HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 1999ENANSTO_wC IL
Noyes Cultural Arts meter 927 Noyes St Evanston. !L 6=1 8471441- 2M
Minutes of the June 1999 Evanston Arts Council Meeting
Location: Noyes Cultural Art Center, Studio 106
Present: D. Cunningham. D. Mickenberg, T. Kelly
Absent: N. Fcldman. C. Harrison, J. Wertymer, A. Swan, A. Leland
Associate Members: L. Burrows, M. Chalem, R. Wacson, F. Markwell,
L. McClure, J. Neighbors, N. Kotler
Guest:
Jerry Hausman, Co -Chair, Public Art Committee
Tony Adler. Noyes Resident Artist, Organizations Representative
Liz Passman, Noyes Resident Artist, Individual Artist Representative
Staff: Douglas Gaynor. Du. Parks/Forestry & Recreation
Interim Dir. Arts Council
Ron Mrow-iec, Business Manager, Parks/Forestry & Recreation
Jacquelyn L. Foster, Secretary I1
D. Mickenberg motioned to approve the minutes of May 1999. Approval was tabled until
July meeting with the following changes: attach a copy of the letter from the EAC to
Douglas Gaynor; note there is some description in the letter of the Director position; add the
EAC supports programming effort, but does the management of programs belong under the
EAC; add Roger Crum asked for a check off list of programs the EAC wanted to do and the
EAC would pro%ide such a list.
OLD BUSINESS
Public Art Committee
Jerry Hausman and Chic Curley are Co-chairs of the Public Art Committee (PAC).
J. Hausman said he and C. Curley had a meeting discussing the mission and initiatives of
PAC. J. Hausman said present personnel are not adequate to take on the long ranging and
far reaching implementation PAC is calling for. J. Hausman spoke of the initiatives for
PAC.
I. Public Art in City and Communj 3 Planning: participation with work of private
and public agencies {City Council, Planning Commission, Economic Development
Committee, Evmark, CTA, Chicago Avenue Development, Research Park and
Entertainment Complex.) This Task Force will monitor the One- Percent Public Art
Ordinance.
1. Atz-in- Public -Spaces: sponsorship of public art commissions; collaboration vrirh
arts organizations (Block- Museum, Eva coon Art Center, Evanston Historical
Society, etc.). Photo documentation and preservation of existing public art.
3. Public Art Education: planning and implementing of educational efforts with
School Districts 65 and 202. This will involve educational materials for use in
curriculum and instruction: also, the planning and implementing of public art forums
and the development of media and communications (print, radio, and video) directed
at Evanston and neighboring communities.
4. Public Art Performance and Evers- sponsorship of exhibitions, forums, and
performances in cooperation or collaboration with existing groups and organizations.
This could include an exhibition and/or symposium to be held at the Evanston
Public Library or the Noyes Cultural Art Center. PAC will extend its definition of
public arts to invite linkages with the visual and performing arts.
A member of PAC will chair each task force.
CLIItural Fund Undatc
The EAC received a letter from Art Encounter protesting the denial of its second grant
because second grants were not given out this year. D_ Mickenberg will write a letter to Art
Encounter telling them they did not get the second grant because they scored low and the
Cultural Fund committee recommended they not be funded.
Pm=m R=
D. Mickenberg asked what are the other two cultures represented on the Ethnic Arts Festival
report. D. Gaynor will provide that information.
Retreat
Based on discussions at the May 1999 EAC meeting D. Gaynor suggested a fall retreat.
D. Gaynor suggested the retreat could be one or two sessions to discuss the mission and deal
with the budget. D. Gaynor said if the EAC discusses the mission, which would include
what it would like to focus on, it then gives direction toward developing a budget.
D. Gaynor said CIeo Alexander has planned retreat before and if a retreat is something the
EAC would like to do, he will contact her.
D. Mickenberg said the retreat would solidify what the EAC is and is not going to do. One
of the major issues in terms of going into a retreat is the purpose and discussion of Noyes.
He said his gut feeling is budget issues should be discussed at a regular EAC meeting. It is
going to be hard enough to find a mission, especially in relationship to Noyes and the EAC
should concentrate specifically on the mission.
D. Gaynor said he suggested two meetings because the first matter that needs to be discussed
is what the EAC wants to do. That drives the budget. At a regular meeting, it is difficult to
discuss budget because there is still the business of the EAC and a budget takes time.
D. Mickenberg asked how does the retreat affect the search for a director. D. Gaynor the
search is not affected because it was determined at the May 1999 EAC meeting that the
language in the job description would be brow.
Jerry Hausman said there needs to be in dept planning for the kind of retreat the EAC wants
to do and maybe that is a subject for a sub - committee to look at and report back in July
how it is to transpire and what kind of direction can be recommended to D. Gaynor.
T. Kelly asked if PAC should be a part of the retreat since it is ordinance established as part
of the EAC. D. Gaynor said possibly the chairs of the sub - committees of the EAC and the
co - chairs of PAC.
D. Mickenberg said he would entertain a motion to put together a sub - committee of EAC
for the July 1999 EAC meeting to look at issues of the retreat; meet with D. Gaynor about
those issues, and talk about structure to be brought back to the EAC in July.
D. Cunningham seconded it. Motioned carried by consensus. D. Mickenberg asked is
anyone willing to serve on the committee. T. Kelly volunteered.
D. Cunningham said if the EAC is going to do a retreat, it is difficult enough with the actual
members of the EAC, especially if they doing some as obscure as formulating a mission. By
involving people who are not directly on the EAC, it gets more complicated. Her suggestion
would be that the EAC focus on the mission fast, and involve only EAC members. When
the EAC moves on to other broader topics, then other participants should be involved.
J. Hausman proposed a retreat with two phases. Phase one would be a whole range of
individuals to talk about role, vision, and responsibility of an arts council. Phase two would
be a focused with the EAC generating a focused plan of responsibility.
D. Mickenberg said sub - committees are a good idea and involving the sub - committee
chairs so they can buy into a communitive council becomes an important point. The only
way to do that is to bring them into the decision staking process.
D. Gaynor suggested the chair send a letter to the chairs of the sub - committees indicating
the desire of a retreat and what are the issues of the chairs. Whether it be issues focused on
their particular sub - committee or/and global issues.
Sr. Programmer Positjgp
Cynthia Reid is the new Sr. Programmer. Her responsibilities include the Ethnic and
Lakeshore Arts Festivals, Arts Camp, and Arts Skills. She starts June 2I, 1999. Her office
will be in Noyes. She is a professional dancer and she has done programming for the
Ridgeville Park District. D. Gaynor will see if she can possibly come to the July 1999 EAC
meeting to be introduced.
NEW BUSINESS
D. Gaynor gave an informal presentation regarding the budget structure, process and the
actual budget. Overhead slides of the various departments of Parks/ Forestry & Recreation
while D. Gaynor stated it is the third largest department in the city. D. Gaynor said
Parks/Forestry & Recreation is a major, frontline, service provider and has the
responsibility of doing things outside the realm of a normal parks, or recreation department
In viewing the various departments of Parks/ Forestry & Recreation, D. Mickenberg asked:
what is Special Recreation. D. Gaynor answered it is recreation for the mentally and/or
physically challenged.
D. Mickenberg asked does Special Recreation take place in any specific facility or is it broad
based. D. Gaynor responded Special Recreation takes place in facilities all over the city.
D. Mickenberg asked about arts programming at the various recreational facilities. He
questioned, is the establishment of cultural arts where you can not find a residence for any
other arts programs since other Special Recreation and Special Events arts programming is
facilities related.
D. Mickenberg asked what are special events. D. Gaynor said special events are just what it
says. He sited an example of the Avon breast cancer walk or someone who wants to sponsor
a carnival.
D. Mickenberg asked how did starlight, ethnic, lakefront end up under arts council, and not
under special events and grants. D. Gaynor replied Special Events and grants is a new and
vacant position. D. Gaynor said the position is someone who writes grants as well as
coordinate special events with the various departments of the City of Evanston. Tony Adler
asked would this person originate events and manage existing events. D. Gaynor said that at
this point he was not interested in originating events. He is looking for someone to
coordinate existing events and requests. T. Adler asked what is Grants. D. Gaynor said any
grants from state and federal government.
D. Cunningham asked is cultural arts the EAC. D. Gaynor said he cultural arts program for
the city is what the Arts council is doing, whether it is right or wrong. That is how it is set
up as far as organization.
