City of Lawrence
Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission (LCAC)
November 9, 2011 minutes
MEMBERS PRESENT: Susan Craig, Christie Dobson, Eric Kirkendall, Mandy Lamb, Lori Madaus, Jane Pennington, Kathy Porsch, Darin White, Sarah Harris
MEMBERS ABSENT: Mari Russell
STAFF PRESENT: Diane Stoddard
Commissioner Porsch called the meeting to order.
October Minutes were approved.
The expected visit with Tony Krsnich about his development projects in Lawrence for residences and artists’ studios will be rescheduled for a later date.
RFP: Two proposals were received in response to the RFP for a study of the economic impact of Final Fridays during its first year of operation from August 2010 to August 2011. Eric Kirkendall withdrew from the room before this discussion began since he is a participant in one of the proposals. The remaining commissioners discussed the pros and cons of each proposal according to the criteria included in the RFP. Evaluative criteria included: Project organization & approach 40%; Firm experience with similar projects 25%; Schedule to complete the project 10%; Value added concepts proposed by consultant 25%. Commissioner Pennington moved and Commissioner Dobson 2nd a motion to hire the STArt Alliance for the study. Motion passed. After some discussion about the potential appearance of conflict of interest, Commissioner Craig moved and Commissioner Lamb 2nd a motion that staff in the City Manager’s office provide oversight of this award. Motion passed. It is expected that the report will create protocols that can be used for future studies of Final Fridays and the economic impact of the arts.
Commissioner Kirkendall rejoined the meeting.
January Retreat: Commissioner Porsch distributed several documents for the commissioners to read before the January 14 retreat. She identified her goals for the retreat as 1) Develop our “ask” for a city arts coordinator including a strategy for what people need to do to advocate; 2) prepare a unified “Lawrence as a City of the Arts” Vision Statement; 3) examine and re-assess the 2007 LCAC Vision statement. Commissioner Craig added that she’d like the retreat to identify goals and projects for coming year and to examine current LCAC projects; where is the budget being spent and what assessment is occurring? Commissioner Kirkendall expressed his concern that major decisions regarding the arts in Lawrence, including funding decisions, are bypassing LCAC. For instance, should the decision regarding city funding for Theater Lawrence have been referred to LCAC? Commissioner Dobson wants to make sure that LCAC continues to investigate what arts commissions in other similar cities are doing and how they are organized. We have good information about Salina and should seek information about other cities. Commissioner Porsch expects to send more documents to commissioners before the retreat including information on the history of LCAC.
Reports:
Community Grants: Application forms have been revised and distributed.
Phoenix Awards: The event was well-attended and the recipients seemed very pleased. LCAC needs to begin considering what artist to select to make the awards for 2012.
Outdoor Downtown Sculpture Exhibition: Suggestions for the 2012 juror were made.
Percent for Art: Now that schematic designs for the Lawrence Public Library have been approved by the City Commission, the Percent for Art group may be called together to begin work. If the new Recreation Center being planned for West Lawrence is approved, it too will require a Percent for Art project.
Roundtable: Representative Paul Davis spoke and the topic of the meeting was a review of how the state funding for the Kansas Arts Commission was eliminated.
Lawrence Art Center: LAC will be partnering with Artists Inc. for an 8 week course on business practices and had initially wished to partner with the LCAC on the project.
Commissioner Items:
Commissioner Porsch asked Commissioner Kirkendall to serve as LCAC’s Liaison with Final Friday’s Coordinator Molly Murphy.
Commissioner Pennington alerted LCAC to the fact that the Congressional Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, aka the “Super Committee,” is considering a recommendation that would eliminate tax deductions for charitable contributions. This could have a significant impact on private funding for the arts.
Commissioner Porsch asked the Nominating Committee, Commissioners Craig, Dobson and Pennington, to prepare a slate of candidates for LCAC leadership in 2012.
Meeting adjourned.