City of Elgin Cultural Arts Commission met November 13.
Here is the minutes provided by the Commission:
A. Call to Order: 7:02 pm
B. Roll Call: Commissioners Miceli, Hulin, Thomas, Erlandson, Rehberg and Fox present. Councilwoman Powell present. Acting Staff Liaison Wilhelmi present. Student Representatives Kaye and Webber present. Chairman Vassallo present.
C. Citizen’s Forum:
a. Kira Fox, Individual Artist Grant Application:
i. Informed Commission that due to changes to the program schedule, she will be presenting a revised application in December;
b. Jim Goodrich, Individual Artist Grant Application:
i. Presented Commission with information and background concerning his application to provide caroling for the DNA’s Winter Wonderland event. Carolers would be strolling and possibly do some performing on stage.
D. Staff Report:
a. Financial Report:
i. Presented with no additional information;
b. Art Showcase:
i. No report was presented in the absence on Staff Liaison Harris;
c. Hemmens:
i. Presented Hemmens event calendar through February 2018;
ii. MLK Celebration is not being held at HCC but Prayer Breakfast will be in held in ExHall due to expectation of higher than usual attendance.
d. Approval of October Minutes
i. Motion to approve minutes made by Commissioner Rehberg, seconded by Commissioner Fox. Approved by a vote of 6-0 with Commissioners Erlandson and Miceli abstaining.
E. Old Business
a. Marketing Sub-¬‐Committee:
i. CAC Sponsored assignments for BRAVO, December: Kwanzaa and Holiday Show
1. Councilwoman Powell is working on the Kwanzaa article and accepted an offer of help from Chairman Vassallo;
2. Staff Wilhelmi plans to have the Holiday show done by the end of the week.
b. 2016/2017 CAC Projects:
i. Kwanzaa:
1. Councilwoman Powell presented Posters, flyers and card for distribution. She stated that she was excited by the caliber of talent being offered as well as the event’s location at the Gail Borden Public Library; which she considers to be a welcoming venue to all residents, not just African-Americans.
ii. Art Harvest:
1. Commissioner Rehberg noted that it was (expletive deleted) cold but the event itself was fairly well attended;
2. Councilwoman Powell commented that the muralist was excited to be a part of the project and the amount of people that stopped and engaged with her.
iii. Holiday Show:
1. Staff Wilhelmi reported that the tickets are currently on sale through the HCC box office and participating groups; and presented the line-up.
iv. Elgin Literary Festival:
1.Commissioner Rehberg stated that she will have more details for the December meeting.
Prior to discussion of grant applications, Chairman Vassallo asked Councilwoman Powell for a budget update. Councilwoman Powell stated that she saw no cuts for ECAC at this time but the budget does include revenue enhancements such at implementing a motor fuel tax and increases to the sales and hotel/motel tax. She stated the goal is to increase revenues without the burden falling solely on the shoulders of residents.
c. Organizational Grant voting: Ballots were collected from Commissioner Miceli prior to the meeting as she needed to leave early (7:30). Chairman Vassallo explained the process and discussion commenced:
i. BFH: Chairman Vassallo commented that it seems to be the same old, same old. Commissioner Fox said she was confused about whether a new dance was actually being created. Councilwoman Powell noted that this might be another example of where a “historical” category might be warranted. Commissioner Rehberg suggested that and/or an organizational support category. Discussion concluded and votes were gathered.
ii. Chamber Music on the Fox: Commissioner Erlandson comment that she was a bit irked that the application requests money to pay for the big-¬‐name artists but doesn’t mention how Maude Powell will be honored; all about the artist, not the reason. Chairman Vassallo stated that he loved the fact that they are bringing in a known professional He also commented that it was a well written proposal and that he was a little surprised they didn’t ask for more. Discussion concluded and votes were gathered.
iii. CTE: There was no substantive discussion of the application; only agreement that CTE continues to present high quality shows. Discussion concluded and votes were gathered.
iv. Elgin Area Historical Society: Commissioner Rehberg wanted confirmation that it was okay to vote on this even though there are outstanding issues with current project. It was determined that a vote would be taken and that any issues would be addressed prior to any release of funds. Commissioner Fox suggested that they should market to all students (not just art students). Commissioner Rehberg expressed her appreciation that the artists were being paid. Commissioner Erlandson commented on the diversity contained in their proposal. Discussion concluded and votes were gathered.
