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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-14-2016 - City Arts Commission - Approved MinutesNewport Beach City Arts Commission Regular Meeting Minutes Thursday, January 14, 2016 Regular Meeting – 5:00 PM Friends Meeting Room, Central Library 1000 Avocado Ave. Newport Beach, CA 92660 I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER – 5:00 PM II. ROLL CALL Commissioners Present: Arlene Greer, Chair Lynn Selich, Vice Chair Caroline Logan Judy Chang Rita Goldberg Robert Smith Commissioner Absent: Michael Kerr - absent Staff Present: Tim Hetherton, Library Services Director Francine Jacome, Administrative Support Technician III. NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC IV. PUBLIC COMMENTS Michael Magrutsche inquired as to whether the City is now purchasing artwork and suggested as an alternative that the Arts Commission research the potential of publishing a “Sculpture Garden” book. Chair Greer confirmed that the Arts Commission does not have an item regarding purchasing art on today’s agenda. V. CONSENT CALENDAR Approval of Minutes of the November 12, 2015 and December 10, 2015, City Arts Commission Meetings. Commissioner Logan requested various clarifications to the November 12, 2015 minutes including the addition of the following verbatim paragraph by Library Director Hetherton, “The problem is that if you look at the bylaws of the Arts Foundation, the Arts Commission should be approaching the Foundation with a list of funding opportunities, so it’s kind of backwards. We can’t really authorize them to go ahead and purchase that kind of thing. It needs to be looked at by the Arts Commission as a whole what they want to see, what they want to present as an opportunity for funding. Staff suggestion is to limit the motion to use the Lenahan funds to replace one piece and that anything further than that is sort of a separate issue.” Motion made by Secretary Logan, seconded by Chair Greer, and carried (5-0-1-1) to approve the November 12, 2015 City Arts Commission Meeting minutes, as amended. Newport Beach City Arts Commission Regular Meeting Minutes January 14, 2016 Page 2 AYES: Chang, Logan, Smith, Selich, Greer NOES: None ABSTENTIONS: Goldberg ABSENT: Kerr Motion made by Secretary Logan, seconded by Vice Chair Selich, and carried (5-0-1-1) to approve the December 10, 2015 City Arts Commission Meeting minutes. AYES: Chang, Logan, Smith, Selich, Greer NOES: None ABSTENTIONS: Goldberg ABSENT: Kerr Consent Calendar Items 1. Financial Report - Review of financial information. 2. Cultural Arts Activities - Monthly review of cultural arts activities from the Library Administrative Office for upcoming Library and City arts events and services. Motion made by Secretary Logan, seconded by Vice Chair Selich, and carried (6-0-0-1) to approve the Consent Calendar Items, as presented. AYES: Chang, Goldberg, Logan, Smith, Selich, Greer NOES: None ABSTENTIONS: None ABSENT: Kerr VI. CURRENT BUSINESS Items for Review and Possible Action 3. City Art Commission Wish List for the Newport Beach Arts Foundation – Staff recommends that the City Arts Commission approve a list of funding opportunities for submission to the Newport Beach Arts Foundation. Chair Greer provided a staff report including a brief background, the wish list items, and proposed recommendations. The City Arts Commission is requesting $27,500.00 from the Newport Beach Arts Foundation for the following three projects, in order of preference: Sculpture Exhibition in Civic Center Park (Phase III) ($10,000.00), Concert on the Green ($2,500.00), and “Sphere 112” ($15,000.00). Discussion ensued regarding how the order of priorities was formulated and Chair Greer mentioned the conversations of the Ad Hoc Subcommittee Sculpture Garden meeting, staff recommendations based on conversations with the Newport Beach Arts Foundation, and the directives regarding Phase III of the Sculpture Exhibition from City Council. If the Council could not fund all three (3), the above stated order of priorities would stand. 2 Newport Beach City Arts Commission Regular Meeting Minutes January 14, 2016 Page 3 Commissioner Smith stated that the Newport Beach Arts Foundation had about $35,000.00 in their treasury and was capable of funding all three (3) projects. The sculpture was something they felt strongly about donating to the City because the public had selected it as their favored piece. Motion made by Chair Greer, seconded by Secretary Logan, and carried (6-0-0-1) to approve the list of funding opportunities for submission to the Newport Beach Arts Foundation, as presented. AYES: Chang, Goldberg, Logan, Smith, Selich, Greer NOES: None ABSTENTIONS: None ABSENT: Kerr 4. Sculpture Exhibition in Civic Center Park – Phase III – Staff recommends that the City Arts Commission approve a proposal for Phase III of the Sculpture Exhibition