HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.20.24 BAC PacketBoulder Arts Commission Meeting Agenda
November 20, 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 October 2024 meeting and retreat minutes
3.PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
4.COMMISSION BUSINESS (5 min)
5.MATTERS FROM COMMISSIONERS (30 min)
A.Liaison Updates
B.Commission Work Items
C.Other Topics from the Community
D.December Meeting
6.GRANTS PROGRAM (15 min) – Sarah
A.Action: Grant Reports
7.MATTERS FROM STAFF (10 min) – Lauren
A.Questions about the Manager’s Memo
8.ADJOURNMENT
Next meetings
Tentative: Wednesday, December 18, 2024, 6 to 8 p.m.
Wednesday, January 29, 2025, 6 to 8 p.m.
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CITY OF BOULDER
BOULDER, COLORADO
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS MEETING MINUTES
Name of Board/ Commission: Boulder Arts Commission
Date of Meeting: October 23, 2024
Contact information preparing summary: Lisa Wuycheck, Executive Assistant
Commission members present: Sheryl Cardozo, Jeffrey Kash (Vice-Chair), Jill Katzenberger, Caroline Kert (Chair),
Maria Cole, Yaelaed Whyel
Commission members absent: Georgia Schmid
Staff present:
Cris Jones, Community Vitality (CV) Director
Matt Chasansky, CV Senior Manager of Cultural Vibrancy and District Vitality
Lauren Click, CV Arts + Culture Manager
Brendan Picker-Mahoney, CV Public Arts Program Manager
Cindy Sepucha, CV Arts Program Manager for Artists and Venues
Sarah Harrison, CV Grants Program Manager
Lisa Wuycheck, CV Executive Assistant
Type of Meeting: Special Meeting (Location: Roots Music Project, 4747 Pearl Street, Suite #300, Boulder, CO 80302)
Agenda Item 1: CALL TO ORDER [00:00:21 Audio min.]
Kert called the meeting to order at 2:11 p.m.
Kert read the Land Acknowledgement.
Kert and Cole will establish an Indigenous committee; Cole asked to continue to seek Indigenous perspectives in the
work.
Agenda Item 2: MINUTES [00:03:17 Audio min.]
Item 2A: Approval of the Agenda.
Kash moved to approve the meeting agenda. Second by Cardozo. All were in favor, and the motion passed
unanimously.
Item 2B: Approval of the August and September Meeting Minutes
Whyel moved to approve the previous meeting minutes. Second by Cardozo. Cole abstained; the motion passed.
Agenda Item 3: GRANTS PROGRAM BUSINESS [00:04:10 Audio min.]
Item 3A: Grant Report
Community Project Grant for Organizations, BaoBao Foundation, Akoma Ntoso – Coexistence, $10,000
Grants Program Manager Sarah Harrison reminded the commissioners, when voting on the approval of the report, they
have the options to:
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a.Approve the report.
b.Approve the report while submitting specific questions.
c.Postpone approval of the report pending the answers to specific questions, and/or
d.Not approve the report and cancel the final 20% payment.
Cardozo said, ‘I move that we approve the grant report from the BaoBao Foundation.’ Second by Whyel. All were in
favor, and the motion passed unanimously. Kert requested a follow-up count of the number of participants and the
number of attendees. Harrison will follow up with the BaoBao Foundation.
Item 3B. Action: Approval of the 2025 Grant Program
Harrison reviewed the 2025 Cultural Grants Cycle Blueprint, Step Four, which included the Professional Grants Panel
and the Leadership Pipeline Fund. Kert reminded staff she had sent them edits indicating the application language
wasn’t reflected in the overview page.
Whyel said, ‘I move to approve the 2025 Cultural Grants Program budget structure and to endorse the staff proposal
for process, schedule, application, and scoring system.” Second by Kash. All were in favor and the motion passed
unanimously.
Item 3C: Action: Delegation of Authority for Administrative Decisions
Kash said, ‘I move that we delegate decisions for the following grant categories to staff: the Artist Hiring Incentive,
Cultural Field Trip Fund, Grant Writing Assistance Fund, Professional Development Scholarships, and Rental
Assistance (Boulder Venues).” Second by Cardozo. All were in favor, and the motion passed unanimously.
