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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-11-2021-CAC-APPROVED MINUTES Newport Beach City Arts Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, February 11, 2021 Regular Meeting – 5:00 PM Civic Center Council Chambers (Via Zoom) 100 Civic Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660 I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER – 5:00 P.M. II. ROLL CALL Commissioners Present: Marie Little, Chair Maureen Flanagan, Secretary Wayan Kaufman, Commissioner Leonard Simon, Commissioner Commissioners Absent: Arlene Greer, Vice Chair Miriam Baker, Commissioner Ritch LeGrand, Commissioner Staff Present: Tim Hetherton, Library Services Director Camille Escareal-Garcia, Cultural Arts Assistant Francine Jacome, Administrative Support Specialist III. NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC IV. PUBLIC COMMENT None. V. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Approval of Minutes of the January 14, 2021, City Arts Commission Meeting 1. Draft of 1/14/2021 Minutes Motion made by Commissioner Simon, seconded by Secretary Flanagan, and carried (4-0-0-3) to approve the January 14, 2021, meeting minutes as written. AYES: Little, Flanagan, Kaufman, Simon NOES: None ABSTENTIONS: None ABSENT: Baker, Greer, LeGrand B. Consent Calendar Items 2. Financial Report – Review of financial information Library Services Director Hetherton stated that Cultural Arts expenditures are on track. Cultural Arts is currently paying invoices for Phases 5 and 6 of the sculpture exhibition. There were also funds spent on maintenance in January; otherwise, there is little Newport Beach City Arts Commission Meeting Minutes February 11, 2021 Page 2 spending due to COVID-19. There may be an increase in spending in the spring with the art show and potential for summer concerts. 3. Cultural Arts Activities – Monthly review of cultural arts activities from the Library Administrative Office for upcoming Library and City arts events and services Library Services Director Hetherton introduced Camille Escareal-Garcia, the new Cultural Arts Assistant. She previously worked part time for the Library. Cultural Arts Assistant Escareal-Garcia stated her excitement for the position. Director Hetherton reported the Sculpture Photo Contest ended on January 31st with 330 submissions from 45 photographers. The Art in Public Spaces Ad Hoc Subcommittee will review the submissions and make recommendations to the Art Commission in March. Motion made by Chair Little, seconded by Commissioner Simon, and carried (4-0-0-3) to approve the Consent Calendar. AYES: Little, Flanagan, Kaufman, Simon NOES: None ABSTENTIONS: None ABSENT: Baker, Greer, LeGrand VI. CURRENT BUSINESS A. Items for Review and Possible Action 4. Cultural Arts Grants, Fiscal Year 2020-2021 - Staff recommends that the City Arts Commission review the grant applications and approve the recipients for recommendation to City Council for FY 2020/21 Cultural Arts Grants in accordance with City Council Policy I-10 – Financial Support for Culture and the Arts. Chair Little explained she assigned Commissioners Kaufman and Simon to the Ad Hoc Subcommittee and requested they present their report. The public can access the document from the library website. Commissioner Simon explained the subcommittee reviewed nine grant applications, two of which were new applicants and the other seven were previous grant awardees. They used the criteria as defined by the City Council Policy 1-10 and the Cultural Arts Grants Scoring Sheet. Commissioner Kaufman summarized the nine applications received as follows: • The Arts & Learning Conservatory requested $2,500 and estimate the program will serve 55 residents by making the Ensign Middle School’s musical theatre program virtual. • Backhausdance requested $4,000 to serve 275 residents with a new program called Dance Expressions: Creativity and Choreography aimed at movement for Newport Beach City Arts Commission Meeting Minutes February 11, 2021 Page 3 high school students. Dance and creative movement instruction are not currently included in K-12 core curriculum, so this program will most likely be popular. • Baroque Music Festival, CDM requested $4,000 to serve an estimated 650 residents. The funds will be designated for 1) a prerecorded virtual presentation of a Bach Keyboard Extravaganza and a ticketed event, and 2) subsidized $5 student tickets to the live concerts during festival week. • The Chuck Jones Center for Creativity requested $8,000 to serve 192 residents 55 years of age and older. The program is called Food for Thought and it is their adult health brain program which will be held virtually over four weeks. • The Inland Futures Foundation is a new applicant that requested $5,000 to serve an estimated 5,800 residents per month. The program is to support the funding for the filming of an episode of the second season of Uncovered in the Archives