vice Chair Eva Ndavu called for motion on this item.
A motion was made by Commissioner Cole to approve funding in the amount of $10,000 for
Cirque Roots as part of the Centerline District Arts & Cultural Initiative. Commissioner Bolognini
seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
Motioned by Commissioner Thomas Cole, seconded by Commissioner Bernadette Bolognini
AYE: Vice Chair Eva Ndavu
Commissioner Bernadette Bolognini
Commissioner Thomas Cole
Commissioner Helen Fokszanskyj-Conti
Passed
C. INFORMATION: Heroes Regional Park Library Public Art Project Final Design Update
Staff provided an update to the Arts Commission about the latest developments following the
design presentation to the City Council on November13, 2018.
Jana Weldon, Arts Program Associate stated that on September 27, 2018, the Arts Commission
voted unanimously to approve the final design for the Heroes Regional Park Library public art
project; and on October 10, 2018, the Library Advisory Board voted unanimously to recommend
approval of the final design. Following protocol for formal approval, staff presented the
recommended design to the City Council at the Workshop meeting held on November 13, 2018.
She explained City Council had approved the Heroes Regional Park Library public art project,
however, asked for a few changes. Council asked for three emblems be removed from the
concept, which were the blimp, planet and rocket. They asked to add a tractor and a citrus
emblem instead. Additionally, because of budget concerns, there will be no side concrete with
the emblem sketching discussed earlier. She stated the project was still on track and the artist
was able to make the necessary changes with no issues. She said the finished design was still
very impressive.
Commissioner Cole asked if the changes and additions to the design concept all come from City
Council members. Ms. Weldon responded yes.
Mike Beck, Chief Librarian, provided an update saying they were on track with the Spring
timetable. He stated the construction stage was going very well. He provided information on the
library website the public can access for the latest updates in the progress along with amazing
pictures of the work completed.
This item was for information and discussion only.
d. ACTION: SoundBloom Public Art Project for the Elsie McCarthy Sensory Garden
Staff provided an update on the public artwork that is part of the Gallery 37 project, which began
during the summer, 2018. The project is set to complete in January 2019. The resulting public
artwork, SoundBloom, will be installed at the Elsie McCarthy Sensory Garden.
Ms. Vahabzadeh requested an increase in funding for this project in the amount of $5,000. She
said the increase is due to additional site prep work required before project installation.
A motion was made by Commissioner Cole to approve additional funding in the amount of
$5,000 for SoundBloom Public Art Project for the Elsie McCarthy Sensory Garden
Commissioner Bolognini seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
Motioned by Commissioner Thomas Cole, seconded by Commissioner Bernadette Bolognini
AYE: Vice Chair Eva Ndavu
Commissioner Bernadette Bolognini
Commissioner Thomas Cole
Commissioner Helen Fokszanskyj-Conti
Passed
e. ACTION: Vote to Change the Date and Location of the January Meeting of the
Commission
Because of the date and location of the annual Glendale Arts Council Juried Fine Art Exhibit, the
Commission considered a vote to change the date and location of the January 24, 2019 meeting.
Each January, the Commission holds its meeting at the Fruit Packing Shed at Sahuaro Ranch
Park, in order to preview and select artwork for purchase from the Annual Glendale Arts
Council's Juried Fine Art Exhibition.
A MOTION was MADE by Commissioner Cole to change the Date and Location of the January
24, 2019 meetin to January 3, 2019 to be held at the Fruit Packing Shed at Sahuaro Ranch Park.
Commissioner Bolognini SECONDED the MOTION, which carried unanimously.
Motioned by Commissioner Thomas Cole, seconded by Commissioner Bernadette Bolognini
AYE: Vice Chair Eva Ndavu
Commissioner Bernadette Bolognini
Commissioner Thomas Cole
Commissioner Helen Fokszanskyj-Conti
Passed
f. INFORMATION: The FY 2018-19 Arts Project Planning Discussion
Ms. Vahabzadeh stated, per the City of Glendale Arts Ordinance, the Arts Commission shall
develop the annual Arts Projects Plan with the staff for the purpose of making recommendations
to the City Council. In an attempt to align with the City of Glendale's FY 2019-20 budget
process, it is requested that the Commission work with staff to consider projects and programs
for the purpose of developing the FY 2019-20 Arts Projects Plan.
