02.28.24 BAC PacketBoulder Arts Commission Meeting Agenda
February 28, 2024 / 6:00 P.M.
Hybrid Meeting:
Office of Arts and Culture at 1500 Pearl Street, #300 / Online Video Meeting
1.CALL TO ORDER
Approval of agenda
2.MINUTES
Approval of the January meeting minutes
3.PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
4.MATTERS FROM COMMISSIONERS (5 min)
A.Liaison Updates
B.Other Topics from the Community
5.GRANTS PROGRAM (45 min) – Lauren
A.Grant Reports
B.Recertification of 2022-24 General Operating Support (GOS) Grants
6.COMMISSION BUSINESS (45 min) - Lauren
A.Letter to Council
7.MATTERS FROM STAFF (10 min) - Lauren
A.Questions about the Manager’s Memo
8.ADJOURNMENT
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CITY OF BOULDER
BOULDER, COLORADO
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS MEETING MINUTES
Name of Board/ Commission: Boulder Arts Commission
Date of Meeting: January 31, 2024
Contact information preparing summary: Lisa Wuycheck, Executive Assistant
Commission members present: Bruce Borowsky, Sheryl Cardozo, Maria Cole, Caroline Kert (Chair), Georgia Schmid
(Vice-Chair), Yaelaed Whyel
Commission members absent: Jeffrey Kash
Staff present:
Matt Chasansky, Interim Senior Manager of Cultural Vibrancy and District Vitality
Elliott LaBonte, Community Vitality Business Services Senior Manager
Lauren Click, Arts Program Manager, Office of Arts & Culture/Community Vitality
Brendan Picker-Mahoney, Public Arts Program Manager, Office of Arts & Culture/Community Vitality
Jake Hudson-Humphrey, Public Art Program Coordinator, Office of Arts & Culture/Community Vitality
Lisa Wuycheck, Executive Assistant, Community Vitality
Emi Smith, Communications Program Manager
Members of the public present:
Kate Gipson (Local Theater Co.), Liz Rowland (Boulder Chorale), Elaine Schnabel (Boulder Chorale), and Nettie
Skievaski (Growing Up Boulder) attended remotely.
Type of Meeting: Hybrid (Location: Penfield Tate II Municipal Building, 1777 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80302)
Agenda Item 1: CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:03 p.m.
First motion by Whyel to approve the agenda. Second by Borowsky. The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Item 2: MINUTES [00:52:49 Audio min.]
Item 2A: Approval of the 2023 November Minutes
First motion by Borowsky to approve the minutes as amended. Second by Cardozo. The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Item 3: PUBLIC PARTICIPATION [00:01:15 Audio min.]
Kate Gipson (Local Theater Co.), Liz Rowland (Boulder Chorale), Elaine Schnabel (Boulder Chorale), and Nettie
Skievaski (Growing Up Boulder) attended remotely. No members of the public signed up to speak.
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Agenda Item 4: MATTERS FROM COMMISSIONERS [00:01:24 Audio min.]
Item 4A: Liaison Updates
Cole announced BMOCA issued their RFQ for the North Boulder Creative Camp. She said the qualifications are due
on March 15.
Whyel announced Junkyard Social Club had 206 free venue hours given to bypass event producers. Whyel said almost
1,000 children participated in educational programs and camps, and there were 22,000 visitations last year. Whyel
added that Radium Girls will open soon at The Spark.
Borowsky announced the Boulder County Film Commission will have an event on February 8 and invited everyone to
attend.
Kert reported KGNU has a new building that will open in 2025 on 14th Street behind BMOCA.
Item 4B: Other Topics from the Community
There were no topics from the Community.
Agenda Item 5: COMMISSION BUSINESS [00:06:00 Audio min.]
Item 5A: Arts Commission Recruitment Update
Communications Program Manager Emi Smith details the City’s recruitment efforts during the recent commissioner
application cycle. She said there was a press release that was sent out in the middle of December, information was
shared throughout all the city social media channels, on Next Door, in the City’s newsletter, and in the Volunteer
Cooperative Newsletter.
Smith said a commissioner from the Downtown Management Commission did a segment on the Inside Boulder News.
The interviews will be on February 13 and 15, and the new Commissioner will be appointed at the March 14 City
Council meeting.
Smith announced she is interviewing grant recipients, and the articles will be published in the Arts & Culture
newsletter. She said she also plan to highlight public art through social media and newsletters.
Agenda Item 6: PUBLIC ART [00:11:26 Audio min.]
Item 6A: Implementation Plan Draft
Public Arts Program Manager Brendan Picker-Mahoney reviewed the Public Art Action Items and 2024 Public Art
Implementation Plan.
Picker-Mahoney reviewed the plan’s mission and vision. He also explained the acquisition criteria. Picker-Mahoney
discussed the Arts Commission’s role in the public art process and described the different types of public art.
