North Cook News

City of Elgin Cultural Arts Commission met May 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the Commission:

A. Call to Order: 6:00pm

B. Roll Call: Chairwoman Rehberg present, Staff Harris and Wilhelmi present. Commissioners Rende, Syrris, Kearney and Einterz present. Councilwoman Powell present.

C. Citizen’s Forum:

a. Michael Novelli

b. Calderon (CJ) Brown

c. Heidy Cruz

d. Lilly West

e. Jeanne Adu-brako

f. Marc Thayer

g. Hallie Sanclemente Morrison, Individual Artist Grant Application follow-up

i. Screenings for a short film that aims to educate and inspire some native American principles through braiding sweetgrass and becoming indigenous. The film is about Hallie’s experience in becoming indigenous here in Elgin. The film is intended for 14 years and older but is appropriate for all ages. The screenings would have traditional foods and is free and open to the public and will hopefully end with a reflective arts workshop. The film is approximately 20 minutes long. The locations for the screenings are still to be determined but would air between October and November. The film will be shown in Venice, Italy as part of a film festival there.

ii. Citizens asked about approvals from the author. Hallie responded that that process is still ongoing, but she is credited and quoted in the film directly as is appropriate.

iii. Citizens also asked if any of the actors are indigenous and what research was done on the area of who inhabited the land historically. Hallie noted that the casting is done and is respective of ‘earth honoring practices.’ Her hope is that the film will be a connecting event where individuals can share their histories and experiences as a way to connect. She also noted the history of the Elgin area is in a way mysterious and she aims to remove that mystery and acknowledge the history of the land and its inhabitants.

h. Dave Metzger, Individual Artist Grant Presentation

i. Presenting “Totally Tiki: A Tidal Wave of Tiki Art and Culture” at Elgin Artspace Lofts. The event will take place in July. The call for art is open to all. There will be a historical and timeline display about tiki art and Polynesian art in general. The event will also host a tiki bar. A nonprofit group, Friends of the Fox River, will receive any income from the exhibit. A series of paddle boards will be painted as an art jam where they travel from artist to artist to create a finished piece. An afterparty will also take place in downtown.

ii. Citizens asked what the demographic of their shows are. Dave noted that they are mostly family friendly as the space is open.

iii. Citizens asked what the demographics of the audience were when it comes to African Americans and Latinos. Dave noted that they don’t track that but are always hoping for a more represented Elgin in attendance. Postcards and posters are widely spread. Councilwoman Powell noted that oftentimes the artists’ diversity drives the audience attendance.

Dave noted that the artist pool is typically very diverse, and they make specific asks of artists as well, but there is always room for growth.

iv. Citizens also asked how they are reaching older citizens of retired ages. Dave noted that the space is fully accessible.

D. Staff Report:

a. Financial Report:

i. No update.

b. Hemmens:

i. Dance recital season has begun.

ii. Parks and Recreation summer camps will be in the space in Exhibition Hall

iii. Summer Theatre auditions are occurring now.

iv. August and part of September are largely closed for HVAC upgrades.

c. Elgin Art Showcase:

i. Current programming is on-going.

ii. Marissa Gil of the Hemmens will soon be taking over the day-to-day operations.

iii. The lease at 18 Villa is still under review.

d. Approval of April 2022 Minutes:

i. Motion to approve the minutes by Councilwoman Powell. Seconded by commissioner Rende. Approved by a vote of 5-0-1 with Commissioner Kearney abstaining.

E. Old Business

a. 2022 ECAC Projects:

i. Making Space:

1. The documentary is in the final stages for finishing now.

ii. Going Dutch:

1. The festival will take place June 3-25. It will take place at Side Street, Still Life Meditation, Martini Room, and the Eastside Neighborhood Garden. Many of the events are free and open to the public. The commissioned artists, Anna Johnson, will be taking over the front of the new building at 62 S Grove while Ishti will perform at Still Life. The other commissioned artists will take over space in November. Festival passes are $10.

iii. Juneteenth:

1. Two-day festival taking place at Festival Park this year on June 18 and 19. T-shirts will be printed soon. Food trucks, entertainment, art cubes, and more. Toyota and Advocate Sherman are sponsors.

Advocate Sherman will be offering some health screenings that are particularly common in the African American community. The car parade will take place again this year and will end at Festival Park. Volunteers are needed. Contact Councilwoman Powell for volunteering opportunities.

2. Citizens asked if there would be any gospel or church events.

Councilwoman Powell noted that yes, there will be programming of that nature on Sunday.

iv. Elgin Summer Theatre

1. In person auditions on Thursday of this week.

v. Elgin Fringe Festival:

1. The lottery announcement event was held recently and was very well attended and much loved. Area businesses donated prizes for the event.

2. This year is a lottery rather than first-come-first-served. This resulted in 20 artists that are new to the Elgin area performing in this festival. The Elgin Group was also announced at the event, which supports area artists. Visual art acceptances will go out soon.

vi. Let’s Do It Again Concert

1. Now titled, Inspired Elgin: an immersive arts and cultural experience.” Arts and culture groups will be contacted shortly for participation opportunities. Chamber Music on the Fox will perform at the Hemmens. Other components are still being confirmed. The event is September 18th.

vii. Elgin Short Film Festival

1. Currently accepting entries. Chamber Music on the Fox won’t be participating this year. Mike Toomy will be hosting and will take that time slot. The event will be in person but also offer online streaming tickets.

viii. Artist Workshops:

1. Moved to next month, but topics being discussed are marketing, grant writing, budgeting, artist pay, and more.

ix. Shakespeare in the Park:

1. The show has been cast. The full cast list went out today. Permit applications have been submitted. Two original songs will be written to accompany the show. The show will be in Elgin August 7th and August 13th. August 7th will begin at 5pm right after Art and Soul at Festival Park. August 13th will take place at Wing Park.

F. Other Old Business:

a. Grant Application Review:

i. Moved to next meeting

b. Call for Art:

i. Commissioners noted disappointment in the proposals and the number of them. A motion to forgo the kinetic art submissions by Councilwoman Rehberg. Seconded by Commissioner Syrris. Approved by a vote of 6-0.

G. New Business:

a. Hallie Sanclemente Morrison, Individual Artist Grant

i. Commissioners noted that budget was well balanced, and her scope seemed good.

ii. Motion to approve the Individual Artist Grant for $1,000 by

Commissioner Kearney. Seconded by Commissioner Einterz. Approved by a vote of 5-0-1 with Councilwoman Rehberg abstaining.

b. Dave Metzger, Individual Artist Grant

i. Commissioners noted being excited to have these shows back post covid. Commissioners noted they liked the charity of choice.

ii. Motion to approve the Individual Artist Grant for $1,000 by

Commissioner Syrris. Seconded by Councilwoman Powell. Approved by a vote of 5-0-1 with Commissioner Rende abstaining.

c. Arts and Economic Prosperity 6 study:

i. Invitiations for participating and instructions will be sent to groups this week. Survey collection will take place for 12 months. A minimum of 25% of surveys must be taken from BIPOC organizations.

d. Market Study and Strategic Plan

i. The RFP was published last week and will be scored near the end of the month.

H. Other New Business

I. Adjournment: 8:04pm

a. Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Einterz. Seconded by Commissioner Rende. Approved by a vote of 6-0.

https://www.cityofelgin.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/7905