HomeMy WebLinkAboutArts Commission minutes 121514FROM: Orange County Arts Commission
SUBJECT: Monthly Meeting
DATE: December 15, 2014
LOCATION: OWASA Community Room, Carrboro
MEMBERS PRESENT: Kate Dickson, Deb Hepp, Tim Hoke, Emily Lees, Bronwyn Merritt, Joy Salyers, Devra Thomas,
Scott Van Manen
MEMBERS ABSENT: Lindsey Alexander, Brian Finch, Doris Friend, Geoffrey Hathaway, Tinka Jordy, Ashley Nissler,
Kathleen Ponder
STAFF PRESENT: Martha Shannon
Meeting called to order at 6:30 PM
Topic A
Topic B
Topic C
Discussion Point: Review of October and November 2014 Minutes
Decision /Vote(s): Discussion of minutes.
Action Item: October and November 2014 Minutes approved.
Discussion Point: Director's Report
Decision /Vote(s): Thanks to everyone who kept things going during Martha's medical leave. Staff
attended the October 291h County Managers' employee information session and asked about what was
the proper communication between employees and the BOCC, and was told that it is OK for staff to speak
directly with the BOCC. This is a positive change from past practice. All county contracts are now going
digital, using a program called Docusign that may pose some challenges for Arts Commission grantees
who may not be technically savvy. Our Emerging Artist and Piedmont Laureate Program contributions
were not funded out of our spring grants (state funds), so staff shaved amounts from several line items
for the $1,500 needed for Emerging Artists Program. The $1,350 for 2015 Piedmont Laureate must be
paid from Fall 2014 county grant funds. Compass Center's December staff report discussed the survivor -
led writing group OCAC funded in the spring — feedback from participants was very positive. We have
extra advertising funds this year that we may want to use for our 30th anniversary. Our January 12, 2015
meeting will be at the Century Center in Carrboro.
Action Item: None
Discussion Point: CHOCVB Liaison, Ad Hoc Committee Updates
Decision /Vote(s): Debbie Hepp reported on the most recent Visitors Bureau board meeting. Clean Design
is doing a new ad campaign. One will feature the Eno River Gallery. There will also be a weddings
campaign for Orange County (LGBT in particular). Anecdotally, they had heard that sales at the open
studio tour were down. They asked what OCAC could do to help promote the Open Studio Tour. Emily
Lees (current President of the Orange County Artists Guild) reported that responses to their survey were
largely positive. Emily Lees will send some information on this to staff. Staff recommended the
Topic D
Topic E
Topic F
www.ExploreChapelHillArt.com online arts calendar as a free resource for the Artists Guild and all artists
to promote their events.
Action Item: None
Discussion Point: OCAC 301h Anniversary Planning
Decision /Vote(s): Suggestions from the OCAC board members present included:
1) Public art funding conversation back to the BOCC for Waller /Foushee piece in River Park;
2) Possible traveling art show to various parts of Orange County with entries from different artists (e.g.
photography);
3) Display in front of a large audience (e.g. University Mall, half -time at a basketball game);
4) Retrospective about past grantees and where they are now — ask them to participate (performances,
etc.) in the celebration and talk about how the grant affected them, serve refreshments;
5) Doing something in February at the BOCC meeting (will be handing out grants at their 1st meeting in
February);
6) Involve other arts organizations from the area (e.g. Public Art 360 Symposium from a few years ago);
7) Showcase how OCAC supports cultural expressions from diverse arts communities and share it at the
state level;
8) Showcase with all types of artists performing in one area;
9) Reach out to minority artists to participate.
Action Item: Kate Dickson, Tim Hoke and Joy Salyers volunteered to serve on this ad -hoc committee.
Discussion Point: Old Business /New Business /Advocacy Updates /Calendar
Decision /Vote(s): Contact information for BOCC has been provided. New BOCC member is Mia
Burroughs, who is replacing Alice Gordon. 2015 BOCC Officers are: Earl McKee - Chair; Bernadette
Pelissier - Vice Chair. The Marketing Committee will schedule a meeting soon. Staff will talk with Margaret
DeMott (Durham Arts Council) RE: feedback on how their electronic /online grants system is working.
OCAC will pay close attention to how Docusign works for our Fall 2014 grant recipients' contracts. The
Orange County Artists Guild directory (supported by grant funds from OCAC) will soon be ready and
distributed in hotels, art galleries, Visitors Bureau, etc. Devra Thomas attended the BOCC's November
meeting with all Chairs of Orange County Boards /Commissions. The idea of being able to meet via
computer /phone /skype and having this count as being "present" (but not for voting purposes) was raised.
The county's assistant attorney said this is not currently allowed by state law, however many others
attendees said this would be helpful. Assistant county attorney said there are channels available to take
this to the state legislature to possibly get the rule changed. Devra Thomas brought up the idea of
separating the OCAC from the Visitors Bureau, and was told by BOCC Chair Barry Jacobs to talk about this
with the County Manager.
Action Item: A meeting with the County Manager will be scheduled.
Discussion Point: Fall 2014 Art Grant Awards (CLOSED SESSION)
Decision /Vote(s): Twenty -three (23) Fall 2014 grant applications were reviewed by the OCAC Advisory
Board.
Action Item: $26,925 in county funds was awarded to twenty -one (21) grant applicants and an OCAC
program (2015 Piedmont Laureate Program).
Meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM