HomeMy WebLinkAbout12.18.19 BAC Packet
Boulder Arts Commission Meeting Agenda
December 18, 2019
Location: Boulder Creek Room, Boulder Main Public Library, 1001 Arapahoe, Boulder 80302
1. CALL TO ORDER
Approval of Agenda
2. REVIEW OF MINUTES
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
4. GRANT PROGRAM 45 minutes
A. ACTION: Funding Structure of the 2020 Grants Cycle
5. MATTERS FROM COMMISSIONERS 60 minutes
A. Final Discussion of the Letter to City Council – Mark
B. Discussion of Historical Data on Community Funding – Mark
C. Proposed Letter of Support for Los Seis de Boulder – Mark
6. MATTERS FROM STAFF 15 minutes
A. Questions about the Manager’s Memo – Matt
B. January 2020 Meeting – Matt
7. ADJOURNMENT
CITY OF BOULDER
BOULDER, COLORADO
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS MEETING
MINUTES
Name of Board/ Commission: Boulder Arts Commission
Date of Meeting: November 20, 2019 at the Main Boulder Public Library, 1001 Arapahoe Ave.
Contact information preparing summary: Celia Seaton, 303-441-3206
Commission members present: Mark Villarreal, Kathleen McCormick, Erica Joos, Devin Hughes
Commission members absent: Bruce Borowsky
Library staff present:
Matt Chasansky, Office of Arts & Culture Manager
Lauren Click, Coordinator, Grants
Mary Haan, Coordinator, Programs for Artists
Mandy Vink, Coordinator, Public Art
David Farnan, Director
Celia Seaton, Administrative Specialist
City staff present:
None
Members of the public present: David Dadone (BMoCA), Theresa McGriff, Richard Allegra, Madalene (Phoenix
Asylum), Stephanie Swartz, and Amanda Berg Wilson (The Catamounts)
Type of Meeting: Regular
Agenda Item 1: Call to order and approval of agenda [0:00:18 Audio min.]
The meeting was called to order. Villarreal asked the group for any addendums or changes to the agenda. Being none, there
was a nod of approval for the existing agenda.
Agenda Item 2: Review of Minutes [0:00:41 Audio min.]
Item 2A, Approval/Review of October 2019 Retreat Meeting Minutes
Villarreal asked the commission for changes or addendums regarding these minutes. McCormick suggested a clarification
noting the start time of the retreat meeting. Villarreal relayed two phrasing requests. McCormick made a motion to approve
the minutes as amended; Joos seconded. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Item 3: Public comment [0.03.00 Audio min.]
Dadone read from a letter he presented to City Council on November 19th and distributed a visual indicating potential
Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art (BMoCA) expansion. Letter concerned outreach and programming enhancements
that necessitate space beyond the current BMoCA building and proposed community/coworking /gallery space in the
building nearby (see handouts for images). He asked commission to advocate to council for this “best use of the space” that
“advances the arts.” McCormick serves on the BMoCA board and is “happy” to support. Villarreal recommended the arts
community unite in a lobbying group for consistent representation at council to effect change. Villarreal will relay a copy
of the annual letter to City Council to Dadone. Farnan: cited building not currently available for sale; possibility within the
next three years and after the Facilities and Asset Management Master Plan. Farnan also clarified that ballot measure 2M
referenced by Dadone was for BMoCA’s renovation, not expansion.
Berg Wilson expressed appreciation to the commission for their service. She referenced the $250,000 which seems
“primed” to assist in funding the larger organizations/facilities. She understands the reasoning of making sure these groups
are sustainable. She reported cost for The Catamounts leasing space at The Dairy as rising 55% in 8 years (understanding
that The Dairy must also keep their pricing in line of sustainability for itself). Catamounts can only increase their ticket
prices by so much to absorb that 6% a year increase for overhead. While unsure of the solution, she beseeched commission
to look into possibilities. Villarreal highlighted mention of opportunity zones in the commission’s annual letter to council,
which may provide financial relief to artists trying to acquire studio space.
Madalene’s nonprofit provides studio space for local crafters/makers – excited about the talk of opportunity zones,
interested in future engagement.
Agenda Item 4: Public Art Program [0.22.53 Audio min.]
A. DISCUSSION: Site of the Sculpture donated by Mark Addison
Vink presented on the current (raised bed at 15th & Pearl) and approved future site (16th & Pearl) of Strength from
Within by Melanie Yazzie. The permanent location has been reviewed and approved already by Transportation,
Community Vitality, and the community (with permitting underway). Donor Addison’s email (see packet) has
stimulated the discussion around retaining the sculpture in its current spot. If kept on the raised bed, the site would
be removed from opportunity for ongoing temporary works. Additional considerations include an entirely new
permitting application and review process as well as review and approval by Forestry, Community Vitality, Parks
and Recreation, and the community at large. Planned permanent location budget cost $6,725.48 vs. $8,100.98 if
kept in the temporary space.
