08.19.20 BAC MinutesCITY OF BOULDER
BOULDER, COLORADO
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS MEETING
MINUTES
Name of Board/ Commission: Boulder Arts Commission
Date of Meeting: August 19, 2020
Contact information preparing summary: Celia Seaton
Commission members present: Mark Villarreal, Kathleen McCormick, Devin Hughes, Bruce Borowsky, Georgia Schmid
(arrived during Item 6B).
Commission members absent: none
Panel members present: Jasmine Baetz, Cynthia Sliker, Belgin Yucelen (left during Item 6C), Katharine Reece
Panel members absent: none
Library staff present:
Matt Chasansky, Office of Arts & Culture Manager
Lauren Click, Coordinator, Grants
Mandy Vink, Coordinator, Public Art
David Farnan, Director
Celia Seaton, Administrative Specialist
City staff present:
None
Members of the public present: Carlisle Isley and Elaine Waterman
Type of Meeting: Regular|Remote
Agenda Item 1: Call to order and approval of agenda [0:15:10 Audio min.]
The meeting was called to order. McCormick provided an introductory orientation around the virtual procedure, as this
meeting was held through Zoom videoconference. She asked the group for any addendums to the agenda. She suggested an
adjustment of Arts Education Grant Decisions to Item 6A. Borowsky moved to approve the amended agenda. Villarreal
seconded; all were in favor and the motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Item 2: Review of Minutes [0:17:17 Audio min.]
Item 2A, Approval/Review of July 2020 Meeting Minutes
McCormick asked the commission for changes or addendums regarding these minutes. McCormick had changes to the
minutes (see handouts). Villarreal moved to approve the minutes as amended, Hughes seconded, and the motion was
unanimously approved.
Agenda Item 3: Public Participation [0:20:26 Audio min.]
Chasansky read a statement he received from John Aaron, creator of Color Me Boulder coloring book thanking the
commission for reviewing his application, despite not being granted an award. “BVSD paints the town.”
Agenda Item 4: Matters from Commissioners [0.21.14 Audio min.]
A. Campaign Guidelines – McCormick clarified commission’s role in the upcoming election season that will contain a
ballot initiative for additional commission members. She referenced ordinance language outlining commissioner
responsibilities (commission can’t use meetings or BAC titles in support of any initiative, departmental funds are
prohibited, etc.) As a body, commission can refer the inquiring public to the meeting wherein commission
unanimously agreed to send a favorable recommendation to City Council to place the item on the ballot.
B. Update on the COVID19 Arts and Culture Relief Fund – of the 41 awarded grants, 8 organizations were from
Boulder with amounts granted from $5,000-$50,000. By working in collaboration with CREATE Boulder and
leveraging funds with the city, commission succeeded in generating essentially a four-fold increase that arts
organizations received from the COVID19 Arts and Culture Relief Fund.
Hughes referenced his conversation with Local Theater Company, an unsuccessful applicant. They expressed
concern and frustration that the money that could have possibly gone to arts organizations in Boulder previously
receiving general operating support (gos) only went to a handful of mainly non-performance organizations.
McCormick sympathized, but also highlighted the success of a four-fold increase from the original gos funding.
Villarreal feels that this is a good first step and relationship to pursue, though he understands Local Theater’s
concern.
McCormick invited all to the Arts and Culture Town Hall on August 27th.
Villarreal requested and was granted the addition of item C at this time:
C. The Adam Kuby installation, 55 Degrees, will start in a few weeks. It is the biggest public art commission to date,
and the commission discussed outreach in preparation for any potential negative press. The project provides an
opportunity to bring visibility to the Office of Arts and Culture’s activities in general and specifically about the
Public Art Program. Villarreal recommended that arts organizations send correspondence to City Council in
support of the project. https://boulderarts.org/public-art/in-progress/civic-area/
Agenda Item 5: Public Art Program [0.40.10 Audio min.]
A. DISCUSSION: Preview of the Public Art Implementation Plan – Vink presented alongside a slideshow (see
handouts) to make sure that commission has opportunity to discuss new projects coming up, input, and agreement
to add these to the work plan. She asked commission for any additional information or clarifications needed.
Villarreal: This packet is extensive. He had no questions or need for additional detail. McCormick: you’re headed
in the right direction.
Borowsky asked Villarreal for context around his expectation of negative reactions for the Kuby installation.
Villarreal: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder; this is a big project that will generate interest in cost. If there are
“incendiary” statements, commission must be ready to defend the process. Underlying service and engagement
with community outweighs personal appeal of the piece.
Vink noted the relative “infancy” of Boulder’s public art program, currently poised at the “beginning of what a
robust public art program means.” Still behind on the fund commitment identified in the Community Cultural Plan
to make some of these projects happen. How much has been accomplished with a shoestring budget is “amazing.”
The Kuby project will be the first with a larger price tag attached.
Farnan: Kuby’s piece represents a “stake in the ground” of the public art program. He urged standing up
individually and collectively in support. One doesn’t need to love the piece in order to successfully defend the
process. Borowsky offered his video services in promotion of the piece. Villarreal recalled how the famous
Washington Monument has garnered a record amount of controversy as a public art piece.
Vink indicated the projected funds available in packet graph. McCormick clarified that Percent for Art and Urban
Design are currently funded by Community Culture & Safety Tax.