J. Hausman said it is very helpful to understand D. Gaynor's perception.
D. Gaynor said there needs to be something under Arts Council and the Council has to drive
that. If the EAC does not want to be involved in programming, the city will still be involved
in programming. The EAC is still the advisory group to arts programming overall. The
retreat should be able to define what the EAC wants to do with Noyes. Does the Council
want to be involved in the everyday issues? Does the Council want to decide how Noyes
will be used, and who will be in here?
J. Hausman said it seems D. Gaynor has developed a conceptual plan that is subdivisions ag
Parks/ Forestry and Recreation. Has anyone thought of renaming it? D. Gaynor said it h2S
been under discussion and arts should be included in the department name.
J. Hausman said there is a conceptual neglect under cultural arts.
D. Mickenberg said the division of the arts in the other areas is unclear. Why is theatre
under Fleetwood - Jourdain not under cultural arts? If the function of Noyes is to do X Y. Z
and Fleetwood - Jourdain fits, that is great. If the function of Noyes is to something else
and Fleetwood - Jourdain does not fit, it shold not be at Noyes, but said D. Mickenberg the
issue was raised as to the function of Noyes by D. Gaynor's suggestion that Fleetwood -
Jourdain goes in Noyes. D. Gaynor said `oyes already has adult theatre and children's
theatre. Bringing Fleetwood - Jourdain's children and adult theatre would not be
introducing a new concept to Noyes. It i; not something that is foreign to Noyes.
T. Adler said that goes back to the question of the perception of Noyes. D. Gaynor said ail
he is suggesting is based on the perception today, the two theatre groups he suggested are a
possible fit.
D. Mickenberg said the reason he raised the issue regarding Fleetwood - Jourdain is the
division of Recreation is almost a division by center and there is arts programming that takes
place at several centers. In response, D. Gaynor said very small percentage of arts
programming takes place at the centers. The Fleetwood - Jourdain Theatre is not in the
Fleetwood - Jourdain recreation center. It just happens to be managed by Fleetwood
Jourdain. D. Gaynor also said he would like to see some of the IS% subsidy from the
tenants of Noyes spill in the recreation centers, if possible. There are a lot of kids with no
connection or opportunity in the arts.
D. Gaynor showed an overhead of the EAC budget. He said changes are made through a
process of what is submitted to Council, and what is negotiated from January until the
Council actually adopts the budget. D. Gaynor went over items in the budget, explaining
that some things are automatically adjusted in the budget (i.e. increases in wages).
D. Mickenberg questioned what "other professional services" and temporary salaries. Ron
Mro-Ariec said these line items are the Ethnic and Lakeshore Arts festivals, and the salaries of
the festival directors.
T. Adler questioned scholarships. D. Gaynor said scholarships are Art Skills.
A slide was shown reflecting revenues.
R. Mrowiec said that this year the Arts Council allocated more money than they were
budgeted.
D. Mickenberg asked where does the 4th of July celebration revenue come from. D. Gaynor
said the 4' of July Association donates S8400 which goes toward the Starlight concert series
specifically.
D. Mickenberg backtracked to the EAC budget deficit. He said he thought S39,000 was
allocated to the cultural fund. Now he is told there is actually S 17,000 less than believed.
Also, D. Mickenberg asked if in the budget there is actually $39,000, why was the cutoff for
the cultural fund $34,900. When the EAC goes back at the end of this fiscal year, is that time
item going to show a deficit or at a minimum $39,000. When the EAC goes back for
funding next year, will it say the cultural fund was S22,000 or S35,OW1 D. Mickenberg said
if the cultural fund is S39,000, the cultural fund needs to allocate those funds those groups
who were not funded. The EAC has had its back skewed to the wall for the fact that it is
perceived of as changing the rules in the middle of the game. The history of the cultural fund
is that it does allocate 1000No of its money.
D. Gaynor said the EAC was fully funded and was allocated all the money awarded.
D. Gaynor said the discrepancy is in the final printing of the budget D.Ga)mor told
R. Mrowiec to go back to the minutes of the city council and find out what is exactly
approved. If $39,000 was the amount approved, those funds will be allocated..
D. Mickenberg said he and the EAC appreciate the clarity of presentation.
D. Gaynor said there is more to his presentation and if the EAC wants to see it he will finish
it at the next meeting. Hard copies of the overheads will be made.
D. Gaynor showed overheads of city support of both accounts. Noyes revenues exceed its
budget.