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Picker-Mahoney said public art funding sources include the following.
• General Fund
• CAGID
• ARPA
• CCS
• Future Funding Opportunities
Picker-Mahoney reviewed the public art program’s recent accomplishments and outlined anticipated timelines for
2024-2026 public art projects, and the status of in-progress projects.
The North Boulder Branch Library will open in summer of 2024 at Broadway and Violet. Picker-Mahoney described
upcoming projects including the Alpine-Balsam Western City Campus.
Picker-Mahoney announced the mural roster is open until March 1. He said Colorado artists will submit 2 to 4 images
to the Office of Arts & Culture.
Picker-Mahoney discussed upcoming experiments in public art and temporary artwork that will be funded with 2A
funds. He also described Community Initiated Projects, the Art in Garages Program, the 2024 Public Art Maintenance
and Conservation, and projects to watch for in 2024.
Interim Senior Manager of Cultural Vibrancy and District Vitality Matt Chasansky advised anyone who sees public art
damage to contact staff through the public arts email.
Schmid said, ‘I move that the Public Art Implementation Plan be recommended to the City Manager for approval.’
Cardozo seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Item 6B: New Standing Selection Panel Member
Picker-Mahoney announced new Standing Selection Panel member is Howard Rubin and described his experience and
achievements.
Cardozo said, ‘I move that we approve Howard Rubin to join the Standing Selection Panel, bringing the membership
number up to five.’ Whyel seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Item 7: GRANTS PROGRAM [00:54:22 Audio min.]
Item 7A: Grant Reports
Arts Program Manager Lauren Click reviewed the following grant reports.
• Community Project Grant for Individuals, Amanda Berg Willson, Brown Sugar Nutcracker, The Studio
Boulder, $5,000
• Community Project Grant for Organizations, Motus Theater, TRANSformative Monologues:
Autobiographical Stories from Transgender Leaders, $10,000
• Community Project Grant for Organizations, Dairy Arts Center, Native American Heritage Month Arts
Market, $10,000
• University of Colorado at Boulder Graduate Certificate in Arts Administration Scholarships, Carlie Ransom,
$6,000
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Chasansky discussed the conditions for recusal from voting on grant approvals.
Click explained the Commission members will vote on the approval of the reports. She said commissioners have the
options to:
• Approve all reports,
• Approve individual reports,
• Approve individua reports while submitting specific questions,
• Postpone approval of individual reports pending the answers to specific questions, and/or
• Not approve individual reports and cancel the final 20% payment.
Borowsky said, ‘I move that we approve the grant reports from the Dairy Arts Center, and Motus Theater.’. Second by
Cardozo. The motion passed unanimously.
Cole said, ‘I move that we approve the grant reports from Carlie Ransom.’ Second by Whyel. The motion passed
unanimously.
Schmid recused herself from the next vote. Borowsky said, ‘I move that we approve the grant report from Amanda
Berg Wilson.’ Second by Whyel. The vote passed unanimously. The commissioners praised the Nutcracker
performance.
Item 7B: Roots Music Project Fee Waiver Program
Click said the Roots Music Project is offering a fee waiver program. She said fees will be waived for 10 nights a year.
She asked for the informal approval from the commissioners. The commissioners were all in agreement and were
supportive of the program.
Click said the 2024 Grant Application Schedule is posted on the city website.
Agenda Item 8: MATTERS FROM STAFF [01:20:10 Audio min.]
Item 8A: Questions about the Manager’s Memo
Click said the general operating support survey is combined information from 2022 reports.
Click announced that GOS grant applications are due on February 1.
Kert asked for information regarding grant funding in proportion to an organization’s budget. Chasansky said, in 2015,
staff conducted a study on the the best standards for the proportion of a healthy organization's budget that comes from
government funding overall. He said the amount was determined to be 10% which is what staff is working towards.
Click introduced Community Vitality’s Business Services Senior Manager Elliott LaBonte.
Click announced that Arts Program Manager Cindy Sepucha restarted the Artist Forum. She said the first meeting will
be at the Junkyard Social Club on the February 6.
Item 8B: Ticket Fund
Click explained each commissioner can request funding for 2 tickets a year to events that support local arts. Chasansky
explained attendance at the events support grant recipients.
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APPROVED BY: ATTESTED:
Board Chair Board Secretary
Date Date
Agenda Item 9:ADJOURNMENT [01:31:40 Audio min.]
There being no further business to come before the commission at this time, Kert adjourned the meeting at 7:34 p.m.
p.m.
Date, time, and location of next meeting:
The next Boulder Arts Commission meeting will be held, if needed, at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, February 28, 2024. This
is a hybrid meeting to be held at The City of Boulder’s Community Vitality Department and via a Zoom webinar link.
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RECOMMENDED MOTIONS
“I move that we approve the grant reports from Pro Musica Colorado Chamber Orchestra, Circle of Care
Project, Samuel Tomatz, and LOCAL Theater Company”.
