North Cook News

City of Elgin Cultural Arts Commission met July 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

A. Call to Order: 6:07pm

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

C. Citizen’s Forum:

a. Thomas Newman, Individual Artist Grant Application

i. Mr. Neuman presented his plans to present Steven Dietz’s “Shooting Star.” In answer to questions, Mr. Neuman stated that First United Methodist Church was chosen as the venue because it was conducive with their vision for the set and that they try to balance their cost with affordability when setting prices and that can be flexible.

b. Adrian Mesino, Individual Artist Grant Application

i. Mr. Mesino read his proposal to the Commissioners. Requesting $1,000 to cover his time and administrative expenses as well as marketing and misc. supplies. It was mentioned that the application focused more on the background and opinions of management at the Elgin Art Space Lofts (EASL) and not on the event itself.

c. Shirley Bassett, African American Coalition of Kane County, Organizational Grant Final Report 

i. Ms. Bassett thanked the ECAC for their support and reported that the venue changed from ECC to the Heritage Ballroom due to a scheduling conflict. She estimated the attendance at 80 people with a range from 7 years to 70+. They do want to do a better job marketing and may use the company used for Juneteenth next year.

d. Susan Falbo, Chamber Music on the Fox, Organizational Grant Final Report

i. Ms. Falco reported that this was the best attended program since prior to the pandemic. The grant helped present five events: a Master Class for EYSO and Concert in Aurora, a concert at the Ashbury, a virtual option and a broadcast on WNIU. They are working to expand their racial and economic diversity. Councilwoman Powell suggested she reach out to the Boy & Girls Club and the YWCA.

e. Erin Rehberg, Side Street Studio Arts, Organizational Grant Final Report

i. Ms. Rehberg reported that 1,000+ people attended the free month-long program featuring over 70 artists. The program pretty much followed the plan in the application plus they started the Elgin Arts Happy Hour which is scheduled to continue through October and hopefully beyond.

D. Staff Report:

a. Financial Report:

i. Chairwoman Rehberg mentioned that expense from Going Dutch are starting to post. 

b. Hemmens:

i. The Elgin Summer Theatre production of FAME opens July 14. The working relationship with Up And Coming Theatre is much better than last year in no small part to the amount of time UAC has been able to be on stage prior to Tech Week. Hemmens technical has also been more involved in making sure regular communication is maintained and deadlines are met.

ii. Entries for the Elgin Short Film Festival are being accepted.

iii. The construction of the north lobby addition will begin as soon as the contract can be issued to contractors. A groundbreaking will take place on July 26.

c. Elgin Art Showcase:

i. No report

d. Approval of May 2023 Minutes

i. Motion to approve the May 2023 minutes by Commissioner Rende. Seconded by Chairwoman Rehberg. Approved by a vote of 5-0-1 with Commissioner Einterz abstaining.

E. Old Business

a. 2023 ECAC Projects:

i. Artist Workshops: Commissioners could not find registration online and questioned if it was available. Commissioners who attended previous workshops had mixed reviews but felt that they need to be more nuts and bolts than overviews.

ii. Elgin Summer Theatre:

1. Covered in Staff Reports

iii. Shakespeare in the Park:

1. Images from first performance are impressive. First Elgin show is 7/26 at Wing Park.

iv. Elgin Fringe Festival:

1. Buttons will be available at the Farmers Market. The schedule is almost done and includes 120 performances by 30 different performing groups plus four times as may visual artists as past years.

v. Elgin Short Film Festival:

1. Covered in Staff Reports

b. Call for Public Art

i. A motion to approve both submissions was made by Commissioner Einterz. Seconded by Commissioner Brown. The motion passed unanimously.

F. New Business:

a. Cultural Arts & Special Events Strategic Plan

i. The project is progressing with a workshop scheduled for July 19. Early results indicate a desire for more presenting at The Hemmens and support for public art.

b. AEP6

i. No report.

c. FOIAs

i. Chairwoman Rehberg explained the circumstances for the several Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests made related to the Memorial Day event at Bluff City Cemetery. Chairwoman Rehberg reiterated that the guest speaker was hired by the a private organization and that the ECAC has no connection with the Poet Laureate program. Commissioner Kearney mentioned that he would have appreciated notice of some kind that records related to his involvement with the ECAC had been part of a FOIA request. Chairwoman Rehberg suggested that it was something she planned to bring up at the canceled June meeting. Commissioners felt this could be a teaching moment.

d. Thomas Neuman, Individual Artist Grant Application

i. Commissioners commented that the Mr. Neuman was excited and thorough, and the project sounds exciting and unique. It was noted that in the follow-up it be suggested that he examine his pricing structure.

ii. Commissioner Rende motioned to approve. Seconded by Commissioner Einterz. Motion passed 6-0

e. Adrian Mesino, Individual Artist Grant Application

i. Commissioners agreed that Mr. Mesino was passionate about his project but not very willing to elaborate or engage in discussion. Commissioners’ comments included that it seemed the program was to criticize the management that is providing the venue, and that exhibit space is available for ones willing to seek it out. Commissioners suggested that the EASL has not worked out as hoped for fostering artists but that the challenge to presenting an event in the gallery is economic, not venue related. Commissioners expressed that they really wanted to support the application but that the event details were just too vague to support without further information.

ii. A motion was made by Councilwoman Powell to have staff follow-up with Mr. Mesino to get a more detailed budget that included where the ECAC funding would fit into the budget, how he plans to engage residents and the community, how the event will impact the situation he described, and how many of the listed artists are EASL residents. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Kearney and approved 5/0/1 with Chairwoman Rehberg abstaining.

G. Adjournment: Motioned by Commissioner Kearney, 2nd by Commissioner Rende. Approved enthusiastically 6-0.

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