HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.20.24 BAC MinutesCITY OF BOULDER
BOULDER, COLORADO
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS MEETING MINUTES
Name of Board/ Commission: Boulder Arts Commission
Date of Meeting: November 20, 2024
Contact information preparing summary: Lisa Wuycheck, Executive Assistant
Commission members present: Sheryl Cardozo, Jeffrey Kash (Vice-Chair), Caroline Kert (Chair), Georgia Schmid,
Maria Cole
Commission members absent: Jill Katzenberger, Yaelaed Whyel
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
Sarah Harrison, CV Grants Program Manager
Lisa Wuycheck, CV Executive Assistant
Members of the public present:
Type of Meeting: Hybrid (Location: 1500 Pearl Street, Suite #300, Boulder, CO 80302)
Agenda Item 1: CALL TO ORDER [00:00:25 Audio min.]
Kert called the meeting to order at 6:07 p.m.
Cardozo made the first motion to approve the agenda, which was seconded by Cole. There was no discussion, and the
motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Item 2: MINUTES [00:01:22 Audio min.]
Item 2A: Approval of the October 2024 Meeting Minutes
Kash made the first motion to approve the October meeting minutes, which was seconded by Cardozo. There was no
discussion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Item 3: PUBLIC PARTICIPATION [00:01:53 Audio min.]
There were no public participants.
Agenda Item 4: COMMISSION BUSINESS [00:02:02 Audio min.]
There was no Commission business.
Agenda Item 5: MATTERS FROM COMMISSIONERS [00:02:37 Audio min.]
Item 5A: Liaison Updates
Cardozo met with BIFF to discuss funding challenges with staff.
Cole announced that BMOCA is in the final stages of selecting an architecture firm, with the decision expected in
January. She reported that MahlerFest has a great program planned for 2025. Cole also met with Motus Theater, which
requested more clarity regarding the Arts & Culture Department’s bridge year. Grant Program Manager Sarah Harrison
confirmed she had sent out an informational email and would follow up with them.
Kash will meet with BIFF staff to discuss 2025 support. He shared that the Shakespeare Festival held their
announcement party for 2025 and explained that the festival managed to stay in the black thanks to GOS grant funding
and support from CU. Kash also met with Nancy Smith from Frequent Flyers for a coaching session, and with
leadership at Local Theater Company, which launched their first major fundraiser.
Kert explained that she met with Eco Arts, which expressed concerns about immigration, as many of their families are
of mixed status. She also announced that she met with Third Law Dance Theater, which recently held a successful
performance to support Parkinson’s Disease research. Additionally, Kert stated that KGNU is on track to occupy their
new space by the end of 2025 and invited the commissioners to join a hard hat tour of the location.
Schmid addressed concerns regarding negative experiences and systemic racial issues she encountered during her
tenure on the Arts Commission. She shared personal accounts and raised broader questions about equity, inclusion, and
organizational standards for funding arts organizations.
Commissioners acknowledged Commissioner Schmid’s concerns, emphasizing the importance of equity and inclusion.
They expressed regret for any negative experiences she experienced and committed to improving the Commission
processes.
Suggestions were made to incorporate additional training on equity, diversity, and inclusion. Specific
recommendations included inviting experts such as Bill de la Cruz to provide guidance.
CV Senior Manager of Cultural Vibrancy and District Vitality Matt Chasansky clarified procedural questions about
leadership nominations, highlighting historical practices of the Commission while acknowledging areas for potential
improvement.
Item 5B: Commission Work Items
Arts & Culture Manager Lauren Click led the discussion, focusing on 2025 and expressing that the goal is to find more
impactful, long-term ways to integrate key issues into events and public art programs. She began by reviewing the
commission's "wish list" of items discussed during the retreat, noting that the discussion had been extensive and full of
big ideas.
Click then summarized some key points from the retreat. She noted that some topics were already on the staff's work
plan. These include supporting organizations with the grants process and the new grant writing fund, which offers $500
to assist applicants with writing competitive grants. Clicked noted the other items on the staff's work plan including the
venue study, which is currently in progress, and a future cultural organization summit with the Colorado Business
Committee for the Arts (CBCA). Additionally, she said marketing grants for STEAM programs are being pursued,
with a focus on reaching out to applicants in related fields beyond traditional arts programming.
