HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/10/2010 - City Arts Commission - Minutes(Item 1)
City of Newport Beach
Newport Beach City Arts Commission
Thursday, June 10, 2010 – 5:00pm
Central Library Conference Room
Convened at 5:04pm
Call to Order and Roll Call:
Commissioners Present: Robyn Grant, Chair; Robert Smith, Vice Chair; Carole Boller,
Secretary; Gil Lasky,
Christopher Trela; Wendy Brooks arrived after meeting began
Commissioners Absent: Rita Goldberg
Staff Present: Cynthia Cowell, Library Services Director; Jana Barbier, Cultural
Arts Coordinator
Public Present: Sarah Wilkinson, Carmen Smith; Pat Jorgensen
Public Comments: Sarah Wilkinson of “Sustainable Artworks” introduced herself to
the Arts Commission and noted her desire to be involved with
public art at the new civic center. Ms. Wilkinson noted that she
had recently attended the lecture on public art held in May at
Central Library. She had also visited the civic center site and
spoken with the foreman about fossilized stones and rocks that
were found there.
Commissioner Grant thanked Ms. Wilkinson for attending, noted
that this was a good first step and suggested that staff take the
information on how to contact Ms. Wilkinson. Ms. Wilkinson noted
that she had been selected to create a sculptural work for the
“Urban Trees” project in San Diego. It was suggested also that
Ms. Wilkinson contact the councilperson from her district to further
her ideas for sustainable artwork at this site.
Approval of Minutes: It was MSP (Lasky/Smith) to approve the May 13, 2010 Regular
Meeting Minutes.
It was MSP (Smith/Lasky) to approve the May 17, 2010 Special
Meeting Minutes.
Continued Business:
Staff Report /Correspondence - Reviewed and filed.
Correspondence/Press – Reviewed and filed.
Committee Updates:
Commissioner Brooks expressed concern over limiting public art opportunities to one
organization at the Civic Center. Commissioner Grant suggested having a deeper discussion
on the issue during committee updates.
Fine Arts Committee – Commissioner Boller reviewed the artwork currently on display and
reminded everyone to attend Ting-Ting Lee’s artist’s reception on July 19.
Performing Arts Committee – Commissioner Lasky noted that the details were all set for the
summer performances. Commissioner Trela asked that all press release information be sent to
him to assist in marketing the programs.
Arts Foundation Liaison Committee – Commissioner Boller noted that she was unable to attend
the last Arts Foundation meeting but had heard that it was great. She noted that all of the plans
for the Foundation’s Art and Craft in the Park event were moving forward for June 19.
Budget Committee – Commissioner Lasky asked if the library’s event planning form was
finished yet. Library Services Director, Cynthia Cowell, noted that when this form was complete,
it will be a good system for forecasting costs and revenue.
Art in Public Places Committee – Commissioner Smith noted that he and Commissioner Trela
had met some time ago with the Mayor, who suggested that collaboration with the Orange
County Museum of Art would provide expertise, as well as a mechanism for funding public art at
the civic center and park. Smith noted that this collaboration called for a long-term effort with
the museum and that a Memorandum of Understanding was required for this. He noted that a
staff report was written to accompany the MOU, which would go before City Council on June 22.
It was noted that all commissioners and foundation members were encouraged to attend the
June 22 City Council meeting. Commissioner Smith noted that a grant from the National
Endowment for the Arts would provide a boost to this effort and that the commissioners should
know by June 27 whether the grant application to the NEA had been accepted.
Cultural Arts Grant Committee – Commissioner Brooks asked that Cultural Arts Grant
Committee be changed to Cultural Arts Grants Committee on the agenda. She stated that she
would be attending the Baroque Music Festival’s 30th anniversary performance on June 27.
New Business:
Consider and Recommend accepting donation of painting of Newport Beach City Seal by artist,
Robert Holton:
Staff provided a photograph and artist’s description of the artwork being discussed. The Arts
Commissioners decided to reexamine the guidelines for the donation of art. Discussion ensued
as to whether the decision to accept the donation should be made. The Arts Commission’s
exhibition committee members requested seeing the painting in person before making a
recommendation at a subsequent meeting.
Future Agenda Items: Discussion amongst Commissioners to create a committee whose
purpose is to review locations for public art outside the perimeter of the civic center and park.
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Commissioner Announcements: Commissioner Grant announced that she would be travelling
to Boston and therefore would be cancelling the July 8 meeting and asking staff to set up a
special meeting for July 15. Commissioner Trela noted that he is writing a restaurant review
column for “The Independent”.
It was MSP (Trela/Boller) to adjourn the meeting.
Adjournment: 6:10p.m.
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