Loading...
06-25-2003 MinutesSALINA ARTS & HUMANITIES COMMISSION June 25, 2003 The monthly meeting of the Salina Arts & Humanities Commission was held at the Smoky Hill Museum community room at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 25, 2003. In attendance were Tom Claman, Mike Cloutier, Peggy DeBey, Tom Gates, James Hall, Luci Larson, Bill Medina, Nicholas Pool, Linda Smith, Sydney Soderberg, Paul Webb and Paula Wright. Staff present: Barbara Koostra, Karla Prickett, Sharon Benson, Brigid Hall, Carrie Carpenter, Glenda Johnson, Dee Harris and Darlene Stottmann. Others in attendance: Carmen Wilson, League of Women Voters, and David Hawksworth, Community Access Television/Salina Symphony board member. Koostra introduced new bookkeeper Glenda Johnson and extended thanks to Darlene Stottmann who will be resigning later in the summer to move to Topeka. MINUTES Claman moved that the minutes of the May 21, 2003 meeting be approved as presented; J. Hall seconded. Motion camed. STAFF REPORTS There were no questions. HORIZONS UPDATES Soderberg referred to the final report for Heartland Program's Learning Path and noted the good narrative. Grant Workshops: Koostra said SAHC will sponsor grant writing sessions on June 26 and 27, with facilitators Loft Brack and Barbara Koostra. Will work with artists on personal mission statements; try to de-mystify the Horizons process; talk about criteria; and have a question and answer segment. As well as covering all three Horizons grant categories, the session will include tips for grant writing in general - narrative writing, presentation and budget. SMOKY HILL MUSEUM Hams reported on the Gallery Renovation - signed contract with designer in March; developing updated floor plan. Staffbegan research and will write text for entire exhibition (20 chapters on Salina's history) which was done last in the 1960's. Lori Brack and Judy Lilly are helping with research and writing labels. Staff also will be identifying graphics. Every two weeks three sections of the master plan go to Cindy Bray; by August will have layout of each of the 20 sections incorporated in the master plan design; goal is completion in October. Title of exhibition chosen after much deliberation - "Crossroads of the Heartland." Fundraising for project has been slow due to summertime and the economy; total soiree income was $30,000. Friends just authorized hiring marketing/fundraising consultant Mary Kay Ingenthron on retainer for six months to help take next step in fundraising; she'll begin the second week of July. Hall asked how much has been raised to date. Harris: $463,000 out of $870,000. Soderberg: Will Bray be designing for full $870,000? Harris: She will design it for that amount, however will keep in mind the possibility of budgetary restrictions and money being received in increments over next several years. Medina asked if Bray has been staying in touch with architect Donnie Marrs, and Hams said we're not to that point yet. Hall: Who's issuing the contract? Harris: It's a City of Salina project funded by the Friends of the Museum. Initially talked with Mike Morgan, and are operating through City because of the technical ability needed; following city policies and procedures. Noted that the Salina Heritage Commission recently awarded SHM an award of commendation for the monument sign, keeping true to the heritage and history of the building. Harris said the City Commission recently gave approval for SHM to co-sponsor Santa Fe Days with Salina Downtown, Inc., beginning in 2003. Smith and J. Hall pointed out that because the Museum is a division of the Arts and Humanities Commission, the appropriate steps would have been to bring the topic before the A&H Commission and have the Commission make the recommendation to City. Harris said it seemed like a routine process because SHM has been a major part of Santa Fe Days, without getting credit. By investing as a co-sponsor, can organize better and publicize as an event for SHM. It does mean an increase in the budget, but will be taken from the existing 2003 budget. Prickett: Will SHM participation change who sets criteria? Harris: Activities are divided based on heritage and non- heritage; within those areas committees decide what fits. Claman: In last three years SHM has been the biggest part of what Santa Fe Days has been about - making it more a heritage event than a downtown event. With changes (new parade route, earlier set-up time for vendors) will be less intrusive into downtown businesses. Gates and DeBey applauded the co-sponsorship, especially since SHM has been part of Santa Fe Days for years. Koostra: Strengthens idea that profits or losses will be shared; benefits both organizations; shared mission of the event. Soderberg: Many still not quite sure what role of SAHC is in relationship to Museum - need to continue working through that. New exhibit: Scraps