D. Mickenberg asked where does revenue for sculpture maintenance for Butterfield come
from. D. Gaynor said that is a restricted account. If the EAC recommends the expenditures,
does it get to see the revenue on the account? D. Gaynor said that is being put together.
D. Mickenberg asked that budget information could be sent out in the packets and could the
packets be sent one week prior to the EAC meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 9:15. The next meeting is July 20, 1999.
ENANST0OUNCIL
Noyes Guttural Arts Center
927 Noyes St. Evanston. IL 6020I
Minutes of the May 1999 Evanston Arts Council meeting
Location: Noyes Cultural Art Center, Studio 106
W1491-M
Present: N. Feldman, D. Cunningham, J. Wertymer, A. Swan, D. Mickenberg, T. Kelly
A. Leland
Associate Members: L. Burrows, M. Chalem
Absent: C. Harrison
Associate Members: R. Issacson, F. Markwell, L. McClure, J. Neighbors
N. Kotler
Guest: Tony Adler, Noyes Resident Artist, Organizations Representative
Liz Passman. Noyes Resident Artist, Individual Artist Representative
Esther Williams -Hays, Noyes Resident Artist
Lois Roe,- ade, First Night
Doris Rude, First Night
Roger Crum. City Manager
Staff. D. Gaynor, Director ParksTorestry and Recreation; Interim Director, Arts Council
T. Pacione. Ethnic Arts Festival
J. Foster. Secretary If
D. Mickenberg motioned to approve minutes of May 1999 meeting w7th N. Feldman
noting Bach is spelled B-A-C-H, not B-A-C-K.
Old Business
Art Council Committee Reports: N. Feldman moved to accept reports handed out in packets prior
to the meeting. D. Mickenberg seconded. It passed.
Noyes Cultural Art Center Committee: J. Wenymer moved to pass the 1999-2000 lease for
Noyes resident artist. It was seconded. It passed.
BudEet Undates
D. Mickenberg requested a budget clarification. D. Gaynor will present a budget presentation on
June 15. 1999. It will entail how the structure of the city, department and Arts Council come
together. D. Gaynor will go through the process as well as the actual budget.
New Business
The EAC received a letter from First Night regarding the decision the Council made to eliminate
First Night's second grant. Doris Rudy said she appreciated the opportunity to talk to the Council
to express concern and appeal to the EAC to reconsider its decision of eliminating First Night's
second grant. D. Mickenberg said in this fiscal year the Council has decided not to give two
grants. The Council has looked at its fiscal restrictions and has decided to distribute the monies
to get as great an impact on a variety of arts organi7Ations. It is a change in expectation of what
has happened in the past not a change in policy. N. Feldman moved and expressed its sorrow for
any inconvenience relating to this policy and hopes it can be avoided in the future.
D. Mickenberg seconded the resolution. It passed.
Fleetwood .1ourdain and Children's Theatre
D. Gaynor said the city is still in the investigation process. The city is currently paying an
exorbitant amount of rent to Family Focus for the use of its theatre for Fleetwood--Jourdain and
the Children's theatre. The city is looking to move them and save the city a considerable amount
of rent. One of the options is Noyes. The city has not come to any conclusions or resolutions.
The city is also currently investigating a number of other options. Also, City of Evanston staff
felt that the two theatre companies, child and adult would be a terrific, mutual, beneficial
opportunity to be combined with the Noyes Cultural Art Center.
Tonv Kellv
Tony Kelly presented an 8-minute presentation on the sculptures installed at the various
community centers along with short interviews with the artists.
Letter to Douglas Gaynor
D Gaynor received a letter from the Arts Council. It spoke to 4 issues -the Arts Council's mission.
the management of Noyes, the hiring of a director, and can Parks/ Forestry and Recreation in its
effort to provide programming for the city turn to the Council as the right place to use it as an
umbrella for programming.
In response to the mission, D. Gaynor said the mission needs to be defined. He offered to
sponsor a workshop for the Arts Council with staff. A facilitator would be brought in and actual
goals would be listed and the Council would have clear specifics of where it wants to go.
In response to the director position. D. Gaynor said the specifics of what the Council wants in a
director are unclear. Roger Crum said an open directorship is an -opportunity to step back and say
where does the Council want to go for the future rather than get someone who fits a previous
image. Before the city plunges ahead and hires someone, the Council needs to work through
where it wants to go, where it thinks the city and Noyes should go. The city needs that input.