in Civic Center Park for submission to the City Council. Chair Greer provided a staff report including the projected funding of the project, which would implement a temporary sculpture exhibit in Civic Center Park. The City Council approved the installation of ten (10) sculptures in year one of the project and an additional ten (10) in year two. This item would be assigned to the Arts Manager who will be responsible for facilitating and managing the Sculpture Exhibition at the Park and related functions. The projected timeline for the project was also discussed. Motion made by Chair Greer, seconded by Commissioner Logan, and carried (6-0-0-1) to approve a proposal for Phase III of the Sculpture Exhibition in Civic Center Park for submission to City Council, as presented. AYES: Chang, Goldberg, Logan, Smith, Selich, Greer NOES: None ABSTENTIONS: None ABSENT: Kerr Michael Magrutsche inquired regarding the purchase of “Sphere 112” and whether this would reduce the number required down to nine (9) sculptures. He also expressed concerns that the City is now in the process of purchasing art and that the City is not good at art maintenance and upkeep. Discussion ensued and staff and Chair Greer confirmed that all items for consideration for this project are subject to Council policies I-9 and I-11, they would all have to pass through the Newport Beach Arts Foundation, and the City is in favor of donated art. Jim Mosher stated he was sorry about being late to the meeting, however, he was at the Finance Committee meeting. It seemed unusual to him to have public comments after an item was approved. He expressed concerns that the $35,000.00 was a monetary gift that was legally constrained for Performing Arts purposes only and perhaps, specifically only for the Balboa Peninsula area. He inquired if there had been subsequent clarification about how this funding was to be earmarked. Vice Chair Selich stated that there was a previous request for preference for Performing Arts and consideration of programs on the Peninsula. There has been a request from the City Council to 3 Newport Beach City Arts Commission Regular Meeting Minutes January 14, 2016 Page 4 seek out private/public alliances for funding and the Commission is evaluating ways to creatively use money to its highest best use. Library Director Hetherton confirmed there definitely is language in the transfer that there was a preference for the Balboa Peninsula and there is at least one (1) program on the Peninsula planned. Jim Mosher stated that the proposed project is clearly not for the performing arts. Monthly Reports 5. Fine Arts Ad Hoc Subcommittee - Chair Arlene Greer (Chair), Secretary Caroline Logan, Commissioner Judy Chang. Chair Greer reported regarding the Newport Beach Art Exhibition call for art, the hanging of the Longridge art pieces, and the Joan Irving Brandt Centennial celebration on March 5, 2016. Information is available on the City’s website, the Navigator, Facebook, on City banners along PCH, Marguerite, and at the Library beginning in February. She distributed a document from the Brandt family. Artwork was also described that features the City Library site in its former state. 6. Newport Beach Sculpture Garden Ad Hoc Subcommittee - Chair Arlene Greer (Chair). Commissioner Robert Smith (co-Chair), Vice Chair Lynn Selich. Chair Greer stated that much of the Ad Hoc report was given during the Sculpture Garden agenda report. She noted that the Subcommittee met in January to work out the details regarding Phase III. Commissioner Smith reported that the City will have its first “kinetic” sculpture, “Sunflower,” and described the work to restore the vandalism that had occurred. The foundation has been poured and the sculpture will go in next week. The sculpture will show motion, with the wind blowing the petals of the sunflower. It will be located in the middle of the Sculpture Garden. Commissioner Smith also reported that Library Director Hetherton has installed three (3) information racks throughout the site and as people walk through they can obtain the brochure. Information can also be obtained on the mynewportbeach app. In response to an inquiry from the Commission, Library Director Hetherton commented that the City has reported approximately five hundred (500) “hits” or “downloads” of the app, and although it is not good empirical evidence of how many people are visiting, it does show interest. There was a request from the Commission for staff to provide reports regarding visits to the Sculpture Garden and number of downloads of the app. It was also requested that the new Arts Manager be charged with developing ideas for a “guest registry.” 