Item 3D: Sponsorship Committee Members
Cardozo and Whyel volunteered to serve on the Sponsorship Committee.
Harrison discussed the next steps and reminded the commissioners of the following meetings.
Grant Info Sessions:
•Thursday, November 21 at 11:30 a.m. location TBD (Commissioner needed)
•Thursday, December 12 at 4 p.m. on Zoom (Commissioner needed)
Cultural Organizations Summit: Fundraising Info Session:
•Thursday, November 7 at 4 p.m. at the Office of Arts & Culture
Cultural Organizations Summit: 2025 Fundraising Info Session:
•Wednesday, December 11 at 11:30 a.m. at Chautauqua Community House
2025 Grant Program Training:
•Wednesday, January 22 at 4 p.m. at the Office of Arts & Culture
Kert mentioned she plans to attend both grant information sessions.
Harrison expressed appreciation to Kash for attending the November 7 summit.
Harrison announced that she will be presenting at the December 11 information session and confirmed she will email
the commissioners a link for the January 22 Grant Program Training.
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Agenda Item 4: PUBLIC ARTS PROGRAM BUSINESS [00:14:00 Audio min.]
Public Arts Program Manager Brendan Picker-Mahoney presented the public arts program update.
Item 4A: Introduction to Public Art Implementation Plan Update
Picker-Mahoney announced staff are updating the Public Art Implementation Plan with help from the Budget and
Planning Offices and individual project managers in the City. He added the commissioners will review the plan in
Spring of 2025.
He mentioned he will be contacting the commissioners to invite them to serve on the selection panels.
Item 4B: Action: Delegation of Authority for the Standing Selection Panel
Picker-Mahoney explained, per the Public Art Policy, the Standing Selection Panel is assembled to review and
approve:
•Unique Opportunities for Public Art
•Donations of Public Arts
•Relocations of Public Art
•Deaccessions of Public Art
Cardozo said, “I move that we delegate authority for unique opportunities, donations, relocations, and deaccessions of
public art to the Standing Selection Panel.” Second by Kash. All in favor, and the motion passed unanimously.
Item 4C: Action: Julia Williams (the Designosaur) Mural Community Vitality Mural Project
Picker-Mahoney shared that the staff recently completed a process to commission an artist for mural paintings in the
Community Vitality Department. He noted that while the murals were initially intended for internal spaces, they have
since expanded to include some public-facing art.
He explained that the process involved inviting five Boulder muralists from the artist roster to submit proposals, with
three artists agreeing and submitting their designs. Community Vitality staff members voted on the proposals, with
Julia Williams, also known as the Designosaur, receiving the most votes. He added that the staff hopes to have the
project completed by next summer.
Picker-Mahoney outlined the public art process, explaining that if a project follows the classic "1% for Art" model, a
portion of it would be added to the city’s collection and undergo the standard public art process. He clarified that if any
artwork is funded by the city and located on public property, or even on property that faces the public, it must be
submitted to the commission for approval.
Cole asked if there is a way for the commissioners to have a list of emerging artists or students that want to be part of
this process. She discussed furthering the education and involvement of younger people in the arts. Picker-Mahoney
confirmed staff encourages young artists to submit their work for approval on the City’s mural roster. Cole suggested
pairing the established mural artists with young, inexperienced artists. Picker-Mahoney suggested addressing this
concept with the Standing Selection Panel.
Cole said, “I move that we approve this process was properly conducted and recommend that the proposal by artist
Julia Williams advance to the City Manager for final approval.” Second by Whyel. All were in favor, and the motion
passed unanimously.
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Kert proposed that the commissioners start identifying potential agenda items for 2025.
Whyel suggested including the Teen Arts Council and Culture Calendar in these discussions.
Kert also recommended exploring ways to engage more teens and CU students, as well as improving communication
about available opportunities to various organizations.
Cardozo and Cole highlighted the importance of involving younger people. Staff noted that commissioners must be at
least 18 to serve, and Cole suggested allowing a younger individual to observe Arts Commission meetings without
voting.
Katzenberger proposed supporting grant-receiving organizations by focusing on promoting their events and the
application process.
Kash suggested that commissioners act as liaisons to non-GOS grant recipients, providing coaching and serving as
resources based on their areas of expertise.
Kert also recommended discussing permits for temporary art.