“I move that we approve the grant report from Art in Community”.
TO: Members of the Boulder Arts Commission
FROM: Lauren Click, City of Boulder Office of Arts + Culture,
Community Vitality Department
DATE: February 23, 2024
SUBJECT: Manager’s Update for the Boulder Arts Commission
Meeting on February 28, 2024
> To maximize access, the February 2024 meeting of the Arts Commission will be held as a hybrid in-person /
video meeting. The Arts Commission, members of the community, and staff may attend either in person or by
video.
− The in-person meeting will be held at the Office of Arts and Culture at 1500 Pearl Street, #300. Due to room
capacity, there may be a limited number of seats available for members of the community to attend in
person.
− To attend, please make a request by email to rsvp@bouldercolorado.gov by Tuesday, February 27 at 12:00
p.m. Please indicate in your email if you are requesting to attend in person or by video.
> Notes on the February Meeting Agenda
− 5A, Grant Reports. The grant reports requiring action have been distributed to Arts Commission members
by email. These are the reports being discussed:
- 2020 Arts Education Project Grants, Pro Musica Colorado Chamber Orchestra, Diverse Voices:
Performance and coaching with Boulder MUSE, $3,000
- 2021 Community Projects for Organizations, Circle of Care Project, Arts on Call Project - A Virtual
Performing Arts Center for Vulnerable Boulder Seniors, $10,000
- 2023 Community Projects for Individuals, Samuel Tomatz, Changing the Tide of Teen Mental Health &
Suicide in Boulder ASAP, $3,925
- 2023 Arts Education Project Grants, LOCAL Theater Company, LocalWRITES, $3,000
- 2022 Community Project Grants for Organizations, Art in Community, Inc. (AiC), Temple of Tranquility,
$10,000
At the meeting Commission members will vote on the approval of the reports. Commissioners have the
options to:
a. Approve all reports,
b. Approve individual reports,
c. Approve individual reports while submitting specific questions,
d. Not approve individual reports, and/or
e. Postpone approval of individual reports pending the answers to specific questions.
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RECOMMENDED MOTION
“I move that we approve the following reports for the 2022 – 24 GOS Grants: 3rd Law Dance/Theater, Art
Parts Creative Reuse Center, Band of Toughs, Boulder Ballet, Boulder Chorale, Boulder Ensemble
Theatre Company (BETC), Boulder International Film Festival, Boulder Metalsmithing Association,
Boulder MUSE, Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, Boulder Opera, Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra,
Boulder Samba School, Cantabile Singers, Colorado MahlerFest, Colorado Music Festival & Center for
Musical Arts, Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Creativity Alive, Dairy Arts Center, east window, eTown,
Frequent Flyers Productions, Inc., Greater Boulder Youth Orchestras, Junkyard Social Club, KGNU,
Lemon Sponge Cake Contemporary Ballet, LOCAL Theater Company, Motus Theater, Museum of
Boulder, NoBo Art District, Parlando School for the Arts, Pro Musica Colorado Chamber Orchestra, Sans
Souci Festival of Dance Cinema, Street Wise Arts, Studio Arts Boulder, T2 Dance Company, The
Catamounts, The Spark A Performing Arts Community.”
RECOMMENDED MOTION
“I move that we approve the letter to city council allowing for minor revisions and copy editing by staff”.
− 5B, Recertification of 2022-24 General Operating Support (GOS) Grants.
SUMMARY: Staff will ask commissioners to vote on a motion to approve the 2023 GOS grant reports. The
sole criterion in deciding on approving and recertifying GOS reports is to confirm that the organization
continues to be able to fulfil the objectives that they described in their grant application.
DETAILS: The purpose of recertification is to align the triennial timeline of the GOS grants to the City’s
budget cycle: funding appropriations like this are made for each calendar year.
At the meeting Commission members will vote on the approval of the reports. Commissioners have the
options to:
a. Approve all reports,
b. Approve individual reports,
c. Approve individual reports while submitting specific questions,
d. Not approve individual reports, and/or
e. Postpone approval of individual reports pending the answers to specific questions.
6A, Letter to Council. In Attachment One please find a current draft of the letter to City Council. During the
meeting, Commission Chair Kert and staff will ask for any revisions before a vote is held to approve the
final version. Once approved, staff will deliver the letter to the City Clerk’s Office for review by City Council.
The Arts Commission discussed priorities at the meeting in November 2023. These were the priorities that
emerged, in no particular order:
a. Integrate art into city work
b. Arts in schools
c. Making artist space available and affordable
d. Salary support for creatives
e. Housing affordability for artists
f. Encouraging diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)
g. Advocacy at the state and federal level
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> Commission Correspondence
The transparency practices of the Boulder Arts Commission require that emails to three or more members of
the Commission be published in the public record. In Attachment Two please find emails received between
the publication of the January 26, 2024, and February 28, 2024, meeting packets.
