North Cook News

City of Elgin Cultural Arts Commission met Aug. 14.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

A. Call to Order: 6:01pm

B. Roll Call:

a. Commissioners Brown, Syrris, Einterz, Rende, Kearney, Novelli and Adu-Brako present. Councilwoman Powell present. Chairwoman Rehberg present. Staff Harris and Wilhelmi present.

C. Citizen’s Forum:

a. Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestras, Kyla Brittan, Organizational Grant Final Report

i. Presenting a final report on the May 2023 final concert which was sponsored by the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission. The Elgin Symphony Orchestra was a collaborative partner in April and a tour of the New York and Boston was also a part of the season. A new program called Starter Strings was also implemented to provide free tuition and instruments to area youth.

b. Hallie Morrison, Individual Artist Grant Application:

i. Funding to support a community listening session at Elgin Community College, “The Great Listening.” The public would hear from three native and indigenous elders. This event would be free and open to the public. This program is also supported by Elevating Equity. The event is also supported by Elgin Community College. The project utilizes native and indigenous artists and individuals.

c. Adrian Mesino, Individual Artist Grant Application

D. Staff Report:

a. Financial Report:

i. Public Art artist deposits have been paid.

ii. Marketing charges continue to come through.

b. Hemmens:

i. Groundbreaking was held on July 26th. Demo will begin next week.

ii. August and September are largely dark for the move in for the renovation and the Exhibition Hall wall replacement.

c. Elgin Art Showcase:

i. New lease for 2024 will be presented to city council for approval later this month.

d. Approval of July 2023 Minutes:

i. Motion to approve the July Minutes by Rende. Seconded by Chairwoman Rehberg Approved by a vote of 6-0-3 with Commissioners Novelli, Syrris and Adu-Brako abstaining.

E. Old Business

a. 2023 ECAC Projects:

i. Artist Workshops:

1. Commissioners suggest cancelling the remaining contract with Springboard for the Arts. Chairwoman Rehberg to take over the series for the remainder of the year.

ii. Elgin Summer Theatre:

1. Audience attendance was good.

iii. Shakespeare in the Park:

1. Attendance was amazing at almost 200 people at the Lords Park shelter. The final performance will take place August 26th at the Wing Park Bandshell.

iv. Elgin Fringe Festival:

1. Festival begins September 1 with the Visual Art Opening and performances Friday and Sunday. Family Fringe takes place September 2nd at the Elgin History Museum. Tickets and passes on sale now. More information is available on the website www.elginfringefestival.com. Making Space will also be shown at Fringe Festival this year.

v. Elgin Short Film Festival:

1. The Elgin Short Film Festival will take place on September 23rd at the Hemmens Cultural Center. Deadline for films is next Friday, August 25th.

b. Call for Public Art:

i. Artists are under contract and work will begin soon. Deposits have been paid out.

F. New Business:

a. Cultural Arts & Special Events Strategic Plan:

i. Create Today was on site last week to present the focus group and community survey findings to city council. They will be back in September with more updates.

b. Hallie Morrison, Individual Artist Grant:

i. Commissioners noted that the growth of the artist is great. Commissioners noted they were happy to see additional grant funding on the application. Commissioners noted that the art connection is not as intuitive, but the artist involvement applies is other ways and the culture applies directly. Commissioners noted that it would be helpful to have a date rather than a date range, but the timeline is realistic. Commissioners noted that they were happy to see the ECC partnership and the artist and partner funding.

ii. Motion to approve the Individual Artist Grant for in the amount of $1,000 by Commissioner Syrris. Seconded by Councilwoman Powell. Approved by a vote of 8-0-1 with Chairwoman Rehberg abstaining.

c. Adrian Mesino, Individual Artist Grant:

i. Commissioners noted that the additional information provided was helpful.

Commissioners noted that the breakdown of the budget provided the needed clarity. Commissioners noted some misgivings about the messaging of the program.

Commissioners noted that the project being done by a resident of the space rather than an outside organization is nice.

ii. Motion to approve the Individual Artist Grant for in the amount of $1,000 by Commissioner Syrris. Seconded by Chairwoman Powell. Approved by a vote of 6-1-1 with Commissioner Kearney voting nay and Commissioner Rehberg abstaining.

d. Rocky Lopez memorial mural:

i. Councilwoman Powell noted the desire from citizens to install a mural to the late Rocky Lopez of Elgin. Staff is working with the family to find the best fit.

G. Adjournment:

a. Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Einterz. Seconded by Rende. Approved by a vote of 9-0.

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