2024-06-03 Arts Commission MinutesAedmonds
ARTS COMMISSION
MINUTES 5:30 pm June 3, 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, Lily Kamilla-Student
Representative
EXCUSED: Tanya Sharp
STAFF: Frances Chapin, Arts & Culture Manager; Laurie Rose, Arts Program Specialist
GUEST: Roger Pence
The meeting was called to order at 5:31pm by Chung
Freund 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 May 6, 2024, minutes with noted spelling correction. Kirchner
so MOVED. Leute SECONDED. APPROVED.
INTRODUCTIONS / PUBLIC COMMENT: Guest Roger Pence, commissioners and staff introduced
themselves. Pence expressed an interest in establishing a piano recital program in Edmonds.
REPORTS
A. Creative Programs
2025 Tourism Promotion Award (TPA) Program — Kirchner, Leute and Freund met to review
the nine applications received for the 2025 TPA cycle. Seven are returning applicants and
two are new. Kirchner reported the projected budget from the Lodging Tax Fund for arts
programs awards in 2025 is $25,000. The suggested maximum award for 2025 is $2,800. All
but two of the applicants requested the maximum award, which brought the grand total
requested amount to $24,400. Estimated total attendance from all applicants is 41,000 and
185 projected room nights for overnight stays. The committee recommends distributing all
the projected funds, awarding an additional $150 to DeMiero Jazz Festival, Edmonds
Daybreakers Rotary Jazz Connection, Olympic Ballet Theater and Edmonds Driftwood Players
whose contribution to overnight stays is relatively high and with notable projected
attendance from audience who come from over 50 miles. The committee recommends full
award requests of $2,800 to Cascadia Symphony Orchestra, Art Walk Edmonds, Edmonds Art
Studio Tour, Multicultural Commission for Edmonds Lunar New Year, and of $2,000 for
PorchFest Edmonds. The committee also recommended raising the request limit for 2026.
Kirchner MOVED to approve the 2025 TPA awards as recommended by the committee,
allowing for any funds required exceeding 2025 approved revenues to come from ending
cash in the 123 Fund. Henkes SECONDED. APPROVED.
2. Edmonds Creative District Gateway Public Art Project — Chapin reported she met with
project's advisory group. The group includes members of the Edmonds Arts Festival
Foundation, which is providing the ArtsWA grant required matching funds, and members of
the Edmonds Creative District advisory committee, the project's lead organization working
with the Arts Commission. The project committee discussed the potential scope for a public
art project at Anway Park and the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for an artist and/or artist
team. Per the terms of the grant, the project must be completed by June 2025. The RFQ
needs to go to council for approval by the end of the month. Staff will set a Special Meeting
for commissioners to approve the RFQ and recommend to City Council.
Edmonds International District Banner Project — Chapin reported that six of the seven
selected artists attended the orientation meeting last month. All are under contract to
develop three concepts each, due June 17. The selection panel which includes Chung and
Leute will meet at the end of the month to select proposed designs for development and
fabrication.
4. Write on the Sound (WOTS) update — Kirchner reported the conference schedule is set with
all but one presenter under contract. Registration will open July 22. He is in conversation
with the Skagit River Poetry Festival's director regarding cross promotion opportunities. That
festival is held in La Conner the same weekend as WOTS.
5. Summer concert schedule— Chapin asked commissioners to review the Sunday concert
schedule and notify staff if they are available to sit at the EAC information table and make
pre -concert introductions. Staff quickly reviewed duties at all the summer concerts but
noted that a full orientation will be presented at the EAC July meeting.
B. Capital Projects (public art reported under programs)
C. Funding and Administration
1. Chung called for a Motion to approve the EAC Retreat minutes as submitted. Leute
MOVED to approve. Kirchner SECONDED. APPROVED.
2. Chapin asked commissioners to review the memo outlining the "dream projects"
discussed at the 2023 and 2024 retreats and to keep the memo on file for future
reference.
3. Chapin circulated the Arts Commission Code of Ethics to be signed by all present
commissioners.
4. The Arts Commission's partial term position made vacant when commissioner Ashley
Wong resigned last month is open for application. It is for a General Interest position.
Application deadline is July 9.
STAFF REPORT
Chapin recognized Student Representative Kamila who is graduating this month from Edmonds-
Woodway High School and will no longer participate on the commission. The commissioners
thanked her for her participation and input over the past two years. The Student Representative
opening will be advertised in September after school is reconvened for the school year.
Chapin reminded commissioners about the Edmonds Waterfront Center's City Commissions and
Boards event this week and thanked Sharp and Henkes for representing the Arts Commission.
Chapin reported that the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee meets next week to review 2025
funding recommendations. In addition to the 2025 TPA recommendation, she is requesting 123
Fund support for WOTS advertising and for funds to update the Public Art print brochure as part
of tourism promotion.
Rose reported she will email the Visual Arts Committee to schedule its first meeting for the end
of June or early July. Exhibits that need to be scheduled start in October.
Rose reported Poets Perspective posters and planting bed signs are installed all around the
Frances Anderson Center, and posting poems on more City -owned property fences will happen
this summer. She will email request of assistance later this summer.
Rose reported the Summer EAC Newsletter is ready to distribute this month after final proof
reading. She thanked Freund for her contribution to the "In Edmonds" section of the newsletter
and reminded commissioners to submit their articles for future publications.
NEW BUSINESS (none)
There being no further business, Chung adjourned the meeting at 6:31pm