> Staff Updates
> Grants and Programs for Organizations
The Roots Music Project Fee Waiver Program is open for application.
In Attachment Three please find additional information as requested from Carlie Ransom on her
scholarship to the University of Colorado at Boulder Arts Administration Scholarship.
Work continues to support applicants and promote the 2024 Boulder Arts Commission Grant Program.
The following venue grants and fee waivers were approved in advance of the meeting:
Boulder International Film Festival, BIFF 2024, 20th Anniversary Free Community Day, eTown Fee
Waiver
Boulder Opera Company, Operatizers: North American chamber operas, Dairy Arts Center, $1,000
Duncan Coker, Album Release event, Roots Music Project, $590
Empathy Theatre Project, We're Still Here In Concert: Original Cast and Composer Live Album,
eTown Fee Waiver
Fairview Band Booster Organization, Fairview High School Evening of Jazz, eTown Fee Waiver
Future Arts Foundation, Bluebird Music Festival, Macky Auditorium, Macky Fee Waiver and $1,000
Kutandara, Kutandara's Dance with the Moon Concert, eTown Fee Waiver
Lemon Sponge Cake Contemporary Ballet, Leopoldstadt 1020, Dairy Arts Center, $1,000
Maji Safi Group, eTown Hall, $1,000
Over the Sun Productions, InnerStellar Temple Journey, Fiske Planetarium at CU Boulder, $1,000
Shreya Venkatesh, Tribhangi, The Spark, $950
Vani Sundaram, Community Roots Art Festival, Visionquest Brewery, $1,000
The following Grant Writing Fund awards were approved in advance of the meeting:
Lucia De Giovanni, $500
The following Artist Hiring Incentive grant awards were approved in advance of the meeting:
east window, Exhibition: Multimedia Work by Anna Tsouhlarakis, $3,000
Greater Boulder Youth Orchestras, 2024 Autumn Concert, $3,000
Lemon Sponge Cake Contemporary Ballet, Where is the Love, $3,000
T2 Dance Company, Lost & Found (revamped), $3,000
The Catamounts, Teacups and Tiny Dictators, $3,000
The Cultural Caravan, Boulder artists for The Cultural Caravan's 2024 Season, $3,000
The following Artist Hiring Incentive grant reports were approved in advance of the meeting:
Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, Mirela Alistar's Biofilm Dome, $3,000
The following extensions were granted in advance of the meeting:
General Operating Support, Colorado Chautauqua Association
General Operating Support, EcoArts Connections
General Operating Support, JLF Colorado
General Operating Support, The Big Dream
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The following sponsorships were awarded in advance of the meeting:
− WESTAF Creative Vitality Summit in Boulder, $1,000
− Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration 2024 Sponsorship Funding (through the Office of Arts +
Culture), Awarded through the Human Relations Fund
o Motus Theatre, Dr. King Jr. And the Radical Roots at the Heart of Justice, $1,000 from the
Boulder Arts Commission / $2,000 from the Human Relations Fund
o Mi Chantli, Freed by The Hum of The Drum, $2,000 from the Boulder Arts Commission / $3,500
from the Human Relations Fund
o Second Baptist, NAACP Boulder Branch, and the Museum of Boulder collaborative event,
Fanning the Flames of the Dream, $1,000 from the Boulder Arts Commission / $4,000 from the
Human Relations Fund
In Attachment Five, please find a current grants program budget.
> Public Art Program
The Implementation Plan was approved by the Boulder City Manager and is now publicly accessible on the
Public Art website.
Staff continues to work with the Budget Office on public art funding allocation procedures in the Capital
Improvement Program and from the Community Culture Resilience and Safety Tax (CCRS) allocations.
Staff continues to support colleagues in the Planning and Development Services division on improvements
to the permitting of public art.
Public Art Commissioning Updates:
North Broadway (Sharon Dowell): Preliminary Design was approved and now working on
engineering documents and installation plan. Anticipated install is summer, 2024.
Experiments in Public Art, Farm to Spaceship: A final Exp. In PA project is being proposed by local
firm Berger & Fohr. They will likely have a proposal for the Standing Selection Panel to review and
approve before staff brings the project before the commission. The Standing Selection Panel is also
considering an invitational “Artist Residency” for local, national, and possibly even international
artists to come to Boulder to share projects they are working on that are tied to big social issues
like climate change, immigration, and the unhoused population. Staff intends to request
Adjustment to Base (ATB) funds from the General Fund to pay for temporary art projects and
residencies in 2024.
NoBo Library (Daily tous les jours): Final Design and Fabrication. Construction begins soon, with
completion expected in the spring of 2024. Grand opening of library anticipated for July 2024
www.dailytouslesjours.com
Fire Station 3 (Michael Clapper): Final Design and Fabrication. Footer for sculpture being poured
by end of March, 2024.
