Arts and Culture Commission - May 18, 2022 Minutes
The Regular Meeting of the Arts and Culture Commission of the City of Fargo, North Dakota, was held in the Commission Chambers at City Hall at 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 18, 2022.
The Arts and Culture Commissioners present or absent were as follows:
Present: Deb Williams, Tracy Jordre, Tracy Walvatne, Denise Kolpack, Joe Williams, Monika Browne-Ecker, Ann Arbor Miller (via conference call)
Absent: Brad Bachmeier, Jon Offutt
Chair Jordre called the meeting to order and welcomed Members to the meeting.
Item 1: Welcome and Introductions
Member Kolpack moved to approve the Order of Agenda. Second by Member J. Williams. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 2: Approve Agenda and Minutes
Member Walvatne moved the Order of Agenda and the Minutes of the January 19, 2022 Arts and Culture Commission meeting be approved. Second by Member D. Williams. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 3: Review Public Art Project Recommendations
Planning and Development Director Nicole Crutchfield presented a review of proposed projects.
Discussion was held regarding the involvement of Reach Partners, Inc., and a summary of applications was presented.
Member Kolpack stated she is running for City Commission, and noted a possible conflict of interest.
The Board members noted they did not have an issue with Member Kolpack voting on this project, or with Members J. Williams and Miller, due to their work with the Plains Art Museum.
Member D. Williams moved to approve recommendation to the City Commission for public art and Kresege Foundation funding. Second by Member Browne-Ecker. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 4: Subcommittee Reports
a. Capacity
No report provided.
b. Neighborhood
Member D. Williams spoke on the utility box wrap project with Fargo Public Schools. Ms. Williams stated they hoped to get one box wrapped before school is out, and noted the children will receive a framed picture of their art.
c. Development
Chair Jordre stated discussions were held regarding understanding the communication needs for all projects, and the need for an open forum with the local artist community.
Item 5: Staff Report
Ms. Crutchfield gave an update on the City Hall panel call for artists, noting the RFP went live May 17, 2022 and that The Arts Partnership has been hired for technical support. She stated the theme is past, present, and future, and $24,000 is budgeted for artist’s fees. She also stated the closing date for proposals is June 20th, with wrapping to be completed by the end of July 2022.
Ms. Crutchfield presented the various future projects, including an exhibit coordinated by Dr. Hogan, City bus wraps, Capital Improvement Project (CIP), and the 2nd Street pedestrian bridge.
Discussion was held regarding the City bus wraps project and discussion was also held regarding the Capital Improvement Project (CIP).
Ms. Crutchfield noted the first focus group meeting for the 2nd Street pedestrian bridge will be May 26th. She asked the board for volunteers to be on the focus group, and Member Walvatne stated she would be available.
Item 6: Announcements
Ms. Crutchfield stated the July meeting of the Arts and Culture Commission needs to be moved to a different location or different date due to a safety training at City Hall. A survey will be sent out for rescheduling of the meeting.
Member Browne-Ecker shared that Theatre B opens, Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric play, on May 19, 2022. More information can be found on their website theatreb.org.
Member J. Williams stated the Plains Art Museum will be hosting the Third Annual Northern Plains Summer Art institute, a two week intensive program taught by Native American art instructors. The Exhibition will be held on Friday June 24th at 11:00 a.m., and is open to the public.
Item 7: Adjourn – Next Meeting: July 20, 2022
The time at adjournment was 5:54 p.m.