City of Evanston Arts Council met Dec. 10.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
1. Call to Order and Declaration of a Quorum
Meeting was called to order at 6:33 p.m.
2. Public Comment
Ms. Indira Johnson introduced the” 2020 Year of Kindness and Nonviolence Action.” On January 26, 2020 the “Year of Kindness” will be kicked-off with an event at Fleetwood-Jourdain. There will be a series of events and projects throughout the entire year.
3. Approve Meeting Minutes from November 12, 2019
Ms. Riseborough made the following corrections:
line 32 — Use Dr. Horn’s first name too.
line 35 — “seconded”
line 43 — “mention”
line 53 — “seconded”
line 61 — mentioned “that”
line 88 — eliminate “provided” & “explained” and use “reported.”
line 97 — eliminate “mentioned”, use “reported
line 103 - insert “an”, “an overview”
line 105 - capitalize March
Approved unanimously as amended.
4. Consideration
A. Neighborhood Arts Grant Funding Request
1. Kids Create Change
Melissa Raman Molitor and Angela Lyonsmith introduced themselves. Ms Raman Molitor indicated they are artists and art therapists at the Art Institute with community participation experience. They requested $1,000 in funds from the Neighborhood Arts Grant for a participatory art project that will be part of the “2020 Year of Kindness and Nonviolence Action”
They will do workshops with children and art installations at each ward. The goal is to do two art installations per month.
Ms. Cohen asked how the project idea took shape. Ms. Raman Molitor and Ms. Lyonsmith explained they have community partners, and that it will be possible thanks to the collaborations throughout town and dedicated volunteers.
Mr. Jones asked how the workshops will be marketed. Ms. Raman Molitor and Ms. Johnson said the City of Evanston has committed to help market and the “2020 Year of Kindness” campaign will do marketing on their own, as well as the campaign’s community partners.
Mr. Deeb asked: “how does this project compare in scale to other projects you have done?” Ms. Raman Molitor replied that this was a small scale project compared to her previous projects.
Ms. Raman Molitor clarified that the requested funds will be earmarked for materials.
Ms. Riseborough moved to approve $1,000 in funding. Mr. Jones seconded.
Approved 7-0-1. Ms. Johnson abstained.
B. Arts Council Bylaws
Ms. Riseborough suggested that Subcommittee members will pick their own chair in reference to section 4, article 2b
Mr. Riseborough also objected to losing the non-Arts Council members that currently serve in the Public Arts Subcommittee.
Ms. Corrin moved to approve the bylaws as amended. Mr. Deeb seconded.
Unanimously approved.
C. Arts Council 2020 Meeting Dates
Ms. Johnson moved to approve the Arts Council’s 2020 meeting dates. Ms. Corrin seconded. Approved unanimously.
5. Discussion
A. 820 Davis Street Mural Proposal
Ms. Lea Pinsky reported she is working with the new owner of 820 Davis to create an exterior and interior mural. The exterior mural will be five-stories high.
EMAP will work with artist Ruben Aguirre. Ms. Pinsky mentioned the design has gone thought the Design and Project Review (DAPR) process and received approval.
Ms. Riseborough said it was a “terrific” design. The overall feedback from the Arts Council members was positive.
B. RCCC Public Art Engagement Results
Artist, Blessing Hancock presented her results and asked for validation of the words collected. Mr. Sachs recommended to double check on the copyright of the word “pokémon”. He also mentioned he liked the Spanish and Hebrew words.
Mr. Jones asked how many words can be used. Ms. Hancock said she can use all of them and probably more.
Mr. Sachs said recommended to add the names of all the schools to make sure all are included.
Ms. Martínez was instructed to send an email to all Arts Council members to compile a list of words additions and removals.
C. Amusement Tax for Not-For-Profit Organizations
Toby explained last year the City Council floated the idea of making the amusement tax apply to non-for-profit organizations, but that it is not a current proposal in the 2020 budget. However, Beth Adler and he wanted the Arts Council to be prepared to take a stance if the topic comes up again.
The Arts Council members unanimously agreed they would oppose any proposals to add an amusement tax to not-for-profit organizations’ events.
6. Communications
A. Chairs Report
A tentative date for the 2020 Arts Council retreat was discussed. April 4, 2020 is being considered.
B. Public Art Subcommittee Report
Ms. Riseborough reported 3 of the 4 light art installations are not working properly.
C. Equity in the Arts Working Group Report
The group will work on a vision statement.
D. Staff Report
No report
7. Announcements
Ms. Riseborough will have a show at 1100 Florence on January 4th.
The Block Museum will have a new show in January from the Pan-Arab world.
Mr. Deeb James will have a show in Munster, Indiana in January.
Northlight Theater will have an interplay reading that is free to the public on December 17.
Open Studio Project has an exhibit on African musical instrument.
8. Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m.
Alerts Sign-up