The commissioners agreed that a yearly budget discussion with staff is essential.
Agenda Item 5: ADJOURNMENT [00:36:10 Audio min.]
Kert adjourned the special meeting at 2:46 p.m.
RETREAT
Guests present:
Progressive Urban Management Associates (P.U.M.A.) consultants: Amanda Buglione and Naomi Grunditz Lacewell
Former Arts Commissioners Kathleen McCormick and Eboni Freeman
Ana Salim, Downtown Boulder Partnership
Agenda Item 6: REINTRODUCTIONS [00:00:01 Audio min.]
Kert led an exercise centered on the attendees’ interpretations of public art engagement.
Agenda Item 7: COMMUNITY CULTURAL PLAN NINE-YEAR REVIEW [00:24:09 Audio min.]
Click explained that she invited the guests to participate in reviewing the Cultural Plan strategies.
The eight strategies from the Cultural Plan are as follows.
1.Support our cultural organizations
2.Reinvent our public art program
3.Enhance the vitality of the creative economy
4.Strengthen culture in our neighborhoods and communities
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5.Civic dialogue, awareness, and participation
6.Support artists and creative professionals
7.Create and enhance venues
8.Engage our youth
Click presented a chart depicting the continual growth of the Arts & Culture program budget and a chart showing the
growth of the general fund.
Click provided an update on the progress of the eight strategies from the Cultural Plan.
1.Support our cultural organizations
Progress:
o Substantial program growth in the Boulder Arts Commission Grant Program
o Sponsorships supporting Human Relations Fund, Boulder County Arts Alliance Business of the
Arts series, and Boulder Arts Week artists, among others
o COVID rescue funding
o Cultural Organizations Summits, leadership development and convening
2.Reinvent our public art program
Progress:
o Public art policy including a 1% for art from City capital projects
o Community projects
o Experiments in Public Art series
o Implementation plans
o Maintenance and conservation
o Interpretation and communications
3.Support artists and creative professionals
Progress
o Artist Forums, training and gathering
o Artist Census 2019 and 2025
o Professional development tools (scholarships, trainings, Business of the Arts sponsorship)
o Dance Bridge
o Artists Hiring Incentive Grant
4.Enhance the vitality of the creative economy
Progress
o Creative District support
o Arts and Economic Prosperity Research 5 and 6
o Quarterly Cultural Organizations Summits, and series like The Equity Project program for arts
leaders
5.Strengthen culture in our neighborhoods and communities
Progress
o PDA grants
o Creative Neighborhoods Program (Boulder Strong memorial)
o COVID-19 work projects
o Diversity, equity, and inclusion work (Boulder Arts Commission Statement on Cultural Equity,
How to Be an Anti-racist Organization series, resources for artists experiencing harassment)
6.Civic dialogue, awareness, and participation
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Progress
o Boulder Arts Week
o Newsletter
o Instagram
o National engagement with AFTA, GIA, CO
o Regional leadership (FRED’O’LAA, Philanthropy Colorado)
7.Create and enhance venues AND
8.Engage our youth
Progress o Mentorship programoGrowing Up Boulder/YOAB collaborationsoArts Education Grants/Cultural Field Trip FundoCCRS tax supportoVenues studyoCARES art
Breakout Group Sessions to Assess the Cultural Plan Strategies
1.Reinvent our public art program (Picker-Mahoney led the group.)
Wins:
•Having funds (1% policy)
•Engaging visitors and residents to make Boulder more vibrant.
•The public art program allows for a diversity of art.
Suprises:
•The record keeping of the public art collection was in disarray.
•The history of murals, growing amount of murals.
•The amount of education people have about public art.
•The general public doesn't understand the policies.
Losses
•The accessible signage project is not complete or hasn't even started. There's a lot
of red tape, including permits and other bureaucracy.
•Is urban design going away?
•Are we missing equity in our locations?
•We need more good dialogue/advocacy
Letter grade: A-
2.Support our cultural organizations (Harrison and Click led the group.)
Wins:
•A change in reputation and recognition of the arts resulting in additional funding.
•A change in the definition of art from a very traditional view of arts to expanded
perspective of cultural organizations and mixed-use organizations.
•Expanding eligibility and focusing on what organizations are doing in the
community from a cultural equity perspective.
•More partnerships and more event opportunities.