focused on the history and culture of the City of Newport Beach. It will air on PBS affiliate KCBR. • Kontrapunktus requested $2,000 to potentially reach 5,000 residents. This will cover 1) the spring production of a virtual prerecorded concert called Opus 6: The Music of Handel and 2) a spring Master Class course in cello and violin for middle and high school students. • The Laguna Playhouse requested $5,000 to serve an estimated 650 residents. The program is a presentation though The Theatre for a New Generation Program of The Outsiders. The first streaming will include a live panel discussion on the topic of social equity. The program is targeted at teens to adults ages 14 to 25. • The Pacific Symphony requested $5,000 for their Class Act Program, which is estimated to serve 875 elementary school students. The program has been adopted for virtual delivery instead of assemblies and a field trip. • South Coast Repertory requested $5,000 to serve an estimated 700 residents for two presentations through the Theatre for Young Audiences Program. This program has been adopted for virtual delivery including an online classroom viewing of Red Riding Hood and six ticketed live outdoor productions of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Commissioner Simon stated that they recommend three of the nine applications not be funded. First, Kontapunktus has requested 50% funding of the project cost, but had a surplus in excess of $25,000 last year and anticipate a surplus of over $68,000 this year. Therefore, they should fund the project themselves. Second, Chuck Jones Center for Creativity requested $8,000 and funds 46% of the project cost. However, the committee feels the organization is not fiscally prudent since 63% of their income is spent on marketing, advertising, and administration. Third, Inland Futures requested $5,000 and funds a single episode that may not have widespread availability in Newport Beach and is lower on the I-10 list of priorities. Commissioner Simon stated the Ad Hoc Subcommittee recommends the remaining requests be accepted and funded in full. He provided the Commission with a summary of the fiscal responsibility of the remaining organizations. The total amount to be granted is $25,500 with the total requested $40,500. The City Arts Commission Grants Budget was $30,000. The Ad Hoc Subcommittee recommends the remaining $4,500 be spent on a program to be determined later in the fiscal year. Chair Little thanked Commissioners Kaufman and Simon for their work. She liked the idea of reserving the $4,500. Newport Beach City Arts Commission Meeting Minutes February 11, 2021 Page 4 Secretary Flanagan agreed with the Ad Hoc Subcommittee and commended them for a job well done. She also approved of reserving the $4,500. Chair Little asked for public comment. Newport Beach Resident Jim Mosher commended the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on their analysis. He stated that the PBS Station’s letters were transposed, and it should be KVCR. He did not believe the station was available in Newport Beach even with cable service. Chair Little noted she was also unable to find KVCR. Commissioners voted and approved the following grantees: ⋅ Arts & Learning ($2,500) ⋅ Backhausdance ($4,000) ⋅ Baroque Music Festival-CDM ($4,000) ⋅ Laguna Playhouse ($5,000) ⋅ Pacific Symphony ($5,000) ⋅ South Coast Repertory ($5,000) The balance of $4,500 will be retained by the CAC for possible future programming. Motion made by Chair Little, seconded by Secretary Flanagan, and carried (4-0-0-3) to approve the Cultural Arts Grants for the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 as allocated by the Ad Hoc Subcommittee listed above. AYES: Little, Flanagan, Kaufman, Simon NOES: None ABSTENTIONS: None ABSENT: Baker, Greer, LeGrand 5. Recommendation for Acceptance of Donated Art – The Art in Public Spaces Ad Hoc Subcommittee recommends that the Commission accept donated painting, Grandma’s Spirit by Thekla Hathaway Hammond, into the City’s art inventory. Chair Little explained the Art in Public Spaces Ad Hoc Subcommittee met with Mr. David Kuhn, Jr., a Newport Beach resident, to discuss the denotation of a painting by his late sister, Thekla Hathaway Hammond, to the City. Ms. Hammond studied at the University of California, Santa Barbara and exhibited her work from 1972 to 2016. “Grandmother’s Spirit” was completed in 1995. Chair Little provided the dimensions and noted Mr. Kuhn agreed to the conditions in Council Policy I-11. Chair Little and Vice Chair Greer acting as the Ad Hoc Subcommittee viewed the painting, liked the piece, and recommend that the City acquire it. She presented a picture of the painting to the Commission. The piece has not been professionally appraised, but Ms. Hammond’s work sells for $10,000 and up. Commissioner Simon stated he lives near Mr. Kuhn and was able to view the painting. He said the pictures do not do the piece justice as it is