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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-03-09; Arts Commission; MinutesMINUTES Meeting of: Time of Meeting: Date of Meeting: Place of Meeting: ARTS COMMISSION 11:00 a.m. March 9, 1989 Council Chambers COMMISSIONERS CALL TO ORDER; Chairman Bear called the Meeting to order at 11:14- a.m. ROLL CALL; Present - Chairman Bear, Commissioners Bischoff, Brierley, Frye and Meilach. Absent - Commissioners Roston and Straub. Staff Members Present: Connie Beardsley, Manager, Arts Office Clifford Lange, Library Director OLD BUSINESS; APPROVAL OF MINUTES; Minutes of the January 12, 1989, meeting were approved as presented. Chairman Bear asked that the Minutes of the Joint Meeting held February 24, 1989, be tabled until the next meeting. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT; Chairman Bear stated he had been trying to contact the Mayor with regard to the articles in the press and the activity concerning the artwork for the Senior Center. However, at this time he has not talked with the Mayor. MANAGER'S REPORT; Connie Beardsley reported she had been busy with the public artwork, resulting in delay in other matters. She said that there were four proposals in from the California Arts Council; two for community artists-in- residence. The Arts Commission will not have to match the funds for those. Ms. Beardsley said she has helped locate grants and artists. The California Arts budget has been cut back substantially, so the grants are very competitive this year. Ms. Beardsley explained the newsletter had a different look due to additional funds being available. Macario Canyon proposal mentioned an amphitheatre and Ms. Beardsley stated that Mark Steyaert of Parks and Recreation will be on this Commission's agenda next month to explain the proposal. Ms. Beardsley stated an arts grant is being applied for from the National Endowment for Arts and she will send a copy to the Commissioners for comments and ask for their approval. Bear Bischoff Brierley Frye Meilach Straub MINUTES March 9, 1989 ARTS COMMISSION Page 2 COMMISSIONERS SENIOR CENTER ARTWORK UPDATE - for discussion/approval Form for public input Oackie Wrench, 3531 Charter Oak, Arts Associates Board of Directors, gave an up-date of what the Arts Associates are doing with regard to the 4-5-day waiting period during which additional public input is to be received on the Senior Center artwork. She said the Associates are gathering signatures on petitions and sent a letter to the membership with the same information as on the petitions for input. Those letters are still coming in and she said it was a wonderful response. Ms. Wrench said some of those letters have been turned in to the City so the Council can see that there are people who approved of the process and felt it was very fair—and still feel that way. Ms. Wrench said this issue has become so politicized that she feared the democratic process was in jeopardy. Ms. Wrench said she would like to see the Commission continue the 4-5-day hearing period and stated she would be prepared to go to the Senior Center if necessary. Other people were allowed to gather signatures there, and she felt the Arts Associates should be allowed the same privilege. Ms. Wrench said there were misunderstandings with regard to the money to be spent for the artwork and some people mistakenly thought it could be used for other projects at the Center. Also, there were misunderstandings about the piece itself, with some at the School Board meeting commenting about the cleaning and the falling of the butterflies, etc. She said she wanted to clear that up and take a color rendering of the artwork so people could see how it would look as you walk into the building. Ms. Wrench said she was distressed about the Mayor's haste in proposing a compromise and had met with the Mayor and Commissioner Straub. The idea for a compromise had come from the Mayor's kitchen cabinet group, but she felt the decision should be leaning toward the Arts Commission. If a compromise could not be reached, she felt the Arts groups should be given an opportunity to clarify the misunderstandings. Dorie Ritchie, 3379 Garibaldi Place, (Senior Commissioner on the Selection Committee) stated she had a long talk with the Mayor and he sincerely wants to find a compromise for this controversial situation. Ms. Ritchie referred to the slide program and lecture last Tuesday by Mr. Allen and stated she was very impressed with his lecture. Ms. Ritchie recommended the Art Commission install this artwork as proposed by Christine Oatman in the Senior Center for a period of one or two years. She felt this would be a win/win situation for everyone, as the Council would not have to make an aesthetic judgment and the citizens of Carlsbad would have an opportunity to vote on the work when they see it. The proponents would have an opportunity to see the artwork they worked on so long and the opponents would have a vote. MINUTES March 9, 1989 ARTS COMMISSION Page 3 COMMISSIONERS Ms. Ritchie further stated that at the end of the year or two years, these votes could be tallied and the work removed If there was an unfavorable vote. She said the Arts Commission would win and trust would be restored to this very worthy Commission. Also, the Commission would win time to do some art education; the Seniors would win, because this would be their project, and the process itself would win. She felt this was the most significant win for the future, as the process would be re-enforced. Commissioner Bischoff stated he talked with Mr. Allen after the presentation and he felt the time period should be five years for the artwork to be in the Center. He felt one year was too short and two years should be the minimum—if It were possible to get a longer time from a political standpoint. Ms. Ritchie said she had discussed this with the Mayor and he was receptive to this proposal. The artwork would be In the Center and one of the tasks of this Commission would be public art education. If you spent $15,000 a year on art education (a total of $30,000 for two years, which would total the amount of the Center artwork) that would not be too much to spend, even if the artwork were removed after the two/five year period. Connie Beards ley reported that at the joint meeting she and Sue Spickard were directed to come up with a ballot form to secure additional Input during the 45-day period. The Senior Commission said the Arts