HomeMy WebLinkAbout2.17.21 BAC HandoutsFrom: Kathleen McCormick <fonthead1@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Jan 21, 2021 at 2:36 PM
Subject: Re: Boulder Arts Commission- inquiry for application
To: Kimberly Dorazewski <dorazewski@hotmail.com>
Cc: flynvartranch@comcast.net <flynvartranch@comcast.net>, devin@devinpatrickhughes.com
<devin@devinpatrickhughes.com>, bruce@boulderdigitalarts.com <bruce@boulderdigitalarts.com>,
georgiamichelle@hotmail.com <georgiamichelle@hotmail.com>, Click, Lauren
<ClickL@boulderlibrary.org>
Greetings Kimberly,
Thanks for attending The Boulder Arts Commission (BAC) meeting last night and for considering applying
for a seat! Regarding your questions, I offer some personal responses (commissioners, feel free to add
your own, responding only to Kimberly, or publicly via "respond all"):
What is the general time commitment per month for an Arts Commissioner?
The time commitment depends on the individual BAC member and the month—for me, anywhere from
5 hours to 30+ hours a month, including the monthly meeting. The months that require more time
generally are the grants review/scoring months of winter and spring. In 2021, we’ll have fewer grants
months because we’re not scoring General Operating Support applications (those three-year grants will
be available for applicants again in 2022). The time requirement in reviewing/scoring grants often
depends on the actual category—for example, a Community Project Grants review/scoring process with
25 organizations applying could take more time. We typically have a couple weeks in which to complete
that work at home for each category. There is also an hour or two here and there when we attend
(virtually since Covid) cultural summits, grants information sessions, equity training, etc., plus any time
we spend communicating with artists and arts organizations or attending art openings and
performances (in a normal year), which is a part of the volunteer job that I really love. We’re hoping that
adding two additional BAC members this year will mean we can better distribute some of BAC’s work.
Is grant review/processing experience important for an applicant?
It’s not necessary but could be helpful. Most of us currently on BAC had experience with grants before
joining the commission. I personally had had experience writing grants, but had not reviewed/scored
grants before joining the commission. The amazing Lauren Click offers grants training every year before
we begin the grants cycle, which is very helpful. That said, I think someone who has been involved in
arts and culture but has not worked with grants would catch on pretty quickly. The scoring rubric and
community priorities listed in the Community Cultural Plan also help you figure out how to score grants
that will engage and benefit the community.
Does this commission have subcommittees?
The Boulder Arts Commission has a sponsorship committee and we’re considering a community benefits
review committee if City Council decides to approve of arts and culture as a community benefit in the
design/construction of development projects. BAC members volunteer for subcommittee work. I was on
the sponsorship committee for a bit, and we discussed and made decisions via phone calls and emails,
maybe a couple times a year. The majority of BAC decisions are made by the whole commission.
Please let us know if you have any additional questions. We encourage you and others to apply by
January 28th, and we look forward to three new members who will be selected by City Council.
Kind regards, Kathleen
Kathleen McCormick, Chair
Boulder Arts Commission
303.817.2088; fonthead1@gmail.com
On Thu, Jan 21, 2021 at 12:04 PM Kimberly Dorazewski <dorazewski@hotmail.com> wrote:
Hello Commissioners,
Thank you for all the dedication and thought put forth to make Boulder the vibrant arts
destination it is.
I am a community member exploring applying for an Arts Commission seat. While I attended
Monday night's informational meeting, joined your monthly meeting last night and have
reviewed minutes and packets from a few 2020 meetings, I have a few basic questions about
the Arts Commission.
What is the general time commitment per month for an Arts Commissioner ?
Is grant review/processing experience important for an applicant?
Does this commission have subcommittees?
Thank you, in advance, for providing additional information.
Warm Regards,
Kimberly
Kimberly Dorazewski-Smouse
450 Japonica Way, Boulder, CO 80304
303-408-7333
Vice Chair, Open Studios
CU Art Museum Collection Committee Co-Chair