Kane County Reporter

City of Elgin Cultural Arts Commission met Dec. 9.

Here is the minutes provided by the commission:

A. Call to Order: 6:01pm

B. Roll Call:

a. Commissioners Forsythe, Richmond, Syrris, Erlandson, Rehberg present. Chairman Vassallo present. Staff Harris and Wilhelmi present. Councilwoman Powell present.

C. Citizen’s Forum:

D. Staff Report:

a. Financial Report:

i. Final chargers are coming through now.

b. Hemmens:

i. The nutcracker just closed.

ii. Toy giveaway and holiday concerts are coming up.

iii. Early 2020 brings the start of the talent competition.

c. Art Showcase:

i. The lease for 2020 was approved.

d. Approval of November Minutes:

i. Motion to approve the minutes by Commissioner Syrris. Seconded by Commissioner Erlandson. Approved by a vote of 6-0-2 with Commissioner Rehberg and Councilwoman Powell abstaining.

E. Old Business

a. Marketing

i. CAC Sponsored assignments for BRAVO, October Due 12/20. Written by Staff Harris. A look at 2019 and a look ahead.

b. 2019/2020 ECAC Projects:

i. Kwanzaa Celebration:

1. Attendance of 100-150 people. This year brought Kwanzaa based foods: jerk chicken, jollof rice, sweet potato pies, and mixed greens. The food was well received. Integrity Dance participated at the beginning too.

ii. Americans for the Arts workshops:

1. Scheduled for January. We are working with Americans for the Arts to bring professionals in to address specific issues.

iii. Elgin Fringe Festival:

1. Elgin will host the 2020 United States Association of Fringe Festivals conference in October. The event will bring about 50 Fringe producers to Elgin.

2. Erin will move to be the Executive Director and Nick Mataragas will be the new Artistic Director.

3. 2020 will also host two mini-fringes: January 25 and maybe the 26th and late April. These will be hosted outside of downtown.

F. Other Old Business:

a. Artwork renovations:

i. The first round of the permanent portable collection renovations is underway. The pieces are expected to be completed in the coming weeks.

G. New Business:

a. 2020 Organizational Grants

i. Commissioners discussed the options of where to set the limit for funding. Historically, the funding limit has been set at an average score of 12 and above for the last two years. Commissioners noted that it is a challenge to not fund some of the groups who didn’t score at the minimum average. Commissioners noted that there were submissions that showed promise and effort. Commissioners noted that the impact of these programs was important and necessary to the scoring. Commissioners noted that the need for the funding is an important part of the scoring process.

ii. Motion to approve the organizational grants with an average score of 12 and above at the funding level of 90% by Commissioner Forsythe. Seconded by Commissioner Kearney. Approved by a vote of 6-0-2 with Commissioners Erlandson and Rehberg abstaining.

b. Call for Art:

i. Staff working to adjust the call for art for 2020 to include only one new 2D piece to be installed on the sky bridge between the Centre’s parking deck and the Centre. The call will also include the stairwell attached to the parking deck. The honorarium for the 2020 call will be $20,000. This is a one-time project of this size. The finalists will go to city council for final approval due to the size of the honorarium.

c. 2020 Budget

i. Two versions of budgets were presented to the commission for review. Taking a cue from the special events department, a review of how funding is being spent has taken place. Staff laid out the options with explanations. Commissioners noted that it’s important to take stock of the impact versus dollar spent. Commissioners noted that most of the events are well attended and bring people to downtown who also visit the restaurants and shops.

ii. Motion to approve the budget with funding for the new asphalt art project and Juneteenth by Commissioner Erlandson. Seconded by Commissioner Rehberg. Approved by a vote of 8-0.

H. Adjournment: 8:14pm

i. Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Rehberg. Seconded by Commissioner Erlandson.

Approved by a vote of 8-0.

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