2015-01-05 Arts Commission Minutesy edmonds
ARTS COMMISSION
MINUTES
January 5, 2015
The Edmonds Arts Commission: dedicated to the arts, an integral part of community life.
City of Edmonds Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Department
PRESENT:
Suzy Maloney Kevin Conefrey STAFF AUDIENCE
Samantha Saether Beverly Shaw-Starkovich Frances Chapin
Lois Rathvon Marni Muir
Joanne Otness
The meeting was called to order at 6:02 PM by Suzy Maloney, Chair
INTRODUCTIONS —Claudia Bach, AdvisArts
AGENDA -
MINUTES — Dec 1, 2014— Rathvon MOVED approval, SECONDED, MOTION Approved.
REPORTS -
A. Creative Programs
Community Cultural Plan Implementation — Chapin introduced Claudia Bach, AdvisArts, who
consulted on the Arts Summit and Community Cultural Plan (CCP) process with MIG. Bach has a
strong background in cultural planning and broad experience working in the arts throughout the
Seattle area and beyond.
Bach addressed the challenge of how to take the plan and activate it with limited resources and time.
She discussed both the work plan and the role of Commissioners in the implementation process. She
worked with Chapin to create the draft Work Plan and walked through the tasks in that plan
discussing how the large and expansive thinking in the CCP was organized into six areas for work
moving forward. The 34 strategies were distributed into 6 main areas: Space, Communication,
Programs & Events, Strong Arts Sector, Arts Education, and a City of Edmonds Work Group. These
areas provide a "road map" for each work group. EAC will convene initial meetings for each of these
groups with the short term goal of a joint meeting in July when all the groups can share their
progress and challenges. Convening the work group meetings is a tool for getting people involved to
move forward the goals set by the community in the CCP. Bach also addressed the role of the
Commission in relation to other community organizations. EAC has positioned itself as a convener,
and the challenge is how to be catalytic, instigate implementation, without "owning" all of the action
areas. One goal of the first meeting will be to identify someone to help develop the agenda for and
lead the next meeting.
She noted that it is important for Commissioners, as "cheerleaders" for the plan being doable, to be
familiar and clear about the strategies in the plan. The CCP is a great tool, but not without effort.
Chapin will send out an agenda template to Commissioners prior to the first work group meeting.
WOTS/Literary Walk — Otness reported that the contest theme for 2015 will be "brilliance". The call
for presenters has gone out and the steering committee meets next week to begin reviewing
applications. Chapin reported that WOTS will be setting up a Facebook page under the new Social
Media Policy recently adopted by the City. Otness noted that the first Literary Walk received strong
Edmonds Arts Commission Minutes — 1/5/2015
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support from the Library so a next step in considering the future of the program is to meet with the
new Library Manager. She noted that holding the event in September is not good timing for EAC.
3. Concerts —.Maloney asked which Commissioners would be interested in serving on the selection
committee for concerts this year and Conefrey, Otness, and Rathvon volunteered. Maloney will
serve as back up if needed.
B. Capital Projects
Public Art Projects — Chapin suggested that the Retreat agenda might focus on both the CCP
implementation and Public Art. This would give time to have a more extensive discussion about
priorities.
C. Funding & Administration
1. Nominations — Maloney proposed a slate: for Chair - Conefrey and Vice Chair — Shaw-Starkovich.
Rathvon MOVED and Otness SECONDED that it be approved, MOTION carried.
OTHER BUSINESS — Shaw asked Commissioners for additional suggestions for artists for the Library. Chapin
commended Shaw on the excellent job she has done in coordinating and setting the shows in the Library
every six weeks, noting that it is an important job for the Commission and shows are seen by a large number
of Library patrons.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS —
Meeting Adjourned at 7:54 PM