10.21.20 BAC MinutesCITY OF BOULDER
BOULDER, COLORADO
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS MEETING
MINUTES
Name of Board/ Commission: Boulder Arts Commission
Date of Meeting: October 21, 2020
Contact information preparing summary: Celia Seaton
Commission members present: Mark Villarreal, Kathleen McCormick, Devin Hughes, Bruce Borowsky, Georgia Schmid
Commission members absent: none
Panel members present: none
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: Amanda Berg Wilson (The Catamounts), Lisa Nesmith (NoBo Art District), Sarah Shirazi
(KGNU)
Type of Meeting: Regular|Remote
Agenda Item 1: Gift to the Arts Commission [0:00:10 Audio min.]
Vink introduced Adam Kuby, artist of the future art installation sited near the Boulder Public Library: 55 Degrees. He
spoke alongside a slideshow of his work (see handouts.)
Agenda Item 2: Call to order and approval of agenda [0:22:45 Audio min.]
McCormick called the meeting was called to order. She noted the addition of two grants reports needing action which
would be inserted as Item 7A. There were no other addendums to the agenda. Borowsky moved to approve the amended
agenda. Hughes seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Item 3: Review of Minutes [0:24:00 Audio min.]
Item 2A, Approval/Review of September 2020 Meeting Minutes
McCormick asked the commission for changes or addendums regarding these minutes. McCormick had minor changes to
the minutes, sent ahead of the meeting by email. Villarreal made a motion to approve the minutes as amended, Borowsky
seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved.
Agenda Item 4: Public Participation [0:26:15 Audio min.]
Berg Wilson spoke, thanking commission for “galvanizing” local organizations to contact City Council and to advocate for
more arts/culture funding in 2021, with especial appreciation to Villarreal for “lighting the fire.”
Agenda Item 5: Matters from Staff [0.29.05 Audio min.]
A. Questions and Recommendations for the 2021 Work Plan – Chasanksy noted “responsiveness” as a focus for 2021,
both to the pandemic and the budget restrictions. McCormick feels the work plan is “well thought out,” taking
budget and other necessary limitations into account.
B. 2021 Budget Update – Farnan thanked those who attended the City Council meeting and spoke so “articulately” in
advocacy of more arts and cultural funding. Chasansky excited to hear representatives of Create Boulder propose a
“challenge fund,” committing to raise money ($50,000, ideally by February) to assist in more fully funding the arts
community.
C. Manager’s Memo: see packet. Chasansky welcomed questions.
Agenda Item 6: Public Art Program [0.48.20 Audio min.]
A. ACTION: Public Art Implementation Plan
Vink presented alongside slideshow (see handouts.) In response to Villarreal’s query, Vink clarified that all
significant funds in the 2020 public art program are already committed or encumbered.
Villarreal wondered about partnership opportunities for the public art budget and Vink agreed on the need for a
more sustainable comprehensive funding model. Chasansky: the Cultural Plan called for a variety in funding
sources; “it’s a matter of trying to find the right mix for Boulder.” McCormick and Villarreal advocated looking
into the collaboration with Create Boulder for unfunded projects such as Creative Neighborhoods. McCormick
wondered about next steps for the Public Art Implementation Plan. Once commission provides its approval, the
plan moves along to the city manager for final approval before publishing.
Villarreal moved that the commission recommend to the City Manager that she approves the 2020-2022 Public Art
Implementation Plan with the provision of minor edits. Hughes seconded, and the motion was unanimously
approved.
Villarreal moved that we delegate authority to approve public art decisions on temporary public art and murals to
the Public Art Standing Selection Panel. Hughes seconded, and this motion was unanimously approved.
Agenda Item 7: Grant Program [1.05.55 Audio min.]
A. ACTION: Grant Reports
i. Boulder Opera, Opera in the Park; a celebration of culture, $10,000 – McCormick gave “kudos”
for adaptability around the pandemic.
ii. Jasmine Baetz, Los Seis de Boulder at 28th and Canyon, $5,000 – McCormick noted how Baetz
deftly navigated the arduous City of Boulder permit process.
Villarreal made motion to approve both reports. Borowsky seconded, and the motion passed
unanimously.
B. ACTION: 2021 Grants Program
Staff wondered whether commission might favor restriction on General Operating Support (GOS) grantees
applying for Community Project grants. Villarreal was concerned about equity during a “lean” year. Borowsky
asked for background data on organizations receiving both grants. Click: anecdotally, it varies. She referenced
“encouragement points” which began in 2019 as a way to mitigate the possibility of previous winners being re-
awarded. Borowsky agreed with Villarreal: in the interest of equity, he might prefer a restriction. Schmid spoke in
disapproval of this restriction - “whoever has the better project wins.” Borowsky came back around to disliking a
restriction. Schmid suggested “opportunity points,” to allow groups to come together and collaborate. Hughes
feels the rubric works well to prioritize those who have not yet received funding with “encouragement points.” He
leans away from any sort of blackout or restriction. Click read language in the application which referenced
collaboration. The commission gave a nod of approval to not restrict the community project grants or arts
education grants for 2021.
See handouts for 2021 budget options, option 1: prioritizing GOS and categories responsive to the pandemic, or
option 2: funding all GOS. Villarreal: Option 1 has the broadest reach in our community. After discussion,
commission agreed in approving the first option.
Borowsky moved to approve the budget structure as described in Option 1 for 2021; Villarreal seconded, and the
motion passed unanimously.
McCormick moved that final approval for the following categories be delegated to administrative approval:
Professional Development Grants and Macky Fee Waivers. Villarreal seconded and the motion passed
unanimously.
APPROVED BY: ATTESTED:
_________________________________________ ________________________________________
Board Chair Board Secretary
_________________________________________ ________________________________________
Date Date
Agenda Item 8: Matters from Commissioners [2.05.09 Audio min.]
A.Annual Letter to City Council – Commission discussed priorities.
McCormick admired arts organizations and artists who came together and pivoted services in order to survive in
the challenging year of COVID pandemic. She lauded the commission and staff for their own adaptability.
Villarreal praised the rallying of organizations in a united voice for further funding from City Council - “hats off to
the arts community.” Restoration of full budget funding is needed. Villarreal noted “the unmet need,” indicated
by the number of organizations and individuals whose applications met the threshold for funding according to the
scoring rubric, yet were not granted funds because “we ran out of money.” Had this funding gap not existed, an
additional $700,000 would have gone annually to worthy applicants. Farnan: this funding gap is less than one
percent of the city’s annual budget. Villarreal referenced last year’s letter and noted that many of the priorities,
such as affordable housing, have stayed the same. Hughes suggested a stronger partnership with affordable
housing representatives, as this is such a critical issue for artists.
McCormick volunteered to begin a draft. Commission agreed to finalize this document at November’s meeting.
Agenda Item 9: Adjournment [2.33.23 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, November 18, 2020, on Zoom.
December 16, 2020