10/18/2023 - Meeting Minutes Salt Lake City Arts Council
Board Meeting Minutes
Oct 18, 2023
54 Finch Lane, Salt Lake City, Utah
Zoom Online
Link to Recording of the Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86983829760?pwd=S3dxZDhPY1 IvUCt5SH BONWVleVN PZz09
Passcode: 435026
Present.
Caitlyn Tursic
Kate Jarman Gates
Thomas Kessinger
Hannah Nielsen
Torle Nenbee
Cale Newhouse
Katherine Potter
Susan Rickman
Richard Taylor
Matthew Coles
Kathy Davis
Jeff Driggs
Marti Woolford
Ebay Hamilton
Excused:
Sarah Longoria
Staff:
Felicia Baca, SLAC Director
Todd Oberndorfer- Visual arts Program Coordinator
Andrew Shaw - Special Projects Coordinator
Lindsey Day - Office Facilitator
Guest:
Sylvia Richards, Salt Lake City Staff
Jacob Maxwell, Deputy Director, Economic Development
AGENDA
I. Call to Order and Welcome Guests
Mrs. Rickman calls the meeting to order and welcomes Caitlyn Tursic to the Board.
Welcomes Mr. Oberndorfer, Mr. Shaw, and Mr. Maxwell, Arts Council and City Staff.
11. Arts Event Discussion
Mrs. Rickman talks about the current exhibition at Finch Lane.
Mr. Driggs Jeff- Sweeny Todd at the Grand. Also attended Dracula vs. the Hunchback at the
Off Broadway Theatre in Draper.
- Hannah Nielsen saw Twilight Artist Sawayama and plans to see Dracula the Ballet.
- Matthew Coles attended the Neon Rodeo downtown SLC. Also saw Chuck Lanbatter
Murals at FICE.
- Caitlyn Tursic - attended the Equality Utah Gala and saw Marlo Susan and the Galaxy
Band and the Indigo Girls.
- Katherine Potter saw Brandi Carlisle, Ani Lennox and Joni Mithcell at Hollywood Bowl,
Chase Home Exhibit at the Liberty Park - B/W photography "the thrill of the chase" next
few weeks includes storytellers.
- Felicia Baca saw lots of cool art and interdisciplinary programming in Portugal and
specifically enjoyed the Museo de Arte e Architecture.
I11. Approve Board Meeting Minutes —September 2023 (Action)
- Mr. Driggs moves to approve the minutes from September, Ms. Nenbee seconded.
- Approved unanimously.
IV. Management
A. Program/Administrative Updates
i. FY 23 Review & Fy24 Forecast of Visual Arts Program —Todd Oberndorfer (Please review the
slides from his presentation for more details).
Ms. Baca introduces Mr. Oberndorfer.
Mr. Oberndorfer explains he's been with the Council for 1 year and 1 month and just finished his
first year of programming. Mr. Oberndorfer, resides in Ogden. Ogden City Arts Advisory Council
and is involved in podcasting in Arts and Adventure.
He operates the Banyan Collective and produces a podcast called Van Sessions.
He provided an overview of the current exhibition at the Finch Gallery. Trent Call and Clint Call
a father-son collaboration.
In the West Gallery he explains that Elise Anderson drew inspiration from the Beehive Girls
Handbook and highlights her piece "100 Gay Ducks."
Todd provides an overview of the Visual Arts Program which includes:
- Finch Lane Gallery, exhibitions all year.
- Art Barn Rentals
- Professional Development
- Mayor's Artist Awards
Mr. Driggs asks how someone is selected. Mr. Oberndorfer says that there is a once yearly call
for proposals, both flash projects and exhibitions.
Mr. Oberndorfer explains the various programming that occurs at the Art Barn.
He then explains that he planned a Professional Development Series with Springboard for the
Arts. The series helps to answer "after you learn the thing, how do you put it into practice?"
Returning to the Finch Lane Gallery Mr. Obendorfer highlighted the March/April exhibition with
SISTER.
He explains the Flash Projects which are short run exhibitions that fill the gap between more
traditional exhibitions. "Think of it like a pop-up exhibition." The call for entries is ongoing.
Finch Lane 2024:
- Seven shows, thirteen exhibitions. In addition two more flash projects.
- First show of the year is 35 x 35, 35 artists under the age of 35.
Mr. Kessinger asks about commercial sales at the gallery. The Finch Lane exhibitions have sold
very well. "It's nice to know that certain artists have collectors."
