2024-02-05 Arts Commission MinutesAedmonds
ARTS COMMISSION
MINUTES 5:30 pm February 5, 2024
The Edmonds Arts Commission is dedicated to the arts as an integral part of community life.
City of Edmonds Community, Culture and Economic Development Department
PRESENT: Paul Cogley, Richard Chung, Harry Kirchner, Tanya Sharp, Ashley Song
EXCUSED: Lily Kamilla-Student Representative.
STAFF: Frances Chapin, Arts & Culture Manager; Laurie Rose, Arts Program Specialist
GUESTS: Katie Leute, Ute-Christiane Freund
The meeting was called to order at 5:30pm by Sharp
Cogley read the City Council land acknowledgement statement:
"We acknowledge the original inhabitants of this place, the Sdohobsh (Snohomish) people and their
successors the Tulalip Tribes, who since time immemorial have hunted, fished, gathered, and taken care
of these lands. We respect their sovereignty, their right to self-determination, and we honor their
sacred spiritual connection with the land and water."
MINUTES
Chung Moved the January 8, 2024, minutes be approved. Kirchner Seconded. Approved.
INTRODUCTIONS / PUBLIC COMMENT
Sharp asked guests Leute and Freund to introduce themselves. Both guests are recommended to the
Mayor for appointment to the Arts Commission to fill two vacant positions.
REPORTS
A. Creative Programs
Annual Report: Sharp reported the presentation of the EAC's 2022 and 2023 Years in Review
received a positive response from City Council. Sharp shared specific comments and
compliments from Council Members Chen, Eck, Nand, Paine, and Tibbott.
2. Creative District: Chapin reported the application for recertification was reviewed by ArtsWA
staff. Both the Creative District recertification and Capital Grant application (for a Creative
District gateway public art project in Anway Park with pledged matching funds from
Edmonds Arts Festival Foundation) will be considered for approval at the ArtsWA board
meeting on Feb 81h, 2024.
Public Art Update: An evaluation of all the City's public artworks, both portable and
permanently sited, is scheduled to be completed this year by the commission. The review
takes place every five years or more and the report on the condition of the artworks aids in
budget planning for public art maintenance. Up to three commissioners can participate in
the review process. Members of the committee will be selected at a future meeting and the
committee will meet with staff to discuss the process.
4. Literary Arts: Kirchner reported planning for this year's writers' conference will continue
through April by the conference committee. Session topics are being reviewed, as well as
presentation proposals as they are submitted. The committee will select a theme for the
writing contest at their next meeting. Poet's Perspective received an excellent response in
submissions from adult writers. Youth Poet's Perspective submission deadline is extended to
March V. Kirchner asked for two commissioners to join him in reviewing poetry
submissions. Sharp and Chung volunteered. The review committee will meet on March 5 at
2:00 pm. The Youth submissions will be reviewed in early March. Song will be an alternate if
Chung is not available.
5. Tourism Promotion Awards Second Round for 2024: Sharp reported that the committee
(Sharp, Song, Cogley) for the second round of 2024 Tourism Promotion Awards met to
review the eight applications earlier today. An additional $12,000 was available for arts -
related nonprofit programs that attract out-of-town visitors. Both current 2024 awardees
and new applicants were eligible to apply. A total of $16,250 was requested in the
applications.
The committee recommends the EAC approve and recommend to Lodging Tax Advisory
Committee the following awards:
Cascade Symphony Orchestra $2,000 (requested $2,500)
DeMiero Jazz Fest, $750 (requested $750)
Edmonds Driftwood Players, $2,000 (requested $2,500)
Edmonds Arts Festival's Artist Studio Tour, $1,000 (requested $2,500)
Daybreak Rotary's Jazz Connection, $1,500 (requested $2,500)
Olympic Ballet Theatre, $2,000 (requested $2,500)
Sno-Co Community Chorale, $750 (requested $1,000)
Cascadia Art Museum, $2,000 (requested $2,000)
Cogley Motioned to approve the recommended allocation of $12,000 as recommended by
the committee review panel. Song Seconded. Approved.
B. Capital Projects (none)
C. Funding and Administration
Commission Retreat: May 9, 4:00-8:OOpm, will be the EAC's annual retreat. The agenda will
include a review of the basic administration of the EAC, the City's move to a biennial budget
process, an overview of the EAC budget and special funds, and a review of current EAC
programs. The agenda will then open for discussion about future EAC priorities. Chapin asked for
specific proposed topics. Kirchner suggested discussion of Highway 99 public art opportunities.
Song requested that retreat goals be defined. Sharp said that the agenda will be finalized after
commission review.
STAFF REPORT
Rose reported that the Visual Arts committee will be reactivated later this year to determine future
exhibits in the Edmonds Library, Frances Anderson Center Display Cases and On the Fence Temporary
Public Art Installations.
Chapin reported three items:
• Several people from the Edmonds arts community and Edmonds Creative District will attend
Arts, Heritage and Science Day in Olympia on February 7th and will meet with legislative
representatives for District 21.
• Reminder that Olympic Ballet Theater invited commissioners to an open rehearsal on Saturday,
Feb 101h, from 3:00-4:OOpm in its lower level studios in the Frances Anderson Center.
• Edmonds Center for the Arts' free admission Kidstock made a successful and well -attended
return on January 27th after a 3-year hiatus. The EAC partnered with ECA as it has in the past to
help support free performances.
NEW BUSINESS
Commissioners and staff thanked Paul Cogley for his two years of service to the arts commission and the
City of Edmonds, and wished him well in his new endeavors.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by Sharp at 6:27 pm.