v. Elgin Master Chorale: Commissioner Rehberg stated that the project was not innovative. She also mentioned that she feels the EMC really doesn’t need the funding and that the audience and genre overlaps with many of the other grant applications. Commissioner Thomas suggested that they could innovate through technology; for instance, online broadcasting of the event. Commissioner Fox stated that she would like to see then add a music theory element to the presentation; similar to ESO’s Inside the Music programs. Discussion concluded and votes were gathered.
vi. Elgin Symphony Orchestra: Chairman Vassallo stated his excitement about the project but thought that this is another organization that really doesn’t need an ECAC grant. Commissioner Rehberg also expressed her excitement about the project. Commissioner Erlandson questioned why they were not provided with any numbers from previous events to demonstrate how successful they have been. Student Representative Webber mentioned that as a member of the LHS Academy, the ESO consistently offers tickets to students. Discussion concluded and votes were gathered.
vii. Elgin Theatre Company: Chairman Vassallo pointed out that for the amount they are requesting, they would have been better off applying for an Individual Artist Grant. Commissioner Erlandson said she did think it was innovative that an interpreter for the deaf was part of the program. Discussion concluded and votes were gathered.
viii. Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra: Student Representative Webber comment that she is part of the program and “it’s awesome, give them money.” She added that they regularly bring in professional musicians, conductors, etc. for clinics and training. Commissioner Erlandson stated that she thought it was cool that they are featuring a local composer. Chairman Vassallo said that the actual amount they were requesting was confusing in the application. Discussion concluded and votes were gathered.
ix. Hamilton Wings: Commissioner Erlandson stated that the application was written in such a way that she read the whole thing and still couldn’t tell what they do or how many participants there were. Councilwoman Powell explained that they work with at-¬‐ risk youth to create an opera from scratch; writing of the score to the design of the production. Commissioner Thomas stated that the productions are not 2nd rate events. There was some agreement that the application provided too much information while not sufficiently explaining the process or purpose. Discussion concluded and votes were gathered.
x. Independent Players: Commissioner Erlandson noted that the application was still a bit lacking but that she does see an effort being made. Commissioner Rehberg said that she also sees improvement but still felt it was not a strong proposal. Discussion concluded and votes were gathered.
xi. Janus Theatre Company: Commissioner Rehberg pointed out that again, the Commission would voting on the proposal while there are outstanding issues from a current project. Commissioner Erlandson commented that she would have like to have seen plans for outreach in the proposal. Discussion concluded and votes were gathered.
xii. Soiree Lyrique: Commissioner Erlandson commented that it was too bad they didn’t feel they needed to provide a narrative. She also expressed concern that the application states “In the unlikely event that we do not have a clear view of a financially or artistically successful program.” as if they don’t really have a plan. Chairman Vassallo stated the application suggests that they really don’t need the ECAC’s support. Commissioner Rehberg mentioned that the budget is confusing and that the project has a high amount of audience overlap with groups that she has no doubt will be successful. Councilwoman Powell expressed her disappointment in the proposal and suggested that if not all of the organization grant money is spent on grants, it can be used for other projects. Discussion concluded and votes were gathered.
xiii. Side Street Studio Arts: Chairman Vassallo expressed concern as to the scope of the project. Staff Wilhelmi commented that he would welcome SSSA taking point on creating a coordinated effort to expand offerings on First Fridays. Councilwoman Powell stated that she thought that the timing is good for this with the change in direction at DNA. Discussion concluded and votes were gathered.
d. Public Art for 2017
i. Nothing to report
e. 2018 Public Art locations and RFP
i. Nothing to Report
F. Other Old Business:
a. Commissioner Rehberg mentioned that the ECAC supported Trickster Gallery event would be taking place Saturday, November 18, 2018 at 6pm at SSSA.
G. New Business:
a. Jim Goodrich Individual Artist Grant:
i. Commissioner Rehberg noted that the Winter Wonderland event already is supported by the City and DNA but stated her support for the application.
ii. Commissioner Erlandson motioned to approve the grant in the amount of $1,000; seconded by Commissioner Hulin. Approved by a vote of 7-0.
H. Adjournment: 9:00 pm
a. Motion to adjourn made by Commissioner Rehberg. Seconded by Commissioner Hulin. Approved by a vote of 7-0.
http://www.cityofelgin.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/5681
Alerts Sign-up