Urban Design - 19th and Upland (Anthony Garcia): Final Design. Waiting on parent project to
commence construction. The anticipated parent project construction schedule is Winter 2024 –
Spring 2026. Art will be installed in Spring 2026.
Valmont Rain Garden: Preliminary Design has been approved and community engagement
activities were held last week. Working on final design (engineering).
Art in Parking Garages: 11th and Spruce (David Franklin): Design Development.
Western City Campus (Alpine Balsam): Pre-approval. Hopefully kicking off in March, 2024.
Community-Initiated and Donation Projects Updates:
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Los Seis de Boulder/El movimiento sigue: Coordinating installation. The artist and the families
connected to the project have approved of a new permanent location at 17th and Pearl. Permit
approved on 2.21.2024.
Work continues on preliminary preparations for the Boulder Strong permanent memorial process.
Maintenance and Conservation:
Accessible Signage: A consultant was hired to audit the entire public art collection and enter
information into a new database. Work has begun. A CU Boulder grad student is also assisting.
Following the audit, staff will hire a fabricator to begin work on new signage for all artworks.
In Attachment Four, please find a current public art program budget.
> Creative Neighborhoods
Work continues on the reviving of the Creative Neighborhoods program with the help of the Public Art
Program Coordinator and Arts and Venues Liaison.
The Boulder Office of Arts and Culture’s Mural Artist Roster is open for application. The Roster serves as a
resource to identify artists suitable for new artwork commissions, including public projects with the city
and private commissions in the community. Professional artists living in Colorado are eligible to apply.
Mural artists are asked to sign up to be included in future mural and Creative Neighborhood projects.
> Venues
Staff is working with multiple departments to negotiate and complete a new lease with The Dairy Arts
Center.
Work continues to provide support on the proposal from the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art
(BMoCA) to relocate their facility to a new location in the NoBo Art District.
Work continues on the 2024 Venues Study. Staff hired an intern from CU Boulder, Dylan Katzman, to help
with various OAC projects including the collection of information for the Venues Study. Dylan will help
collect information about existing venues in the city of Boulder as well as help with Boulder Arts Week.
> Professional Artists
The Artist Census is scheduled to begin with a survey available to artists working in Boulder. This survey
helps us gain a clearer picture of how our artists are surviving and thriving as workers and small business
owners in Boulder. The survey will be available beginning in March 2024 and will be open until there are
sufficient responses to represent a statistically significant cross-section of professional artists in the area.
The survey is the first part of the 2024 Artist Census. After surveys have been collected and analyzed, staff
will be working with consultants from Qualitative Research Centre (QRC) to conduct a series of focus
groups in late summer. Information gathered from the survey and the focus groups will be compiled and
presented with a target completion date of December 2024.
We held the first of eight Professional Artist Forums on February 6. The event welcomed 23 artists from our
community for networking, socializing and discussing what other topics we’d like to cover at the forums
throughout the year. Topics brought forward included affordable creative space and housing, marketing
and promotion, and how to reach clients (specifically corporate clients). The second Professional Artist
Forum of 2024 will take place on Tuesday, March 5, from 5:30 to 7pm at the Junkyard Social Club (located
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at 2525 Frontier Ave). At this Professional Artist Forum we will talk about marketing and promotion for
individual artists and will consist of a panel of experts from marketing and arts organizations. Like all
forums, there will also be time for artists to network and connect with others in the community.
> Civic Dialog, Boulder Arts Week
Boulder Arts Week returns April 5 to April 13, 2024! Boulder is home to an abundance of cultural
destinations, public art, and artists. To celebrate art and creativity in the Boulder community, Boulder Arts
Week returns in 2024 for our 11th year. Boulder Arts Week is the only large-scale, inclusive celebration of
Boulder’s artists, arts, and cultural offerings. Visit Boulderartweek.org for more information or to join the
newsletter.
New this year for Boulder Arts Week, there will be a kick-off event on March 20, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at
the Junkyard Social Club. This event will be an opportunity to bring together artists, arts organizations,
business owners, and community members to share about events and happenings during BAW 2024 and
make connections for continued partnerships.