•Changing the feel of the community.
Suprises:
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•The pivot and adapting to COVID: We addressed the loss of jobs, the Arts
Commission partnered with foundations to provide funding for ARPA, and we
were very reactive, responsive, and creative to adapting to COVID.
Loss:
•You can't fund everybody, and you can't do everything because time and money
are limited resources.
Letter grade: A
3.Support artists and creative professionals (Sepucha led the group.)
Wins:
•There’s a large, connected artist community.
•There's more money for artists.
•The application process is easier than a lot of other things which has created space
for innovation for artists to do something exciting.
Suprise:
There is more collaboration than competition.
Losses:
•It's expensive to find usable workspace due to cost.
•Zoning and permitting/red tape.
•It’s difficult to be an artist in this high-cost area.
Letter grade: C (Freeman gave a B+)
4.Strengthen culture in our neighborhoods and communities (Picker-Mahoney led the group.)
Wins:
•There’s more art in Boulder (NOBO Arts District).
Suprises
•Art at Chautauqua
Losses:
•Some areas of Boulder that seem to have no identity at all.
•Are we reaching equity goals? There must be a better way to increase diversity.
•Accountability: it seems like we are the sole supporter of arts.
•It isn’t clear what is happening in the Civic Area?
•University Hill still has challenges.
•There are a lot of factors beyond what our office can change (housing,
affordability, and other social ills impacting Boulder)
Letter grade: None
5.Civic dialogue, awareness, and participation (Sepucha led the group.)
Wins:
•Denver mirrored the concept of Boulder Arts Week (!)
•A larger number of granted projects and organizations are doing provocative
work.
•Boulder has more non-artist community members engaged with the arts.
Suprises:
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•The pushback on mural destruction
•Some organizations are going above and beyond in their DEI work.
Losses:
•Vandalism of public art, specifically murals
•The community still doesn't understand what the Office of Arts and Culture does.
•It seems like specific local organizations focus on equity.
•In spite of the promotion that we do through Bolder Arts week and other platforms,
artists are still struggling to reach audiences.
Letter grade: B
6.Enhance the vitality of the creative economy (Harrison/Click led the group.)
Wins:
•The data that we have from national, state and local economic surveys show this
industry is generating revenue, creating jobs, and bringing people to the
community.
•You don't have to fight an uphill battle on a political level to take the art seriously
as an economic driver.
•The passing of the Arts, Culture, and Heritage Tax
•NOBO Creative District
•The equity project that made some changes for organizations
Suprises
•Losing general funds because of Arts, Culture, and Heritage Tax
Losses:
•Comparison of funding in Boulder vs. neighboring districts
Letter grade: None
Agenda Item 8: 2025 PRELIMINARY STAFF WORK PLAN [01:16:35 Audio min.]
Arts & Culture 2025 Work Plan
Click explained that the work plan reflects the guidance from the short-term needs assessment.
Click reviewed the six community priorities of the Community Cultural Plan.
1.Cultural organizations
2.Artists and creative professionals
3.Civic dialogue
4.Creative identity
5.Creativity in the public realm
6.Cultural destinations
Community Cultural Plan’s Collective Vision
‘Together, we will craft Boulder’s social, physical, and cultural environment to include creativity as an essential
ingredient for the well being, prosperity, and joy of everyone in the community.’
Community Culture Plan’s Eight Municipal Strategies
1.Cultural organizations and grants
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2.Public art
3.Venues
4.Creative economy and districts
5.Creative neighborhoods
6.Artists and creative professionals
7.Civic dialogue
8.Youth
Picker-Mahoney and Sepucha presented the 2024 accomplishments
•‘Los Seis de Boulder’ by Jasmine Baetz installed
•‘Nuages’ by DTLJ at N. Boulder Library installed
•Sharon Dowell’s ‘Unfolding’ on N. Broadway installed
•Two experiments in Public Art projects and five artists on board for Lecture Series next year
•Public Art Tours
•Western City Campus project in artist selection
•Maintenance projects
•Paint the Pavement program guidelines updated
•Permanent Art Collection audit project
•2025 Short Term Needs Assessment completed
•156 grants and fee waivers
•Professional Artist Forums
•Last year of ARPA relief funding
•New Grants Manager
•Artist census research
•Artistic and cultural venues research
•10 creative neighborhoods murals initiated (2 completed)
•Boulder Arts Week
•Community building events
•Initiated engagement with the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan
•Initiated the Boulder Arts Blueprint
Picker-Mahoney reviewed the 2025 Work Plan for Public Art
•New public art project installations (15+ upcoming)
•Experiments in public art lecture series
•Donations and community-initiated projects
•Collection audit database and accessible signage projects
•Maintenance plan and ongoing maintenance projects
•Outreach and engagement – tours, etc.
•Ongoing planning and funding discussions
Harrison highlighted the 2025 Work Plan for Cultural Grants and Support for Organizations
•Steward 2025 Grant ProgramoHiring grants paneloReceiving feedback on new changes for 2026
•Quarterly cultural organization summits
•Sponsorship program
•Collecting data to support Blueprint from previous grant reports
Sepucha discussed the 2025 Work Plan for Artists and Creative Professionals
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•Forums for professional artists
•Professional development
•Artist census study
•Develop new programming
Click updated the commissioners on the 2025 Work Plan for Creative Economy that involves venues and youth.
Sepucha reviewed the 2025 Work Plan for Creative Neighborhoods.
•Community-initiated projects
•#BoulderStrong
•Subcommunity planning and neighborhood strategy
Sepucha also presented the 2025 Work Plan for Civic Dialog and Boulder Arts Week
•Manage and grow communications inventory (newsletter, X, Instagram)
•Boulder Arts Week 2025
•Regional Leadership
Click presented a list of the Art Commission responsibilities according to City Ordinance.
•Grants ordinance
•Other grants responsibilities
•Sponsorship committee
•Public Art policy
•Standing selection panel
•Ambassador to the community
•Advisory to staff
Click highlighted the Arts Commission’s mission
‘The Boulder Arts Commission believes arts and culture are the foundation for a diverse, inclusive, equitable, and
accessible community. We work collaboratively with the city staff, artists, arts and culture organizations, and the
community to support artists and enrich Boulder’s quality of life and economic vitality and to help create a highly
innovative, vibrant, and resilient city.’
Cole asked if the venue study will be included in the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan. She also asked if discussing
a community center, particularly in the East Civic Area, is in discussion. Community Vitality Director Cris Jones said
the door isn’t closed on that idea and there will be community engagement process for input on the Comprehensive
Plan and Civic Area.
Kash suggested the venue study may allow an opportunity that could be short term when looking at the inventory of
the venues. He also suggested researching the marketing capabilities of each location.
Jones shared that the decision for the location of the 2027 Sundance Film Festival will be announced at the end of the
2025 Festival.
Agenda Item 8: LOOKING AHEAD [01:42:36 Audio min.]
The commissioners suggested the following agenda items for the 2025 Arts Commission meetings.
•Cultural calendar
•Teen and college student engagement with the commission
•Coaching grant recipients and community members
•Debt and budget training
•Rebuilding trust with the community
•Attempting to address systemic racism within the community
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•Define and clarify the commission’s DEI mission regarding the grants program, as it differs slightly from the
City’s approach
•Broader reach to underserved artists and communities
•Consult with City of Boulder’s Intergovernmental Officer Carl Castillo
•Review the blueprint of the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts (CBCA)
•Build strategic partnerships with the Boulder Chamber, Visit Boulder/The Convention and Visitors Bureau,
and Downtown Boulder Partnership
•Outreach for greater awareness of the grant program
•Collaborate with other grant programs to promote their opportunities and connect artists with additional
resources.
•Ways to engage the commission with city initiatives (Civic Area Plan): Schedule a joint commission meeting
with project managers. Attend public engagement opportunities as a member of the commission (only two
members permitted)
Kert shared that she enjoyed receiving more STEAM applications. Click suggested marketing to STEAM programs
when the grant applications open.
Kert and Kash shared that they are members of the CBCA.
Click reminded the commissioners the Blueprint will be their opportunity to voice their opinions.
Kert informed the commissioners that she is available to gather any additional input from them and pass it along to the
staff.
Kert announced she plans to reapply for the Arts Commission after her term ends in 2025.
Wuycheck presented the proposed Arts Commission meeting dates for 2025, which received unanimous approval from
all commissioners.
She announced that the next commissioner recruitment cycle will run from December through January 31.
Wuycheck explained that City Council will not be accepting letters from Boards and Commissions regarding 2025
priorities, as there will be no official council retreat next year.
She also shared that the City Clerk’s Office is collaborating with the Boards & Commissions subcommittee to explore
potential changes to the commissioner interview process. She noted that the 2024 interview questions were included in
the meeting packet to gather commissioner feedback.
Wuycheck reminded commissioners about a virtual training offered by the City of Boulder on Tuesday, October 29, for
current and prospective chairs and vice-chairs. She resent an email with the Zoom link.
Cole inquired about the Boards & Commissions issue on the City of Boulder ballot, and staff will follow up with
additional information.
Date, time, and location of the next meeting:
The next Boulder Arts Commission Meeting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at the
Community Vitality Department, 1500 Pearl Street, Suite 300, Boulder, CO 80302.
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APPROVED BY: ATTESTED:
____________________________________________________________________________
Board Chair Board Secretary
___________________________________________________________________________
Date Date
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TO: Members of the Boulder Arts Commission
FROM: Lauren Click, City of Boulder Office of Arts + Culture,
Community Vitality Department
DATE: November 15, 2024
SUBJECT: Manager’s Update for the Boulder Arts Commission Meeting on November 20, 2024
>To maximize access, the November 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, November 19 at
12:00 p.m. Please indicate in your email if you are requesting to attend in person or by video.
>Notes on the November Meeting Agenda
−5B, Commission Work Items. At the October Commission Retreat, there were several ideas brought forth
that the Commission would like to address in the upcoming year. At this meeting, there will be an initial
discussion about what items to focus on and discussion to form committees to begin the work. A list of
ideas here:
•Continued work on how to support the City’s work with Tribal Nations
•Continued work on rebuilding trust in the community
•Connecting other funders with grantees and the arts community
•Continued work with the City’s Legislative Liaison
•Coaching sessions with arts organizations on fundraising, venues , and marketing strategies
•Connecting youth with arts opportunities, such as CU Boulder, YOAB, and youth opportunities in
projects
−6A, Grant Reports. The grant reports requiring action have been distributed to Arts Commission members
by email. These are the reports being discussed:
•Street Wise Arts, Street Wise Mural Festival, $10,000
•Junkyard Social Club, Boulder County’s STEAMFest, $3,000
RECOMMENDED MOTION
“I move that we approve the grant reports from Street Wise Arts and Junkyard Social Club.”
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.Postpone approval of individual reports pending the answers to specific questions, and/or
e.Not approve individual reports and cancel the final payments.
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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. No Commission correspondence was sent between the
publication of the October 23 and November 20, 2024, meeting packets.
In Attachment One, please find the Commission Correspondence.
>Staff Updates
>Administration and Planning
Consultant s for the Boulder Arts Blueprint will be in Boulder in December to meet with community
members and staff and have begun research on benchmark cities.
Work continues with the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan team to collaborate on their engagement
processes and for the Boulder Arts Blueprint.
>Grants and Programs
Work continues to support applicants and promote the 2025 Boulder Arts Commission Grant Program.
The Commission requested follow up information from the BaoBao Foundation about the Akoma Ntoso
Community Project Grant report that they reviewed at the October meeting. They asked that BaoBao
provide attendance numbers for their festival events. They provided the information below:
−Boulder Public Library Event: 35
−School Event at Dairy Center: 65
−Dairy Center Main Performance: 250
−Dance Workshop: 27
The following Rental Assistance and Fee Wavier grant reports were approved in advance of the meeting:
−Dairy Arts Center / Creative Nations, First Storyteller’s Festival, eTown Hall Fee Waiver
−Boulder Shelter for the Homeless (dba All Roads), Rock the Shelter – A Fundraising Concert, eTown
Hall Fee Waiver
The following Professional Development Grant report was approved by staff in advance of the meeting:
−Belgin Yucelen, Arctic Residency in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Sweden, $1,000
The following Cultural Field Trip Funds were approved in advance of the meeting:
−Pioneer Elementary (Classroom of Marta Quezada) to eTown Hall to see Pinocchio Opera, Boulder
Opera, $2,000
−Escuela Bilingüe Pioner (5th Grade Classroom of Wanda Vásquez García) to eTown Hall to see
Pinocchio Opera, Boulder Opera, $1,340
−Escuela Bilingüe Pioner (4th Grade Classroom of Wanda Vásquez García) to eTown Hall to see
Pinocchio Opera, Boulder Opera, $1,385
Staff received and approved a report for the following Cultural Field Trip:
−Columbine Elementary (classroom of Stephanie Fida) to Macky Auditorium to see a Discovery
Concert, Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra, $575
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The following Artist Hiring Incentive Grants were approved in advance of the meeting:
− The Cultural Caravan, Boulder artists for The Cultural Caravan's 2024 Season, $3,000
− Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, MycoMorphesis: Dancing with Fungi (working title), $3,000
▪ Administratively approved to change to: Ana González Barragán’s exhibition, Intimacy with
a (non) site
The report deadline for the following project was administratively extended between the last Commission
meeting and this one:
− Ivan-Daniel Espinosa, MycoMorphosis: Dancing with Fungi (a multimedia Bio -Art installation),
$4,500
In Attachment Two, please find a current grants program budget.