Chasansky relayed some of Addison’s comments (plantings surrounding current site add interest, more pedestrian
traffic in this site, moving it again might cause damage to the piece, the other site reminds him of “plop art,” it
wouldn’t belong). Villarreal: “Plop art is anything that was made off site and placed it a location. It’s plop art now
where it is.” Noting retreat discussion concerning deliberation over already-decided items, he recalled commission
intention to address the perceived dearth of public art toward the east end of Pearl (where this piece would be
permanently situated). McCormick: “All the stimulus in the background” of current site can distract from the
“beautiful cut-out work” as opposed to the permanent site against a building. Hughes agreed with the original
decision. McCormick noted the potential additional costs and delay in schedule that a new permitting path would
necessitate, which goes against the donor’s prior encouragement to get the piece set in a location as soon as
possible.
All expressed appreciation to Addison for his donation.
Agenda Item 5: Grant Program [0.32.53 Audio min.]
A. ACTION: Right Relationship Boulder, Celebrate Boulder’s Native Peoples, $10,000
Villarreal felt the report was straightforward. McCormick noted the 400-800 in attendance, she was at the Boulder
High event and appreciated the large crowd. Joos noted that funding came from a relationship with the HRC,
emphasizing to council that the Arts Commission is collaborating and forging relationships, not siloing itself –
“real investment in this.” Villarreal agreed – Museum of Boulder and The Dairy “collaborated extensively.”
Joos moved that the Right Relationship Boulder grant report be approved. McCormick seconded, and all were in
favor.
B. ACTION: Funding Structure of the 2020 Grants Cycle
See packet for options for the 2020 grant cycle funding structure.
Regarding funding structure of the “new” $250,000, staff recommend distributing funds across extra-large and
large 2019 GOS applicants with scores above the threshold. Discussion of other options including distributing
funds across all GOS category applicants with scores that met threshold, and fully funding extra-large and large
2019 GOS applicants with scores above threshold. Joos’s first thought is to expand beyond the extra-large and
large. She also does not like partially funding a group. McCormick recalled council desire to fund large/extra-
large facility-based orgs. Farnan noted that there was no discussion at the council budget meeting about this.
Hughes wondered if there was less of a “directive” with this ongoing funding. Farnan’s understanding was that it
was a continuation of their previous charge. Villarreal wants to “honor the [commission] narrative,” including
larger-budgeted groups without requiring facility ownership. Hughes: “Not democratic” to only award the “top
earners” – “more buy-in… if we could disburse to as many organizations as possible.” Villarreal: “Big mistake.
We were transparent with council last year that we wanted the $250,000 to be based on budget size and not
restricted by ownership of a facility.” Hughes disapproves only funding top level, a “trend in this country” that
Boulder values can go against. McCormick suggested compromise of fully funding the two groups which have
facilities and then providing a percentage to others.
As commission appeared split, Farnan plans to consult with CMO; commission will be tasked with a vote in
December. Villarreal tabled the discussion until then.
Regarding Equity Grant, staff recommend dedicating to Indigenous Peoples + Climate Change Fellowship.
Learning from indigenous peoples’ relationship to the land can assist with climate change initiative. Other ideas:
training, equity fellowship for individual artists. Chasansky: deference to the tribal leadership for artist selection
would be necessary. McCormick wondered about the impact of not funding Indigenous People’s Day. Chasansky
noted that leadership from Indigenous People’s Day “missed” the money that was not given in this past cycle. Joos
doesn’t favor equity fellowship for individuals as this would “pit” artists against each other. Villarreal, Joos, and
Hughes agreed with staff recommendation. McCormick “needs to wrap her head around it.” Staff will come back
with structure.
Villarreal moved that the $10,000 equity grant funds be dedicated to Indigenous Peoples Day + Climate Change
Fellowship as a work in progress with details and information to be decided later. Hughes seconded and all were in
favor. The commission took a short break at this time.
C. ACTION: 2020 Grants Panel
Nominees: Jasmine Baetz, Sarah Braverman, Katharine Reece, Cynthia Sliker, and Belgin Yucelin
Joos moved that Katharine Reece, Cynthia Sliker, Belgin Yucelin, Jasmine Baetz be appointed to the 2020 Boulder
Arts Commission grant panel. Hughes seconded and the motion was unanimously approved.
D. DISCUSSION: Update on Equity Fund, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Awards – “great collaboration” with HRC per
Hughes.
E. DISCUSSION AND ACTION: Disposition of Unspent 2019 Grant Funds and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day grant
request from the Second Baptist Church
Click noted $6,243.34 in unspent 2019 funds. Staff recommend $500 for the MLK Jr. Day program/HRC
partnership, with the remainder ($5,743.34) going to 2020 Rental Assistance Funds.
Villarreal moved that $6,243.34 be dedicated as such: $500 for the MLK Jr. Day program/HRC partnership, with
the remainder ($5,743.34) going to 2020 Rental Assistance Funds. Hughes seconded and approval was unanimous.
Staff noted upcoming events: 2020 Grant Info Sessions for Applicants on 12/11/19 and Commission/Panel Grants
training on 1/21/20.
Agenda Item 6: Matters from Commissioners [1.37.09 Audio min.]
A. Annual Priorities Letter to City Council – Villarreal had provided a draft for discussion (see packet) – Addendums
to the letter are permissible. Villarreal emphasized “opportunity zone” discussion. Hughes suggested mention of
incentivizing diversity among arts organizations. Joos noted commission’s intentional desire for inclusivity with
“less of a Eurocentric lens over arts and culture than perhaps in the past,” (e.g., removal of the artistic excellence
criteria). Joos: Commission funds culture, not relegated to a museum (e.g., funding Indigenous Peoples Day).