7. Arts Master Plan Steering Committee - Chair Arlene Greer (Chair), Secretary Caroline Logan, Commissioner Goldberg. Chair Greer provided the report and noted input from a recent study session. At this juncture, they will be looking to share it with the new Arts Manager then come back to the City Arts Commission with a finalized draft. A copy of the Arts & Culture Master Plan should also be delivered to Commissioner Kerr who was absent from today’s meeting. 4 Newport Beach City Arts Commission Regular Meeting Minutes January 14, 2016 Page 5 8. Communications/Publicity/Marketing Ad Hoc Subcommittee - Commissioner Rita Goldberg (Chair), Vice Chair Lynn Selich, Commissioner Judy Chang. Discussion ensured among the Commission regarding a potential event organized by the Newport Beach Arts Foundation, tentatively scheduled for February 25, 2016, to encourage any interested individuals, in particular, women, to join various volunteer organizations. Further clarification will be obtained on the proposed event and a future report will be given. It was suggested that the Arts Foundation update its website in order to ensure that interested individuals have the correct information to encourage their interest in joining. In addition, it was suggested that a public service announcement be assembled for broadcast on KOCI-FM. 9. Civic Center Art Placement Ad Hoc Subcommittee - Secretary Caroline Logan (Chair), Commissioner Rita Goldberg. Secretary Logan thanked Library Director Hetherton for getting the three donated Joan Irving Brandt paintings displayed at the Library and for arranging for the hanging of the American Flag in the Corona Del Mar Conference Room at the Civic Center. In response to an inquiry from the Commission regarding the installation of plaques with the Joan Irving Brandt paintings, Library Director Hetherton reported that as soon as he gets the “go ahead” from the Board of Library Trustees, they will be completed and put in place in time for the Joan Irving Brandt Centennial Celebration. 10. Newport Beach Arts Foundation Liaison Ad Hoc Subcommittee - Chair Arlene Greer (Chair), Vice Chair Lynn Selich, Commissioner Robert Smith. Commissioner Smith reported that the Newport Beach Arts Foundation’s next meeting is Tuesday, January 19, in the Conference room, at 6:00 p.m. 11. Performing Arts Ad Hoc Subcommittee - Chair Arlene Greer (co-Chair), Commissioner Rita Goldberg (co-Chair), Vice Chair Lynn Selich. Chair Greer noted that the Ad Hoc Subcommittee will meet at the end of January to determine Summer Concert on the Green programming. A Shakespeare in the Park and a Children’s performance were two items that were discussed. They are currently researching and exploring summer programming including one (1) performance by the Pacific Symphony. 12. Cultural Arts Collaborations Ad Hoc Subcommittee - Vice Chair Lynn Selich (Chair), Commissioner Judy Chang, Commissioner Michael Kerr. Vice Chair Selich reported that they will now have the ability to raise funds pursuant to Council’s direction toward obtaining more public/private partnerships. They will move into more ambitious undertakings, such as the proposed performance by the Pacific Symphony. The goal is to move things in that direction once the Art Manager arrives, similar to how the Newport Beach Public Library Foundation functions, as a self-reliant and self-funding entity. Vice Chair Selich also stated that they would also like to encourage developers to incorporate public art as part of their projects in the City. 5 Newport Beach City Arts Commission Regular Meeting Minutes January 14, 2016 Page 6 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 Greer suggested the following items for the upcoming agenda: Chalk Art Festival, John Wayne Bust proposal, and Performing Arts Proposal from the Ad Hoc Subcommittee for 2016 to include the two (2) to three (3) aforementioned concerts. VIII. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Jim Mosher again apologized for his tardiness to today’s meeting and noted he was not able to hear the discussion of the donation from Secretary Logan. He commented that he appreciated the placement of the Joan Irving Brandt watercolors, with the two (2) lighter tone paintings enhancing the more dramatic one (1) in the middle. He expressed concerns that the City Council approved a waiver to allow the City Arts Commission to act as a fundraising body. He felt this was not handled well as it was a Consent Calendar item and there was no public discussion. He requested that the City Arts Commission should request that the Council modify this waiver and make it more clear which fundraising activities they can participate in as it appears confusing to him. Chair Greer provided updates on various programming including the Joan Irving Brandt Centennial, the Nutcracker Performance, Murals Under the Stars, the Eva Malhotra exhibit, unveiling of the Ben Carlson sculpture, the Newport Beach Arts Exhibition, the proposed Concerts on the Green, the Sculpture Garden Phase III, Art in the Park, and Sleeping Beauty. IX. ADJOURNMENT – 6:00 PM Approved by: Chair Arlene Greer 6