01.29.25 BAC Minutes
CITY OF BOULDER
BOULDER, COLORADO
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS MEETING MINUTES
Name of Board/ Commission: Boulder Arts Commission
Date of Meeting: January 29, 2025
Contact information preparing summary: Ellie Kennedy, 303-441-4032
Commission members present: Sheryl Cardozo, Maria Cole, Jeffrey Kash (Vice Chair), Jill Katzenberger, Caroline
Kert (Chair), Georgia Schmid, Yaelaed Whyel
Commission members absent:
Staff present:
Cris Jones, Community Vitality (CV) Director
Matt Chasansky, Senior Manager of Cultural Vibrancy and District Vitality
Lauren Click, Arts + Culture Manager
Brendan Picker-Mahoney, Public Arts Program Manager
Jake Hudson-Humphrey, Public Arts Program Coordinator
Sarah Harrison, Arts Program Manager
Rachel Cain, CV Arts Program and More Sky Less Ceiling
Ellie Kennedy, CV Operations Specialist
Members of the public present:
Sheila Davis MD, MS (Rocky Mountain NAACP State Conference), Maureen Keating (Verve Productions), Lyn
Ciocca (What Matters Coaching), Grig Bilham (Distributive Creatives), Sara Pike (BMoCA), Jude Landsman
(NAACP Boulder County)
Type of Meeting: Hybrid (Location: 1500 Pearl Street, Suite #300, Boulder, CO 80302)
Agenda Item 1: CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.
First motion by Yaelaed Whyel to approve the agenda as presented in the meeting packet. Second by Caroline Kert.
There was no discussion. The motion passed unanimously.
Kert reminded the commissioners to send their agenda topics to Lauren Click , Arts + Culture Manager, ahead of the
meeting to ensure enough space on the agenda.
Agenda Item 2: MINUTES [00:01:29 Audio min.]
Item 2A: Approval of the October 23, and the November 20, 2024 Minutes
First motion by Jill Katzenberger to approve the minutes as presented in the meeting packet. Second by Maria Cole.
There was no discussion. The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Item 3: PUBLIC PARTICIPATION [00:02:06 Audio min.]
Jude Landsman (NAACP Boulder County) registered to speak first. She introduced herself as a former Arts
Commissioner and current primary grant writer and Vice President of the NAACP Boulder County. She shared about
the organization and the work that they do in the city, including:
- The local branch is comprised entirely of volunteers.
- Their mission is to eliminate racial discrimination and promote equal rights.
- The organization was established in 1909.
- The organization offers a Freedom Fund to support the community in inclusively sharing experiences of black
excellence through the arts.
- They host an annual Freedom Fund event on the 3rd Sunday of February at Mackey Auditorium to raise funds
and celebrate black history.
- She invited everyone to contact her for more information.
Kert asked if the event is open to the public and Landsman answered that it is open and free to the public. She
confirmed it will be at 3:00 pm on February 16, 2025.
Landsman shared the previous years’ guests, including Anthony Ray Hampton, a man who was falsely imprisoned for
30 years, and the Nashville African American Wind Ensemble, and others.
Landsman shared that there was a collaboration with the Dairy Arts Center last year as well.
Agenda Item 4: COMMISSION BUSINESS [00:10:17 Audio min.]
There was no commission business.
Agenda Item 5: MATTERS FROM COMMISSIONERS [00:10:33 Audio min.]
Item 5A: Liaison Updates
• Katzenberger shared about Creativity Alive and their exhibit Scene B, running through the end of January at
the Boulder Public Library on Canyon. Lemon Sponge Cake reached out to her about the grant they received
for an event and explained that the event was canceled, but they would like to transfer the funds to another
event. She would like to discuss the process for the transfer further. Later during the Liaison Updates, Click
answered that if the change to the grant proposal is only the date or name of the event, not the substance or
intent of the event, then the new proposal would be brought to the commission by Sarah Harrison, Arts
Program Manager for approval. Katzenberger shared that she met with Marie from New Local and discussed
the fact that CCRS fund and distributions are vague. Junkyard Social Club is wrapping up their operating
grant and will be submitting the proposal soon. They have also made an annual report available on their
website.
• Whyel shared about Sans Souci dance festival opening their applications at the end of January. They are
offering submission fee assistance. They will also be presenting a virtual screening for Black History Month
throughout February available on their website. Spark Theater is producing Eurydice starting February 14th.
Boulder Chorale has two youth performances at the end of April: one at Macky Auditorium and one in
Longmont. The Adult Choir is performing Beethoven with the Boulder Philharmonic and the Chamber Choir
is performing with the Longmont Symphony in April. The Catamounts are currently playing their show Ghost
Quartet at the Dairy Arts Center through February 8th.
• Cole shared about BMoCA opening Dazzle of Darkness. The event went well. They will be deciding on an
architect for the North Boulder campus soon and should be making a statement within the next six to eight
weeks.
• Georgia Schmid shared about the Black Futures in Art event she attended at the Dairy Arts Center. The
coordinator brings together black artists around the city and showcases their work .
• Kert shared that she will be seeing the Catamounts tomorrow. She also went to a photography opening for
Tad Klein, where she also met with Marie from New Local. They discussed the upper spaces on the mall
being opened up for more artist space. Shen went to the opening of the Firehouse at 30th and Valmont. The
Fire Chief had a lot of praise for the art piece in front of the building. T2 dance is in the middle of Color
Wheel project and the Versatility Dance Fest. Some of the staff went on a tourn of KGNU and Kert asked
them how it went. Jones shared that he went to see the Affordable Commercial Pilot project in progress, and
that it was a hard-hat tour, with ladders and construction going on. The planned rooftop is very innovative and
works within city requirements. Kert asked if the small venue would be included and how many seats there
were. Jones answered that the venue is there, and Click added that it has 75 seats. Jones added that there is a
café. Schmid asked when it would open, and Click answered that they are trying to open in September or
October of this year.
• Schmid asked for Updates to grant scoring, Click answered that there will be five people hired to score grants
instead of the commissioners. Schmid asked if applicants can reach out to the grant panel, and Click answered
that as long as the panel isn’t scoring grants and sequestered, they can be contacted. Schmid shared that it is a
concern that some organizations have the resources to reach out and others don’t. Click added that the CAO is
writing up an agreement with scoring standards. Harrison added that she will make sure there is a section that
defines conflicts of interest and other scoring concerns.
• At the end of the meeting, Cardozo shared that BETC has finished their 5th of 6 mainstage shows, are putting
on other shows such as a family improv series and a stage reading in February at the Dairy Arts Center during
Valentine’s week. They are also planning a theater trip to New York City in May and fundraising for that.
Boulder Ballet is hosting a wellness week in February.
• At the end of the meeting, Kash shared that he has continued meeting with his liaison assignments and will
share more at the next meeting.
Item 5B: Commission Work Items
• Kert presented the 2025 work items for review and shared that the commission should choose two to work on
for the year through committees.
• Cole shared that she wants to focus on building trust in the community. She would like Click to provide clear
talking points for commissioners to use at public events. Click added that she will send out a reminder email
with dates for Arts Blueprint meetings.
• Katzenberger stated that connecting funders with grantees and coaching sessions were priorities for her.
• Cardozo stated that her priorities are to continue making opportunities available for young people and
rebuilding trust in the community. She shared that she values the important work being done with Tribal
Nations but is wondering if the commission should be a part of the legislative portion of the work.
• Kert suggested that two commissioners create a committee for each item.
• Cole and Schmid picked the item to support the city’s work with Tribal Nations.
• Schmid and Whyel picked the item to rebuild trust in the community.
• Jeffrey Kash stated that he will continue holding coaching sessions for fundraising, capacity building,
collaboration, and marketing. Kert asked if he is willing to do a coaching session on how to coach, and Kash
stated he would adore doing that. Kert confirmed she will work with him on this item.
• Katzenberger and Schmid picked the item to connect funders with grantees in the arts community.
• Whyel and Cardozo picked the item to support youth opportunities in the arts community.
• The commissioners discussed their terms and which ones were expiring.
Agenda Item 6: PUBLIC ART PROGRAM [00:38:43 Audio min.]
Item 6A: Action: Adoption of Transportation Artworks into the Collection
• Brendan Picker-Mahoney, Public Arts Program Manager and Rachel Cain, CV Arts Program and More Sky
Less Ceiling presented the results of the Public Art Audit. Four artworks belonging to Transportation and
Mobility have been identified as eligible for adoption by the Office of Arts and Culture. Cain went over the
criteria for being eligible for adoption. She shared the details of the artwork and showed images of each work.
• Kash stated that he had seen the 40th Parallel Prism Tower before, but did not know its name.
• Picker-Mahoney added that the artworks have been reviewed and approved by the Transportation and
Maintenance team, including the Director.
• Cain presented the next steps for the commission to make a motion and approve the adoption. Cole asked if
the artworks need maintenance, and Cain answered that once they have been adopted, the artworks will be
reviewed and maintained as needed, but none are in horrible condition.
• Kert stated that she is in favor of consolidating artwork under one office and is comfortable with taking over
the cost of maintenance.
• Cardozo asked if Transportation and Maintenance will have a lower budget due to losing the artworks and
Picker-Mahoney answered that it will be lowered next year, and his team will work with Parks and Recreation
to request more funding for maintenance in future years. Cain added that the artworks were specifically
chosen because of the value they add to the city and the fact that they aren’t in a severe state of disrepair was
also considered. Matt Chasansky, Senior Manager of Cultural Vibrancy and District Vitality, added that there
is an opportunity to request more maintenance funding in the future through the Capital Improvement
Process. He clarified that this resource would be utilized in the case of a large -scale maintenance project.
There is also the option to decommission artworks if the damage is catastrophic.
• Schmid asked if there was an update on the public art project in a parking garage, and Picker-Mahoney
answered that the goal is to have the artwork installed by the end of this year and that the design is the same.
• Kash moved to adopt the four artworks from the Department of Transportation and Mobility into the Public
Art Collection managed and hosted by the Office of Arts and Culture in the Community Vitality Department.
Cardozo seconded. Cole voiced her concern about taking over the maintenance of the art and not receiving
additional funding. Katzenberger echoed this thought. The motion passed 4 to 3. Cole requested that the
Public Arts team look into getting funding from Transportation. Kash asked if Picker-Mahoney could give an
estimate on the damage to the artworks. Picker-Mahoney answered that they haven’t done an assessment yet,
but the artworks are newer and looked to be in good condition. He is confident that the artworks will be low
cost to maintain, and they plan on completing an assessment this fall.
Item 6B: Action: Western City Campus Projects Approval
• Picker-Mahoney presented the work proposals and mockups for the submissions for the public art projects
planned for the Western City Campus.
• He shared the process, including that there were 500 applications, out of which the team chose three projects.
He shared the criteria, goals and parameters for evaluating the applications, and listed the members of the
committee that evaluated the applications.
• Proposals for the Plaza area:
o Untitled by Scott Trimble from Seattle, WA
o Untitled by Mark Fornes from Brooklyn, NY
o Cohabitat by Matthew Mazzotta from Canton, NY
• Schmid asked about the details of the installation, and Picker-Mahoney answered that the team would work
with the artist to make a final design before completing the installation. Katzenberger made the motion to
approve this process was properly conducted and recommend that the proposal by artist Matthew Mazzotta
advance to the City Manager for final approval. Cardozo seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
• Proposals for Lobby and Garage Atrium areas:
o Untitled by Benjamin Ball from Los Angeles, CA
o Pliable Heritage by Isabel Judez from Paris, FR
o Altered Topography: Flatiron Abstraction and Split/Together: Boulder Creek by Soo Sunny Park
from Canton, NY
• Cardozo made the motion to approve this process was properly conducted and recommend that the proposal
by artist Soo Sunny Park advance to the City Manager for final approval . Cole seconded. There was no
discussion. The motion passed 6 to 1. Whyel was not present and did not vote, everyone else voted to pass the
motion.