Villarreal made a motion to approve the letter pending amendments as discussed, with continued drafting of final
copy (with one-on-one emails), with the final draft to be received by Seaton by the clerk’s due date of 12/13/19.
B. First discussion of historical data on community funding – Villarreal tabled this discussion until the December
meeting.
Agenda Item 7: Matters from Staff [1.54.33 Audio min.]
A. DISCUSSION: Questions About the Manager’s Memo - Chasansky welcomed questions by email.
B. 2020 Work Plan – (see handouts). Staff presented an overall view in the realms of Public Art (e.g., Public Art
Social), grants and support for cultural organizations (e.g., hosting quarterly cultural organization summits),
support for artists and creative professionals (e.g., Dance Bridge and Dance Showcase), creative economy and the
NoBo Art District (e.g., office relocation sponsorship), Creative Neighborhoods (e.g., East Boulder Subcommunity
APPROVED BY: ATTESTED:
_________________________________________ ________________________________________
Board Chair Board Secretary
_________________________________________ ________________________________________
Date Date
Plan), and civic dialog/Boulder Arts Week (e.g., Climate Change Initiative). Venues (CCS tax) and programs for
youth (such as sponsorship of the Open Studios High School Program) were also discussed.
The Office of Arts and Culture has partnered with the Climate Initiatives Department to address the urgent
situation facing the world. Chasansky presented a diagram featuring culture/arts as an integral component along
with equity and resilience when considering the change necessary in land use, resources, financial systems,
ecosystems and energy.
Agenda Item 10: Adjournment [2.31.25 Audio min.]
There being no further business to come before the commission at this time, the meeting was adjourned.
Date, time, and location of next meeting:
The next Boulder Arts Commission meeting will be at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, December 18, 2019, in the Boulder
Creek Room at the Main Library, 1001 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, CO 80302.
TO: Members of the Boulder Arts Commission
FROM: Matt Chasansky, City of Boulder Office of Arts + Culture
DATE: December 13, 2019
SUBJECT: Manager’s Update for the Boulder Arts Commission Meeting
on December 18, 2019
1. Notes on the December Agenda
> 5A, Funding Structure of the 2020 Grants Cycle – This agenda item continues the discussion from meetings in October and
November. Specifically, it remains for the Arts Commission to decide on how the new, ongoing funds that were added to
the grants budget by City Council will be allocated. The emerging consensus has been that the best use of these funds will
be to supplement the General Operating Support category to fund those applicants which, in the 2019 cycle, achieved a
high score (but, for which the Commission did not have enough funds to provide a grant). There are several options for
how that might be structured, which were preliminarily discussed. In order to continue the discussion, please find
Attachment One which describes the draft options for distribution of those funds as they were presented at the November
meeting.
A reminder from the discussion at the November meeting that the staff recommendation is for the Arts Commission to set
grant criteria as closely as possible to what was approved by City Council in the adoption of the 2020 city-wide budget.
That document can be downloaded at this link. The key provision for this funding is described on page 18:
Cultural Grants Large Organizations Support - This funding will respond to the recommendations of City Council and the Arts
Commission to make the one-time increase to grant funding, targeted to facilities based cultural organizations, an ongoing
grant category. There are many expected positive outcomes described in the Community Cultural Plan. However, the primary
impact will be in contribution to closing the gap of inadequate government grant funding to the city’s largest cultural
destinations.
> 6A, Final Discussion of the Letter to City Council – At the November meeting, commissioners discussed the drafting of the
annual letter to City Council. In the following weeks, each member of the Commission had the opportunity to review drafts
and add or change content which was individually shared with the chair. Attachment Two is the result of that work. During
the December meeting, staff will ask for discussion of any last changes to be endorsed so that a final letter can be delivered
to the City Clerk.
> 6B, Discussion of Historical Data on Community Funding – In response to a request from members of the Arts Commission,
staff has assembled a series of historical data sets which tell the story of grants and sponsorship funding over the last few
years. In the November meeting packet detailed information was provided about the Sponsorship Program. For this
month, details include historical and categorical data from the grants program:
In Attachment Three, please find a description of the distribution of grant funds during the 2019 cycle in the
Project and General Operating Support categories, organized according to artistic discipline. This will help answer
questions from the Commission on how funding may, or may not, have been unevenly focused in certain sectors of
the arts community.
In Attachment Four, please find a description of the distribution of grants during the 2016 through 2019 cycles in
the Project and General Operating Support categories showing the outcomes of all applications. This will help
answer of questions from the Commission about how the grant decisions have been evenly, or unevenly,
successful for certain applicants.
> 6C, Proposed Letter of Support for Los Seis de Boulder – In Attachment Five, please find a request from Jasmine Baetz for a
letter in support of an application to the Colorado Department of Transportation for the Los Seis de Boulder project.
2. Commission Correspondence
In Attachment Six, please find copies of email correspondence received by the Boulder Arts Commission during the period
between the publication of the November 2019 and December 2019 packets.