In response to programming, D. Gaynor said the direction of the City Council is to expand
programs in the cultural arts. The overall goal is to provide an opportunity for anyone to
participate in some type of cultural arts programming.
D. Mickenberg said the original intention of the Council was to be an umbrella organization for
advocacy and development of artist and arts organizations, but over the years program
management at the expense of the original charter of the Council has consumed it. This has
nothing to do with the perceived value of Arts Camp or Arts Skills. :also, the advocacy role of
the Council has been put on the backburner in favor of programming.
D. Gaynor said in his opinion one of the primary missions of the Council should be to make sure
everybody is involved in cultural arts. To help that along, the Council does not have to manage
Noyes. it does not have to be involved in programming. Noyes is a city building and other
options are available to manage the building. The city will be involved in programming and it is
looking to the Council to suggest activities and programs.
D. Mickenberg asked is there a way of keeping the focus on artist and arts organizations and
allowing them to flourish and allowing people to get involved.
In regards to Noyes. D. Mickenberg said Noyes mission is fuzzy. The Council would view
Noyes positively if it were a program with a clear mission. Willing]y or not, bringing Fleetwood
to Noyes puts the function of Noyes on the front burner. The Council would feel more
comfortable with Fleetwood if it were not placed in the context of saving the city $43,000. but in
the context of how does it promote the mission and promote Noyes. Programming can be done,
but through support of artists and arts organizations, and their promotion and development.
D. Gm -nor said these discussions could carry over to the retreat, which will be discussed at the
next meeting.
Committee Chairs
John Engman resigned as Chair of the Public Art Committee. The Mayor appointed Chic Curley
and Jerry Hausman as Co-chairs.
The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m. The joint meeting of the EAC and EPAC convened.
This was a brief informational meeting regarding the performing art center. At this time. there
are not enough funds to cover the cost. N. Feldman motioned the Council to explore the
practicality of a performing art center, as well as how it would be paid for and sustained. It was
seconded. It passed.
EVANSTo )150UNCAIL
Noyes Cultural Arts Center 927 Noyes SZ Evanston. !L 6= $471491-M
DRAFT: Minutes of the April 13. 1999 EAC. EPAC spacial meeting
Location: Noyes Cultural Arts Center, Studio 107
Present: D. Mickenberg, J. Wert}Tner. T. Kelly
Associate Members: M. Chalem, R. Issacsort. L. McClure
Absent: N. Feldman. C. Harrison. D. Cu nnin A. Swan, A. Leland
Associate Members: L. Burrows. F. larkwell. J. Neighbors, N. Kotler
EPAC: C. Alexander. J. Engman. NL Rouleau
Guest: Liz Passman. Noyes Resident Artisi Individual Artist Representative
Tony Adler. Noyes Resident Artists. Organizations Representative
Staff: D. Gaynor. Dir. Parks/Forestry, Recreation. Interim Director, Arts Council
D. Mickenberg stated the purpose of this meeting was to bring EPAC and EAC together and
discuss the status of the Performing Arts Center in Evanston. The meeting was turned over to D.
Gaynor who said based on cost, a performing arts center is a non -feasible project at this time. In
order to build a performing arts center now, the size of the facility would have to be reduced, and
a number of commitments from performing groups would be lost. D. Gaynor said the council
needs to step back and do an analysis asa needs assessment to see if the city really needs a
performing arts center.
The meeting was turned back over to D. Mickenberg who agreed with D. Gaynor and stated that r
this has been a building -driven issue. The placemern of the building is actually secondary to
purpose, need, and capability. Purpose being: what is the purpose of a performing art center and
what are the needs of Evanston? He questioned. what kind of audience can be developed in
Evanston, how broad can the audience be. what kind of support can be garnered, and in the long
term the type of endowment support. D. Mickenberg suggested a feasibility study be done by a
professor at Northwestern who teaches marketing and strategic planning for the performing arts.
A local person was suggested because locally you don't have to pay someone the start up time to z
get acquainted with the community, and you don't have travel cost. Currently there is no money
for a feasibility study. If EAC/EPAC members know of any funding sources, or have any
recommendations for strategic planning and marketing organizations who will do a report. please
inform D. Gaynor, or D. Mickenberg.
L
EVANsTol I OUNCIL
Noyes Cultural Arts Center 927 Noyes St. Evanston,160201 847/491-US6
May 17, 1999
There are no Evanston Arts Council minutes for February 1999.