01.25.23 BAC MinutesCITY OF BOULDER
BOULDER, COLORADO
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS MEETING MINUTES
Name of Board/ Commission: Boulder Arts Commission
Date of Meeting: January 25, 2023
Contact information preparing summary: Lisa Wuycheck, Executive Assistant
Commission members present: Kathleen McCormick, Bruce Borowsky (Chair), Georgia Schmid (Vice Chair), Eboni Freeman,
Maria Cole, Caroline Kert, Yaelaed Whyel
Commission members absent:
Staff present:
Cris Jones, Interim Director of Community Vitality
Matt Chasansky, Manager, Office of Arts & Culture
Lauren Click, Coordinator, Grants
Lisa Wuycheck, Executive Assistant, Community Vitality
Members of the public present: Todd Morton, Sara Pike
Type of Meeting: Hybrid (Location: Penfield Tate II Municipal Building, 1777 Broadway)
Agenda Item 1: Call to order and approval of agenda [00:00:01 Audio min]
The meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m. Borowsky asked the group for any addendums to the agenda. Freeman asked
to add an item to the agenda under ‘Matters from Commissioners’.
First motion by McCormick to approve the agenda as amended. Second by Freeman. There was no discussion. The motion
passed unanimously.
Agenda Item 2: Review of Minutes [00:01:16 Audio min.]
Item 2A: Approval of the November 2022 Meeting
Borowsky asked the commission for changes or addendums regarding the minutes.
First motion by McCormick to approve the minutes as presented in the packet. Second by Whyel. The motion passed
unanimously.
Agenda Item 3: Public Participation [00:01:54 Audio min.]
No members of the public were scheduled to speak.
Agenda Item 4: Grants Program [00:02:06 Audio min.]
A.Reports and Follow Up
Click presented three grant reports for discussion.
i.Greater Boulder Youth Orchestras, GBYO Student Leadership Council Presents, $10,000
ii.Motus Theater, Power Playback Theater – Community Storytelling Performance, $10,000
iii.BETC Responses to previous Commission questions
The commissioners have the options to:
1.Approve the grant reports,
2.Approve individual grant reports,
3.Approve individual grant reports with outstanding questions,
4.Not approve individual grant reports and cancel the final 20% payment, and/or
5.Postpone approval to individual reports pending the answers to specific questions.
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Click said approval for the first two grant reports are due this month. Borowsky suggested addressing the first two reports.
Freeman made a motion to approve both The Greater Boulder Youth Orchestras grant report and The Motus Theater grant
report. Second by McCormick. After the discussions recorded below, the motion passed unanimously.
iv.Greater Boulder Youth Orchestras, GBYO Student Leadership Council Presents, $10,000
Freeman said she was excited to read about and see pictures of the fiddler group. She also said it was fantastic to hear that
The Student Leadership Council is providing a fruitful pipeline for the Board of Directors. Freeman said this an exemplar of
The Community Cultural Plan and the development of talent in the city.
v.Motus Theater, Power Playback Theater – Community Storytelling Performance, $10,000
Freeman congratulated Motus Theater on increasing Boulder’s capacity to initiate civic dialogu e, awareness and
participation. Borowsky expressed his admiration of Motus’ accomplishments.
vi.BETC Responses to previous Commission questions
The discussion focused on questions from commissioners during in the November 2022 Arts Commission meeting.
Kert asked the commissioners if they thought their questions had been addressed. Freeman said the answers were
thoroughly answered.
McCormick addressed the issue that in the Butterfly Effect Theatre of Colorado’s (BETC) grant report, they had noted an
inability to receive survey responses from people of color. McCormick said the response from Associate Artistic Director
Heather Beasley indicated there was no intention from the BETC to place blame on any specific demographic of the
community.
In the meeting packet, Beasley’s response to the commissioners’ questions reads ‘I mentioned "people of color" specifically
because they are the people that we are aiming to serve more of, in order to reach our shared goals of more equitable arts
attendance and participation. Inaccurate racial data affects our ability to discover and report on how racially diverse our
audiences actually are; whether our efforts to work toward racial equity are succeeding; and where our approaches might
need to expand or change.’
McCormick indicated she was in support of approving the grant report. Freeman mentioned that Motus was able to acquire
their data, but she doesn’t believe the BETC’s language was intentional. Freeman added that the Arts Commission has a
duty to question the possibility of unconscious bias and not to aid it.
Kert discussed what she sees as a distinction between the focuses of the BETC and of Motus. She said the BETC is
surveying the front-of-house audience, the Motus is surveying actors who are involved in programming. She said there is a
different rate and ability to gather data from those two audiences , and the BETC has a greater challenge.
Bruce suggested the Arts Commission and staff work together to create a policy of ‘best practices’ and tips to collect data.
Freeman suggested consulting with Motus and local organizations who have successfully collected data in order to discover
their practices.
