2023-11-06 Arts Commission MinutesAedmonds
ARTS COMMISSION
MINUTES 5:30 pm November 6, 2023
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, November 6, 2023
PRESENT: Paul Cogley, Richard Chung, Harry Kirchner, Lisa Palmatier, Tanya Sharp, Rhonda J Soikowski,
Ashley Song, Lily Kamilla-Student Representative.
STAFF: Frances Chapin, Arts & Culture Manager; Laurie Rose, Arts Program Specialist
The meeting was called to order at 5:30pm by Song
Palmatier 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
1. July 2023 minutes: Palmatier Moved July 2023 minutes be approved. Soikowski Seconded.
Approved.
2. September 2023 minutes: Palmatier Moved September 2023 minutes be approved. Cogley
Seconded. Approved.
3. October 2023 minutes: Sharp Moved October 2023 minutes be approved with corrected copy.
Kirchner Seconded. Approved.
REPORTS
A. Creative Projects
Annual Report: Chapin reviewed the presentation format for the upcoming December
51h City Council meeting. Chapin asked commissioners which programs they'd like to
emphasize during the presentation. Discussion followed regarding the Council agenda,
and EAC programs and activities from 2022 and 2023. Commissioners requested
emphasis on moving programs forward into future years.
2. Banner Project: City Council passed the Call to Artists at its October 24, 2023, meeting.
Chapin requested a selection committee comprised of at least one commissioner and
representatives from all stakeholders of the Highway 99 Project be put together by the
end of the year.
3. Open EAC Positions: Two commission positions will be open in 2024. One is a full 4-year
term for a resident of Edmonds with a professional visual art background. The other is
filling a 2-year vacancy for a resident of Edmonds with a performing arts background.
Application will be posted this week with a deadline in early December to apply.
Interviews will be conducted in -person within the week after the application deadline
for report to the commission at its January 8 meeting.
4. Write on the Sound: Rose presented a report on the evaluations submitted by attendees
of the recent writers' conference. A total of 207 people from 11 states registered this
year. Overall, attendees rated their experience as "Excellent" or "Very Good".
Registrations covered expenses with a satisfactory net revenue. Discussion followed
regarding conference logistics and expectations for 2024. The WOTS Planning Committee
meets next week to review the complete attendee evaluation report.
5. Creative District: Sharp reported on the Inspire WA presentation of its Arts and Culture
Economic Impact Study at the October 26t" Snohomish County Arts Commission meeting
and subsequent discussion regarding implementation of the State's Cultural Access Fund
in Snohomish County. Chapin reported Director Tatum will make certain Edmonds is
included in the County's discussions on the topic.
Sharp continued with a report regarding the Creative District annual report presentation
to City Council at its October 24, 2023 meeting. Discussion followed about the
continuing process for recertification of the district, due in early December.
6. Officer Nominations: Song asked Kirchner, Chung and Palmatier to be the officer
nomination committee this year. Nominations will be announced at the EAC December
5th meeting.
B. Capital Projects: Reviewed in Creative Projects Item 2: Banner Project
c. Administration and Funding:
1. Reviewed in Creative Project Item 6: Officer Nominations
Land Acknowledgement: Chapin reported she attended the recent Edmonds Diversity,
Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Commission (DEIA) meeting which featured a
presentation by Snohomish Tribe Vice Chair Pamela SeaMonster regarding land
acknowledgments. Based on information gleaned at the meeting, Chapin asked that the
commissioners consider updating the land acknowledgement statement for EAC
meetings. Discussion followed regarding including an intention statement.
STAFF REPORT
Rose reminded commissioners that access to the Frances Anderson Center after S:OOpm on weekdays is
only from the Main Street entrance. She updated the status of the current Call to Artists for On the
Fence and Call for Poetry for next year's Poet's Perspective.
Chapin reported she joined the Hekinan Sister City delegation on a tour of public art installations. She
asked the commission to consider ideas for more active involvement with the Sister City Commission
during delegation visits, as it has done in years past.
There being no further business, meeting adjourned at 7:06pm