In Attachment Seven, please also find the preview memo cover page that was distributed to members of the Arts Commission
on Dec. 6, 2019. Note that the attachments referenced in that memo are duplicated as attachments to this document, and
therefore are not duplicated here.
3. Staff Updates
Please help us spread the word about a newly approved sponsorship, now available to support artists producing events for
Boulder Arts Week 2020. Twenty awards of $500 each are available for artists of any discipline to offset the costs of producing
an event, program, performance, talk, exhibition, or other arts programming during Boulder Arts Week. Examples of fund use
include the rental of space, framing of artwork, promotional materials, hiring collaborators, etc. Artists may include their own
pay of no more than 20% of the sponsorship. The deadline for these sponsorships is Friday, January 3, 2020 at noon. More
information can be found at the Boulder Arts Week website.
With support of the Human Resources Department and Budget Office, work continues to prepare for the new position which
will be open early next year.
Staff continues to support the city team and the committee at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art to explore expansion
options.
Staff continues to work with the Climate Commitment Office on a response to the climate crisis.
> Public Art Program
Staff is working with various departments on percent for art projects and the 2020 Public Art Implementation Plan.
Engagement for the Public Art Implementation Plan will be showcased on the Canyon Ramp of the Boulder Public Library.
The display should be complete around Dec 26, 2019, featuring an in-depth opportunity for the community to share their
thoughts on public art. A web-based survey of the same content will complement the display.
The public art collection will be featured on the www.boulderarts.org website by the end of this month.
The 2019 Condition Report is complete featuring a review of conditions and anticipated costs to conduct maintenance and
conservation for 2019-2020. RFP’s for conservation and maintenance will be distributed in Q2 2020 based on budget
availability.
Staff will be touring Open Space facilities for future collaboration programming.
Public Art Commissioning Updates:
Diagonal Highway (Christian Muller/Totems): Complete.
Civic Area 11th St. Spine Signature Artwork (Adam Kuby): Final Design. Floodplains permit submitted; staff
continues to review potential budget adjustments, with supplemental budget identified. www.adamkuby.com
University Hill (ENVD 3300 Praxis): Final Design. Permit resubmittal is underway and project installation timeline
will be determined once permitting feedback is received; anticipated install 2020 spring semester or 2020
Maymester. http://www.monthofmodern.com/community-livingroom/
North Broadway (Sharon Dowell): Preliminary Design/On Hold. Dowell is building a project timeline based on
concurrent construction projects: Broadway construction tracking for completion Spring 2022, library construction
tracking for completion early 2022.
Arapahoe Underpass (Michelle Sparks): Final Design. The project team has met with electrical subcontractors, and
is examining any last project and budget adjustments; anticipated install Q3 2020. http://michellemsparks.com
Urban Design - 30th and Colorado Underpass (Rosie Fivian and Ransom Beegles): Final Design and bid. Project
team reviewing final design and implementation http://www.architectista.com/ http://www.rdesignstudios.com/
Urban Design - Foothills Underpass (Carolyn Braaksma): Fabrication (Braaksma scope) complete. Parent project
team in construction and identifying best budget use https://www.braaksmadesign.com/
NoBo Library (Daily Tous Les Jours): Contracting/Preliminary Design. www.dailytouslesjours.com; Preliminary
project meeting complete.
Main Library Restroom Renovations (Monica McElwain and Chris Huang): Fabrication is complete with restroom
schedule anticipated completion/mural installation late December 2019.
https://mcervonem.myportfolio.com/projects http://www.yellowlotusdesigns.com
Scott Carpenter Park: Pre-selection.
Fire Station 3: Pre-selection
CAGID Garage Art Public Art Program: On Hold
Community-Initiated Projects Updates:
Bear Hugs by Scy Caroselli, Downtown Boulder Partnership Donation: Complete. Dedication anticipated for January
2020
Strength from Within by Melanie Yazzie, Mark Addison Donation: Temporary installation complete; permanent
install: building permit application complete, RoW permit underway; subcontractor for foundation and install
completed; schedule will be determined on when applicable permits received.
Tim Eggert Memorial Donation: Pre-approval Process. Project is anticipated to be presented to Parks and
Recreation Advisory Board in January 2020 and the Arts Commission in February 2020.
Nobel Circle Donation: Pre-approval Process – fundraising, project development, working to understand permitting
requirements for proposed artwork
Rotary Club Donation: Pre-approval Process. Project is anticipated to be presented to Parks and Recreation
Advisory Board in January 2020 and the Arts Commission in February 2020.
Gordon Gamm Donation: Pre-approval Process. Project is anticipated to be presented to Parks and Recreation
Advisory Board in January 2020 and the Arts Commission in February 2020.
Maintenance and Conservation:
Relocation and condition report of 2D collection: On hold as budget needed to be reallocated to other projects;
hope to revisit in Q4
Dragonfly Giraffe (John King): contracting, conservation, and permitting underway
Untitled and unattributed sculpture park sculpture: Successfully reinstalled with new foundation/footers.
In Attachment Eight, please find a current five-year program budget for public art commissioning. A handful of projects are
anticipated to have a fund gap. Staff is working with finance and budget to identify possible budget support while also
exploring re-designs to meet value engineering (reducing project scope to meet available budget).