First motion by Borowsky to approve the grant report. Kert seconded. Freeman abstained. The motion was passed.
Chasansky said he will propose to staff that this topic be discussed at future leadership and cultural summits.
B.Extension Request: Pro Musica Colorado Chamber Orchestra, Diverse Voices: Performance and coaching
with Boulder MUSE, $3,000
Click discussed the deadline extension request from Pro Musica for their arts education grant.
Click presented the commissioners with the (3) grant extension request options.
1.Approve the extension request,
2.Not approve the extension request and cancel the final 20% payment, and/or
3.Postpone approval of the extension pending the answers to specific questions.
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Borowsky asked for the reason for the extension. Click said Pro Musica was having trouble hiring an executive director and
had challenges working in schools due to COVID. Click also said, in addition, Pro Musica is busy hosting concerts.
McCormick said she’s pleased this education grant intends to work in-person with students.
Schmid suggested the Commission requires Pro Musica to report to the commission on May 25 with no further extensions.
McCormick stressed the importance that Pro Musica collaborates with Muse.
Matt suggested asking Pro Musica how the Arts Commission can help them to ensure the work is done on time.
First motion to approve the Pro Musica grant extension request by Whyel. Second by Freeman. The motion passed
unanimously.
Agenda Item 5: Matters from Commissioners [00:22:28 Audio min.]
A.Use of ARPA Grant Funds
Chasansky said staff presented a proposal to City Council in December for additional funding for the community’s art
grants program. He said Council’s priorities for the funding included the affordability of venues, rehiring artists due to a
lack of recovery, and the support of local non-profit organizations.
Chasansky said Council recommended the staff’s proposal of an additional $150,000 in funds be expanded to $250,000. He
said staff with work with the Arts Commission to decide how the funds are distributed while being mindful of Council’s
priorities.
Chasansky explained that the decisions from the meeting will be included in a memo that staff will present to Council next
month as part of an adjustment to base.
McCormick said she supports funding the grants for the five organizations that did not receive General Operating Support
(GOS) funding. Chasansky said five organizations scored above the threshold but did not receive grants due to a lack of
budget funds. He said $192,000 is needed to fund all five organizations for the remaining 2 years of GOS cycle.
After some discussion, the commissioners agreed to ask Council for additional funding to cover all GOS grants. If the
Commission’s total fund request of $342,000 is approved, the commissioners agreed to divide $150,000 between Council’s
priorities of affordable venues and artist rehiring, and they also agreed to distribute $192,000 to fund all five GOS grants. If
the additional fund request is not approved, the commissioners agreed to distribute $150,000 towards affordable venues and
artist rehiring, and they agreed to divide the remaining $100,000 among the GOS grants.
Chasansky said he will present this proposal to City Council, and he said the commission may receive a decision by the
February Arts Commission meeting.
B.Grants Criteria for Boulder Headquarters / Residence
Click presented the old text and the new text for Grant Criteria for Boulder Headquarters/Residency.
The old text reads:
‘Open to all. Anyone may apply once the general eligibility requirements are met, including individuals, artists, non -profit
status, fiscally sponsored organizations, and for-profit organizations with a community focus. Organizations not
headquartered in Boulder may be considered (refer to Panel Evaluation question entitled Boulder Focus).
Service area and programming. Projects must have a significant component of public programming that takes place within
the city limits of Boulder. This programming must meet the criterial described in the Chapter 14-1-2 of the City of Boulder
Revised Code.’
The new text reads:
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‘...For organizations, the applicant must demonstrate that they are headquartered in the city limits of Boulder. For
individuals, the applicant must demonstrate that they reside at a permanent household address in the city lim its of Boulder.
Applicants may also demonstrate that they are partnered with a Boulder-based artist or organization...’
McCormick said in past years, non-residents were encouraged to apply for grants, but since the pandemic, things shifted to
fund more grants for local artists.
Chasansky said, in the Cultural Plan, the community asked for grant funding for local artists and for local non-profit
organizations in order to benefit the local economy. He said the community also wanted to project Boulder’s creative
identity to the world, to encourage artists to come to Boulder, and foster Boulder to become a cultural center and
international art hub.
Chasansky said the old criteria was very open, and in 2017, a Boulder-focus was added to the Cultural Plan with some
changes made last year. Chasansky said, as a result, some organizations have complained that they no longer meet the new
criteria.
Chasansky said staff recommends no changes be made to the existing grants. He said the Commission and staff can change
the 2024 grant cycle by either adopting the old text or refining the new text. He said these changes are made in August.
Chasansky added that staff can work with artists to promote partnerships. He said non-residents can meet the grant criteria
by partnering with a Boulder-based artist or organization.
Borowsky said they need to reduce barriers for artists and promote awareness of partnerships. Click said she is concerned
that new unfunded artists will read the new text and believe they don’t qualify for a grant without being aware of the
partnership option. Borowsky suggested adding partnership information on the grant webpage.
McCormick asked if it’s possible to promote partnership awareness in the current grant cycle. Chasansky said information
can be posted on the grant paperwork webpage encouraging artists to contact staff regarding partnerships.
Click said, at the time of a grant application, the artist is required to provide a letter to show proof of a partnership.
Borowsky suggested posting a grant criteria flowchart on the website.
Chasansky encouraged the commissioners to be proactive and communicate the criteria to their liaison organizations. He
also suggested the commissioners encourage artists to contact staff for more information.
C. Freeman’s Resignation from the Arts Commission
Freeman announced that she is resigning from the Commission for personal reasons. She said this is her last meeting.
Freeman thanked City Council, the liaison organizations, the Arts Commission, and the staff for the opportunity of serving
as a commissioner.
The commissioners expressed their gratitude to Freeman for her dedication and positive impact on the Commission.
Agenda Item 6: Matters from Staff [01:16:57 Audio min.]
Click shared four upcoming events.
1. Commission Grants Training – January 26, 2023, from 4 to 6 p.m. on Zoom
2. ‘The Year Ahead’ event – February 1, 2023, from 6 to 8 p.m. at R Gallery & Wine Bar
3. Media and the Arts Panel – February 15, 2023, from 6 to 8 p.m. at eTown
4. Boulder Arts Week – April 7 to 15, 2023
A. Questions about the Manager’s Memo
Cole asked about the status of the public arts accessibility signage. Chasansky said the signage is on hold until the City hires
a new public arts program manager. Chasansky said staff has narrowed down the 49 applicants to 8 candidates. He said the
earliest the public arts program manager will start is on March 1.
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APPROVED BY: ATTESTED:
____________________________________________________________________________
Board Vice-Chair Board Secretary
___________________________________________________________________________
Date Date
B.eTown Fee Waiver Proposal
Click discussed the eTown Fee Waiver Proposal. She said this is a partnership with eTown on their facility fee waiver
program. Chasansky commended eTown for their proposal. Click said the venue fee is waived, but staffing needs are
charged.
Chasansky said free parking may be available. Jones added that free parking during the week is possible with in-kind
sponsorship.
Chasansky said an eTown waiver does meet the grant partnership criteria.
The commissioners thanked eTown for the opportunity and for addressing the venue challenge for artists.
Borowsky asked if the Commission and staff are permitted to do outreach to recruit other venues to issue waivers. Freeman
stressed that venues should be aware they will not receive special grant consideration as a result of issuing waivers.
Chasansky cautioned commissioners against directly reaching out to venues since they make grant decisions.
McCormick said, ‘I move that final approval of the eTown Fee Waiver Awards be delegated to staff.’ Second by Kert. The
motion passed unanimously.
C.Sunshine Rules Update
Chasansky explained that state laws dictate a meeting of more than two commissioners to discuss commission business is
considered a public meeting which must be advertised in advance. He said a meeting of two commissioners and staff to
discuss business is not a public meeting. Jones said if two commissioners are meeting to discuss business and an additional
commissioner joins the meeting, then one must leave. Chasansky said a group of commissioners can meet without it being a
public meeting, but they must not discuss commission business.
The commissioners discussed commissioner recruitment. Borowsky encouraged the commissioners to spread awareness
that applications are being accepted through the end of January to serve on the Arts Commission.
The commissioners shared details on their upcoming projects and events.
Agenda Item 7: Adjournment [01:52.06 Audio min.]
There being no further business to come before the commission at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 7:56 p.m.
Date, time, and location of next meeting:
The next Boulder Arts Commission meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, February 22, 2023. This will be a hybrid
meeting with staff attending at the Penfield Tate II Municipal Building, and the public attending remotely via a Zoom
webinar link.
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2/23/2023
Georgia Schmid (Feb 23, 2023 14:59 MST)
Georgia Schmid
Feb 23, 2023
01.25.23 Arts Commission Minutes
Final Audit Report 2023-02-23
Created:2023-02-23
By:Lisa Wuycheck (wuycheckl@bouldercolorado.gov)
Status:Signed
Transaction ID:CBJCHBCAABAAHldrftfnyBKMdWrJI0uiWtwj0xqo1nCS
"01.25.23 Arts Commission Minutes" History
Document created by Lisa Wuycheck (wuycheckl@bouldercolorado.gov)
2023-02-23 - 5:04:11 PM GMT
Document emailed to Georgia Schmid (georgiamichelle@hotmail.com) for signature
2023-02-23 - 5:04:58 PM GMT
Email viewed by Georgia Schmid (georgiamichelle@hotmail.com)
2023-02-23 - 9:58:33 PM GMT
Document e-signed by Georgia Schmid (georgiamichelle@hotmail.com)
Signature Date: 2023-02-23 - 9:59:01 PM GMT - Time Source: server
Agreement completed.
2023-02-23 - 9:59:01 PM GMT