beautiful. He felt it should be displayed on a wall of at least 8 or 9 feet. Chair Little stressed again that the piece is beautiful in person. Newport Beach City Arts Commission Meeting Minutes February 11, 2021 Page 5 Secretary Flanagan appreciated the other Commissioner’s comments as she was not impressed with the photographs. Commissioner Kaufman said she hoped to see the piece in person someday. Commissioner Simon explained Ms. Hammond’s paintings sell for $10,000 to $20,000. Most of her work is large, as is “Grandmother’s Spirit,” and the City should acquire it and display it prominently. Library Services Director Tim Hetherton said he made an error in the staff report. The Art Commission approves the piece for inclusion in the City art inventory, but it does need to go to City Council. The Motion to approve should state “The Arts Commission recommends the City Council approve “Grandmother’s Spirit” for inclusion in the City art inventory. Commissioner Simon asked if the City Council should view the painting as he thought that could be arranged. Library Services Director Tim Hetherton said that had been done before and if allowed he would do so with this request, but the item will most likely be on Consent Calendar and approved as a slate. Chair Little requested public comment. Newport Beach Resident Jim Mosher thought that absent a definite idea for placement he would recommend the Commission not accept the donation. He explained that past Arts Commissions acquired pieces and the Library ended up with a storeroom full of art. Library Services Director Tim Hetherton said that was not accurate. The City maintains wall art in the art inventory that can be displayed in offices and then switched out. Generally permanent places are secured for sculptures and the like. The Arts Commission could recommend a site to the City Council or allow the piece to go into the art inventory to be displayed in offices. He felt the art hung in City offices was a personal choice by the staff. Motion made by Commissioner Simon, seconded by Chair Little, and carried (4-0-0-3) to approve the recommendation to the City Council to approve “Grandmother’s Spirit” for inclusion in the City art inventory. AYES: Little, Flanagan, Kaufman, Simon NOES: None ABSTENTIONS: None ABSENT: Baker, Greer, LeGrand B. Monthly Reports 6. Art in Public Spaces Library Gallery Ad Hoc Subcommittee - Commissioners Miriam Baker, Arlene Greer, Marie Little None Newport Beach City Arts Commission Meeting Minutes February 11, 2021 Page 6 7. Newport Beach Art Exhibition Ad Hoc Subcommittee – Commissioners Maureen Flanagan, Arlene Greer, Marie Little Chair Little reported the call for entries opened on February 1st. This will be the 56th annual Newport Beach Art Exhibition for paintings, drawings, sculpture, mixed-media, and photography. First prize is $300, second prize is $200, third prize $100, juror’s choice $200, and people’s choice $100. The event is all ages and scheduled for Saturday, June 26, 2021. Online call for entries is at www.callforentry.org and further information is available at www.newportbeachca.gov/culturalarts. VII. CITY ARTS COMMISSION ANNOUNCEMENTS OR MATTERS WHICH MEMBERS WOULD LIKE PLACED ON A FUTURE AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION, ACTION OR REPORT (NON-DISCUSSION ITEM) • Chair Little had two announcements: ° Commissioner Simon has stepped down as NBAF liaison. She thanked him for his time served and announced Secretary Flanagan would take the position for the remainder of 2020-2021. Chair Little will make the appropriate announcements. ° Vice Chair Greer was unable to attend the meeting due to the death of her mother. The Commission keeps the Vice Chair and her family in their hearts. • Chair Little wanted the following added to the Consent Calendar: ° Art in Public Spaces Ad Hoc Subcommittee will meet to discuss locations for donation. ° Community Arts Survey will be reported by the special Ad Hoc Subcommittee. ° Sculpture exhibition photo contest Ad Hoc Subcommittee will recommend winners. VIII. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Newport Beach resident Jim Mosher reported that the Art Commission’s recommendations for the Phase VI Sculpture exhibit was presented to and accepted by the City Council. There were several comments about how the selections were made, particularly by Council Members Brenner and Dixon. They hoped the way the entries were evaluated would change in the future, in particular giving preference to local artists and more weight to the public survey. They further suggested a City Council study session on the selection process. Mr. Mosher suggested the Commission watch the video of the Tuesday, February 9, 2021, Council Meeting. Chair Little stated she watched the Council Meeting and that the Commission was aware of what happened and would address it. IX. ADJOURNMENT – 6:02 P.M. Chair Little adjourned the meeting at 6:02 P.M. Approved by: Marie Little