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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-30-2018 - CAC - Approved Minutes SPECIAL MEETING1 Newport Beach City Arts Commission Regular Meeting Minutes Monday, July 30, 2018 Special Meeting – 5:00 PM Civic Center Community Room 100 Civic Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660 I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER – 5:03 P.M. Chair Greer thanked the public for their interest in arts programming and the City Arts Commission retreat. Commissioners will share equally in providing input for the City Arts Commission priorities and goal for 2018/2019. The City Arts Commission appreciates and values the volunteer and financial support provided by the Newport Beach Arts Foundation and staff's support, administration and execution of the City Arts Commission's programs. II. ROLL CALL Commissioners Present: Arlene Greer, Chair Michelle Bendetti, Vice Chair Barbara Glabman, Secretary Miriam Baker, Commissioner Grace Divine, Commissioner Marie Little, Commissioner Commissioners Absent: Wayan Kaufman, Commissioner Staff Present: Tim Hetherton, Library Services Director Natalie Basmaciyan, Library Services Manager Carol Jacobs, Assistant City Manager Francine Jacome, Administrative Support Technician III. NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC IV. PUBLIC COMMENTS Virginia Hayter, Newport Beach Arts Foundation, requested the City Arts Commission prepare a calendar of events and a budget so that the Arts Foundation can prepare and set goals. Jim Mosher presumed the City Arts Commission would set goals during a regular meeting as it was not agendized for the special meeting. Chair Greer clarified that Commissioners would touch loosely upon goals and priorities when discussing subcommittees during the meeting. Commissioners will determine and prioritize goals at the next regular meeting. Susan Cramer noted the City would not receive any additional funds from the Balboa Theater and inquired regarding the disposition of funds from the sale of the Balboa Theater. The City Arts Commission should not suggest it had any control over the Balboa Theater. Newport Beach City Arts Commission Special Meeting Minutes July 30, 2018 Page 2 2 Library Services Director Hetherton advised that the disposition of those funds is not within the City Arts Commission's purview. The City deposited funds received from the dissolution of the Balboa Theater Performing Arts Foundation into the Balboa Theater Performing Arts Fund. Library Services Director Hetherton did not believe a reference to control of the Balboa Theater had been made. In response to Ms. Hayter's questions, Chair Greer indicated the total amount of funds received from the Balboa Theater Performing Arts Foundation was $175,000. Ms. Hayter should inquire with the City's Finance Department as to whether those funds were placed in an interest-bearing account. V. STUDY SESSION BUSINESS–CITY ARTS COMMISSION 2018 RETREAT 1. Welcome and Introduction 2. City Arts Commission Role as Specified in City Charter 3. Overview of City Arts Commission Programs 4. 2018/19 Budget 5. Newport Beach Arts Foundation 6. Staff Responsibilities 7. Overview of Each Committee 8. Cultural Arts Grants Library Services Director Hetherton reported City Arts Commissioners are appointed by the City Council. The City Arts Commission serves as an advisory body to the City Council. The Arts Foundation supports the City Arts Commission but has no influence over the City Arts Commission. City staff works with the City Arts Commission as facilitators and liaisons and handles the business of the City Arts Commission. Under Council Policy I-9, the City Arts Commission is responsible for identifying sites for public art; coordinating with other City bodies as needed regarding placement of public art; participating in the selection of artists and designs for art projects; installing and maintaining artwork; and providing recommendations to the City Council regarding art in public places. Council Policy I-10 refers to funds from Visit Newport Beach and the Balboa Theater, and the City Arts Commission must seek Council approval to access those funds. Visit Newport Beach funds may be utilized for quality of life type projects. Council Policy I-10 delineates the public-private partnership between the City Arts Commission and the Arts Foundation and is the source of the Cultural Arts Grants Program. Council Policy I- 11 authorizes the City Arts Commission to advise the Council regarding acquisition of art. Programs of the City Arts Commission are the Newport Beach Art Exhibition, the Sculpture Exhibition in Civic Center Park, Concerts on the Green, Performing Arts on the Balboa Peninsula, Exhibitions in the Central Library Gallery Space, and the Cultural Arts Grants. The Newport Beach Art Exhibition is an annual juried art exhibition, and a percentage of the proceeds from the sale of art is given to the Arts Foundation. The City hires a project manager to plan and implement the Sculpture Exhibition in Civic Center Park. Phase III of the Sculpture Exhibition included an emphasis on public input. Concerts on the Green is an annual concert series held on the Civic Green in the summer months. The Performing Arts on the Balboa Peninsula Program is new with the first event scheduled for September 23 at Peninsula Park. Balboa Theater funds can be used only for performing arts events held on the Balboa Peninsula. The City Arts Commission selects the artists who exhibit their work in the Central Library gallery space. The City Arts Commission receives funding primarily from the City's General Fund with additional funds Newport Beach City Arts Commission Special Meeting Minutes July 30, 2018 Page 3 3 received