2024-04-01 Arts Commission Minutesedmonds
ARTS COMMISSION
MINUTES 5:30 pm April 1, 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: Richard Chung, Harry Kirchner, Ute Freund, Ashley Song
EXCUSED: Tanya Sharp, Katie Leute, Lily Kamilla-Student Representative
STAFF: Frances Chapin, Arts & Culture Manager; Laurie Rose, Arts Program Specialist
GUESTS: Beth Henkes, Wendy Colbert
The meeting was called to order at 5:34pm by Chung
Kirchner 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 asked for a motion to approve the March 4, 2024, minutes. Song Moved the March 4, 2024,
minutes be approved as submitted. Freund Seconded. Approved.
OTHER
Chung asked for a motion to add Poet's Perspective 2024 selection of poems to Reports/Creative
Programs as item 5 after the Write on the Sound (WOTS) update. Kirchner so Motioned / Song
Seconded. Approved.
INTRODUCTIONS / PUBLIC COMMENT
Chung asked the guests to introduce themselves. Wendy Colbert is a local writer interested in Write on
the Sound writers' conference. Beth Henkes is awaiting appointment to the Arts Commission pending
approval by City Council in May.
REPORTS
A. Creative Programs
1. Public Art Inventory: Chapin reported she and Sharp discussed updating the inventory of all
public artworks before the end of this year. The primary purpose is to report on the current
location and the condition of each artwork in the City's collection and to document possible
need for maintenance. Staff will provide inventory forms. Chapin asked for teams of two
commissioners to perform the task between now and the end of the year. Song, Freund and
Chung volunteered to begin in June.
2. Edmonds Creative District (ECD): The $60,000 ArtsWA grant awarded to the ECD for a
permanent public artwork in Anway Park with matching funds from the Edmonds Arts
Festival Foundation (EAFF) is contracted with ArtsWA and a partnership agreement between
the City and EAFF is being drafted. The project will go through the City' Public Art process
with a review panel. Commissioners suggested that Sharp represent the EAC on the panel.
3. Highway 99 Banner Project: Chapin reported that 21 artists/designers submitted
qualifications to be considered for the Banner Project. This project will go through the City's
public art process, with two selection reviews. The first panel will select 7 artists/designers
to contract for each to create 3 design proposals. The second selection process will be to
choose the final 14 designs from the artists' proposals to be fabricated. Chung and Leute will
represent the EAC.
4. Write on the Sound (WOTS) Update: Kirchner reported the final batch of session and
workshop proposals came in the past week for the 2024 conference. Approximately 125
proposals for the 30 available slots in the schedule and the 6 online presentations were
received. The WOTS conference committee (Kirchner plus 7 members of the local writing
community) will meet twice this month to finalize the schedule, which will be announced in
May.
5. 2024 Poet's Perspective: Kirchner reported the 6 poems by Puget Sound area writers over
the age of 18, and 3 student/youth writers who attend Edmonds School District schools were
selected by the review panel (Kirchner, Chung, Sharp and Kamila). Kirchner reviewed the
selection criteria and adjudication process. Commissioners reviewed the selected poems.
Kirchner Moved the 9 poems selected by the review committee to be accepted for the 2024
Poet's Perspective program. Song Seconded. Approved.
6. 2025 Tourism Promotion Award (TPA): A press release for the 2025 TPA cycle was recently
sent out. The deadline for arts -related nonprofit organizations seeking funding support for
promotions that bring audiences in from outside of Edmonds in 2025 is May 29, 2024. The
review committee for applications needs to meet before the June EAC meeting so
recommendations can be approved at the June meeting. Three commissioners will be
selected for the committee at the May EAC meeting.
B. Capital Projects (none)
C. Funding and Administration
Chung reviewed previously discussed topics for the EAC retreat on May 9th. As the retreat is not
a business meeting, Chapin outlined the type of topics that are permitted on the agenda.
Commissioners should contact Sharp and Chapin if there are additional ideas or suggestions for
the retreat agenda. A draft will be sent out before the May meeting.
STAFF REPORT
Chapin reported on the following:
• A reminder to view the online Open Meeting Act training or download the PowerPoint to read.
The EAC Code of Ethics will be reviewed at the retreat.
• Clarification regarding emails from Chapin with "FYI" in the subject --These emails are only for
your information. It is not something staff are asking commissioners to respond to or act upon.
Rose reported on the following:
• The Visual Art Committee will convene in June or July to re-establish the process of selecting
quarterly rotating exhibits for the Frances Anderson Center's display cases, Edmonds Library art
wall and 2025/26 On the Fence installations. The committee will be selected at the May
meeting.
• The Spring Arts Bulletin Newsletter has a new column entitled "In Edmonds". Rose asked
commissioners to participate in developing short features to include in the column that highlight
arts, culture organizations, businesses, and individuals, as well as Creative Economy businesses
located in Edmonds. The column also features a list of free -admission arts and culture related
events, gatherings, and classes.
NEW BUSINESS
Song reported she participated on the selection committee for this year's Puget Sound Bird Fest
poster art. The selected artwork was announced today. She also reminded the commission that
Bird Fest has been moved to June. This year it will be June 1 & 2.
Rose passed out flyers for the Snohomish County Human Rights Organization's new Movie Night
program. The first screening, "Something is in the Water", will be held April 30, 6:OOpm, in the
Everett Library Activity Room.
There being no further business, Chung adjourned the meeting at 6:42pm.