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DRAFTAttachment One
Draft Letter to Council Dear City Council members: Thank you for the opportunity to present the most urgent cultural and civic priorities for the Boulder Arts Commission in 2024 and beyond, as well as some of our accomplishments from 2023. In 2023, the Arts Commission is proud to have granted nearly $1.09M to over 150 local arts programs, artists, and organizations and to have supported the ongoing development of eleven public art projects. In addition, the Commission made changes to granting eligibility requirements to address the realities of organizations providing programming in Boulder, completed its statement against discrimination and harassment (https://bouldercolorado.gov/resources-artists-experiencing-harassment), participated in public forums on issues of concern for local artists, worked with the City Attorneys’ Office to incorporate language for accurate reporting and spending of grant funds into contracts, and implemented the new Leadership Pipeline Fund by providing two scholarships for emerging arts leaders who plan to use their skills to benefit the arts community in Boulder. In 2023, arts organizations have begun to slowly rebound from COVID 19 impacts, and are rebuilding for sustainability. A 2022 survey of General Operating Support grantees indicates that audience sizes have returned to exceed pre-pandemic levels, and most recipients of general operating support have rebuilt health operating reserves. And, of course, the Arts Commission was grateful to the Boulder voters for passing Ballot Measure 2A.With 75% ofall voters supporting the measure, residents made it clear that arts and culture remain a priority for them and a cornerstone of Boulder’s identity.We are excited to see how these funds will help fulfill Commission priorities fromthe past years, and how the community wants to see funds directed. As the Office of Arts & Culture settles on ourunderstandingof how the community desires 2A funds to be used,members of Council can support this effort by:a)participating in opportunities for community feedback, b) helping the Office of Arts & Culture spread the word onopportunities for public engagement, and c) supporting the outcomes and recommendations that result from theoutreach process.For 2024, the Commission recognizes that City Council is focused on fulfilling commitments on broad social issues such as behavioral health,homelessness,ongoing financial stressors for vulnerable populations,climate change andwildfire risk, unsanctioned camping, and a lack of affordable housing. The Commission hopes that Council willconsider and remember that arts and artists intersect with and wrap around each of these areas of focus. Our artscommunity is greatly impacted by many of these areas, including behavioral health, homelessness, affordablehousing, and identification as a vulnerable population. City Council can continue to address ongoing issues for thearts community by incorporating a perspective inclusive of arts and artists when you consider solutions andinitiatives in these areas.The Art Commission’s main priorities for 2024 include: [2-3 of the below will be chosen at the meeting. Please identify your top 3, and be prepared to offer input on how Council can impact the specific concern] [1. Integration of artists into all city work. Vibrant and healthy arts organizations and artists impact all aspects of civic life and municipal prosperity (http://tinyurl.com/A4AImpact). As Council empowers staff and other Commissions to seek improvement in their areas of expertise, please encourage them to integrate arts organizations and artists into their internal processes and decisions. Not only do the arts professionals represent an important sector of our community, whose voices are important to hear, but artists bring fresh and creative approaches to problem solving. Consider integrating creative approaches by hiring arts organizations to guide work sessions.] [2. Arts in schools. Will this be integrated in cultural plan? Incorporating arts into education results in significant improvement in conflict resolution, future orientation, critical response, and career readiness. Arts participation also correlates with higher rates of tolerance and lower rates of juvenile delinquency and truancy. (http://tinyurl.com/A4AEducation)] [3. Making artist space available and affordable. The Office of Arts and Culture, and members of the Arts Commission receive consistent feedback that one of the largest barriers to working artists is the high cost of venues and studio space in Boulder. Anecdotally, we have observed that more and more artists are leaving the City of Boulder to live and work elsewhere because they have been priced out of the City. In fact, continuing progress on
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DRAFTworkspace for artists and arts organizations was a Commission priority as early as 2021. Commercial space for the arts is part of health economic development (http://tinyurl.com/A4AEconDev).] [4. Salary support for creatives. Boulder artists are subject to financial stressors, as a vulnerable population. As you consider initiatives to livable wages within City boundaries, please consider how your policies impact artists, arts administrators, and art students. Focused outreach to these residents will ensure that their perspectives and experience are incorporated into your policymaking.] [5. Housing affordability for artists. As with venue and studio space, the cost of housing in the City has priced many artists and arts administrators out of the City. Inclusion of artists and art spaces within neighborhoods increase property values, and help to create cultural and tourism hubs. (http://tinyurl.com/A4AHousing). ] [6. Encouraging diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Boulder boasts talented artists and arts organizations that contribute to ongoing conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion for LGBTQ+, Latine, undocumented, unhoused, BIPOC, disabled, and other marginalized perspectives. Incorporating their voices in all aspects of City work increases tolerance and improves communities (http://tinyurl.com/A4ADEIJ). We encourage City Council to continue supporting the use of the Race Equity Tool in City business; that it continues to appoint underrepresented voices to Commissions, Committees and staff positions; and that it encourages departments to incorporate blind hiring procedures. ] [7. Advocacy at the state and federal level. What do we want to say? State and federal funding for the arts continues to lag behind that provided other cities of similar size. The Arts Commission welcomes advisement from City Council on ways to engage with state and federal legislatures and attract additional arts funding to the City. ] With great appreciation for your continued support and the work you do for our City, The Boulder Arts Commission—Caroline Kert, Chair; Georgia Schmid, Vice-Chair; Bruce Borowsky; Maria Cole; Yaelaed Whyel; Sheryl Cardozo; and Jeffery Kash
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Attachment Two
Commission Correspondence
From: Amanda Berg Wilson <thecatamounts@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, February 19, 2024 10:41 AM
To: sheryl.cardozo@gmail.com; Bruce Borowsky <bruce@pixelmillstudios.com>; Maria Cole <m.cole205@gmail.com>;
Caroline Kert <carolinekert@gmail.com>; Georgia Schmid <georgiamichelle@hotmail.com>; Yaelaed Whyel
<yaelaedart@gmail.com>; Jeffery Kash <jeffreyakash@gmail.com>
Cc: Click, Lauren <clickl@bouldercolorado.gov>; Amanda Berg Wilson <thecatamounts@gmail.com>; Katie Elliott
<ke@3rdlaw.org>
Subject: Thank you!