Vink will update all with a draft in the September packet, to be approved in the October meeting.
Agenda Item 6: Grant Program [1.26.45 Audio min.]
A. ACTION: Grant Report Approvals
1. Report: Special Facilities Grant 2019, Museum of Boulder, General Operating Facility Support, $43,000
Villarreal made the motion to accept this report; Hughes seconded, and all were in approval.
2. Report: Special Facilities Grant 2019, Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, Expansion of impact of
BMoCA exhibitions and associated programs through collaborations and outreach, $75,000
Hughes made the motion to accept this report; Borowsky seconded, and all were in approval.
B. DISCUSSION: Grant Report Follow Up
1. Report Follow Up: Special Facilities Grant 2019, Dairy Arts Center, $50,000 – commission agreed that their
questions were answered in the follow up.
2. Report Follow Up: Community Project Grant 2019, Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company,
$10,000 – commission felt satisfied with the response.
C. ACTION: Interviews and Decision for University of Colorado at Boulder Graduate Certificate in Arts
Administration Scholarship
i. Carlisle Isley
ii. Elaine Waterman
Both applicants spoke, responding to questions from the commissioners. All commissioners favored
Waterman in part for the experience and time she has already dedicated to arts administration in her life,
but were also impressed by Isley and encouraged her to apply again in the future. Borowsky moved that
Elaine Waterman be awarded the University of Colorado at Boulder Graduate Certificate in Arts
Administration Leadership. Villarreal seconded, all were in favor, and this motion passed unanimously.
Waterman: Thank you so much for this opportunity. Having this chance to increase my skills and understanding
through the CU Program is so important to me. I can't even find the words to say how much this means to me.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Isley: I want to thank everyone for allowing me to be a part of commission meeting. I hope I can come back next
year and be a part of the Boulder arts community. Hope everyone stays safe during this strange time.
D. ACTION: Arts Education Grant Decisions (moved to item A in amended agenda). McCormick noted the recurring
phenomenon of more applicants scoring over funding threshold than funds available (10 grants). Borowsky noted
his desire to grant all applicants funding, particularly with so much remote learning “in these weird COVID times.”
McCormick invited any other input from panelists or commission. Katherine Reece noted the strong competition -
“I wish everyone could have gotten more.” Sliker agreed, and especially to recognize the groups all being so
“nimble to meet the need” caused by the pandemic.
Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Adriana Paola Palacios Luna, LOCAL Theater Company, Boulder International
Film Festival, Pro Musica Colorado Chamber Orchestra, Carruth, The Catamounts, Block 1750, Colorado
Conservatory for the Jazz Arts, and the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art scored as the top ten applicants.
Villarreal made the motion that these orgs be awarded the arts education grant. Borowsky seconded, and the
motion passed unanimously.
E. DISCUSSION: 2021 Grants Program Updates - see handouts.
Click welcomed input. Sliker noted her approval of the changes, speaking as someone who has applied under the
previous system. Reece: “the clarity is awesome.” She was glad to hear that first Spanish grant application had been
received and called for further equity measures. Schmid agreed. She relayed a story from an attendee at Chautauqua
who observed how the ticket takers and ushers were all older white people; she suggested bringing these volunteer
opportunities in the arts community to more marginalized groups, encouraging involvement. Noting need for diversity,
she compared her experience learning about slavery in a junior high classroom as the sole pupil of color to learning
about slavery and African culture from a large group of African people while travelling in Brazil. “People are listening
in a way that they haven’t before,” and this is a chance to “catch the ears” in a call to re-center marginalized people.
Paid ambassadorship/panel membership could assist in advising existing organizations.
Staff tasked commission with priorities vis-à-vis the 2020 budget. Farnan predicted a potential 10-20% reduction for
2021.
Discussion of 2021 panelists. Two more commissioners, if granted, will arrive March 2021. Staff recommendation to
retain at least the current membership of four for a panel; Farnan: “it mitigates any one individual’s score.”
Reminder: Arts Town Hall: The Boulder Arts Commission LISTENS HARD
Wednesday, August 26, 12:30 to 2 p.m.
The Boulder Arts Commission wants to hear from you. Many artists and arts organizations are having a tough time right
now, emotionally and financially. The artists and arts leaders of our community all have boots on the ground; you know
what you need now and as you look to the future. The Boulder Arts Commission would like to hear from the community to
APPROVED BY: ATTESTED:
_________________________________________ ________________________________________
Board Chair Board Secretary
_________________________________________ ________________________________________
Date Date
help us by letting us know where we should be heading, trends we should be looking at, and where artists and organizations
see need growing. Free and open to the public. RSVP required to clickl@boulderlibrary.org.
Agenda Item 7: Matters from Staff [2.56.22 Audio min.]
A.Manager’s Memo: see packet. Chasansky welcomed questions.
Agenda Item 8: Adjournment [3.02.38 Audio min.]
Chasansky recalled a quote he heard comparing the library and the arts. Similarly, they help the community to converse, to
form its personality. No one goes into a library expecting to only find the books they love – community demands a
diversity of views. Boulder’s public art collection is thus akin to its book collection – reflective of this community and
representative of its diversity. The upcoming Kuby unveiling signifies “a big deal, a moment to speak to the community in
a profound way about the process and the results” of the public art program.
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, September 16, 2020, on Zoom.
9.22.20209/22/2020