> Grants and Programs for Organizations
Staff conducted two workshops for potential applicants to the 2020 Cultural Grants Program. Thanks to the members of
the Arts Commission who participated in helping leaders in our arts and culture community with our application and
process.
Work continues on the launch of 2020 grant cycle applications and jury process. Many of the grants have been translated
to Spanish.
The following Professional Development reports were approved prior to the meeting:
Kiara Chavez Write a Grant in a Day + Development Intensive Training hosted by Joining Vision and Action, Denver,
CO, $500
Leah Quiller, American Music Therapy Association National Conference, Minneapolis, MN, $1,000
Susan Eriksson, Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference, Chicago, IL, $1,000
William McCrossen, study music composition / arrangement coaching with Art Lande, Boulder, CO, $500
Below are reports from the Cultural Field Trip Fund Grant Recipients:
Columbine Elementary School (classroom of Kristen Elder-Rubino), to the Dairy Arts Center for Kids at the Dairy
(KATD), $1,850
Trip destination: Dairy Arts Center/Kids At The Dairy program
Number of students that attended: 70
Number of adults that attended: 17
What occurred during the trip? Columbine Elementary kindergartners and adult chaperones watched an engaging
Welcome To KATD video in Gordon Gamm auditorium. Then the 4 kindergarten classes rotated through different
hands-on interactive Stations focusing on Dia de Muertos Day of the Dead theme:
• Art Station (Dia de Muertos Skeletons) in the Vandeveer
• Street Side Hip Hop Dance/Movement Station in Gordon Gamm Theater
• Literacy Station in the Boedecker
• Breaking Station in New Lounge
• Finale....Streetside Dance Performance in Gordon Gamm Theater: Dia de Muertos
• Lunch in the New Lounge with KATD staff and performers.
At the end of the field trip...each student received a copy of the bilingual book: Calavera Abecedario: A Day of the
Dead Alphabet Book by Jeanette Winter
Was it successful, in your opinion? Very successful for our students to have the opportunity to have this culturally
relevant arts experience. We love how KATD incorporates art, music, movement into literacy.
Tell us why the funds were important and helpful to executing your cultural field trip. The grant I applied for, and
the allocated funds awarded to Columbine Elementary Kindergarten from the Boulder Arts Commission were
crucial in the execution of this cultural field trip for our young learners.
Would you have taken this field trip without funds from the Boulder Arts Commission? As a Title One School with a
limited field trip budget, and a large percentage of our students are on free/reduced program, we probably would
not be able to take this field trip without the funds from the Boulder Arts Commission.
All reports and applications which have been approved by staff are available for commissioners’ review.
In Attachment Nine, please find a current grants program budget.
Staff has approved a request from The Spark for an extension of their reporting deadline. In Attachment Ten can be found
the letter requesting the extension.
> Programs for Artists
Staff is planning 2020 Artist Forums looking to schedule them on a regular basis for easier marketing and predictability.
Genre-specific as well as topic driven forums are on the table for the year. Staff is scheduling first forum of the year for the
dance community to take place late January.
Staff is working with community members as well as library IT and Communications staff to review files and email options
for archiving Dance Bridge materials and information as transitions to this program take place in early 2020.
Staff is working with Boulder County Arts Alliance (BCAA), for a series of professional development workshops for emerging
writers of all genres. Funding for this program was received from the Boulder Library Foundation.
Staff continues to collect information and update the Dance Bridge web pages and send newsletters on resources and
opportunities at least once per month.
> Creative Workforce and the NoBo Art District
Staff continues to provide liaison support for the campaign committee working on a business improvement district in the
NoBo Art District.
> Programs for Youth Leadership
Staff continues to work with youth leaders to evaluate the experience at Open Studios 2019 and an expansion of teen-led
programs in 2020 and mentoring opportunities.
> Creative Neighborhoods
Staff is supporting a team which includes the Transportation Department, NoBo Art District, and &Arts for an application to
the Bloomberg Asphalt Art Challenge. The grant application was submitted this month for up-to $25,000 from Bloomberg
Philanthropies for three distinct projects in San Juan del Centro, Elmer’s Two-Mile and the NoBo Broadway corridor
Work continues to launch the 2020 Creative Neighborhood Mural Program during this year’s Boulder Arts Week.
Public engagement is ongoing for alternatives of the Alpine Balsam area plan. More information can be found at the
project website.
Staff is working with the Comprehensive Planning office to coordinate a public engagement event focused on the arts to
inform the East Boulder Subcommunity Plan. The town hall will take place in February 2020. More information can be
found at the project website.
> Civic Dialog and Boulder Arts Week
Staff participated in the meeting of Front Range Executive Directors of Local Arts Agencies on Dec. 5 with discussion topics
on cultural planning.
With support from the Communications Department, work began to complete a comprehensive plan for communications
and promotions for the 2020 work plan.
Planning for the 2020 Boulder Arts Week continues. Please refer to the note, above, about the new artists sponsorships.
Work continues on the division newsletter and social media
Attachment One
Options for the 2020 Grant Cycle Funding Structure
The following are options for different uses of the as yet unallocated funds, totaling $250,000, in the 2020 Cultural
Grants Program funding structure. This information is provided in response to conversation by commissioners at the
October 2019 meeting.