Ms. Vahabzadeh stated that items for consideration will be discussed and reviewed for formal
approval at the January 2019 meeting of the Arts Commission. She asked the Commissioners to
start thinking of projects and ideas to discuss.
g. INFORMATION: IN FLUX Temporary Public Art Project Update
Staff presented the results of the artist selection for the IN FLUX Temporary Public Art Project, a
valley -wide initiative. IN FLUX showcases emerging artists who create site specific temporary
installations in a wide variety of locations that are presented within the context of viewing the
Valley as one community.
Ms. Weldon stated Glendale is participating along with Chandler, Phoenix, Peoria, Scottsdale,
and Tempe. MB Finnerty, a former Glendale Arts Commissioner, Glendale resident, and the
Public Art Administrator for Valley Metro, was Glendale's representative on the IN FLUX
selection panel, which met on November 2, 2018.
The panel reviewed seventy-nine artist applications. The artists selected were Pete Goldlust for
Chandler; Mary Shindell for Glendale; Bobby Zokaites and Eliza Weber for Peoria; Daniel
Funkhouser and Christy Puetz for Phoenix; Christine Cassano, Min Kyu Kim, Kaori Takamura;
and Steven Torres for Scottsdale, and Kyllan Maney for Tempe.
Ms. Weldon presented images of past work and other background information about the artist
selected for Glendale. She explained the next steps in the process for the project development.
The location for the INFLUX project will be the lobby of city hall, the area to the left of the security
information desk. The timeline will be for a January or February for design approval with
installation at the end of March.
h. INFORMATION: Community -initiated Public Art Projects - Continued Discussion
Staff presented information on a few approaches for the Art Program in regards to
Community -initiated Public Art that grew out of the October 25, 2018 Arts Commission meeting
discussion.
Jana Weldon, Arts Program Associate stated the Glendale Public Art Program has been
approached by a Glendale veterans group, whose members appeared and spoke in the Public
Comments portion of the October 25, 2018 Arts Commission meeting. She said the group
wishes to fund and design a permanent memorial to be placed on city property. 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 explained that
newly initiated permanent public art is only authorized with city capital funding and the Public Art
Program's selection guidelines and oversight.
Staff presented several approaches of other art programs in the country and discussed the
potential for initiating a master plan process.
Commissioner Cole recommended discussion on updating the master plan option and stated that
an update is overdue. Vice Chair Ndavu agreed with Commissioner Cole.
Ms. Weldon stated the policy discussion and review will most likely resume in February or March.
6. STAFF UPDATES
Ms. Vahabzadeh announced that Chairperson Carrie Richards' and Vice Chair Ndavu's last
meeting will be in January. She thanked them for their service and work on the Commission.
The Commissioners wished them the best and noted that they will be greatly missed.
Ms. Vahabzadeh said she will have hockey game tickets for the Commissioners wishing to
attend at the next meeting.
7. Commissioner Cole expressed his gratitude to staff and thanked them for all their hard work this
year.
8. NEXT MEETING
The next regular meeting of the Glendale Arts Commission will be held on January 3, 2019 at
6:00 p.m., at the Fruit Packing Shed at Sahuaro Ranch Park at 9802 North 59th Ave, Glendale,
AZ 85302.
9. ADJOURNMENT
Vice Chair Eva Ndavu asked for a motion to adjourn.
A MOTION was MADE by Commissioner Cole to ADJOURN the meeting. Commissioner
Bolognini SECONDED the MOTION, which carried unanimously
The meeting adjourned at 8:06 p.m.
Motioned by Commissioner Thomas Cole, seconded by Commissioner Bernadette Bolognini
AYE: Vice Chair Eva Ndavu
Commissioner Bernadette Bolognini
Commissioner Thomas Cole
Commissioner Helen Fokszanskyj-Conti
Passed
The Arts Commission meeting minutes of December 6, 2018 were submitted and approved this 7th day of
February, 2018.
Mojgan Vain zadeh
Arts & Culture Program Manager