from Visit Newport Beach, the Balboa Theater Fund, and the Arts Foundation. Budget amounts for expenses include $137,376 for professional and contract services, $60,500 for supplies and materials and programming, $40,000 for grant operating expenses, $5,248 for maintenance and repair, and $2,340 for general expenses. The Newport Beach Arts Foundation supports the City Arts Commission's programs with funding and volunteers. City staff provides support and assistance to the City Arts Commission. Ad hoc subcommittees are appointed as needed to perform specific tasks or to achieve specific objectives. Each year, the City distributes $40,000 to arts organizations through the City Arts Commission. The goal of the grants is to expand arts programs in Newport Beach. The City Arts Commission can award grants to organizations based upon their applications or award grant funds to the City Arts Commission to support its programming. In response to questions, Library Services Director Hetherton advised that Commissioners could develop a maintenance schedule for City sculptures. Maintenance of City sculptures is within the purview of the City Arts Commission, not the Recreation and Senior Services Department. The City Arts Commission budget now contains a small amount of funds for maintenance of artwork. If additional funds are needed, funds in professional and contract services could be utilized. The City currently owns more than 700 pieces of artwork. The City Arts Commission is responsible for the maintenance of probably less than ten outdoor sculptures. Commissioner Little suggested those who donate artwork to the City provide funding for maintenance of artwork. Chair Greer clarified that Art in Public Places includes interior art. A goal of the Art in Public Places Ad Hoc Subcommittee will be to inventory and assess all City-owned art and develop a policy for review of artwork for maintenance. The City has a Lenahan endowment that can be used for maintenance of artwork. Jim Mosher commented that City staff presents matters pertaining to the arts to the City Council without a recommendation or advice from the City Arts Commission, which is contrary to the direction of the City Charter. To avoid a potential violation of the Brown Act, ad hoc subcommittees should not have overlapping members. Virginia Hayter, Newport Beach Arts Foundation, inquired whether the Arts Foundation could provide funding to the City Arts Commission for small requests for Cultural Arts Grants. Chair Greer indicated that the concept would need to be explored and submitted prior to the Cultural Arts Grants and City Arts Commission recommendation for approval. Commissioner Divine understood violations of the Brown Act could result in negative repercussions for Commissioners. Commissioner Divine moved that the City Arts Commission could schedule a study session on the Brown Act. Assistant City Manager Carol Jacobs offered to meet with the City Arts Commission or individual Commissioners to discuss the Brown Act. Commissioner Divine felt it was important for Commissioners to understand the Brown Act and to act in a transparent manner. Chair Greer recalled the requirement for Commissioners to complete an ethics course every two years. Commissioners can contact Assistant City Manager Jacobs with additional questions or for in-depth discussion. If a sufficient number of Commissioners contact Assistant City Manager Jacobs, then staff can explore scheduling a study session. The motion was not seconded. Newport Beach City Arts Commission Special Meeting Minutes July 30, 2018 Page 4 4 Chair Greer reported the City Arts Commission curated and celebrated the opening of the Sculpture Garden Phase III last fall. The community is enjoying nine newly installed artworks, No Swimming, Be Still and Know, Cultural Pedestrians, Cosmic Glints, Getting Your Bearings, Life is a Balancing Act, Flight, Popsicles, and Burnt Matchstick. Everyone has been enjoying and is enjoying the lit Burnt Matchstick. The City Arts Commission thanks the Council for those actions. The Sculpture Garden photo contest provided 200 entries, and the City Arts Commission selected three winners, Sunset in Newport, Flying Over Newport, and Flying Fish. Three winning photographers enjoyed dinner for two here in Newport Beach thanks to Commissioner Glabman's efforts. Saturday, June 16th, the City Arts Commission celebrated the 54th Newport Beach Art Exhibition with quite an art scene at the City Civic Center campus. One hundred thirty-nine artists provided 240 works of art, paintings, sculpture, and photography. Award winners in each category received cash awards for first, second, and third prizes and a Juror's Award and People's Choice Award. The artists were honored with a reception, and awards were announced this year in the Council Chamber with standing room only available. The Bungalow Pavilion wine and beer garden and the Walkers provided an eclectic menu on the Green. Artists, guests, and Council Members enjoyed celebrating the arts with the jazz ensemble. The City enjoyed all of this activity from 12:00 to 6:00. The presentation on the Green was extraordinary as well as the celebration of art in the Community Room and Plaza. The next day was a celebration of Father's Day, and the Father's Day Concert on the Green was a Sinatra tribute by Matt Mauser and the Tijuana Dogs. Four thousand two hundred attendees enjoyed the favorites of Sinatra and Matt Mauser that Sunday. Vice Chair Bendetti advised that the second Concert on the Green, the Springsteen Experience, was greatly enjoyed by more than 4,100 guests on July 15th at the Civic Center Green. The third concert will feature the Tijuana Dogs on the Civic Green on August 12th. The final Concert on the Green with Desperado