North Cook News

City of Elgin Cultural Arts Commission met Nov. 2.

Here is the minutes provided by the commission:

A. Call to Order: 6:10pm

B. Roll Call:

a. Commissioners Miceli, Rehberg, Kearney, present. Chairman Vassallo present. Councilwoman Powell present.

C. Citizen’s Forum:

a. Richard Perez, Individual Artist Grant Application

i. Requesting funds for a trade publication of a graphic novel, “The Infinium.” Funds will be used to self-publish the graphic novel. As part of the request a portion of the books will be donated to the U46 high schools and middle schools. Richard commented that they really enjoy working with the kids and encouraging collaboration between artists and authors to encourage them to create a product together.

ii. Councilwoman Powell commented that she is familiar with their work and thinks the quality is very good. She asked if the interaction with the schools would include workshops. Richard said they would be thrilled to do that if the schools are interested. She also commented that they should participate in the Elgin Literary Festival in January, which Richard said they are interested in.

iii. Chairman Vassallo asked how the schools would be selected. Richard commented that would be up to the school district but that there is interest.

b. Risé Jones, Hamilton Wings, 2018 Organizational Grant Final Report

i. In July Hamilton Wings’ “Lighting Glimpse Ahead” was the 18th original opera created with students. Margret Palmer worked with the students on dance. The students worked with themes such as the environment and bullying as well as ways to react to and address bullying. Lori Holm came in to help with stage combat. ESO members participated as well. It was well attended and a lot of fun.

c. Don Haefliger, Independent Players, 2018 Organizational Grant Final Report D. Staff Report:

a. Financial Report:

i. Final charges for Art Harvest are being posted now.

ii. Elgin Literary Festival charges are coming in now. iii. Individual Grants from October have gone out.

b. Art Showcase:

i. Heat continues to be an issue.

ii. Plumbing was an issue this weekend.

iii. Alternate locations for the Art Showcase are being looked at for 2020 as the lease is up at the end of 2019.

c. Hemmens:

i. CTE in coming in house

ii. Nutcracker comes in late November. iii. December brings holiday concerts.

d. Approval of October Minutes:

i. Motion to approve October Minutes by Commissioner Rehberg. Seconded by Commissioner Kearney. Approved by a vote of 5-0.

E. Old Business

a. Marketing

i. CAC Sponsored assignments for BRAVO, December. Due 11/19.

1. Year in review. Written by Staff Harris. Looking back and looking forward.

b. 2018 CAC Projects:

i. Elgin Fringe Festival:

1. Final report in December.

ii. Art Harvest:

1. About 450 attendees.

2. Hay-Maze was extremely well received and we will do this again next year.

iii. Kwanzaa Celebration:

1. Posters and postcards are here.

2. Crafts are happening as are performances. Kucha and Baba Tony are participating again this year.

3. The structure of the event will be changed a bit from last year. This year performances are the first hour and the last hour is open for the crafts and participation.

iv. Elgin Literary Festival:

1. Four authors are confirmed as featured speakers. 2. Hotels and travel are all booked.

3. Posters and postcards coming soon.

F. Other Old Business:

a. New Works update:

i. New artwork locations for 2019 are being scouted now.

b. 2018 Public Art

G. New Business:

a. Margo Jones Project by Janus Theatre Company. Chairman Vassallo attended and said it was very well done. He noted that the layout was good as was the dialogue and performance.

b. Geekz Con report

c. Richard Perez, Individual Artist Grant Application

i. Motion to approve the Individual Artist Grant of $1000 by Commissioner Rehberg. Seconded by Commissioner Kearney. Approved by a vote of 5-0.

d. 2019 Organizational Grant Applications i. BFH.org:

1. Commissioners commented that it was much the same as previous years. ii. Chamber Music on the Fox:

1. Commissioners noted the collaboration with Imago. Commissioners noted that the application brought an artist to Elgin that has performed here many times, rather than a new voice.

iii. Children’s Theatre of Elgin:

1. Commissioners noted that they like when the applicants use the supplied budget. Commissioners noted that the quality of work is always good. Commissioners noted that it is generally an adult cast but they expansion of the cast can be done relatively easily.

iv. Elgin Master Chorale:

1. Commissioners asked for clarification about the number of people impacted by the program. Commissioners noted that the performances don’t always engage the audience and seem to sometimes program for financial reasons. Commissioners noted that it doesn’t seem that the groundwork for this program is feasibly set for success.

v. Elgin Symphony Orchestra:

1. Commissioners noted these programs existed years ago and were successful then. Commissioners noted that the impact of this program is wide-ranging. Commissioners noted that the transportation to the program isn’t clear and it would be helpful to know if it is provided by the schools via bus or if the parents are being relied upon for that. Commissioners questioned the viability of taking the performances to the schools rather than bringing the kids to the performances, if possible, in auditoriums.

vi. Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra:

1. Commissioners noted that it was much the same as in previous years.

Commissioners noted that the quality of their programming has always been good. Commissioners noted a lack of innovation. vii. Friend of the Lord’s Park Zoo:

1. Commissioners noted that there could be a conflict of interests as Chamber Music on the Fox receives grant funds from the ECAC. Commissioners noted that it was great to have their submission and the project sounded very interesting.

viii. Hamilton Wings:

1. Commissioners noted that while the program is 18 years old, each year what they do is innovative each year because the program is unique each year. Commissioner noted that the fact that the art is kid-led is very important and innovative, and the program reaches an underserved population.

ix. Heartland Voices:

1. Commissioners noted that the budget was a little confusing. Commissioners noted that the fact that the program is a world premiere is very interesting. Commissioners noted that this program seems to serve the same population as a lot of the other organizations.

x. Independent Players:

1. Commissioners noted that the application seems better in general.

Commissioners noted that the notion that several items were “possible” didn’t mean that they were going to happen, which is disheartening. Commissioners noted that it was interesting that innovation is used at the Fringe as noted by the applicant, but it goes back to business as usual after that.

xi. Schaumburg on Stage:

1. Commissioners noted that the budget was very confusing to read.

Commissioners voiced trepidation about not knowing which production they would be doing, thus no production is named. Commissioners noted that they like that they do bigger shows. Commissioners noted that it was nice to have a new applicant.

xii. Side Street Studio Arts:

1. Commissioners noted that this program appeals to a base of audience that is different than many of the other applicants.

xiii. Soiree Lyrique:

1. Commissioners noted that the collaboration was good. Commissioners noted that the program would serve much the same population as several of the other applicants.

H. Adjournment:

a. Motion to adjourn by Councilwoman Powell. Seconded by Commissioner Kearney. Approved by a vote of 5-0.

http://www.cityofelgin.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/6228