10-15-2003 MinutesSALINA ARTS & HUMANITIES COMMISSION
October 15, 2003
The monthly meeting of the Salina Arts and Humanities Commission was held at the
Smoky Hill Museum Community Room at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 15, 2003.
In attendance were Mike Cloutier, David Cooper, Trent Davis, Peggy DeBey, James
Hall, Luci Larson, Bill Medina, Linda Moore, Nicholas Pool, Linda Smith, Sydney
Soderberg, Paul Webb, and Paula Wright. Staff Present: Barbara Koostra, Karla Prickett,
Sharon Benson, Brigid Hall, Carrie Carpenter, Dee Harris, Glenda Johnson, and Kathy
Burlew. Others in attendance: Carmen Wilson, League of Women Voters.
Wright called the meeting to order.
Koostra: Introduced new staff members Kathy Burlew, Office Manager, and Glenda
Johnson, Accounts Clerk.
FOCUS TIME --Cultural Directors Meeting Updates
Koostra: The Cultural Directors are comprised of Brad Anderson, KWU; Saralyn Hardy,
Salina Art Center; Gayle Martin, Salina Downtown Inc.; Joe McKcnzie, Salina Public
Library; Dee Harris, Smoky Hill Museum; Bob Brown, Rolling Hills Zoo; Brandi Rook,
Salina Symphony; Keith Rawlings, Bicentennial Center; Michael Spicer, Salina
Community Theatre; Michelle Douglas, Stiefel Theatre; and Barbara Koostra, SAHC. In
September 2002, the informal group was convened to share mutual issues about Salina's
cultural resources. Calendar issues, capital campaigns, cross marketing, turf issues, and
expanding audiences in tougher economics have been discussed. Cross marketing is a
recent topic of interest. Koostra distributed a brochure from the Manhattan Area Arts and
Humanities Coalition (MAAHC). It is used as a cross marketing tool distributed by
member organizations, the CVB, the Chamber, etc. Harris mentioned MAAHC was
formed by volunteers and grew to a marketing organization, basically the same way the
Cultural Directors meetings are evolving.
Koostra solicited comments/questions .... J. Hall shared a Salina brochure he found in a
Topeka hotel and asked if brochures created by the Cultural Roundtable would be
targeted to motels and if the brochure placement would be paid by the Chamber to
advertise in such slots. He voiced concern that the Festival wasn't mentioned in the
Salina brochure. Wright suggested a relationship with the Chamber needs nurturing.
Koostra insured that the Chamber helps underwrite the cost of our separate Festival
brochure annually. Medina, who serves on the Chamber board, will take the concerns to
the Chamber board meeting. Medina suggested placing Festival brochures out year
round. Sylvia Rice is invited to attend next Cultural Directors' meeting. Burlew visited
the Chamber at Koostra's request to sample displayed brochures. The Chamber takes
every effort to include the Festival there and in packets mailed to visitors and new
potential residents.
MINUTES
Motion was made by Medina and seconded by Larson to approve the September minutes.
Minutes approved.
STAFF REPORTS
Wright: Called for questions from Commission.
J. Hall asked whether there would be a chance to discuss the HOG rally situation. They
will be headquartered out of the Red Coach Inn and staying Friday through Sunday -
June 10-13 (Festival '04 weekend). Several area excursions are planned as well as a
parade. It is a diverse group, bringing Harley Davidson owners from all over tile state.
Currently, the parade is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Saturday. Prickett has provided them
information about the art available at the festival. B. Hall added her concern about the
rally participants ranging from 800 - 1200 participants displacing Festival guests from
local hotels. She is also concerned about main arteries being blocked by the parade.
Several questions were asked about the Chamber's role in the scheduling of the. rally.
Benson indicated that Sylvia Rice tried to talk the rally organizers into choosing a
different weekend and Festival staff has tried to persuade them to change weekends. The
greatest concern regards housing guests. Medina suggested it could be a wonderful
opportunity for locals to host festival participants in our homes. Soderberg asked if we
should encourage early motel reservations on the website. Benson will be updating our
graphics, new e-card and will use new photographs for the website.
J. Hall asked for information on Sante Fe Day. Harris reported the event was very
successful both in terms of number of participants and profits. Over 4,000 people
attended the event. The museum increased the in-house traffic from 700 last year to over
1,700 this year. Evaluation meetings were held and input from a variety of sources was
very helpful. The museum plans to organize Sante Fe Day next year. Soderberg praised
Harris for the hard work that went into the planning and execution of the event. Harris
thanked her on behalf of the staff who put many hours of hard work into the event.