Happen featuring Silver Needles quilt done through a Horizons grant. Quilt will be formally donated to SHM/City of Salina on July 21 at a 5:30 reception. Gates: Will quilt be on permanent display? Dee: No because of preservation; will display it for six months ,(no longer than that for textile items) then store for one year. As an example, Harris said new national archive requirements are exhibit for one year, store for ten. Medina commented that the quilt in the City building has been hanging for at least ten years. Webb: Was presented to City by the Bicentennial Co~nmission. SMOKY HILL RIVER FESTIVAL FEEDBACK Koostra thanked all Commissioners who participated in the event as volunteers for se, t-up, clean up and breakfast speakers, as well as those who were sponsors, donors, art patrons, etc. She also thanked the staff for an incredible job. Preliminary figures show we exceeded budget numbers for all button sales categories - employee buttons, gates and pre-festival. Also, T-shirt sales, food sales and games came in over budget. Re sponsor income, B. Hall said had a good year - 105% of budgeted goal. However, she noted we were conservative with budget numbers, which is why she gave a comparison to last year in her staff notes. Saw an increase of 2% in total dollars raised. Met each campaign goal except for Business, which has been flat for several years. The gate count was around 80,000. Koostra: Program for 2003 was 30 pages (additional 8 pages) so had more white space, bigger logos - was really enhanced. B. Hall: Center aisle was implemented by Marie Chapman. Good public comments; only change will be adding a path out so golf carts can pick up trash. Claman: Bleachers being pulled back from trees great; entertainment was excellent. Enjoyed Wendy Woo and the impromptu moment with Gospel Stars. Son loved Grasshopper Takeover. Gates: "First Festival that there wasn't a group that I didn't care for - all were super." Waifs were a favorite with family, as was the Storytelling Stage, especially Donald Davis; wish crowds had been better; also would have liked more benches there. B. Hall noted that we're getting dramatically less benches from Parks Dept. because they're being stolen and destroyed. Festival owns 36 benches - not enough for all the: stages. Larson: Location of Storytelling tent seemed far away, but it was large enough that people went over to look out of curiosity. Benson: Will continue to try to educate the public; now it's recognized as an art form. She said she's had e-mail from teller Milbre Burch who wants to support our initiatives. She's moving to Columbia, MO, so we can use her more often. Milbre thought setting was lovely; happy with tent; recommended, however, that it's time to hire a professional emcee for the stage. Claman thinks tram should stop near Storytelling Stage; would have helped parents with kids. Benson said there are safety issues with that since Mulberry bridge is a high service traffic area. Soderberg: Also would be effective to have a fun sign the length of the tent area- something colorful - to get people's attention. Cloutier: Tram stops for a headcount; maybe put a sign allowing people to get off at Storytelling Stage? Larson said she heard many positive comments about the aisle and handwashing stations. Pool: As a performer - great being on main stage; exceptional job with sound; turnaround time to set up was phenomenal. As a Festival-goer - not a 'bad' act, all excellent; teenagers enjoyed The Waifs. Thought Stage II had some of the best performances - more personal listening experience. All the AIA's wonderful - little things are what make the Festival. Larson: Drumming tent was great. Claman: Arthur Hull obviously loves his work, so in tune with whomever is in the tent. A dozen people said it's the best thing they've ever done at the Festival. Built community; brought people together. Other drummers would have enjoyed having more time with him. Pool: Could he be brought back for a community workshop? Hall: Fees are very high. Benson commended Ryan Prickett for his work in the drumming tent. Festival Jam: B. Hall: Hanson pours his heart into it; keeps refining; has turned it into a nice event with nice mix of bands playing. Medina asked if there's a contingency plan if Hanson can't organize the Jam. B. Hall said we talk with him on an annual basis; Steve Young and the Stage II production staff could fill in if necessary. Medina said mentoring would be a good idea. Comments re Artists in Action: eBrad Anderson's "Double Vision" didn't work - seemed to be a wasted effort, elnsects were wonderful. Project "fit" the Art Center. Prickett said the installation was tied into Children's Art Part activity as well as the sidewalk painting. SAC will install 'Bug' panels with next exhibit by Terry Evans and Prickett is working on an idea for using others as temporary outdoor installations