HomeMy WebLinkAbout07.21.21 BAC MinutesCITY OF BOULDER
BOULDER, COLORADO
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS MEETING
MINUTES
Name of Board/ Commission: Boulder Arts Commission
Date of Meeting: July 21, 2021
Contact information preparing summary: Celia Seaton
Commission members present: Kathleen McCormick, Devin Hughes, Georgia Schmid, Eboni Freeman, Maria Cole, Caroline
Kert
Commission members absent: Bruce Borowsky
Library staff present:
Matt Chasansky, Office of Arts & Culture Manager
Lauren Click, Coordinator, Grants
Mandy Vink, Coordinator, Public Art
Celia Seaton, Administrative Specialist
City staff present:
None
Members of the public present: Marda Kirn, Sarah Braverman, Gregory Fields, Deborah Malden
Type of Meeting: Regular|Remote
Agenda Item 1: Call to order and approval of agenda [0:02:20 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. Chasansky noted
that 5A can be removed since the relevant report was submitted by the organization after the packet was published. Kert
moved to approve the amended agenda. Cole seconded, and all were in favor.
Agenda Item 2: Review of Minutes [0:06:06 Audio min.]
Item 2A, Approval/Review of June 2021 Meeting Minutes
McCormick asked the commission for changes or addendums regarding these minutes. McCormick requested rewording of
the discussion surrounding Item 7A. Freeman moved to approve the minutes as amended, Kert seconded, and the motion
was unanimously approved.
Agenda Item 3: Public Participation [0:08:01 Audio min.]
Braverman spoke as a representative of Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art (BMoCA). She expressed appreciation for
the support from the commission through a recent arts education project grant. She outlined the education and outreach
programs run by BMoCA that strive to expand access and intentionally engage those that are traditionally underserved by
art programs.
Agenda Item 4: Commission Business [0.10.57 Audio min.]
A. ACTION: Public Art Standing Selection Panel Representative
McCormick formally nominated Cole to fulfill the role of Arts Commissioner in the Standing Selection Panel, as
identified in the Public Art Policy Section IX.E: “Public Art Selection for Unique Opportunities, Donations,
Relocations, and Deaccessions.” Kert seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
B. DISCUSSION: General Operating Support Organization Liaison Appointments – Staff had created assignments
based on commissioner preference. McCormick welcomed input. Schmid provided further feedback, and staff
will adjust the assignments, which will be conveyed to commissioners via email before the August meeting.
Agenda Item 5: Grant Program [0.30.00 Audio min.]
A. ACTION: Extension Request
1. EcoArts Connections, OASIS: A Gathering Place for Opportunities, Arts, Science, Inspiration, and
Sustainability, $10,000 – item removed from agenda.
B. ACTION: Reports – Click instructed that, for each report, commissioners have the option to: a) approve the report,
b) approve the final payment be sent, but ask questions of the grantee, c) hold the final payment until final
questions are answered by the grantee, or d) decline the final payment.
1. Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, Virtual Contemporary Classroom, $3,000 – McCormick lauded the
recent arts education program. Freeman asked Braverman about the beneficial variance involved in the “take and
make” kits; Braverman explained that the kits featured supplies primarily sourced by the participants themselves.
2. Block 1750, Breaking FUNdamentals: Online Hip Hop Dance Curriculum for Boulder Teachers, $3,000
3. Boulder Community Media, Beyond Wind River: Fort Chambers Virtual Reality (WRVR), $3,000 – Freeman
raised specific questions: Can an updated link be sent for the project outcome because
https://rivercloud.com/sandcreek-vr-tutorial/ leads to a 404 page? Will the organization be actively managing the
addition of tribal education components to the curriculum standards? If not, how will the organization know it’s
being completed? If so, what is the timeline for this addition and is there a place where members of the public can
tune in to see the progress? Why were BAC logos not included in the project artifacts/deliverables? Are there any
copies of the 2016 Wyoming Wind River Indian Reservation pilot project since they influenced the 2019 proposal?
