HomeMy WebLinkAboutOCAC Minutes 01-08-2023 Orange County Arts Commission
January 2023 Minutes
Attendees: Fred Joiner, Josh Rosenstein, Anita Mills, Chair, Saba Jordan, Linda
Williamson, Sec, John Bemis, Krista Bremer, Crystal Wu, Vice Chair, Katie Murray,
Sean Bailey
Meeting at Eno Mill
Call to Order by Board President, Anita Mills at 6:34pm
1) Krista proposed a motion and Saba seconded to recognize Fred and his wonderful
job as our board chair for the last three years. Fred played a big part of making Eno
Mill happen. His artistic vision and experience as an artist have been instrumental in
the accomplishments of our organization.
2) Approval of November 2022 Board Minutes - John moved and Crystal seconded.
All were in favor of approving.
3) Katie reported that the Board of County Commissioner (BOCC) updated two
Advisory Board policies and determined they will look at policies every two years.
a. Attendance - There will no longer be a difference between excused and
unexcused absences. Also, board members should be removed from the
board if they miss more than three meetings in a year. Katie will send an
email in writing to notify everyone of these updates and will clarify if the
removal is on the 4th miss or the 3rd miss.
b. Virtual Meetings — BOCC approved the use of virtual meetings for non-
emergency times. Our board decided to continue in person meetings since
all agreed it is the much preferred method of meeting. However, if anyone
is sick, traveling, or has an issue with getting to the meeting, they can
attend virtually by contacting Katie in advance for a link.
4) Board updates
a. Welcome to Josh Rosenstein — All are excited for Josh to join the board
and the connections he brings from the Chapel Hill Arts Commission. He
will serve as liaison with that group. Josh is a standup comedian and
musician. He leads an open mic night at Zogs and other places. His day
job is non-profit financial management.
b. Update on pending and potential incoming board members:
i. Jenny Schultz (ArtsCenter) — still in the works for approval to the
board due to Durham residency, but working at a key arts
organization in Orange County
ii. Denise Duffy (Music Maker Relief Foundation) -Katie hasn't heard
back yet
iii. Upcoming vacancy (Marlon Torres) — be thinking about possible
candidates to fill this opening.
iv. UNC Student Liaison — have a potential candidate who would start
next academic year.
c. New member orientation — Katie will schedule one for new members.
5) Director's Report Katie Murray
a. Grants
i. ARPA — American Rescue Money from the State — we will be
opening another grant review cycle, which should open this month
with approximately $30,000.
ii. Arts Educators- We discussed our professional development grants
for art educators that has a budget of $2000. In the past, we gave
awards around $250 to all that applied. Last year, we awarded
smaller grants to a larger applicant pool. Board discussed that it
would be more impactful to award larger amounts even if it means
fewer arts educators receive grants. However, we need to figure out
how to make the information on the applications allow us to
differentiate between applicants, but also not be too burdensome to
complete. The board gave Katie suggestions on topics for questions
and offered to edit the application after Katie drafts.
iii. Eno Mill Update
1 . CALL OPEN: From the Ground Up (Black/Indigenous) closes
Friday — Fred is curating. Please share call.
2. We need volunteers for new programs to work the bar:
a. Weave and Spin open Mic — opens Wednesday.
b. 3rd Thursday Songwriting night - $25 ticket.
3. BIPOC Residency — up and running. The artist moved in last
week and will be in residency for a year.
4. LGBTQ Teen Arts Collective funded for one year.
5. OCAA — board is very small, but fabulous.
a. Need board members of color — think about possible
participants.
6. UPROAR — press release and call going out this week. Fund
raising time for UPROAR and Big Night In. Katie was going to
hire someone to coordinate this work, but funds could not be
earmarked for this activity. Need help to fundraise from this
group. We need close to $60,000.
a. Katie will have a giving pyramid created and distributed
to us.
6) Liaison Reports
a) UNC Student Liaison — no update
b) Chapel Hill Cultural Arts Commission - Josh Rosenstein updated they have
a new council town board liaison, and they are undergoing a name change,
which aligns the commission more closely with the Library division. New Poet
Laurette determined and press release coming out. The Commission is working
on a standardized approach for the Town to evaluate and award non-profit
funding.
c) UNC Arts update - Crystal Wu reported that it is the first day of class at UNC
so events are starting back. The Ackland Art Museum has two new exhibitions,
the Department of Communication has Swain Hall that is available as a black
box theater. Open house tours by appointment only last week in January.
Carolina Performing Arts launched an Athletic x Arts campaign. Hong Kong
Ballet: Romeo + Juliet — January 20 and 21 , Jen Shyu: Zero Grasses: Ritual for
the Losses — January 27 and 28 at 8 pm, and PlayMakers Rep opens Hamlet
January 25.
d) Hillsborough Arts Council John Bemis reported that this year's solstice walk,
which added a holiday market was even better and more successful than
previous years. The event also raised money for the Arts Council.
e) The ArtsCenter no update
f) Carrboro Arts — no update
g) Visitor's Bureau — Katie is presenting Uproar next month
h) Orange County Artists Guild — Guild just completed its survey to members
to get feedback on the 2022 tour. Anita will share the results with us.
Meeting Adjourned at 7:50pm