HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.28.26 BAC MinutesCITY OF BOULDER
BOULDER, COLORADO
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS MEETING MINUTES
Name of Board/ Commission: Boulder Arts Commission
Date of Meeting: January 28, 2026
Contact information preparing summary: Melissa Mazany, (303) 441-3254
Commission members present: Sheryl Cardozo, Maria Cole, Jill Katzenberger, Caroline Kert (Chair), Gaya Vinay,
Yaelaed Whyel
Commission members absent: Jeffrey Kash (Vice Chair)
Staff present:
Lauren Click, Arts and Culture Manager
Cindy Sepucha, Arts Program Manager
Sarah Harrison, Arts/ Grants Program Manager
Matthew Beutler, Arts and Culture Specialist
Guests present:
Rachel Cain
Members of the public present:
Sara Pike, Linda Lowry
Type of Meeting: Hybrid (Location: 1777 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80302)
Agenda Item 1: ROLL CALL
Matthew Beutler, Arts and Culture Specialist took roll call; all commissioners were present except Jeffery Kash.
Agenda Item 2: CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:02 p.m.
First motion by Yaelaed Whyel. to approve the agenda as presented in the meeting packet. Second by Gaya Vinay.
There was no discussion. The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Item 3: MINUTES
Approval of the November 2025 Meeting Minutes
First motion by Cole to approve the minutes as presented in the meeting packet. Second by Whyel. There was no
discussion. The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Item 4: PUBLIC PARTICIPATION [00:02:05 Audio min.]
This item moved to item 5
Members of the public attended to observe.
Agenda Item 5: MATTERS FROM COMMISSIONERS [00:02:24 Audio min.]
Item 5A: Land Acknowledgement
-Kert shared the main takeaways from the packet. She stated the scenarios under which the Land
Acknowledgment should be read, an example being a grant request or grant work that would impact members
of the Indigenous community will be discussed during the meeting.
-The commission agreed to move forward with only invoking it when topics are related.
Item 5B: Liaison Roles and Responsibilities
Kert checked in about reaching out to their liaison groups, feeling comfortable with the expectations and boundaries
and offered to answer any questions.
-Lauren Click shared what they have done previously and asked how comfortable everyone is feeling,
explaining that we expect the same numbers in our operating support grantees next year.
Cole asked if Click had any concerns.
-Click replied that she wants to ensure that everybody in the arts community is getting the same kind of
contact and response and connection to their liaison.
-Kert shared how she is managing her role as liaison, understanding artists and sharing trends.
- Jill Katzenberger is interested surveying the grant recipients to gather expectations and feedback. She shared
some of the feedback she has received. She also shared that she finds it helpful to meet with the recipients in
groups. She has received positive feedback from the recipients about this as well.
Click followed up with the offer to find and book space for these meetings.
-Katzenberger offered to donate her space.
-Gaya Vinay asked about having a city staff email that recipients can cc on emails to ensure quick replies.
-Click responded that they can use the general Cultural Grants email.
Vinay brought up making the liaison roles accessible by not adding too many strict guidelines. Instead have the
guidelines as more of a suggestion.
Sarah Harrison added that she can be the contact for anyone who may be interested in being a liaison but is feeling
intimidated or has any questions. She then listed off the questions to be sent out to recipients.
-How often do you want to talk to your liaison?
-What has been most beneficial?
-What would you like to see in the future
-What could be better?
-
Item 5C: Liaison Updates
Katzenberger went to Band of Toughs, “Gin & Gothic” show. She is planning a workshop with Groundworks,
Frequent Flyers has show coming up on Valentine’s Day, and Frequent Flyers Director, Nancy Smith, is in a show
with Katzenberger at the Junkyard. She added an update about the Junkyard Community Grant Project 2025, they
completed the mural project with Bimmer Torres in January.
Cole asked about if Kari stepping down from Groundworks. Katzenberger will be following up.
Vinay shared her updates
-Kutandara expressed gratitude for receiving a Town Waiver grant. They are hosting a concert on May 3 at
eTown (6PM doors, 7PM concert) celebrating Zimbabwean artists, educators, and leaders. They are
collaborating with the Boulder Chorale for its 60th anniversary and participating in Boulder Arts Week. They
are seeking a new location due to odor issues from a neighboring business. They are launching a four-week
class and developing a marimba program for neurodivergent youth and caregivers.