2019 GOS Applicants who
achieved scores above the
funding threshold
GOS Grant
Category
2019 Grant
Category
Amount
If Fully
Funding
Ex Large
and Large
If Distributing
Funds Across
Ex Large
and Large
If Distributing
Funds Across
All GOS
Categories
Colorado Chautauqua Assoc. Extra Large 50,000 50,000 47,750 37,500
Parlando School for the Arts Extra Large 50,000 50,000 47,750 37,500
Colorado Music Festival Extra Large 50,000 50,000 47,750 37,500
Museum of Boulder Extra Large 50,000 50,000 47,750 37,500
JLF Colorado Large 20,000 20,000 19,100 15,000
Boulder Bach Festival Large 20,000 20,000 19,100 15,000
Boulder Ballet Large 20,000 20,000 19,100 15,000
Boulder Chorale Mid-Sized 10,000 7,500
Lemon Sponge Cake Mid-Sized 10,000 7,500
Boulder Chamber Orchestra Mid-Sized 10,000 7,500
Moon & Stars Foundation Mid-Sized 10,000 7,500
Cindy Brandle Dance Co. Small 8,000 6,000
Flatirons Food Film Festival Small 8,000 6,000
Art Sticks / Clark Small 8,000 6,000
Historic Boulder, Inc. Small 8,000 6,000
TOTAL 332,000 260,000 248,300 249,000
Attachment Two
Current Draft of the Letter to City Council
Attachment Three
Funding in 2019 Project and General Operating Support categories,
organized according to artistic discipline and compared to the sector.
Key:
Green - Number of grants distributed.
Red - Total number of applicants, including those that were awarded grants (green).
Grey Border - The approximate “size of the sector”, or number of nonprofits in that discipline.
Notes:
1. The “size of the sector” was established based on staff’s refinement of the categorization of NTEE codes as submitted to the
IRS on Form 990 submitted by Boulder-based nonprofits. This data was pulled from the IRS database in 2018. It is
important to keep in mind that this data does not directly correlating to the grant applicants. Rather, it is provided to give
an approximation of the size of the discipline or sector for purposes of comparison.
2. When appropriate, staff has used judgment to assign applicants to specific disciplines. This is because a) the NTEE
categories used by the IRS do not exactly apply to the way we in Boulder categorize our nonprofits. And, b) fiscally
sponsored organizations do not have a category assigned by the IRS.
3. There are additional disciplines that have a presence in Boulder but are not represented on this chart. This is because no
applications were received in 2019 from those disciplines. Those categories include Festivals and Events, the Contemplative
Arts, Design and Architecture, etc.
Attachment Four
Results of 2019 Project and General Operating Support applications,
organized by applicant.
The data appears on the following three pages.
Key:
Green, A - Applied for and received a grant.
Red, D - Applied for but did not receive a grant.
Grey - Did not apply for a grant.
Discipline Key:
D Dance
V Visual Art
L Literary Art
T Theater
M Music
E Festivals and Events
A Time Based, Animation, Digital
F Multi-use, Facility
H History, Heritage
Notes:
1. When appropriate, staff has used judgment to assign applicants to specific categories. This is because a) the NTEE
categories used by the IRS do not exactly apply to the way we in Boulder categorize our nonprofits. And, b) fiscally
sponsored organizations do not have a category assigned by the IRS.
Attachment Five
Request for a Letter of Support from Jasmine Baetz
From: Jasmine Baetz
To: Chasansky, Matthew
Cc: Vink, Mandy; flynvartranch@comcast.net
Subject: Re: FW: checking in
Date: Tuesday, December 10, 2019 2:17:21 PM
Attachments: image002.png
Hi Matt,
Here's a letter of request - let me know if you'd like for me to add anything else:
Dear commissioners,
Thanks to the funding that came from your Community Projects Grant, the first community created
sculpture for Los Seis de Boulder was installed on CU Boulder’s campus this year.
Early next year, we will create a second sculpture to mark the second bombing site at 28th
and Canyon (the first bombing site, at Chautauqua, is also being marked by a stone
inscription next year).
Along with GSCC (the Graduate Students of Color Collective) at CU Boulder, I’ve applied
for funding from the Human Relations Commission MLK Day Celebration funds, and was
awarded a grant that is funded through both the HRC and the BAC, so you are funding this
second sculpture as well (thank you). We will hold the first of our spring-semester
community making days on the MLK Day weekend, and the funding for this day will go to
both materials for the sculpture, and for stipends for students and others to speak to civil
rights activism (contemporary and historical) on this campus.
A letter of support from the BAC, to be received by CDOT, is one of the requirements for
their agency to authorize a permit for public art in a CDOT right-of-way (both 28th and
Canyon are state highways). Mandy Vink is also drafting a letter of support.
Thanks for your help with this,
Jasmine Baetz
From:Chasansky, Matthew
To:Bruce Borowsky; Devin Hughes; Erica Joos; flynvartranch@comcast.net; Kathleen McCormick
(fonthead1@gmail.com)
Cc:Seaton, Celia; Farnan, David; Click, Lauren; Vink, Mandy; Haan, Mary Wohl
Subject:Preview Packet Dec 2019
Date:Friday, December 6, 2019 4:53:13 PM
Attachments:Preview Packet Dec 2019 FINAL.pdf
Commissioners—
Please find attached a preview memo for the December meeting. Let me know if you have any
questions. Have a great weekend!