> Public Art Program
Staff will present changes to the Public Art implementation Plan early next year.
Staff is planning to manage nine new, upcoming public art projects tied to larger capital improvement
projects in 2025. These will include two fire stations, the East Boulder Community Center , and the
University Hill project, among others.
Work has begun to hire a project consultant to handle five of the upcoming public art projects, including
two new fire stations and a transportation project(s).
Work continues on adding a self-guided version of the Downtown Boulder Public Art Tour to the website.
Work continues on expanding the public art presence in social media and the newsletter.
Staff continue to work with the Budget Office on public art funding procedures in the Capital Improvement
Program and the Community Culture Resilience and Safety Tax (CCRS) allocations.
Staff continue to support colleagues in Planning and Development Services on improvements to the public
art permitting process.
Public Art Commissioning Updates:
- North Broadway (Sharon Dowell): Dedication took place September 17, 2024 .
- Western City Campus (Alpine Balsam): 10 finalists were selected to create proposals. Final selection
should occur in Dec. 2024.
- Fire Station 3 (Michael Clapper): Final design and fabrication. Footer for sculpture has been poured,
moving into fabrication of the artwork. Anticipated installation in Nov. 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 to Spring 2026. Art
will be installed in Spring 2026.
- Valmont Rain Garden (Greg Fields): Final design and fabrication. Anticipated installation Dec. 2024.
- Art in Parking Garages: 11th and Spruce (David Franklin): Design development. Engineering assessment
of the garage is complete, and staff are now waiting on a revised preliminary design from the artists.
- Uni Hill Public Art: Design development. Staff has identified several locations for an artwork and have
assembled a selection and technical review panel. Art will be installed in 2026.
Community-Initiated, Donation, Projects from Other Departments Updates:
- Urban Design - Pennsylvania Ave. & 13th St. District Pavement Murals: Staff is assisting colleagues in
the Community Vitality Department with a project to install four crosswalk mural at an intersection in
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the Uni Hill district. The project will employ an artist from our Mural Artist Roster. Installation is
planned for Spring 2025.
- Urban Design - CAGID Bike Rack Pavement Murals: Staff is assisting colleagues in the Community
Vitality Department with a project to install two pavement murals at in-street bike parking areas in
CAGID. The artist was selected from our Mural Artist Roster. Installation is planned for Spring 2025.
- Urban Design - Uni Hill Alley Mural: Staff is assisting colleagues in the Community Vitality Department
with a project to hire a muralist to install a mural in a Uni Hill alley identified as needing improvements.
The artist was selected from our Mural Artist Roster. Installation is planned for Spring 2025.
- Goss Grove Street mural: community member Susan Lott and community members have completed a
street mural at 19th and Grove Street. It is a long-standing mural that the neighborhood has maintained
and repainted over 12 years.
Maintenance and Conservation:
- Accessible Signage: A consultant is managing the audit of the public art collection and will enter
information on the collection into the City’s mapping database when finalized. Following the
completion of the audit, staff will engage a part-time project consultant to manage the implementation
of the Accessible Signage Plan.
In Attachment Three, please find the public art program 5-year budget.
> Creative Neighborhoods
Ten mural projects have been funded under the Creative Neighborhoods Mural Program in residential
areas of eight different subcommunities around the city . Two have been completed and another one is
underway. The rest of the projects will be completed by September 2025.