External Sender Notice This email was sent by an external sender.
Dear Commissioners Borowsky, Cardozo, Cole, Kash, Kert, Schmid, and Whyel,
Thank you for awarding The Catamounts a $3000.00 Artist Hiring Grant.
We are using it for our collaboration with 3rd Law Dance/Theatre, Teacups and Tiny Dictators: A Cabaret for the End of
the World.
Our companies are collaborating on an all-original cabaret melding music, theater, and dance, meditating on the way in
which dictators can function as dense black holes, sucking the light from the world in their quest for absolute power. It
will run at the Dairy Arts Center April 13-21, 2024.
These grant funds will go toward the hiring of Paul Fowler, a composer and musician who lives in Boulder. Fowler
will compose for, perform in, and music direct a duo that will play live in the performance.
Fowler is a concert composer, producer, pianist, and vocalist. A sampling of his projects include a work for percussion
ensemble with video playback based on Charlie Chaplin’s shorts for the Ju Percussion Group, an orchestral commission
for the New York Youth Symphony, associate production of “In The Blood” for Native American artist and Grammy
winner Robert Mirabal, and collaborations with Paul Haas and Sympho using the computer as an improvisational
instrument in conjunction with orchestra.
If any of you would like to attend, I am happy to arrange for tickets. If you would like to join us, we kindly request that
you put in your request as soon as you are able, as we anticipate this event will sell out.
On behalf of all of The Catamounts, we are grateful for your partnership in bringing innovative, professional
performance to Boulder and beyond.
Warmly,
Amanda
--
Amanda Berg Wilson
Artistic Director, The Catamounts
www.thecatamounts.org
15
From: JENIFER SHER <jenifer@lemonspongecake.org>
Sent: Friday, February 23, 2024 5:39 AM
To: JENIFER SHER <Jenifer@lemonspongecake.org>
Cc: Bruce Borowsky <bruce@pixelmillstudios.com>; Sheryl Cardozo <aspiringnomad1@gmail.com>; Maria Cole
<m.cole205@gmail.com>; Jeffery Kash <jeffreyakash@gmail.com>; Caroline Kert <carolinekert@gmail.com>; Yaelaed
Whyel <yaelaedart@gmail.com>; Georgia Schmid <georgiamichelle@hotmail.com>; Click, Lauren
<clickl@bouldercolorado.gov>; Chasansky, Matthew <ChasanskyM@bouldercolorado.gov>
Subject: Thank you!
External Sender Notice This email was sent by an external sender.
Dear Boulder Arts Commissioners,
Lemon Sponge Cake is delighted to receive an Artist Hiring Grant for its upcoming season.
A wholehearted thank you for all the time you devote to supporting the arts in Boulder.
Thank you!
JENIFER SHER
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
LEMON SPONGE CAKE CONTEMPORARY BALLET
WWW.LEMONSPONGECAKE.ORG
720 352 2903
INSTAGRAM CLICK HERE
YOU TUBE CLICK HERE
“Funny, dark and provocative, Trust was a highlight of the program.” The New York Times
“ Mr. Sher-Machherndl, a former principal dancer with the Dutch National Ballet and Bavarian State Ballet, is a choreographer to watch for.” The New York Times
“Decidedly contemporary style that is gaining increased national attention, and deservedly so. He is an obvious talent .” Denver Post
"Sher-Machherndl’s movement style, reminiscent of William Forsythe, seems to deliberately accentuate his length and angularity, which becomes striking in
combination with his clear center and precise technique” Dance Enthusiast
16
Attachment Three
Follow up letter from Carlie Ransom
Carlie Ransom
5966 Boston St.
Denver, CO 80238
February 19, 2024
Cultural Grants Program- Office of Arts and Culture
1500 Pearl Street #300
Boulder, CO 80302
RE: Request for Additional Information about the Impact of the CU Boulder Graduate
Certificate of Arts Administration Grant
Dear Boulder Arts Commissioners,
The impact on Samba Colorado was most noticeable in our fundraising efforts and business
formation decisions. As a small grassroots organization born in Boulder, CO, Samba Colorado
has never had any form of significant financial backing. When I started as their grants manager,
we assumed that grants were a primary source of funding for small artists. The Arts
Administration program allowed me to realize the importance of a robust fundraising plan
beyond grant writing. Corporate funder and individual donation campaigns are now part of the
overall fundraising strategy. Deliverables directly from Melissa Fathman’s fundraising course
include Samba Colorado’s thirteen page annual fundraising plan, several grant letters of intent,,
and a phone script, all used to train Samba Colorado volunteers last year.