will be held September 9th. Commissioner Glabman indicated the City Arts Commission will utilize Balboa Theater funds for the first time to host Southland Sings' performance entitled The Best of Broadway on September 23 at Peninsula Park. The City Arts Commission hopes to have support from a large number of people so that the City Council sees the funds are being put to good use. Chair Greer continued by stating art is always on exhibit at the Central Library. The current exhibit of Diana Blaisure's Bridge is comprised of mono-print photographs. Ms. Blaisure's lecture is scheduled for August 8. Commissioner Divine related that her next Sculpture Garden lecture will be held on August 6 and will cover Patricia Vader's Cosmic Glints, which features kinetic art. Lectures are free. She offers her lectures voluntarily and independent of the City Arts Commission. Chair Greer additionally thanked Commissioner Baker for her work on the Sculpture Garden and Commissioner Little for her work with the Arts Foundation. Chair Greer requested each ad hoc subcommittee consider a vision for its program, written goals and objectives, event planning, a timeline, a budget, responsibilities, and dates of meetings, publicity, marketing, more use of social media, and the number of volunteers and the amount of staff time needed. The City Arts Commission will institute post-event surveys for all events. The City Arts Commission hopes to obtain more community engagement in the coming year for all programming. Commissioners should complete the provided Newport Beach City Arts Commission Special Meeting Minutes July 30, 2018 Page 5 5 form for their subcommittee preferences and return it to her. Subcommittees will be formed at the August meeting. The ad hoc subcommittees for 2018/2019 are the Performing Arts–Concerts on the Green, Performing Arts–Balboa Peninsula, Sculpture Exhibition at Civic Center Park, Cultural Arts Grants, Art in Public Places–Newport Beach Art Exhibition, Art in Public Places–Library Gallery and Other Exhibitions which includes Public Art outside City buildings, and Publicity Liaisons. Chair Greer proposed new Ad Hoc Subcommittees for the Bus Tour–Museum, Shakespeare in the Park, and Sculpture Garden Special Event Programming. Special events in the Sculpture Garden could include a culinary talent, music, poetry readings, and special lectures. Ad hoc subcommittees will be active as needed. In reply to Commissioner Glabman's query, Chair Greer explained that the Concerts on the Green Ad Hoc Subcommittee typically meets from February through September. The ad hoc subcommittee will select performers and announce and attend performances. The Performing Arts–Balboa Peninsula Ad Hoc Subcommittee will sunset following the September 23 performance. Library Services Director Hetherton indicated the Sculpture Garden Exhibition Ad Hoc Subcommittee will be appointed on August 9 and extend through the beginning of March 2019. Chair Greer continued with the Cultural Arts Grants Ad Hoc Subcommittee, which will begin meeting around the first of October and end with the October 12 City Arts Commission meeting. The Newport Beach Art Exhibition Ad Hoc Subcommittee will begin meeting in January and sunset July 1. Meetings of the Library Gallery and Other Exhibitions Ad Hoc Subcommittee have not been determined as artists have been selected and booked until September 2019. Meetings of the Publicity Liaisons Ad Hoc Subcommittee will occur throughout the year because the liaison will speak to community groups and return to the City Arts Commission with information. Meetings for the Bus Tour Ad Hoc Subcommittee are currently unknown. Ad Hoc Subcommittees for Shakespeare in the Park and Sculpture Garden Special Event Programming should meet immediately following appointment on August 9 to develop programs for the next year. VI. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Virginia Hayter, Newport Beach Arts Foundation, suggested the City Arts Commission host a bus tour to the Festival of Books in April. Chair Greer requested the Arts Foundation provide information for bus tours. She requested ideas for programs and events be presented to the Chair in order to coordinate information with staff. Jim Mosher emphasized that subcommittees do not make decisions; subcommittees advise the City Arts Commission. The City Arts Commission should discuss subcommittee recommendations before making a decision. Susan Cramer thanked staff for placing email addresses on the website. She introduced Donnie, a local entertainer who could assist the City Arts Commission with public engagement. She will put her ideas for events in writing and provide them to the City Arts Commission. An unidentified speaker, introduced by Ms. Cramer, offered to assist the City Arts Commission with finding quality performers for events. Newport Beach City Arts Commission Special Meeting Minutes July 30, 2018 Page 6 6 In answer to Commissioner Divine's questions, Chair Greer clarified that Commissioners could indicate their special qualifications for ad hoc subcommittees on the reverse of the form and send her the page by hand delivery, mail, or email. The form for priorities and goals pertains to the City Arts Commission as a whole. Library Services Director Hetherton added that Commissioners could share their qualifications for subcommittees with the Chair privately or before the Commission. Because Commissioners had to leave the meeting, Chair Greer requested they provide any comments regarding subcommittee preferences on the form. Chair Greer requested future agenda items to set City Arts Commission goals for the 2018/2019 year and to appoint Ad Hoc Subcommittees. VII. ADJOURNMENT – 6:27 P.M. Chair Greer adjourned the meeting at 6:27 p.m. Approved by: