February 22, 2023 — Boulder Arts Commission Regular Meeting

Transcript

Captions from City of Boulder YouTube recording.

[0:00] You know. So alright. it's What's the lifetime? That's funny. Oh, it's next boulder. and then you need to accept, though. Now. Okay. alright. the city Boulder Arts Commission acknowledges the city of well. There is on the ancestral the territory of indigenous people to have traverse, lived in and stewarded lands at the Boulder Valley. It's time in general. In the in memorials. Those indigenous nations include the Rappho Cheyenne.

[1:04] Our benefit from this land came at a dire cost to the indigenous people. So we want to approve the agenda. That okay? So i'll make a motion to just a second. Alright. Oh. so yeah, you could either do a show of hands or you could call everyone. Let's do a show of hands. Yes. and then we have public participation. Do we have anyone.

[2:03] I'll move to approve the minutes from the January meeting. I'm sorry this is Kathleen. I had a couple. One was just a typo that I sent to Lisa and Matt. and and and then I had a question which will come up later. So I I really have no changes. I would say to the minutes. Okay. I had one small thing I I noticed I haven't talked to Ebony about it, but I thought it might be nice to given some of the context of her comments that if we included that she announced, she's resigning from the Commission for personal reasons.

[3:06] to clarify what she was leaving. so just quote, make it look like she has a great and quick There, we can make questions. Right? Okay? So it's gonna make a change that, I believe makes an announcement with the way it's written is preemin, announced She's residing from Commission period, and i'm suggesting that we just have the clause for personal reasons. All right. Okay. So you want to make another sure. So I will. We track the previous motion and make a new motion to approve the January meeting minutes as amended 1 s. Okay, and then show up. Okay, everyone.

[4:01] Yeah. And we don't have anyone signed up for public participation here. So then we move on to Grants perfect. All right, Lauren. Hi, everyone. I also commend you for those that made it in person today. So today we have lots and lots and lots of great reports. Thank you for your time. I'm going to actually just allow you to walk through these and actually give it back to the vice chair to walk through these individually. So you receive these 6 Grant reports separately from the general operating support Grants, which we'll do next. and for these you have the option to approve the reports. approved individual reports.

[5:02] You could say Yes, we approve it, but we want to hear the responses to these questions at the next meeting. You could not approve individual reports and cancel the final 20 0r you could postpone approval of any individual reports pending answers to specific questions. I have the next slide with some approval language that we can change if we need to, but i'll give it back to the chair actually to to guide you through the discussion of these. Okay. So first, that Jc. Jail. Does anyone have any comments? Questions? Bye bye. go ahead. I was really astounded that they had 11,000 visitors. That was incredible, and I have a curiosity. And so i'm leaning toward approving the report with an outstanding question, and my question is whether or not they were able to gather any sort of demographics on on

[6:13] the visitors. That they did have. It might not have been something they were able to do. But i'm just very curious about that. like if they were all from Boulder, or I guess geographic demographics. Thanks. 0 0r whatever they have. I guess my initial curiosity was, did they have? Was for people coming from out of town for it? Or yeah. so how should we go about like. Well, we'll take notes on the questions. And so, since the suggestion was to approve it, and there's n0 0ther action that wouldn't depend on those answers. So step into that. Okay.

[7:01] I'm: sorry. Could we clarify how we voted to approve all 6, and that. And now we're just asking or commenting on the Grants, or have you not yet voted to? Okay? Well, I I just had comments about a couple of them. I thought we're outstanding Jc. Bails Was I thought it outstanding. I would be curious on those 11,000 visits, whether it's for business to this dairy Arts Center, where they were. Actually, this to the exhibit. and I think it's hard to collect demographics in a free exhibit if you want. If people are buying tickets in advance, that kind of thing, you have a little more data when people are buying tickets in advance. But I just shall I say my my thoughts on this. the ones that I thought were extra, especially wonderful. I think we're going from one at a time, Kathy.

[8:01] Okay. that's all I have to say about Jc's: Thank you. Yes. you like audience questions. So next is Boulder Symphony. Wait. Are we supposed to? Then the Boulder Symphony Globe Project comments on that one anyone I just loved. How inclusive. The fidget concert was that that was really great. Yeah, it sounds amazing. Also, maybe I saw that at the library. It's really amazing. Yeah. it does. Oh, how are you doing?

[9:01] You know what I'm not being actually having trouble hearing you? Things to be seemed to be breaking up a bit, so I don't know whether it's where the mics are positioned or what. But I don't know if anyone else is zooming. Has that experience as well. I I could speak louder. Yeah, it just actually really, it just breaks up that each word kind of breaks that so? Speaking louder, would help for sure. Thank you. No, I just thought the exhibit was wonderful, and I was so pleased to see that artists in our community who happen to be on how we're excited about participating, and that they as part of the project. They got a a visa gift card at the end, and I thought, Well, that's wonderful. I mean, maybe they'll spend that on our supplies. Photography supplies, or maybe they'll buy, you know, spend it on whatever they need, but to have that kind of reinforcement.

[10:00] and to have their to have their work shown in the Public Library, and to have people show up for them, I thought was just wonderful, so I appreciate that I hope it's first of many partnerships with paid forward. You know what it might not have made it ont0 0ur Grant report list. Let me just add it on here. Okay. Okay. okay. Next is frequent flyers. I was great and again just loved the diversity they were reporting and the kids who got to participate. It's really cool. so that there was some transportation

[11:01] and issues. But that's something for the city to help with the extra time they got. They They've worked in due diligence and delivered a great result. And the joke here in socially so I have another question. Are these reports also supposed to be one page Summaries. Yes.

[12:07] Oh, I I just wanted to highlight. We all knew this, but I think i'll just say it in the meeting as yet. Again. Another art project that was impeded by the city planning process. So i'm glad they were able to get it done and look like really great addition to the space. I also look at the surveyed kids on their experiences. I love that. That was so like cool street wise. Go ahead. You had your hand up first. Okay, I I just and and continue to be so impressed by the work they're doing. I think they're engaging in civic dialogue and and broadly talking about relevant social issues, and I think they're hitting sort of all the different metrics and ways that we want

[13:01] our organizations to report. So I I think it's. I did a fantastic job. I I also think that Leah ran her clack and her team because she now she really has a team going. have just hit it out of the park this last year with the festival. I attended a a mural tour downtown with her team, and was really impressed. People were so enthused. We met a lot of the artists. and I just think she's bringing art and activism to parts of boulder that Don't really see a lot of that. So there's yes, there's downtown. There's places in our commercial districts. But then there's just stuff going on in neighborhoods that she that she leads that I I just applaud her, and just i'm so grateful that we have

[14:01] the street wise group at activating parts of boulder that Haven't seen a lot of public art in the past. So thank you. I have a question that maybe Lauren is the answer to. I saw reference to them, not planning on doing the festival next year, and so I was wondering if we have any insights to. whether or not there is something that we, as the office or the commission we can help support them with to. Maybe, you know, if if it's a question of something that would benefit from support. Not that I've heard, Of course. I wonder if who her liaison is. I can pull that up, because I think it would be best for the lease on to reach out. And but since we we are currently losing 2 commissioners, that might be with Matt. But you might have seen to. Not a newsletter today, with lots of things going on, so they still have a lot of things going on as a especially as a general operating support grantee. I wouldn't be concerned about that. But let me pull up

[15:11] the who their liaison is, and maybe they could reach out and talk to her just to see what's going on. Does that sound good to you guys. Sure. i'm not, though I would very happily talk with her. I mean, if if it happened to have been ebony. And she's, you know. Obviously not on the Commission anymore. Thanks. We we can move on to. I just have to save. I don't love their work. Think that they're I don't. I don't they're you know it's not by it with me. I feel like it's hard to tell a story.

[16:07] and next is I love it, I mean kind of obsessed with it, I cried. I did so good, and that's exactly the kind of like animation style that I personally love. So I just thought it was amazing. So i'm excited for it to prem Here, i'm gonna go. Yeah, I I loved it, too. I was really impressed with how they were able to move forward even with in the case of war. Ukraine and I have a question about, and I don't care what other people are feeling about it that may impact my my feelings about approving the Grant report, and that is that they very understandably are in the middle of the film process right now, so they can't have a screening in boulder. I didn't see that they got into that.