Mr. Metzroth’s class was eye opening for simply how large a staff needs to be to effectively run
a 501(c)3 arts organization. This allowed Samba Colorado to conclude that fiscal sponsorship
(through Boulder County Arts Alliance) is a more appropriate option for the present compared to
starting a 501(c)3, allowing valuable resources to go directly to arts programming instead of
additional administrative expenses.
My key takeaway from the program is that for historically underrepresented artists without
financial resources, staying for-profit rather than nonprofit can be advantageous. The future of
classical arts will likely involve more artists outside the traditional 501(c)3 system, given the
ongoing exclusion of marginalized groups from a primarily wealthy and white philanthropic
system. To address this, I focus on empowering marginalized artists to be financially savvy and
creative in business, encouraging them to become funders instead of relying solely on external
funding. I help purpose-driven artists overcome doubts about achieving a financially empowered
and impactful future by guiding them in making informed decisions about business structures,
developing effective funding strategies, and creating strategic financial plans at both
organizational and individual levels. This enables artists to make a positive impact while
generating a sustainable income.
Sincerely,
Carlie Ransom
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Attachment Four
Current Public Art Program 5 Year Budget as of January 25, 2024
FUNDING
SOURCE
PROJECT/ARTIST
TOTAL
APPROPRIATE
D
AMOUNT
PAID TO DATE
BALANCE
REMAINING
2024
PROJECTED
SPENDING
Gen. Fund Los Seis de Boulder
Donation $3,000 $2,200 $800 $800
Multiple Art and Parking Garages $122,500 $6,125 $116,375 $85,760
CCS v1 North Broadway / Dowell $165,000 $41,250 $123,750 $123,750
Multiple NoBo Library / Daily T.L.J. $260,000 $122,500 $51,508 $51,508
CCS v2 Fire Station 3 (2021) $80,000 $47,500 $32,500 $32,500
Multiple Valmont Park Rain Garden $20,000 $3,750 $16,250 $16,250
Urban
Design 19th and Upland (2025) $51,700 $2,585 $49,115 $0
% for Art Transportation (2025) $330,000 $0 $330,000 tbd
% for Art Valmont City Park (2025) $144,000 $0 $144,000 tbd
TOTAL $864,298.00 $225,910.00 $864,298.00 $310,568.00
CCS: Community Culture and Safety Tax
CCRS: Community Culture Resiliency and Safety Tax
Additional maintenance projects are not represented.
18
Attachment Five
Current Cultural Grants Program Budget as of February 23, 2024
GRANT
CATEGORY
ASSIGNED
BUDGET
ACTUAL
BUDGET
GRANTS
AWARDED
BALANCE
GOS: Extra Large Orgs1 $400,000 $426,035 $0.00 $426,035
GOS: Large Orgs $180,000 $190,414 $0.00 $190,414
GOS: Mid Orgs $80,000 $85,207 $0.00 $85,207
GOS: Small Orgs $96,000 $104,332 $0.00 $104,332
Community Projects: Indv. $25,000 $25,000 $0.00 $25,000
Community Projects: Orgs. $60,000 $60,000 $0.00 $60,000
Arts Education $30,000 $30,000 $0.00 $30,000
Venue and Event Affordability
Fund $16,000 $16,000 $15,445 $555.00
Prof. Dev. Scholarships $8,000 $8,000 $0.00 $8,000
Leadership Pipeline Fund $16,000 $16,000 $0.00 $16,000
Cultural Field Trips $10,000 $10,000 $1,160 $8,840
Assistance for Grant Writing $4,000 $4,000 $2,500 $1,500
TOTAL $925,000 $975,014 $19,105 $955,909
There are 8 free rentals still available for the Macky Auditorium.
There are 7 free rentals still available from eTown Hall.
1 100K was added to the budget from the general fund in May 2023. These funds were added to the four GOS
categories and the $26 remaining to the Venue Fund.
AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDS (2024)
GRANT
CATEGORY
ASSIGNED
BUDGET
ACTUAL
BUDGET
GRANTS
AWARDED
BALANCE
Artist Hiring Incentive Grants $54,000 $54,000 $18,000 $36,000
Venue and Event Affordability
Fund $21,000 $21,000 $15,499 $5,501
TOTAL $75,000 $75,000 $33,499 $41,501
19