-Street Wise Arts launched an expanded partner program with Boulder Housing Partners at Tantra Lake,
offering free youth arts programming. They are starting a year-long public art and permaculture initiative
(including workshops and on-site food forests) and launching a community mural program with Age Well,
funded in part by a Boulder Arts Commission grant. They are also participating in Boulder Arts Week.
-Chautauqua is progressing on winterization improvements, aiming to be ready by 2027 and prepared for
Sundance. Updates include a seasonal interior tent, heating and air conditioning upgrades, and plans to keep
the space open an additional 200 days per year while preserving its historic character in summer.
-The Dairy Arts Center has a new two-week pop-up exhibition curated by a young Boulder resident, featuring
international artists.
-The Music Project is hosting new VIP and “secret” concert programming, along with expanded weekend
events, and welcomes attendance and support.
Whyel Shared
-The Spark is doing a production of “Alice in Wonderland”, running from February 14-22, 2026
Kert shared
- Mariposa Collective is presenting “Resonance” this weekend (Friday and Saturday at 7:30 PM, Sunday at
2:00 PM). They were offered complimentary tickets but will be paid for instead. As an add-on General
Operating Support grant recipient, they expressed strong gratitude, noting the funding is helping build staffing
sustainability. They were also briefed on the grant calendar and upcoming Blueprint initiatives and are excited
to stay engaged.
-A visit to The Dairy Arts Center highlighted its robust film programming, including Jeffrey Kash’s film series
and an additional series featuring approximately 700 films annually, reaffirming the strength of its film
offerings.
-Staff hosted a well-attended information session (25 participants) for community members interested in
serving on city commissions. Attendees learned about expectations and were encouraged to connect with
current commissioners. The event was successful and is expected to become an annual initiative, with a
possible future session focused on running for office.
-Overall, there is strong positive feedback from the arts community, with increased awareness of grants,
improved engagement, and appreciation for staff leadership and outreach efforts.
Cole shared
-Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art (BMoCA) is hosting its spring exhibition opening tomorrow evening.
The North Boulder Campus project is progressing well and is currently in schematic design, expected to be
completed by the end of May. BMoCA is also recruiting for an Artistic Director position, with the job posting
currently live and generating interest.
-Colorado Music Festival has concerts scheduled this weekend, including a piano concert on Friday.
Appreciation was expressed for sponsorship support.
Cardozo shared
-The main update is receiving Visit Boulder’s full meeting calendar for the year. Since meetings are held in
person at 3:00 PM and not offered remotely, having the schedule in advance will help avoid travel conflicts
(particularly commuting from Aurora) and improve attendance this year.
Vinay added
-In response to earlier concerns about Sundance partnering with nonprofits, there is a strong example of
collaboration underway: Boulder Symphony is working with Sundance on a performance that will provide
live scores for scenes from five different films. This demonstrates active efforts to build meaningful nonprofit
partnerships.
Item 5D: Commission Work Items
i.Arts Education
ii.Artificial Intelligence
iii.Sustainability and Climate Adaptation
iv. Accessibility
Click shared
-The committee has identified four new focus areas, including arts education. While no major updates yet,
meetings are scheduled to begin moving the work forward. Many ideas have already emerged from staff
efforts and the Arts Blueprint process.
Agenda Item 6: PUBLIC ARTS PROGRAM [00:32:55 Audio min.]
Item 6A: Experiments in Public Art: the BVCP Update Mural Project
Rachel Cain presented Project #5 in the Experiments in Public Art series, developed alongside the Boulder Valley
Comprehensive Plan (BVCP). This final project in the series is proposed as a portable, projected mural due to the lack
of a permanent wall location. The $20,000 project is envisioned at approximately 10x50 feet and designed to be
flexible—temporary, movable, and potentially used for projections, meetings, and events, with elements adaptable for
print in the final Comprehensive Plan.
The selection process began with 100 artists from the city’s mural roster. A Technical Review Committee narrowed
the list to five artists, a sixth was added, and three submitted proposals. After review, Android Jones was
recommended for approval.
Panel feedback:
•Proposal 1: Beautiful but too abstract and not Boulder-specific; difficult to extract design elements for print.
•Proposal 2 (Android Jones): Strong digital and projection experience, detailed and future-forward, adaptable
for projection and print elements; some felt it had a collage aesthetic but appreciated its urban and
technological themes.
•Proposal 3: Human and community-focused but not future-oriented; lacked a budget and digital execution
details.
Android Jones proposed managing projection directly (using his own equipment) and offered multiple installation
options, including projection mapping and printing on acrylic or aluminum panels. Discussion included considerations
around the lifespan and maintenance of digital public art, acknowledging that as an experimental and temporary
project, technological evolution is part of its lifecycle.
Overall, the project represents Boulder’s effort to push the boundaries of public art through innovation, flexibility, and
technology.
Cole moved that the commission approve the selected artist for Experiments in Public Art: The BVCP Update Mural
Project, Android Jones be recommended for approval and Whyel seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Cain shared the Comprehensive Plan upcoming event dates.
Agenda Item 7: GRANTS PROGRAM [00:51:16 Audio min.]
Item 7A: Grant Reports
Harrison shared the four grant reports, The Leadership Pipeline Fund, Artist Hiring Grant, and two Community Project
Grants.
Kert moved that the commission approve the grant reports for all and Cardozo seconded. The motion passed
unanimously.
Commissioners discussed the grant reports.
Item 7B: Update on Implemented Changes
This topic will be discussed at a future meeting.
Harrison shared that staff continue evaluating this year’s grant program changes and shared several updates:
- Panel Training: A successful grants panel training was held, including a new panelist, Alfredo Reyes (Latino
Cultural Arts Center, Denver).
- Grant Writing Workshop: A hands-on workshop at NoBo Library drew 23 attendees, received positive
feedback, and will inform future programming.
- First-Time Awardees: A major shift occurred in first-come, first-served grants—76% of awardees were first-
time recipients this year, compared to 10% last year. Staff are now tracking unmet demand, noting 36
inquiries after applications closed.
- Process Improvements: To reduce confusion, future application cycles may separate first-time and returning
applicant start dates in the portal.
- Equity Alignment: Program changes reflect feedback from the Boulder Arts Blueprint and the City’s Racial
Equity Toolkit, prioritizing access for new and emerging artists and organizations. Some general operating
support recipients expressed disappointment and suggested separate budget allocations for first-time and
returning applicants. This will be added to the list for future budget discussions.
- Rental Assistance Timing: A recommended improvement is adding event date ranges to rental assistance
grants to avoid timing inequities between rounds.
- Positive Impact: First-time applicants expressed strong appreciation, many applying for a government grant
for the first time.
- Pre-Application Process: The new pre-application screening has been highly effective by streamlining
eligibility checks, building relationships, and preventing ineligible applicants from completing full
submissions.
Upcoming Dates and Deadlines
APPROVED ON:
APPROVED BY: ATTESTED:
____________________________________________________________________________
Board Chair Board Secretary
-A Cultural Organization Summit focused on private funding (corporate sponsorships and individual
donations) is planned, featuring Kristen Davidson (CU / nonprofit consultant) as a guest speaker.
-A Spring Accessibility Summit is in development, along with future summits on AI and sustainability.
-Annual reports were due February 1, and organizations must reapply (pre-applications due February 4; full
applications due February 12).
-There is a proposal to move the General Operating Support deadline next year to reduce back-to-back
submission burden.
Item 7C: Volunteers for Grant Panel meetings
Harrison assigned Cardozo, Vinay, Whyel and Katzenberger to Panel Meetings.
Agenda Item 8: MATTERS FROM STAFF [01:07:03 Audio min.]
Item 8A: Questions about the Manager’s Memo
The commission had no comments or questions about the Manager’s Memo.
Kert inquired about the commissioner interviews Click replied:
-Approximately 11+ eligible applicants applied for the Arts Commission (likely more by close). Interviews
will take place in early February, with decisions in March.
-March 25 will be the final meeting for two outgoing commissioners; a new commissioner joins in April.
-Applications and summaries will be shared with commissioners.
Boulder Arts Blueprint & Public Engagement -The final draft of the Boulder Arts Blueprint will be reviewed March 25, followed by a City Council
presentation April 9.-The Blueprint launch will take place April 12 during Boulder Arts Week.
Commissioners are invited to participate in “tastemaker” social media videos highlighting their favorite Boulder Arts
Week events.
Agenda Item 9: ADJOURNMENT [01:12:23Audio min.]
There being no further business to come before the commission at this time, Kert adjourned the meeting at 7:14 p.m.
Date, time, and location of next meeting:
The next Boulder Arts Commission meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. This is a hybrid
meeting to be held at The City Manager’s Office and via a Zoom webinar link.
01.28.2026
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Date Date
02.24.20265/14/2026