2024-05-06 Arts Commission MinutesAedmonds
ARTS COMMISSION
MINUTES 5:30 pm May 6, 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, Ute Freund, Beth Henkes, Harry Kirchner, Katie Leute, Tanya Sharp, Lily Kamilla-
Student Representative
EXCUSED: Ashley Song
STAFF: Frances Chapin, Arts & Culture Manager; Laurie Rose, Arts Program Specialist
GUESTS: (none)
The meeting was called to order at 5:30pm by Sharp
Leute 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
Sharp asked for a motion to approve the April 1, 2024, minutes with noted grammatical corrections.
Kirchner so MOVED. Freund Seconded. Approved.
INTRODUCTIONS / PUBLIC COMMENT (none)
REPORTS
A. Creative Programs
1. 2025 Tourism Promotion Grant Program — Sharp reviewed the program and asked for three
commissioners to be on the committee to review 2025 applications. A report to the EAC
needs to be on its June agenda. Chapin reviewed three possible dates and times for the
committee to meet after the application deadline of May 29, 2024. Leute, Freund and
Kirchner will meet on June 3 at 4:00pm to review the applications.
Edmonds Creative District (CD) — Chapin reported the CD obtained a grant to bring together
travel writers for a tour of the district in the fall, with the goal of having articles about the
district submitted to select travel publications. Chapin also reported the CD is one of several
sponsors for Sketcher Fest in July. Chapin asked the EAC review the CD's print marketing
materials for feedback. Chapin will email materials to all EAC when they are ready for review.
Edmonds Int'I Dist. Banner Project — Leute reported the review panel met the end of April.
Twenty-one applicants submitted their qualifications to be considered for developing design
proposals for the project. The panel was tasked with selecting up to 7 applicants, per budget
outline. The applicants represent a wide range of experience, backgrounds, and a variety of
design ideas for the banners.
The panel recommends the following artists each be contracted $600 to develop 3 banner
concepts, as outlined in the project's approved scope: Romson Bustillo, Stuart Nakamura,
Gabrielle Abbott, Anna Brones, JoEllen Wang, Rebecca Elyanow, and June Sekiguchi. From
the concepts provided, 14 will be selected to be fabricated by the City for the project.
Discussion followed regarding the panel's selected applicants. Sharp called for a Motion to
approve the recommended slate of 7 applicants to be contracted to develop three concepts
each as outlined in the project's scope. Henkes so Moved. Kirchner Seconded. Approved.
4. Write on the Sound (WOTS) — Kirchner gave a progress report regarding the conference's
planning process for the 2024 event and reviewed the EAC's responsibilities during the
conference weekend.
5. Visual Arts Committee — Sharp and Staff reviewed the program's scope, its history and
status. Discussion followed. Sharp called for 3 commissioners to sit on this committee, for
which Henkes, Sharp, and Leute volunteered. The first committee meeting will be in the
summer.
B. Capital Projects (none)
C. Funding and Administration
Commission Retreat - Sharp asked for final feedback on the agenda for the retreat on May 9th.
Sharp reminded the commissioners to take the Open Meeting Act training and review Code of
Ethics before the regular EAC June meeting.
STAFF REPORT
Chapin reported on the following:
• Staff will discuss in detail the Public Art Collection condition assessment at the EAC June
meeting. Chung and Freund will assist the staff in the Public Art Collection condition assessment
this summer.
• Chapin encouraged commissioners to keep apprised of news from of City Hall from the local
news agencies. The annual budget process begins in May or June and priorities will be discussed
in various upcoming public meetings.
Rose reported on the following:
• The Int'I Baccalaureate High School Visual Arts program instructor from Edmonds-Woodway
High School expressed interest in exhibiting student work in the small display case in the Frances
Anderson Center.
• Edmonds visual artist and teaching artist Mona Smiley -Fairbanks is looking for opportunities for
the public to view a film by Edmonds School District Bch grade students about the Underwater
Park. Ideas can be emailed to staff.
• The Poet's Perspective posters are printed and will be displayed in the planting beds around the
Edmonds Plaza Room, in the Frances Anderson Center main floor, and various parks fences
throughout the city.
NEW BUSINESS
• Sharp encourages all commissioners to be a part of advocacy for the arts in our community,
specifically regarding the Edmonds School District, which is facing significant budget cuts.
• Staff encourages commissioners to attend community and City meetings regarding budget
planning for 2025 to give voice to the arts in Edmonds. Chapin reminded commissioners that
they do not represent the EAC if attending a meeting but are an individual citizen advocate for
the arts.
• Sharp reported commissioner Song has resigned from the EAC due to personal circumstances. A
search to fill her vacancy will be announced at a future date.
There being no further business, Sharp adjourned the meeting at 6:46.