02/19/2020 - Meeting Minutes Board Meeting Minutes
February 19,2020
Art Barn,54 Finch Lane
Present: Steve Barth Matthew Castillo
Larry Cohen Efren Corado Garcia
Annie Dayton Susan Koles Richman
Leah Langan Dave Mortensen
Katherine Potter Kanika Welch
Staff Members: Felicia Baca,Arts Division Director
Kellie Call, Arts Program Manager
Kelsey Ellis,Assistant Director
Wendy Evanoff,Office Facilitator
Sarah Hobin,Visual Arts and Community Outreach Manager
Excused: Jared Jones
Guests: Sylvia Richards, Public Policy Analyst, City Council Office
Nicole Kallsen,University of Utah Student
I. Call to Order and Welcome Guests
Ms. Katherine Potter called the meeting to order at approximately 5:3 5pm and welcomed guests,
Sylvia Richards and Nicole Coulson.
II. Approve Board Meeting Minutes
Mr. Efren Corado Garcia made a motion to approve the minutes from the December 4th board
meeting;the motion was seconded by Mr. Steve Barth and passed unanimously.
III. BudgetlFinancial Update
A. Review of current financial statements
Ms. Kelsey Ellis presented a report of budget-to-actuals and forecasted figures.
B. FY2020 budget update
Ms. Ellis provided an update regarding the Twilight contract,decreased ZAP award,
and contract services.
IV. Management Update
A. Felicia Baca
1. Mayoral transition updates&roles
Ms. Felicia Baca reported the Mayor's transition memo was favorable towards
the arts with a focus on public art in the Economic Development department.
There is a desire to streamline processes and funding mechanisms across the
city to examine the climate for public art.
The Arts and Culture Advisor position,previously held by Mr. Kristian
Anderson,did not continue through the transition.As the Arts Council is
formally the advisory body to the Mayor,Ms. Baca will be in the advisor role.
Stabilizing the status our ZAP funding and clarifying the structure of the Arts
Council in relation to the city was also included in the transition plan which is
very encouraging.
Other highlights from the transition plan include a large focus on catalyzing
business in cultural districts. The Economic Development Loan fund that was
previously housed with the Community and Neighborhoods department will
be moved to the Economic Development department. This change may create
exciting opportunities for artists. There is a focus on social inclusion and
equity which will likely create crossover with projects such as creating a grant
program for the west side as well as telling the stories of Salt Lake districts.
2. Other project updates
Staff is working on the operating agreement to clarify the relationship
between the city and the Arts Council. Ms. Baca expects to receive a draft
from Parsons,Behle, and Latimer this week and will forward to the City
Attorney's office to review.
Staff completed the third Strategic Planning mini-retreat with Mr. Jake
McIntire from Union Creative Agency.Ms. Baca and Mr. McIntire will meet
with the Mayor's staff next week to provide updates about the strategic
planning process. The next full retreat will be held in March.
The Cultural Core contract with Salt Lake Presents for The Blocks is now
housed under the Arts Council for contract management.
Three finalists have been selected for the 9th South roundabout public art
project.A budget amendment was passed to rescope public art funds to create
a$200,000 maintenance fund with an additional inventory and conservation
assessment
B. Kellie Call: Living Traditions,Brown Bag, Twilight, Busker Fest updates
Ms. Kellie Call presented a Power Point with updates on her programs:
The Brown Bag concert moved to indoor venues including Tin Angel, Cafe Molise,
and Mestizo Cafe. The performances were attended by approximately 50-70people.
Living Traditions will be celebrating its 35th year and will take place May 15-17th
Claire Taylor has been hired on-contract to assist with six Living Traditions hands-on
workshops that will occur before the festival. Staff is exploring the possibility of
having an international headlining artist.An opening gala will take place May 14th to
celebrate the 351h anniversary and will give out awards to alumni artists and
supporters.
Twilight dates have been confirmed. This year will feature a possible pop-up show at
Pioneer Park. Staff is working closely with S&S on artist programming.
C. Sarah Hobin:Visual Arts/Outreach updates
Ms. Sarah Hobin reported the holiday craft market was a success. It featured fewer
artists so their work would be displayed more prominently.A third of the featured
artists were first time vendors. On average, artists took home$667 in commissions,
an increase from an average of$550 last year.
The Finch Lane Flash projects are underway with the first performance taking place
March 7th featuring music from Durian Durian, The 8eautl ful5, and Hoofless.
Other projects listed below, details forthcoming:
• Queer Spectra,"The Risk of Representation"panel discussion
• Kristina Lenzi&Maci Hamblin,"Bruce and Christian Read May and Mary."
• Jacob Rosenzweig,"DED Talks."
The Finch Lane gallery will feature an exhibition entitled 35 x 35 which explores the
interests and talents of 35 artists under the age of 35. The exhibition opens March 13th
and runs through April 24th.
Applications for the 2021 exhibition calendar are open and will be accepted until April
3 rd.
Two stakeholder meetings will take place before June 301h as part of our community
outreach efforts.
V. Board Update
A. Pending advise&consent from council
Ms. Potter provided an update from the Nominating committee.The four previously
approved candidates are now approved by the new Mayor and are waiting to be
scheduled by the City Council's office.
VI. Public Comment—None Given
VIL Committee Reports
A. Ms. Annie Dayton presented on behalf of the Grants Committee. The committee
received seven applications for the mini-grants and six were recommended for
funding:
• More Than Skin Deep: Indigenous Polynesian Tatau Art&Culture presented
by the Utah Pacific Islander Civic Engagement Coalition.
• Abha-A retelling of the Ramayana from Sita's perspective presented by
Chitrakaavya Dance,April 5,2020 at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts
Center
• Grid Zine Fest 2020,April 17-18,2020 at the Salt Lake Arts Academy
• NOTION presented by Myriad Dance Company,March 8-April 30,2020,
location TBD.
• 2020 Salt Lake City DuoFest presented by Sugar Space Foundation,April 24-
25,2020 at the Sugar Space.
• Salt Lake Choral Artists Choir Festival
• Sound of Ages was not recommended for funding due to their request being
related to their participation in a competition and they are located outside of
Salt Lake City.
Mr. Barth made a motion to approve the recommendation for grant funding;Ms.
Leah Langan seconded the motion.
VIII. Arts Event Discussion
Mr. Corado Garcia shared that a concert presented by the NOVA Chamber Music will
take place February 23ra.
Ms. Dayton attended a reading of local author Christian McKay Heidicker's Newbery
award winning book, Stories for Young Foxes at the King's English bookstore.
Mr. Corado Garcia recommended SONDERimmersive's The Chocolatier at The
Chocolate Conspiracy.
Mr. Dave Mortensen announced an open call for artists for Sackerson Theater's Micro-
Immersive Theatre/Experience Festival taking place in June.
Mr. Larry Cohen organized a show at the Arts Collective for 4th,5th,and 6th graders from
Newman Elementary. 72 student pieces were sold for a total of$1090. 90%was donated
back to the artists and school district.
Ms. Baca attended the Women Rock show hosted by the Utah Symphony.
IX. Other business/Adjourn— The meeting was adjourned at approximately 6:40pm.