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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/14/2013 - City Arts Commission - 01 Draft Minutes City of Newport Beach Newport Beach City Arts Commission Thursday, January 10, 2013 – 5:00pm Central Library Conference Room Convened at 5:04pm 1) Call Meeting to Order: Commissioner Smith called the meeting to order. 2) Roll Call: Commissioners Present: Robert Smith, Carole Boller, Arlene Greer, Gilbert Lasky, Caroline Logan, Rita Goldberg Commissioners Absent: Christopher Trela Staff Present: Mayor Nancy Gardner; Library Director Cynthia Cowell; Library Services Manager Tim Hetherton; Cultural Arts Coordinator Jana Barbier Public Present: Bea Riley, Steve Moses, Jim Mosher, Joe and Adriana Gutierrez 3) Public Comments: Bea Riley noted that she was a 60-year resident of Newport Beach, as well as an artist who loves history. Riley brought artwork by Scott Kennedy to the meeting, stating that she was afraid the artist would not have an advocate to ensure that his work would be collected in Newport Beach. Ms. Riley believed the work was very valuable to the City, and suggested displaying his work at the new civic center. The work she had brought could be available as a purchase by the Arts Commission. Ms. Riley noted that the work was valued at $4,000. She also provided information on the framing and specific silkscreen processes and noted that she would be available to discuss a purchase. Mr. Mosher noted that the previous minutes represented Councilwoman Nancy Gardner as the Mayor, when in fact the current mayor is Keith Curry. Mr. Mosher noted that the Deutsche Bank-held artwork listed on the agenda for discussion was, in his opinion, not objective art and also did not represent Newport Beach in any way. Mr. Mosher noted that Deutsche Bank was spelled differently in several sections on the December 13 Minutes, and suggested changing this for consistency; he also noted that Nancy Gardner’s name was spelled incorrectly. Councilwoman Gardner noted that City Council would be meeting at Oasis Senior Center Saturday for a goal-setting meeting. They would be discussing the idea of liaisons to Commissions and noted that everyone was welcome to attend the meeting. 4) Approval of Minutes: It was MSP (Greer/Boller) to approve the January 10, 2013 Minutes. 5) Current Business: A. Consent Calendar 1. Cultural Arts Activities – Staff provided updated report for Cultural Arts Activities in December/January, 2013. 2 2. Correspondence and Press – Staff passed around current correspondence to the Commission. At this time Commissioner Boller reported that she would be speaking about her trip to Antibes the following Thursday at 6pm at the Newport Beach Tennis Club. B. Items for Review and Possible Action – 1. Discuss Submitting a Staff Report to City Council for Acceptance of the Long-Term Loan of Two Sculptures from Deutsche Bank: Commissioner Smith stated that he had spoken with Deutsche Bank about the possibility of proceeding with one sculpture rather than two, which they were amenable to. He also asked about installing one of the pieces outdoors, and that was not acceptable. Commissioner Smith indicated that there was no place to install either sculpture currently. He also discussed the new addition to the library and a display area, but noted that if a piece were put into storage, and then eventually not accepted by the Library Board, it would be difficult. One option Commissioner Smith suggested was that if the Commission was still interested in one or both pieces in another six to eight months, they could reconsider the offer. Discussion ensued and Commissioner Goldberg noted that she was happy to receive offers of loans and donations of art, but that the “fire sale” approach did not resonate with her, and suggested in the future not putting the cart before the horse. Commissioner Boller noted that she truly felt that the installation of these sculptures was not timely and that timing is most critical. Commissioner Lasky agreed with Commissioners Goldberg and Boller. Commissioner Logan noted that she hoped these figurative pieces would not go away, and expressed concern that the works would be disappearing. It was MSP (Smith/Boller) to “go back to Deutsche Bank and report that since all interior spaces at the Civic Center/Library addition were under construction, that the timing was not right to accept the sculptures”. Commissioners Boller, Goldberg, Logan, Lasky, and Greer voted “aye”. Commissioner Smith abstained. 3. Discuss “Lone Sailor” Bronze Sculpture Suggested Donation to City of Newport Beach: Commissioner Smith discussed the offer of a 7’ tall bronze sculpture titled “Lone Sailor” that was being offered to the City. Smith asked Commissioners Logan and Boller to meet with the owner of the work to discuss the specifications and report back to the City Arts Commission at a future meeting. 4. Discuss Formation of Study Committee to Review Potential Public Art Sites: Commissioner Smith discussed the formation of a “study committee” or “task force” for the review of potential public art sites. Discussion ensued regarding the name of the committee and developing material for an effective policy with input from other boards and commissions. Commissioner Logan was in complete agreement with Chair Smith and noted that other committee members’ input would be very valuable. Questions arose as to how to proceed with such a committee and Library Director Cowell noted that she would obtain clarification on the Brown Act requirements. 3 C. Monthly Reports – 1. Art in Public Spaces/Historical Preservation Committee – Commissioner Smith did not add an additional report, but noted that he would be meeting with Sara Bancroft, of the Orange County Museum of Art, on January 18. 2. Fine Arts Committee – Commissioner Boller stated that the Fine Arts Committee would meet with staff to discuss logistics for the Newport Beach Art Exhibition and Sale, taking place on Saturday, April 13, 2013. Commissioner Greer reported that the Hilbert collection was scheduled for installation at the library. 3. Performing Arts Committee – Commissioner Goldberg stated the performing arts committee would be meeting with staff to review band submissions and to discuss dates and parks for this summer’s Concerts in the Parks series and Shakespeare in the Park festival. 4. Museum Tours – Commissioner Goldberg asked staff how many people had signed up for the Norton Simon tour; staff responded about 10. Commissioner Boller shared that she was not impressed with this exhibition. Commissioners discussed methods for increasing attendance to this event, including an ad in The Daily Pilot. It was suggested that a commissioner attend a City Council meeting to publicly announce the opportunity to attend this event. 5. Arts Foundation Liaison Committee – Commissioner Greer reported that the foundation members would be meeting next Tuesday. The group is working on Art in the Park 2013; and would have a “night at the gallery” in mid February at the Irvine Museum. The foundation’s meetings were moved to the third Thursday of the month beginning in March. 6. Publicity Committee – No report 7. Budget Committee – Commissioner Lasky noted that there were no changes since December. Library Director Cowell noted that department directors were instructed to submit a flat budget in 2013. Cowell encouraged everyone to put together a wish list, with a definite plan for what additional funding would be used for. 8. Cultural Arts Grant Committee – Commissioner Greer noted that there was not much new to report; Commissioner Goldberg attended “The Nutcracker” put on by Cultural Arts Grant recipient, Festival Ballet Theatre, and noted that it was a pleasure to see where the grant money goes. 9. Master Plan Committee for Visual & Public Art Installations – No additional report 6) City Arts Commission Announcements or Matters Which Members Would Like Placed on a Future Agenda for Discussion, Action or Report (Non-Discussion Item) – 7) Public Comments on Non-Agenda Items – Mr. Mosher reminded the Arts Commissioners that they could go to City Council for advice and also that they get their power through the people – and serve as a conduit for the arts, and library matters. Mr. Mosher expressed concern that members of the public are not invited to speak on each agenda item as it comes up. Mr. Mosher noted that he’d seen the “Lone Sailor Statue” in Long Beach. 8) Meeting Adjourned 6:04pm - It was MSP (Lasky/Boller) to adjourn the meeting.