HomeMy WebLinkAboutArts Commission minutes 011215 FROM: Orange County Arts Commission
SUBJECT: Monthly Meeting
DATE: January 12, 2015
LOCATION: Century Center, Carrboro
MEMBERS PRESENT: Kate Dickson, Brian Finch, Doris Friend, Geoffrey Hathaway, Deb Hepp,Tim Hoke,
Tinka Jordy, Bronwyn Merritt,Joy Salyers, Devra Thomas,Scott Van Manen
MEMBERS ABSENT: Ashley Nissler
STAFF PRESENT: Martha Shannon
Meeting called to order at 6:30 PM
Topic A
Discussion Point: Review of December 2014 Minutes
Decision/Vote(s): Discussion of minutes.
Action Item: December 2014 Minutes were approved.
Topic B
Discussion Point: Director's Report
Decision/Vote(s): OCAC needs to select a new Vice Chair to serve until officers are voted on September.
FY16 budget kickoff is this week.The County Manager wants all departments to propose flat funding
(same budget as FY15).At the AFTA Conference in Nashville last June,the idea of including a balance
sheet for grant applicant to complete was suggested. After discussion, it was decided that we don't want
to require a balance sheet at this time.Additional Artists'Salons on taxes/accounting could be useful
instead. It was suggested that Grantees let OCAC know the exact dates/times for performances being
funded by OCAC. Upcoming dates for events open to the general public could be included in the e-
newsletter, OCAC board members could attend, etc. Orange County's Public Affairs Dept. is offering video
services free of charge. Fall 2013 Final Reports are due by January 16, 2015. Mecklenburg County, NC
voted against the% cent sales tax for services that included the arts. But elsewhere, "outside the box"
ideas for arts funding did pass. In Rhode Island,citizens voted to approve Question 5, which provides a
$35 million bond to support arts and cultural institutions.Voters in 6 out of 6 counties in Utah passed
sales tax ballot initiative to support the arts. In Scottsdale,AZ,voters approved "Yes to Children"
increasing property tax to restore arts and physical education classes and reduce class size. Palm Beach,
FL renewed property taxes to fund arts in the schools. The Marketing Committee will meet soon.
Action Item: None
Topic C
Discussion Point: CHOCVB Liaison,Ad Hoc Committee Updates
Decision/Vote(s): No report from CHOCVB liaison (CHOCVB board did not meet in December, 2014). 301"
Anniversary Committee met and discussed several ideas. Our official birthday is February 41", and we are
already on the BOCC's February 3rd agenda to distribute Fall 2014 grant awards. We'd like to add an
acknowledgement about our 301"Anniversary to their February 3rd agenda to recognize current/former
OCAC board members and current/former grant recipients. Moses Carey,Jr. served as a county
commissioner on February 4, 1985, and Geoffrey Hathaway volunteered to contact him about speaking
briefly at this meeting about the importance of the arts in Orange County. Other possible plans: basketball
halftime at UNC game;April 101"County Expo at University Mall;TBD summer event; September BOCC
meeting—revisit what OCAC has done over the past 30 years; printing posters for arts organizations,
community centers RE: 30 Anniversary and including a "call to action".
Action Item: None
Topic D
Discussion Point: Advocacy Updates
Decision/Vote(s): At the special November, 2014 BOCC meeting with Chairs of Board/Commissions,
Commissioner Jacobs advised OCAC Chair Devra Thomas to take concerns directly to the County Manager
for her review. Staff and Devra Thomas met with County Manager Bonnie Hammersley before the
Christmas holidays, and asked that the OCAC be separated from the CVB (going back to our previous
organizational structure with Economic Development- EDC), and for a portion of hotel-motel tax to go
directly to the OCAC (as they do in the Town of Davidson for their Public Art Commission).This direct
percentage would fund our regular budget, plus public art, new initiatives, other staff positions, etc.
County Manager Hammersley spoke with EDC Director Steve Brantley about OCAC moving back directly
under EDC, and it looks like this will happen. There seems to be no desire from upper management for
OCAC's budget to move back to the General Fund. OCAC will continue to be funded through hotel/motel
funds. County Manager Hammersley would also like county departments to create their own revenue
streams to augment their budgets.
Action Item: None
Topic E
Discussion Point: Old Business/New Business/Advocacy Updates/Calendar
Decision/Vote(s): Staff received a list of pros and cons RE: online grant applications from Margaret
DeMott of the Durham Arts Council.The possibility of reviewing OCAC grant applications electronically
(saving$300-$400 in printing costs) was discussed.The possibility of including upcoming grantee public
event dates in our e-newsletter,website, etc. was discussed. Down Yonder Farm will be a new arts space
in Orange County, in honor of Peter Kramer. Deep Dish Theater's annual fundraiser gala is this coming
Saturday, in conjunction with a play about Paul Greene and his collaboration with Richard Wright. OCAC is
looking into how to facilitate OCAC board members' attendance at Arts NC's Arts Day. Discussed outreach
to individual artists to encourage grant applications—possibly a party with invitations extended to artists.
Action Item: Beginning with the Spring 2015 grant cycle,grant applicants will be required to submit both
a PDF and a hard copy (with original signatures) of their applications plus work samples.
Meeting adjourned at 7:30 PM