McCormick would like to inquire whether the project was completed. Kert wondered if an addendum could be
requested to indicate partial completion.
Chasansky reminded the group that commission had decided to allow flexibility due to the circumstances of
COVID. The group agreed that the final payment should be withheld until final questions are answered by the
grantee.
3. Boulder Community Media, Beyond Wind River: The Arapaho and Fort Chambers, $7,000 – Kert and
McCormick were both impressed by the project and hoped for further distribution.
5. Christopher Carruth, About Face, $3,000 – Freeman appreciated the survey responses as they truly inform the
benefit of the project.
Cole lauded the “robust” programs offered even during such a challenging year. Hughes moved that the reports by
the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, Block 1750, Christopher Carruth, and Boulder Community Media’s
project on The Arapaho and Fort Chambers be approved. Cole seconded, and the motion passed with unanimous
support.
Agenda Item 6: Matters from Commissioners [0.53.30 Audio min.]
A. The Year Ahead Event – McCormick, Kert, and Freeman brainstormed ideas for this event. Previous success
involved an informal atmosphere that allowed mingling and incorporating short presentations. Some discussed
improvements include more alertness toward accessibility issues in categories like handicap access, diversity
equity and inclusion lens, learning impaired, dyslexic audience members, childcare needs. The group felt it
important to fold these considerations into the next event. The evening could feature youth musical groups for
interludes, depending on venue. A suggestion was made to consider a venue that does not serve alcohol to expand
the potential audience. Recommended scheduling fall in late October or early November.
Create Boulder is also contemporaneously reaching out to do a “temperature check” on the arts organizations in the
COVID landscape of recovery and re-emergence. Malden discussed the possibility of using eTown as a venue;
some felt it may be beneficial to find neutral ground that is not an arts venue (eTown is a general operating support
grantee). The group discussed potentially collaborating on some survey work to gather data. McCormick
wondered whether Create Boulder’s event calls for a separate “listening” occasion that has more of a quiet
atmosphere.
B. October Retreat Dates and Agenda – items and scheduling of the annual retreat: location tbd, recommended in
person.
• Wednesday Oct 20, 2:00 – 8:00pm (staff recommendation)
• Friday Oct 22, 2:00 – 8:00pm
• Saturday Oct 23, 10:00am – 4:00pm
APPROVED BY: ATTESTED:
_________________________________________ ________________________________________
Board Chair Board Secretary
_________________________________________ ________________________________________
Date Date
Chasansky spoke to required items: grants program finalization, public art implementation plan updates, delegation
of certain decisions, budget update, and letter to City Council. Proposed items include team building, group
alignment and principles, conducting effective meetings/conversations, and statement on cultural equity update.
The commission expressed preference for the retreat to be held on Wednesday, October 20, beginning the meeting
earlier on the date of a regularly scheduled meeting
Agenda Item 7: Matters from Staff [1.44.39 Audio min.]
A.Manager’s Memo: see packet. Chasansky welcomed questions.
Some upcoming dates covering the budget approval process: on September 9th, City Council will hold a first
reading and public hearing concerning a special adjustment to base for the monies granted by American Rescue
Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA”). A second reading will occur on September 28th. At the September 28th session, the
first reading of the city’s 2022 budget is also planned.
City Council has discussed extending the sales and use tax for capital improvements, formerly known as the
Community Culture and Safety Tax.
Click discussed the civic dialog strategy incorporating the reach of social media assets. Whenever promoting a
program or event, she engages the community through newsletter dispatches, Twitter announcements, and
Instagram posts. She highlighted the importance of personalizing a city entity which can sometimes feel removed
from the community it represents.
Kert inquired whether there is any expectation that the now sunset Community Benefit Project will be refreshed.
Staff replied that Jacob Lindsay has been tasked to return with ideas about affordable art space – commission will
be updated as more information becomes available.
Agenda Item 8: Adjournment [2.01.02 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, August 18, 2021, on Zoom.
9.15.2021