Mr. Taylor asks about whether it's possible to post the work from the gallery on the website.
The Gallery is open all week long, and Tuesday evenings.
- Quote about the Simon artist "postal worker"
- Richard Taylor Quote.
ii. Introduction to Andrew Shaw, Special Projects Coordinator—Andrew Shaw
Ms. Baca introduces Andrew Shaw the newest member of the Arts Council.
Mr. Shaw explains he has been on the job for 3 months. SLC resident 20 years and is a
musician/designer/artist. Currently working a lot on design, lots of publications and collaborative
work. Simon Zviny was actually in a recent work on black and white photography. Current
project is called Broadsheet. He has released three issues so far. Jorge Rojas, Cara Despain
and Michelle McFarlane.
- You can buy them at UMOCA gift shop and other places he pops up. Operates a small
inprint called Torpor House.
- Worked at the SL Public Library, Central Utah Arts Center, Municipal Ballet Company
and the Davey Foundation.
- He is a musician - Ms. Baca and Mr. Shaw play in a band called Color Animal
- Special Projects Coordinator
- Explains his role. Weaving together various policies from the City Level and
incorporating it into the Counci's workflow. He is on the Employee Advisory
Board.
- Wrapped up the Arts and Economic Impact study, working with the data and how
to package it.
iii. Twilight; Public Art Updates-Felicia Baca
Ms. Baca gives a Public Arts Program update:
500 N project just closed. Matt Monsoon.
Foothills Bike Racks complete, but not installed.
4th viaduct trial. "New adventure for us because we are incorporating artists into the
design process"
Marmalade Library - Apricot statute installation has been completed.
Ms. Woolford asks about Poplar Park Pickle Ball courts. Ms. Baca explains there have been lots
of construction delays.
Ms. Baca provides Twilight Updates:
- 59% increase in attendance from 2022.
- Ms. Baca to request review of contract from folks with a legal background.
Ms. Baca states that Board Members should have received compensation for their time on the
Board, if not, reach out to Lindsey Day.
SLCo ZAP
- Mr. Driggs will sit on the review committee.
- Mr. Driggs explains that they have hired a lobbyist and a marketing firm to get folks to
come out and support ZAP programs. The Tier 1 grantees help fund this campaign.
V. Budget/Financial
A. Review of Financials — Cale Newhouse/Caitlin Tursic
- Transitions - Ms. Baca met with Mr. Newhouse and Ms. Tursic to get her set up for
success in her new role as Treasurer.
- $1.7 million in assets. $862k would be unrestricted. $300-350k in excess based on the
reserve policy.
- Ms. Baca explains the change in budget from moving to Twilight out of house which
makes the concert series more stable.
- This month we receive our funding from the City. This is an annual infusion of cash that
funds almost all programs (not sole source).
B. Board Engagement Survey— Ms. Rickman (Action)
Ms. Rickman explains Mr. Knuth's Strategic Plan review.
Ms. Rickman introduces the Gift Acceptance Policy and the Board Engagement Survey
and how we mimic what the Utah Nonprofit Association does.
C. Gift Acceptance Policy— Ms. Potter explains the Gift Acceptance Policy
It is about accepting gifts and keeping donors private. The general idea is that the Council may
accept contributions that are mission appropriate. Gives us the opportunity to decline in-kind
donations. There is a new section about privacy policy. If we must disclose then it guidelines for
whether donor can be anonymous or not. Currently in review. If you have questions reach out to
Ms. Baca or Mr. Knuth.
Ms. Rickman discusses the Board Engagement survey. The draft is based on other nonprofit
board surveys and picking out questions that were appropriate for our organization. Wanted to
keep it short and simple. Interested in hearing honest feedback. Implementation of the survey
will possibly be at the end of fiscal year, but TBD. Mr. Kessinger moves, Mr. Coles seconds.
Motion is approved unanimously.
VI. Board
A. Vacancies & Recruitment update - Mr. Coles
Mr. Coles talks about getting new board members. Six interviews scheduled for this week.
Hopefully the Board will get some new folks joining us soon. Ms. Baca states that we can
consider two or three.
Project Support Grants are Open
And Flash Projects are open.
Gallery
VII. Public Comment
No public comment.
VIII. Other Business
- Call attention to calendar. Flash projects did not make it on there. Both project support
grants and flash projects are open.
Torlee Moves, Caitlyn seconds.
* The Salt Lake City Arts Council Board reserves the right to act on any agenda items.