HomeMy WebLinkAboutOCAC Minutes 06-09-2025 � � f�i
G June 2025 Agenda
Monday,June 91 6:30pm
The ArtsCenter, Carrboro
Agenda
1) Call to Order
Denise Duffy called the meeting to order at 6:41 pm.
Board members present: Denise Duffy,John Bemis, Krista Bemer, Renee Hayes, Lindsay Metivier,Josh
Rosenstein, Wendy Smith, Francesca Talenti, Heather Washburn, Katie Murray
Board members absent: Crystal Wu, Linda Williamson, Gideon Young
2) Approval of May Board Minutes Denise Duffy
Moved to approve - by Josh. Francesca seconded. All in favor.
3) Board updates
a) Alex Gast: Alex will be our new UNC Liaison. This has not gone before the BOCC yet but clerk's office said
they will vote on June 17th. He will be officially as of July 1, 2025.
b) Katie reached out to Johnathan Hamiel about board service but she had not heard back.
c) Katie proposed asking Ashley Nissler to join this board. She has served on this board in the past, is now on
Alliance (founding member) and is terming out. Katie reports that Ashley is the MOST valuable volunteer.
She is a great ideas person. Katie proposes that she joins us in the fall. Wouldn't be voted on until
September. Katie will bring application back for an official vote
4) Director's Report Katie Murray
a) Uproar update: Uproar is in full swing. Most the news is good. Logistics with county is still tricky.
Sponsorships are challenging. Folks aren't upping their sponsorships and Katie is finding it hard to get new
folks.This is probably related to the economy. Katie has a list of possible sponsors that she shared with us.
Do we have a connection?Will we make a warm introduction? Other folks who might step up? Folks shared
Inhibit, UBS, Painter, Mark Hewitt, SECU, Duke Health, Southern Village orthodontics, Franklin Street
Dentistry, DR of Visitor's Bureau. Ends Well. Sofia's boutique. Holman Dentistry, Noble orthodontists
b) Cloth Mill space: Katie was really hoping to capture the local Youth Theater company before they go
elsewhere...not going to happen. This is a bit of relief in the planning phase of this. Katie sent out a survey
on the affordability and use of this space and had 89 responses from the survey. Greg Bell will be brought
on staff to help with the Cloth Mill.This summer, staff will get a focus group together to find out what the list
of needs is.Another full-time staff position will be added to help with the increased workload. Katie is
making a call for folks (like us!)to show up to Sept. 41h BOCC meeting to say VOTE yes for the Cloth Mill.The
Town of Hillsborough will provide $40,000 for start-up costs. This project is not permanent. It will be a test
for the performance arts space proposed for a future project.
c) August: This is a bit month! Uproar and "Common Good" Benefit Auction which is a mutual aid, silent
auction. Half proceeds of this auction go to Arts AFL, in Bumcombe county. OCAC grant program,Artist
Project Grant, will get the other 1/2 (has been at $28,000 forever). This auction is similar to the holiday auction
and will last for the whole month.
d) Friday-Juneteenth at the Mill on the 131h. They have done a good job promoting this time. Need help
running the bar. 6-9
5) Grants Katie Murray
a) Grassroots Grants training happened today. Artist Project grants training is Thursday of this week. Katie
wants to figure out another way to divide so that it is not such a heavy lift for some. So, she is taking the
Performance focused grants and dividing them into two groups. Katie assigned board members to the
review groups that were most obvious but let Katie know if you want something else. Board members must
read assigned grants by the time of the panel meeting.
b) Schedule of panels is earlier than normal. During the meeting, Katie realized that the proposed dates won't
work so she is going to revise the dates.
c) Discussion:A question has been raised, can people who are applying apply for programs that might happen
at the Mill? Board seems fine with it. Example: Weave and Spin needs money to continue. Similar to what
they would need to do if they were planning an event elsewhere like TAC or Chelsea theater.
6) Liaison Reports
a) UNC Student Liaison Update, no one to report
b) Chapel Hill Arts Commission, no one to report
c) UNC, Crystal is out Crystal Wu
d) Hillsborough Arts Council: John Bemis
Last Friday going along well!The Council will help with artist parade at Uproar kickoff
e) The ArtsCenter Wendy Smith
The Gala was a lot of fun but fundraising followed the trend we are all seeing and was down. Wendy and
Lindsay,who was also there, agreed it was disappointing that folks were not bidding high on artwork.
AfterSchool registration is going well. ArtSchool Fall registration will open towards the end of June.
f) Carrboro Arts, did not have a quorum this month Wendy Smith
g) Visitor's Bureau Wendy
Ivy Taylor presented. She is the new Director of Local Relations. She gave an overview of her experiences
(which were impressive!) and highlighted some of the work she is currently doing.
Laurie discussed the challenges of the upcoming international football game between Turkey and Mexico.
Ticket sales are not strong because Mexico fans are worried about ICE and UNC cannot guarantee that ICE
will not show up.
h) Orange County Artists Guild: Heather Washburn
OCAG has a new tour coordinator!Jen Adams, who is a new member. Kim Frazier is working with her. First
two weekends in November for studio tour.
Calico Market, Oct 4-5 with an Oct 11-12 rain date. Calls are going out next week for artists and musician.
New thing,three acts each day.This year they are getting a dance group-Mambo Dinamico.
i) Carolina African American Writers'Col lective/Ca rrboro Poets Council Gideon Young
No one to report
7) Board member updates All
7:46 adjourned
IMPORTANT DATES (bold =volunteers needed)-sign up here
Wed June 11 7-9pm Daniel Wallace Reading&Signing(Vteers- Gail and Doris)
Fri June 13 6-9pm Juneteenth Celebration (need bartenders)
Wed June 18 7-9pm Weave &Spin (Vteer-Wendy)
Fri June 27 6-9pm Last Fridays -tabling for Uproar and Camps (Vteer- Francesa)
Fri July 4 7-9pm First Fridays feat. Focal Point: Orange and Al Strong