• Proposals for the Garage Stairwell areas:
o Untitled by Catie Michel from Denver, CO
o Untitled by Edica Pacha from Denver, CO
o Untitled by Koko Colab from Denver, CO
o Infinite Flow by Bimmer Torres from Arvada, CO
• Katzenberger made the motion to approve this process was properly conducted and recommend that the
proposal by artist Bimmer Torres advance to the City Manager for final approval . Cardozo seconded. There
was no discussion, and the motion passed unanimously.
• Picker-Mahoney shared that there may be additional funds available in the future, and he will reconvene the
committee to assess more proposals once that is determined.
Item 6C: Commissioners needed for upcoming Public Art Selection Panels
• Picker-Mahoney reminded the commissioners that he will be inviting them to the Public Art Selection Panels
as those events are scheduled.
Agenda Item 7: GRANTS PROGRAM [01:32:54 Audio min.]
Item 7A: Action: Grant Report
• Sarah presented the grant report and options for the Boulder Opera grant.
• Cole moved to approve the grant report from Boulder Opera, and Kash seconded. Cole discussed that she
enjoyed the project, Whyel liked the book aspect, Harrison and Cardozo echoed these thoughts. Kert added
that she liked that they reached 1,500 students. The motion passed unanimously.
• Towards the end of the meeting, Harrison presented a pamphlet with 2024 Public Art Grant Report
Highlights.
APPROVED BY: ATTESTED:
_________________________________________ ___________________________________
Board Chair Board Secretary
________________________________________ ___________________________________
Date Date
Item 7B: Commissioners needed for Grant Panel meetings
• Harrison presented the grant panel meeting dates and reminded the commissioners that this will be a non-
voting role.
• The commissioners signed up for each meeting as follows:
o Kert and Schmid (she will confirm the date with Harrison later) signed up for March 26.
o Cardozo signed up for April 23.
o Katzenberger signed up for May 28.
o Cole signed up for June 25.
o Kash signed up for July 23.
Agenda Item 8: MATTERS FROM STAFF [01:38:30 Audio min.]
Item 8A: Boulder Arts Blueprint Update
• Click presented information about PUMA and PSP, consultants working with the Office of Arts and Culture
on the Boulder Arts Blueprint. She shared that there will be outreach efforts and events in the future,
including a questionnaire and an information booth at Motus Theater events and Winter Bike-to-Work Day.
There will also be a Chat with City Council about Arts and Culture event in March that will require an RSVP.
• Click shared the timeline for the project phasing through 2025. The project is currently in the first phase.
• Cain gave an update about a series called Experiments in Public Art. She is planning four different projects,
which she briefly described, that will align and work in parallel with the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan.
Item 8B: Questions about the Manager’s Memo
• Kert brought up the plant-based food for dinner initiative, sharing that it is a more sustainable way to
consume food. Click invited the commissioners to share any dietary restrictions or requests. Schmid shared
that she met a rancher from Idaho who was grazing his cattle sustainably as an example of a way to consume
meat in a sustainable way.
Agenda Item 9: ADJOURNMENT [01:53:53 Audio min.]
There being no further business to come before the commission at this time, Kert adjourned the meeting at 7:54 p.m.
Cardozo brought up that she needed to share her liaison updates. Kert reopened the meeting at 7:54 pm, Cardozo
shared her liaison updates, and Kert adjourned the meeting at 7:56 pm.
Date, time, and location of next meeting:
The next Boulder Arts Commission meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, February 26, 2025. This is a hybrid
meeting to be held at The City of Boulder’s Community Vitality Department and via a Zoom webinar link.
February 27, 2025Feb 27, 2025
01.29.25 Arts Comm Meeting Minutes
APPROVED
Final Audit Report 2025-02-27
Created:2025-02-27
By:Ellie Kennedy (kennedyl@bouldercolorado.gov)
Status:Signed
Transaction ID:CBJCHBCAABAA__hech3SaJomHp4apqdaRGMR1Rn0F6dw
"01.29.25 Arts Comm Meeting Minutes APPROVED" History
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