by the new pedestrian bridge at Lakewood School. Would like to have Gear back to do a mural in Salina. eCANvases and 'Lectric Lincoln were great, eTry to incorporate infer> about workshops into program, so people coming into town will realize everything that has been happening pre-Festival. oSecretures were wonderful - very effective. Prickett thanked Bill Medina for offering the use of his space for storage. First Treasures: B. Hall said 550 children went through as compared to 470 last year'. More donations from artists made that possible. From evaluation with Journal, decided could extend hours next year if we get that volume of donations again. Webb said artists really love it. B. Hall: Had children with walkie-talkies in the tent asking parents what they should buy. DeBey said after waiting in line, her niece came out with bar of soap!© B. Hall: Interesting to see what children purchase - their choices are important to them. Prickett said one girl has become a collector - gets in line at 8:15 so she can buy Moni Marceau's chalkware. This year it was her birthday party - brought two friends along. Food area: DeBey said she was with a group of vegetarians who had trouble finding food - not a good variety of vegetarian. Webb: Were vendors pleased with their business? Benson: They want to come back; many always have plans to expand. Charlie Griffin was pleased to do the rootbeer booth at Storytelling Stage; thinks it's a growth area. Claman said he heard no complaints during the Festival. Webb noted that sales were up 25% for University Methodist; added bottled water. DeBey said the Journal started out giving "free" water when buying a paper; then sold the water outright. Fine Art: Larson: Wonderful. Had comments about diversity in fine art this year - not as expensive as they remember from before and seemed to be more new artists. Medina commented at how amenable some artists are to working with customers to make a sale, i.e. didn't have correct change, so okay to mail a check. Other: Soderberg thought the HQ trailer seemed closer to walkway - when driving couldn't see people coming across the sidewalk. B. Hall said Alsop told her that Enthusiast parking was a nightmare most days; if a parking attendant was on duty, he/she was loafing. Alsop had that comment from several people. Medina: Getting rid of wire in that area helped tremendously. Soderberg suggested cutting back on the number of Ambassadors per shift - if doing a two hour shift, want to be busy. Larson agreed - don't need as many in the moming as between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. DeBey: Would be interesting to know where Festival-goers are from - Salina or out of town. Who really goes? Her business bought 10 buttons as give-aways and had trouble getting rid of them. Also, some kind of canvas tents needed for more shade throughout the park. Discussion about the issue of people coming into park early- Midwest Security is there until 7:00 a.m.; have talked about allowing no admittance before 6 a.m. Other festivals are gated and completely fenced so can't compare. Larson and Gates were annoyed by people who stake out shady areas with blankets and chairs all day, then don't sit there until evening. Claman: Umbrellas also an issue. B. Hall: Tried to monitor to keep them to the side. Didn't want to designate a special area because then everyone will bring an umbrella. Staff did remove one tent because of complaints. Cloutier: Need to be careful that we don't over- legislate this Festival. Medina asked Prickett about an issue with artist TJ Potter; she said it was resolved by the jurors. Discussion about sponsor recognition. Medina and Cloutier said sponsor names need to be bigger on stage signs; can't be read; seem to get smaller each year. J. Hall: People give money for a lot of reasons, but not just to have name displayed; should be respectful of the event. Medina: Every business scrutinizes how they spend marketing dollars and they do want to get something out of it. At a meeting three years ago, all sponsors said they need more recognition. Prickett: It's tried to be consistently done to keep balance. Can look at font sizes and try to adjust. Claman: EBC had own sets of banners. B. Hall: They were asked to remove them. Benson said staff will consider a central merchandise tent - a place to sell CD's, t-shirts, etc. Would be a huge management issue as far as inventory; accounting, staffing, but is also a possibility for income. J. Hall: Used to sell out of headquarters, but issues of integrity arose. DeBey complimented the SAHC staff- "in awe of what this group of women do." Koostra also recognized Jane Gates for her part. Koostra thanked all for the feedback. If want to share other comments later, send a note, call or e-mail. There being no further business and upon proper motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m. /dms