City of Elgin Cultural Arts Commission met June 22.
Here is the minutes provided by the commission:
A. Call to Order:
a. 6:00pm
B. Roll Call:
a. Commissioners Erlandson, Richmond, Miceli, Syrris, Rehberg, Forsythe, Einterz present. Chairman Vassallo present. Councilwoman Powell present. Staff Harris and Wilhelmi present. C. Citizen’s Forum:
D. Staff Report:
a. Financial Report:
i. Charges for the yard signs and banners have been processed.
b. Hemmens:
i. The Hemmens has been closed due to Covid. Most staff has been furloughed through July. Some reopening may occur in phase 4, but most reopening will occur in phase 5.
ii. Plaza redevelopment will be occurring very soon.
c. Art Showcase:
i. The showcase has been closed due to Covid.
ii. Date reservations requests went out today and are due back in July.
iii. There are reports that the other renters in the building are having difficulties with the management company and their reaction to Covid.
d. Approval of March Minutes:
i. Motion to approve the March minutes by Commissioner Rehberg. Seconded by Commissioner Erlandson. Approved by a vote of 10-0.
E. Old Business
a. Marketing
i. CAC Sponsored assignments for BRAVO, August Due 7/20.
ii. Staff Harris to set an article schedule for Bravo and present to the ECAC at the July meeting.
b. 2020 ECAC Projects:
i. TalentFest
1. Occurred in March at the Hemmens Cultural Center.
ii. Juneteenth
1. The event was cancelled for 2020. Instead, the committee held a car parade of flags representing all of the African countries. This was held in partnership with the African American Coalition of Kane County. About 70 cars participated. The parade went from the east side to the west side of Elgin and back again. It received lots of positive feedback.
iii. Elgin Fringe Festival
1. The spring mini-fringe was held virtually rather than at Grumpy Goat. The shows were online for almost a month. This was a good trial to test a virtual fringe for the fall.
2. Fall Fringe is planned to go ahead in a virtual way. Details are still being finalized, but the event is on schedule to being September 4th. Most shows will have a small fee. Shows will be online for a full month. Hopefully, pending the pandemic, there will still be some form of in person events. This is in line with many other fringes around the world.
3. In the future, a version of a digital fringe will remain to be accessible.
4. The United States Association of Fringe Festivals is being postponed to a year that we can host it in person here in Elgin.
5. Those artists that were accepted this year are either being given a refund and/or the first right of refusal.
iv. Elgin Short Film Festival
1. The event will be cancelled this year. Other options were considered, but in order to retain the feeling and mission of the event as well as the feasibility of the production, it was decided the best option was to cancel.
2. Those that submitted films are either receiving a refund or first right of refusal.
v. Going Dutch Festival
1. Moved to November of this year, pending the pandemic.
2. Multiple platforms are being explored for the festival to ensure that the event will occur.
vi. Shakespeare in the Park
1. A virtual option for a recorded performance can be offered. This will be a modern day take on Much Ado About Nothing.
2. Can be released as a watch party if that is desired.
F. Other Old Business:
G. New Business:
a. Covid Response, ECAC Recommendations
i. Grants Recommendations:
1. Commissioners discussed the use of grants funds for the individuals and organizations in light of the pandemic. The grants were proportionate of the organizations and their projects. The commissioners would request those that have not yet received their funds to submit a short note about their need and use for the funds.
a. Motion to approve the grants portion of the ECAC Recommendations by Commissioner Einterz. Seconded by Commissioner Miceli. Approved by a vote of 9-0-1 with commissioner Rehberg abstaining.
ii. Public Art Recommendations
1. Commissioners noted that it all makes sense and seems straight forward. Commissioners noted that the utility boxes also allow for sponsorship.
2. Motion to approve the public art portion of the ECAC Recommendations by Commissioner Rehberg. Seconded by Commissioner Erlandson. Approved by a vote of 10-0.
iii. Covid Response Recommendations
1. Commissioners noted to increase the art kit funding to reflect the addition of kits for adults and resupply of the kids’ kits.
2. Motion to approve the Covid response portion of the recommendations with the addition of $2,500 for art kit funding in the amount of $5,000 based on the ECAC Recommendations by Commissioner Forsythe. Seconded by Commissioner Richmond. Approved by a vote of 9-0-1 with commissioner Rehberg abstaining.
3. Motion to approve banners and yard signs as part of the ECAC Recommendations by Commissioner Erlandson. Seconded by Commissioner Kearney. Approved by a vote of 10-0.
b. Grant Recommendations
i. Maintain the Individual Grants as is.
ii. Roll Organizational Grants into operational funds for those that have not yet received their 2020 funds. One year only.
c. Public Art Recommendations discussed as part of the general recommendations above.
i. Call for Art
1. Suspend this program for 2020.
ii. Utility Box Wrapping
1. Maintain this program for 2020.
iii. Neighborhood Public Art Grants
1. Suspend this program for 2020.
iv. Spontaneous Art Wall
1. Maintain this program for 2020, pending legal review.
v. Asphalt Art Project
1. Suspend this program for 2020.
d. Downtown business board-ups
i. Councilwoman Powell spoke about the committee working to preserve the board-ups used in downtown. The program would install a mural in downtown, auction a few of the pieces (funding split between the artist and to establish a Black Lives Matter scholarship), and an annual event potentially in conjunction with Juneteenth. This would be in conjunction with local activist Paige Roeber, the Downtown Neighborhood Association, and the Human Relations Commission. Staff Harris will come back with information regarded expected cost.
1. Motion to engage in this co-commission project and potentially fund a portion of if by Commissioner Miceli. Seconded by Commissioner Powell. Approved by a vote of 10-0.
e. Public art and civic design conference
i. Register Commissioner Erlandson for all 3 days and Chairman Vassallo for Wednesday’s session. (Commissioners Syrris and Miceli left during this discussion)
H. Adjournment: 8:27pm
a. Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Rehberg. Seconded by Commissioner Richmond. Approved by a vote of 8-0 (Commissioners Syrris and Miceli had left by this point.)
http://www.cityofelgin.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/6936
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