2019-04-24 Arts Commission Minutesedmonds
ARTS COMMISSION
EAC RETREAT
Wednesday April 24, 2019 — 4:30 PM — 8:15 PM — Plaza Room, 650 Main St.
Staff: Frances Chapin; Laurie Rose (4:30 — 5:00)
Commissioners and Student Rep: Sharp, Muir, Soikowski, Shaw, Song, Oneill, Kaplan, Wilhelm
Introductions
• 2019 Write on the Sound update, L. Rose
• Commissioner introductions with brief background
Goal — Assess the role of the Arts Commission in the community, celebrate
accomplishments, and look ahead at future opportunities
Annual Review - 2018 Celebrations & Concerns
On the Fence very positive. How do we help everyone venture into the art world? WOTS a
wonderful learning experience and joy in writing but need to be welcoming to all and talk about the
tough things. Inclusion and equity in forefront —arts sometimes known as more exclusive.
Bookworm sculpture! Creative District designation. Placemaking as important function — creating
spaces for community engagement. Do we have a target group? Meeting some of previous goals,
e.g. digital media, film festival partnership. Bring voice of youth, more communication, more
accessible.
Briefly discussed need for short form or elevator speech for what the Arts Commission does and
what is your role as an Arts commissioner (personal goals/how it relates to whole) — address at a
future meeting.
Big Picture Discussion — inclusive arts community - What do we mean by "inclusion" and "diversity"
Yes, and.... Pushing boundaries, infringes on someone elses boundaries usually.
Emotional work —feelings, choices: stop engaging or continue to engage.
Discussion of identity politics. Gap between what was and what could be. Perspective of privilege.
Concept of "white supremacy" as the assumed superiority of people defined and perceived as white
and the practices based upon that assumption.
Be open to moving past cultural default expectations — may eliminate someone's truth.
Choice to make a change. Don't see or know what other people's lives are like, want to build a
bridge and be respectful. Importance of connection, friendly face, engage disenfranchised, build
relationships. Keep awareness that you don't know.
Opportunities through art — entertainment — help others change.
Internal work changes nature of conversations and informs our decisions.
Discussed "Continuum on Becoming an Anti -racist Multicultural Organization". Governmental
institutions tend to be in mid area (3) — Symbolic Change. Need to move toward
Structural Change. Intellectual freedom of art — Concept that everyone brings a piece of the table,
not that everyone brings something to "the" table.
What EAC does with this information — Specific Programs and Projects — schedule another mini -
retreat to discuss programs.
8:15 Wrap up and Adjourn