> 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.
Staff launched a Venue User Questionnaire to gather information about what spaces artists use (or would
use, if available) to create, teach, rehearse, exhibit, perform, etc. art in the Boulder area. The questionnaire
is targeted to artists and arts organizations. Staff aims to collect feedback from several organizations
and/or artists to inform the Boulder Arts Blueprint.
> Professional Artists
Work continues on the Artist Census. Please continue to spread the word about the census questionnaire.
The final two focus groups will take place in November; after which, all data will be compiled and prepared
for analysis and the final report.
Staff is working on finalizing a 2025 schedule of professional artist forums, which will kickoff with a forum I
January aimed at gathering artists to collaborate during Boulder Arts Week (April 4 -12).
> Civic Dialog, Boulder Arts Week
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Boulder Arts Week (BAW) will happen April 4-12, 2025. The call for the annual image competition is now
open. Results of that competition will be announced in November 2024. The top 5 entries are used as
marketing images for BAW 2025. Applications are currently open for Arts Week project scholarships. In
2025, the Downtown District is funding an additional six sponsorships for projects specifically happening
in downtown Boulder on April 12, 2025. Staff is in the process of hiring a contractor to help with BAW and
Experiments in Public Art project management.
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Attachment One
Commission Correspondence
There is no commission correspondence for this meeting packet.
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Attachment Two
Current Cultural Grants Program Budget as of November 12, 2024
GRANT
CATEGORY
ASSIGNED
BUDGET
ACTUAL
BUDGET
GRANTS
AWARDED BALANCE
GOS: Extra Large Orgs1 $400,000 $426,035 $426,035 $0
GOS: Large Orgs1 $180,000 $190,414 $190,414 $0
GOS: Mid Orgs1 $80,000 $85,207 $85,207 $0
GOS: Small Orgs1 $96,000 $104,332 $104,332 $0
Community Projects: Indv. $25,000 $25,000 $24,500 $500
Community Projects: Orgs. $60,000 $60,000 $60,000 $0
Arts Education $30,000 $30,000 $30,000 $0
Venue and Event Affordability
Fund $16,000 $16,000 $15,445 $555
Prof. Dev. Scholarships $8,000 $8,000 $8,000 $0
Leadership Pipeline Fund $16,000 $16,000 $16,000 $0
Cultural Field Trips $10,000 $10,000 $8,209.20 $1,790.80
Assistance for Grant Writing $4,000 $4,000 $3,500 $500
TOTAL $925,0002 $971,642.20 $971,642.20 $3,345.80
There are 8 free rentals still available for the Macky Auditorium.
There are 6 free rentals still available from eTown Hall.
There are 3 free rentals still available from Roots Music Project.
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.
2 $975,014.00 with 2023 rollover
AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDS (2024)
GRANT
CATEGORY
ASSIGNED
BUDGET
ACTUAL
BUDGET
GRANTS
AWARDED BALANCE
Artist Hiring Incentive Grants $54,000 $54,000 $54,000 $0
Venue and Event Affordability
Fund $21,000 $21,000 $20,499 $501
TOTAL $75,000 $75,000 $74,499 $501
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Attachment Three
Current Public Art Program 5 Year Budget as of November 12, 2024
FUNDING
SOURCE PROJECT/ARTIST
TOTAL
APPROPRIATE
D
AMOUNT
PAID TO DATE
BALANCE
REMAINING
2024
PROJECTED
SPENDING
Multiple 11th/ Spruce Garage $122,500 $6,125 $116,375 $116,375
CCS v2 Fire Station 3 (2021) $65,000 $48,750 $16,250 $16,250
Multiple Valmont Park Rain Garden $18,750 $17,775 $975 $975
Gen. Fund GRB Mural / Marco Garcia $2,000 $2,000 $0 0
% for Art Transportation (2023) $330,000 $0 $330,000 tbd
% for Art Valmont City Park (2023) $144,000 $0 $144,000 tbd
TOTAL $133,600
CCS: Community Culture and Safety Tax
CCRS: Community Culture Resiliency and Safety Tax
Additional maintenance projects are not represented.
*Please note, this figure is expected to increase significantly in the coming months as project planning develops.
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