–Matt
Attachment Six
Commission Correspondence
From:Click, Lauren
Subject:Boulder Arts Week Artist Sponsorships (!!)
Date:Wednesday, December 11, 2019 4:50:21 PM
Attachments:BAW logo circle color_social.jpg
sean_angie2.jpg
cow_skull.jpg
oldmaincu.jpg
Brittney Free artwork image.jpg
Frequent flyers BAW2020.jpg
Hello friends,
I'm excited to announce that Boulder Arts Week now has $500 scholarships for artists to host events
during The Week! Information and application on the website and a short description
below. Attached are a few images you can use to promote the call; credits below. I'm happy to build
you a post if you'd like.
Please help us spread the word, or apply yourself.
Thank you!
Cheers, Lauren
Boulder Arts Week Artist Sponsorships
March 27 to April 4, 2020
Description
Boulder Arts Week is Boulder’s only large-scale, inclusive celebration of our community’s vibrant arts
and cultural offerings and our city’s thriving creativity. Boulder Arts Week is Boulder’s only large-
scale, inclusive celebration of our community’s vibrant arts and cultural offerings and our city’s
thriving creativity. At the core of Boulder’s art scene are the thousands of gifted, Boulder-based
musicians, painters, actors, dancers, crafters, sculptors, and artists of all kinds. In order to support
and celebrate our artists, the Office of Arts and Culture is offering small sponsorships to enhance
their work during The Week.
Details
Total funds: $10,000
Awards: 20 sponsorships at $500 each
For use as needed to support an event, program, performance, talk, exhibition, or other arts
programming during Boulder Arts Week: March 27 to April 4, 2020. Examples of fund use:
rent space, frame artwork, promote your event, buy sheet music, hire collaborators, etc.
Artists may include their own pay of no more than 20% of the sponsorship.
Deadline: Friday, January 3, 2020 at noon
Awards will be announced: Tuesday, January 14, 2020
How to apply and more information here.
Attachment Six
Commission Correspondence
IMAGE CREDITS
Cow Skull, painted by Bob Spoonhunter, 1994. On view in the Museum of Boulder’s Archive 75
exhibition.
Video still collage inspired by Sacred Geometry performance, Angie Eng, Joshua Kristal, Sean
Winters, 2019.
Frequent Flyers Aerial Dance performance Flight Path, photograph by Nina Reed Photography, 2018.
Old Main on CU Boulder campus from Color Me Boulder coloring book, John Aaron, 2019.
Untitled (abstract resin and alcohol ink), Brittany Free, 2019.
----------
Lauren Click
Cultural Grants Program
Office of Arts + Culture
720-564-2355
clickl@boulderlibrary.org
www.boulderarts.org
Library & Arts Department
1001 Arapahoe Avenue | Boulder, CO | 80302
www.bouldercolorado.gov
Attachment Six
Commission Correspondence
Attachment Seven
Commission Preview Memo Cover Page
This memo was previously distributed to members of the Arts Commission. The information is superseded by this
memo dated December 13, 2019. It appears here as an extra transparency measure to capture the information in the
public record.
TO: Members of the Boulder Arts Commission
FROM: Matt Chasansky, City of Boulder Office of Arts + Culture
DATE: December 6, 2019
SUBJECT: Preview Memorandum in anticipation of the
Boulder Arts Commission Meeting on December 18, 2019
The purpose of this “preview packet” is to provide members of the Arts Commission with an early look at the information that staff
feels will be important reading to be fully prepared for the next meeting: information which warrants a bit more time to read and
digest. To ensure we are meeting our transparency rules, this memo will be reproduced as an attachment to the meeting packet
and be preserved for the public record therein. However, attachments to this memo are considered drafts. They will also appear as
attachments in the meeting packet but may be renumbered and updated from this version as is necessary.
Please note that this memo is a “pilot” in response to commissioner requests for more time to spend with the meeting materials. At
the December 2019 meeting, we will ask if this is an effective tool for you and if we should continue the practice in 2020.
> Preliminary Data on Community Funding – In response to a request from members of the Arts Commission, staff is assembling a
series of historical data sets which tell the story of grants and sponsorship funding over the last few years. In the November
meeting packet detailed information was provided about the Sponsorship Program. The next meeting packet will include
historical and categorical data from the grants program:
In Attachment A, please find data and a graph which describes the distribution of grants during the 2019 cycle in the Project
and General Operating Support categories, organized according to artistic discipline. This will help answer questions from
the Commission on how funding may, or may not, have been unevenly focused in certain sectors of the arts community.
In Attachment B, please find a chart which describes the distribution of grants during the 2016 through 2019 cycles in the
Project and General Operating Support categories showing the outcomes of all applications. This will help answer of
questions from the Commission about how the grant decisions have been evenly, or unevenly, successful for certain
applicants.