Commission agreed to that and they had not and they would not approve the ballot form; and there is no guarantee that they would accept this. Ms. Richie said one of the objections to the form was If the vote was favorable they needed assurance from the Mayor's Office that the artwork would Indeed be 1nstalled. Commissioner Brier ley stated the other occupants of the Senior Center/School Office should be considered, as they might wind up with a situation with one part agreeing and one not. Chairman Bear said this form would be circulated to the general public and several organizations mentioned specifically, and one was the staff and School Board people. Connie Beardsley read the ballot form to the Commission and said that Mayor Lewis had indicated he felt the people voting should be only the people using the bulIdtng. Commissioner Bischoff said that in five years he would be a senior and would be one of the users of the building. He felt It was not fair for the people paying taxes to be excluded, as It was their building, as we I I. MINUTES March 9, 1989 ARTS COMMISSION Page COMMISSIONERS Commissioner Meilach felt the comments of the Arts Associates representative made a lot of sense and was the proper way to proceed during the 45 days; to see where that goes. The petitions could be valuable as something to show on the positive side, since the positive side has not been as visible as the negative. Commissioner Bischoff agreed and said many people did not understand why there was a controversy. Commissioner Meilach stated that in other senior centers, the artwork received initial negative reaction because seniors are apt to resent and reject change. In each of the other cases, after six months, the seniors embraced the artwork and loved it. She felt this would be a good time to launch an educational program and make the people more aware of this Commission. The Commissioners commented that they did not feel anyone had lost trust In this Commission, and Ms. Ritchie said that was not what she intended, but was referring to the process used by this Commission for the selection of artwork, as two out of five projects had been rejected. The Commissioners felt that the Council had been placed in a tenable position where they should not be put, and would like to re- evaluate the position of Council in relation to the Arts Commission. Commissioner Frye commented that the proposal of installing the artwork for a period of two to five years had merit, but he wondered if the opponents would see this as an effort to railroad the artwork in. Commissioner Meilach said that it would only stay if there was enough favorable comment. Commissioner Bischoff concurred, and added that if given enough facts most people will change their minds; particularly if the facts presented are valid. Commission discussion determined that the Commissioners felt that this Commission should also not be in the position of making aesthetic decisions. The process should be concentrated upon and not the work. The thought was expressed that there should be a process that did not force the Council to make the decision; then if the process had been followed to Council's satisfaction, they would be on the side of the Arts Commission. Chairman Bear commented that the 45-day period is now one-third over, and a lot of energy has been expended. He said the Mayor made a proposal and Ms. Ritchie made a very interesting proposal. He felt by the next meeting there might be more proposals from a boarder community education. There was a brief discussion on the status of the building, and Commissioner Brierley said they would be moving to the inside work in two or three weeks. The tile floor would be one of the last things to go into the building, and tiles could be lifted to place the triangular tiles there, if necessary. MINUTES March 9, 1989 ARTS COMMISSION Page 5 COMMISSIONERS Commission discussion detrmtned that they would like to set up lectures at clubs where this would have an Impact. Jackie Wrench said that their petitions are out and the members will go to the Senior Center. A suggestion was made to set up meetings and use the arts slide presentation. There should also be a general presentation on public art. Chairman Bear asked for a sub-committee to work with Connie Beards ley and the Arts Associates. Commissioners Meflach, Frye and Bischoff volunteered to make presentations and Chairman Bear asked for a task force to do this work. He said the Commission would keep the 45 days and do as much as possible In the way of education during that period of time. At the next meeting the Commission would make a decision on alternatives and decide which direction to take. Arts Commission set up a Task Force to make slide presentations on public art and conduct educational meetings during the remainder of the 45-day period voted for further Input on the artwork for the Senior Center. Commissioners Mellach, Frye and Bischoff will be the members of that Task Force. The Task Force will work with Connie Beards ley and the Arts Associates. Feed back from the public will be taken from the proposed ballot and re-evaluated at the next Arts Commission meeting. Ms. Ritchie said she would give Connie Beardsley a list of organizations that would like to have the artwork presented at a meeting. She also suggested emphasizing the art on the tile floor. PUBLIC ART BUDGET 1989/90 - for discussion/approval Connie Beardsley reported this was the same as last year except for the kiosk design. She Is drafting an Agenda Bill on the kiosk design. Arts Commission approved the % for Art - 1988-89 Budget. ARTS BREAKFASTS - for approval Connie Beardsley reported that the three breakfasts held previously were quite successful. However, Carlsbad Economic Enhancement CounciI is now having luncheons bi-monthly. She suggested excellent speakers be obtained for the meetings and she will work with the Enhancement Council to determine the best time for the meetings. Bear Bischoff Brier ley Frye Me Ilach Bear Bischoff Brier ley Frye Mellach MINUTES March 9, 1989 ARTS COMMISSION Page 6 COMMISSIONERS Connie Beardsley stated she would not be in town on April 13, 1989, the regular meeting date. By consensus, the Commission agreed to meet at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 11, 1989. ADJOURNMENT; By proper motion, the Meeting of March 9, 1989, was adjourned at 12:21 p.m. Respectfully submitted, CONNIE BEARDSLEY Arts Manager Harriett Babbitt Minutes Clerk