Finance Committee Report
Bill shared information regarding the role of the Finance committee. The comtnittee
consists of Bill Medina, Mike Cloutier, and Randy Graham. They meet three or four
times a year to evaluate the investment portfolio and reallocate funds from diffi~rent areas
for long or short term instruments. They look at what financial institutions help SAHC
and SHRF with donations or in-kind services and try to patronize their businesses.
Wright asked if we receive reports from time to time. Medina explained that tlnte reports
are the assets reflected in our financials.
Arts in Education Update
Benson: Arts Infusion was designed for USD 305 to create artist/classroom
opportunities. This year, 20 local artists as well as residency artists are conducting school
visits and providing classroom materials. We have a contractual arrangement with USD
305 where they provide $15,750 toward these services. KAC grants and the sa]lary
covered by the City of Salina for Benson's services make this an $80,000 program. One
addition this year has been Sherry Krehbiel, who is writing central objectives covered by
the artist presentations. This is a huge benefit for the teachers. Two individual
residencies have just been completed: Eugene Friesen (from the Paul Winter Consort)
and the Bowery Dancers. Under the coordination of Loft Brack, the Gumball Poetry
project is underway. This involves high school students composing short poems, forming
an editorial board, and choosing what poems will be included in special gumball
machines purchased for Festival 2004. Each poem will be encapsulated with a gumball
for a quarter. Cloutier inquired if the Arts in Education project is an annual arrangement.
His concern is with budget cuts. Benson replied it hasn't been cut. The program has
great support both from administration and the teachers. It addresses a real need in the
school system. Cooper asked how artist participants are acquired? Benson replied we
find them or some find us. She sees what topics the district is emphasizing ancl
facilitates programs that match their needs. Wright asked if it has been a long-standing
program. Benson replied, it has been around 20 years. Every elementary school receives
some kind of visit, and every teacher in the district gets the Arts Infusion book that also
lists other cultural entities and how to contact them.
Community Art & Design
Koostra informed the commission that the CA&D team meeting is Monday, October 27
at noon. Prickett has been working with Paul Stewart, USD 305, regarding the schools
with art projects. Paul's goal is to have an art project in every elementary and secondary
school. Open House at both South Middle and South High schools were featured in the
news this weekend. Sandy Wedel designed the tile floor patterns at South Middle and
Nicki Mitchell designed the floor pattern and exterior entrance mural for the new art
annex at South High. Prickett is working with a gym teacher at Sunset Elementary who
would like to have a mural incorporating a climbing wall in the gym area. Sha2:on and
Karla are contacting Tony Ortega, Denver, as a potential artist for this project. Research
continues. The Oakdale Elementary project consists of creating an attractive outdoor
seating/classroom/waiting area. Paul Stewart will be making a presentation to 'the school
board the last week of this month. The Municipal Court project, with artist Cc,nrad
Snyder, is progressing. Final installation and dedication is forecasted for the spring. The
transformer protectors are designed and scheduled for installation next week for the
Water Department project, with artist Kent Williams. A meeting to review the tank
proposal is set for December. Koostra addressed the North Ohio project, which is 50%
completed in its design. It is in the land acquisition phase. Artistic Design eletnents are
going to be included in the railing, landscaping, fencing, and the concrete surfa,cing. The
Federal Highway Administration is creating a public art policy. North Ninth Street is at
90% design completion. Webb asked if we are contributing input on the Lakewood
Middle School pedestrian bridge project. Prickett added it would be a perfect c,pportunity
and hopes to pursue it. Webb agreed. Wright commented that CA&D has really come a
long way since its beginnings in 1996.
Horizons
Koostra informed the Commission that there are three grant proposals to be contsidered at
the November meeting; information will be included in the next packet. Horizons
showcase event plans are underway. Smith has agreed to serve on a steering committee.
Cooper also volunteered. Other Horizons donors will be approached.
Other:
Harris discussed the Motorcoach Tour marketing plan and distributed information. Pam
Harris will help design the brochure. Dee has been working close with Sylvia Rice.
Wright stated this was a great project. Motorcoach Tours often book hotel rooms. J. Hall
inquired if the Festival is marketed to these tours. Harris said not at this time. The
Museum is targeting a separate market built on their changing exhibits and special
programming for groups all year long. Prickett mentioned in previous years the tours
have been marketed for the Festival. The staff is creating a brochure to describe what
will be available at the Museum. The memo will be translated into a brochure advertising
a package deal between local organizations and the Museum. Larson explained how
Motorcoach Tours are developed.
Motion to adjourned
Wright called for motion to adjourn.
passed.
J. Hall moved, Soderberg seconded. Motion