Click also discussed the importance of bringing in a representative to talk about reviewing budgets, both for grant
applications and final reports. She announced this session will take place in January or February and will involve
commissioners and the new grant panel.
The Commissioners requested staff send then funding opportunities to commissioners to share with the community.
Click then addressed topics that are out of the scope of the commission, including the creation of a cultural calendar.
She explained that the Boulder County Arts Alliance currently manages a centralized calendar, and the city is not
equipped to handle such a function. Additionally, Click noted that policy advocacy and support fall outside the staff's
role, though she encouraged commissioners to join CBCA's arts advocacy network for updates on statewide
opportunities. Civic area planning and the comp planning process were also discussed, with Click encouraging
commissioners to provide input through surveys and meetings.
The Boulder Arts Blueprint (Blueprint) process was mentioned as another area where the commission's work can
intersect. Click explained the consultants are conducting comparative research on how other cities support Indigenous
artists and best practices in grant programs, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices, and connecting youth with
arts opportunities.
Lastly, Click reviewed potential work items for the commission, including those that are outside of the staff's work
plan but can be supported through time, meetings, and organizing committees. She suggested that committees might be
formed to focus on these areas, with a focus on manageable work and training spread throughout the year.
• 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
Click recommended that the commission take time to consider which areas they want to prioritize and suggested that
the January meeting be used to discuss the commission's goals for 2025 in more detail. She emphasized that it would
be a busy and transitional year, so careful planning and prioritization would be important. The group agreed with this
approach.
Item 5C: Other Topics from the Community
There were no topics from the community.
Item 5D: December Meeting
Click led the discussion on whether to hold a December Arts Commission meeting. She noted that in previous years,
the commission typically does not hold a meeting in December unless there are urgent reports that require immediate
review. She explained this typically occurs when organizations need to receive the last 20% of their grant funding.
However, Click emphasized that no organization has expressed a hardship or urgency to hold a meeting in December
when given the option to wait until January.
Click clarified that if any reports are submitted in the week leading up to the meeting, staff would reach out to confirm
whether the organizations are comfortable waiting until January. If any reports require immediate attention, she stated
that the commission can hold a brief online meeting to review them. This meeting would be kept short, likely around
15 minutes, and would include public participation, as required. Click confirmed the meeting could be scheduled for
Wednesday, December 18.
The group agreed that this approach worked for everyone, and no objections were raised. The decision was made to
potentially hold a brief online meeting on December 18 if necessary.
APPROVED BY: ATTESTED:
_________________________________________ ___________________________________
Board Chair Board Secretary
________________________________________ ___________________________________
Date Date
Agenda Item 6: GRANTS PROGRAM [01:01:34 Audio min.]
Item 6A: Action: Grant Reports
Grants Program Manager Harrison reviewed the following grant reports for approval.
• Street Wise Arts, Street Wise Mural Festival, $10,000
• Junkyard Social Club, Boulder County’s STEAMFest, $3,000
She reviewed the commissioners’ following options for the voting process to approve the reports.
• Approve all reports,
• Approve individual reports,
• Approve individual 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 payments.
Cardozo said, I move that we approve the grant reports from Street Wise Arts and Junkyard Social.’ Seconded by
Kash. There was no discussion. All commissioners were in agreement, and the vote passed unanimously.
Agenda Item 7: MATTERS FROM STAFF [01:08:04 Audio min.]
Item 7A: Questions about the Manager’s Memo
There were no questions or comments from the commissioners.
Agenda Item 8: ADJOURNMENT [01:08:10 Audio min.]
There being no further business to come before the commission at this time, Kert adjourned the meeting at 7:15 p.m.
Date, time, and location of the next meeting:
If deemed necessary by the commissioners and staff, the next Boulder Arts Commission meeting will be held virtually
at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, December 18.
January 30, 2025Feb 27, 2025
11.20.24 Arts Commission Minutes APPROVED
Final Audit Report 2025-02-27
Created:2025-01-30
By:Ellie Kennedy (kennedyl@bouldercolorado.gov)
Status:Signed
Transaction ID:CBJCHBCAABAAWZV4y1v7zPUO6aJoJZMz-I26oxPEYhMc
"11.20.24 Arts Commission Minutes APPROVED" History
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