Attachment Eight
Current Public Art Program 5 Year Budget as of December 13, 2019
FUNDING
SOURCE PROJECT/ARTIST TOTAL
APPROPRIATED
AMOUNT PAID
TO DATE
BALANCE
REMAINING
2019 PROJECTED
SPENDING
Gen. Fund Civic Area Temp. / Tashakori $10,000 $10,000 --- $1000
Gen. Fund Civic Area Temp. / Parson $7,000 $7,000 --- $600
Gen. Fund Civic Area Permanent / Kuby* $45,000 $45,000 --- $28,750
Gen. Fund NoBo Mural / Jason Graves $9,500 $9,500 --- $9,500
Gen. Fund Street Wise Mural / LMNOP $2,500 $2,500 --- $2,500
Gen. Fund Lindee Zimmer/BMoCA Youth Mural $5,000 $5,000 --- $5,000
Gen. Fund Melanie Yazzie Donation $17,986.67 $15,861.67 $2,125 $11,186
CCS v1 Civic Area Permanent / Kuby* $325,000 $55,750 $269,250 $286,000
CCS v1 North Broadway / Dowell $165,000 $8,250 $156,750 $50,000
CCS v1 Univ. Hill / CU ENVD $95,000 $28,500 $66,500 $95,000
CCS v1 Diagonal Gateway / Muller* $81,500 $81,500 --- $40,750
CCS v2 NoBo Library / pre-selection* ~$260,000 $9,000 ~$251,000 $91,000
CCS v2 Creative Neighborhoods / various* ~$25,000 --- ~$25,000 ---
CCS v2 Scott Carpenter Pool / pre-selection ~$100,000 --- ~$100,000 ---
CCS v2 Fire Station #3 / pre-selection ~$75,000 --- ~$75,000 ---
% for Art Arapahoe Underpass / Sparks $42,000 $6,300 $35,700 $35,700
% for Art Foothills Underpass / Braaksma $35,000 $26,250 $8,750 $35,000
% for Art 30th & Colo Underpass / Fivian &
Beegles $33,764.02 $33,764.02 --- $33,750
% for Art BPL Main Restroom Renovations /
Huang and McElwain $6,800 $6,800 --- $6,800
% for Art BCH Deconstruction Projects $60,000 $24,000 $36,000 $20,000
% for Art CAGID / on hold $50,000 $25,000 $25,000 ---
TOTAL $1,451,050.69 $399,975.69 $1,051,075 $751,536
CCS: Community Culture and Safety Tax.
*Multiple funding sources.
Additional maintenance projects are not represented.
Attachment Nine
Current Cultural Grants Program Budget as of November 15, 2019
GRANT
CATEGORY
ASSIGNED
BUDGET
UPDATED
BUDGET
GRANTS
AWARDED BALANCE
GOS: Extra Large Orgs $200,000.00 $200,000.00 $200,000.00 ---
GOS: Large Orgs $120,000.00 $120,000.00 $120,000.00 ---
GOS: Mid Orgs $90,000.00 $90,000.00 $90,000.00 ---
GOS: Small Orgs $88,000.00 $88,000.00 $88,000.00 ---
GOS remaining funds $4,000.00 --- --- ---
Community Projects: Indv. $20,000.00 $20,000.00 $20,000.00 ---
Community Projects: Orgs. $60,000.00 $56,000.00 $56,000.00 ---
Arts Education $30,000.00 $35,000.00 $35,000.00 ---
Rental Assistance $18,000.00 $18,000.00 $18,006.50 $(6.50)
Professional Dev. Scholarships $17,000.00 $20,000.00 $19,211.16 $788.84
Certificate Scholarships $8,000.00 $8,000.00 $2,000.00 $6,000.00
Cultural Field Trips $10,000.00 $10,000.00 $10,539.00 $ (539.00)
Equity Grant $10,000.00 $10,000.00 $10,500.00 $ (500.00)
Special Facilities Grant $250,000.00 $250,000.00 $250,000.00 ---
TOTAL $925,000.00 $925,000.00 $919,256.66 $5,743.34
There are 11 free rentals still available for the Macky Auditorium.
Attachment Ten
Grant Report Deadline Extension Request from The Spark
From: Marla Schulz
To: culturegrants
Cc: Click, Lauren
Subject: The Spark Bathroom Building Grant Extension
Date: Wednesday, November 20, 2019 10:27:29 AM
External Sender
Dear Boulder Arts Commission,
Our bathroom building project is currently delayed due to permitting processes in the city.
We've been waiting on a new electrical permit since the end of July, and are not allowed to
continue with drywall or finishes until the permit is approved by the city and then passes
inspection. We are currently told that we will hear back any day, however we have been
told this since the end of September. I am hopeful that the permit can be approved by the
end of 2019 and final finishes to the bathroom can then be done by January 31, 2020. We
are eager to get this project done as quickly as possible, and if the commission has any
advice or resources to expedite the permitting process we would be more than happy to
take advantage of them.
With an expected completion of January 31, 2020 we will have a grant report submitted no
later than March 2, 2020. We hope you understand our dilemma and can grant us this
extension. We have been ready to finish since August and are on hold until this final
approval. We are eager to have the construction in our space finalized so that it is open and
accessible to the Boulder community.
Thank you for your understanding and consideration.
Marla Schulz & The Spark Team.
--
Marla A. Schulz
Director of Internal Logistics
email: marla@thesparkcreates.org
cell: (214) 616-2955
The Spark
A Performing Arts Community
www.thesparkcreates.org