[17:12] and I know that they are planning to do a screening in bowler without some sort of screening and boulder. There's not really a connection here. and so I I love the project, and I want to make sure that they fulfill on the connection with the boulder audiences. Yeah, I was. I was wondering why there was anything like boulder animators, or just really, I mean, I don't know what the you know demographic for older animators is. But yeah, I was interested in that as well. So you want to ask a question then. Well, I I mean right now, without more information. I'm leaning toward

[18:01] holding, maybe postponing approval, pending their actual screening to hold our audience. To this. I guess that comes with an outstanding question Also, as as it looks like they've got a finished project, and that withholding that final payment, is not. It's potentially gonna cause a great hardship to them. That would be a question I have. And then that and what other people have to say. My thought is to ensure that they have that screening by. because I make the payment so last. But again to to hold off on approving the report and making the the final payment. Okay, but that's gonna be a while because they're in the middle of the film film festival process. So they're not going to be able to do public screening, since they are back from everybody that they've submitted to. It was a big list.

[19:09] So it's going to be a while for them. Is there a deadline for how long we can post totally approving report? No, I don't think there's anything I I think you're right. This has there program is set already. But maybe it's something else. Maybe it's something at a community center or at a local church where they thank you for clarifying. Okay? Hmm. Okay? Well.

[20:01] I guess to be determined, right. But but you're favoring, holding off on the final payment until until they've shown that they have. They're having a older screening Right? Right? It's like as of right now. They I assume they live in boulder or they are Boulder. Okay, then. But as of right now. There's no bolder focus involved with it. Well, how do they get the Lauren? Do you know? Well, they live in Boulder, and I believe in the application, aside from the fact that it was in 2,021. So it was a while ago, but I believe she had planned to show it at this, so to to be showing it in in boulder as well. So it's just a timing issue for her in terms of being I I completely. I'd say that she's gonna fulfill that piece of it, and it's just a timing issue. I just

[21:10] i'm not sure. It's it's well with me to to just finalize the the payments without project really essentially being complete. That's it's. And if for some reason it doesn't, it's, it's great and boulder, so that she wouldn't get done. I just the rest of the money because it's like worst case scenario, right? Yeah. Probably. So the next 6 0ur job as Commissioners would be then to how do we help her units screen? Exactly.

[22:03] That might be true. I don't know, is that last 20, so it's funny. It might be helpful in that in the screen which goes to my outstanding. I am so happy about that which maybe Lauren could help. You know I, if it is going to create a hardship for her to complete that steward. This. Well, the screening was an important part of the application, and why you approved it. You should stand behind that and yet which. holding back, funding slow that process now. And so you know that there's something you need to discuss on the side, and you can also post phone approval with asking that question. and then come back to it next month that maybe you want to approve it on her word, or maybe it'll. It'll be fine and holy. It is not going to be harmful. So you know. I think you don't have to decide tonight on the outcome of the last 20 s. You can simply decide to postpone and ask the question.

[23:06] I like that. I like getting more information we can to help us. sure. So if you don't mind, let me run through very quickly here for Jc. You are saying, Hold on, actually, maybe i'll do this. Send me along positive comments. So basically everybody which is very nice. And then Celia is, i'm going to reach out to her and ask if it is a hardship for her to postpone until she's able to do a screening in boulder, and i'll get a response to you at the March meeting, and

[24:02] after that if she is able, or if and when she needs to do a screening, or whatever happens, we'll figure it out after that. And I did see that ebony is the street wise arts liaison. So if somebody else is interested in reaching out to speaking to Leah about. they're plans for this year, or if they're in need of any help. I think Kathleen already offered that approve these with J. C. Just responding to a question. Well, I thought we had a question for the Bear project. Also that one's fine if someone want to. I moved out the reports by the Jc.

[25:02] John Kerry's Social Club and Street wise or to be approved. I'll. Second Okay. Vote for the show of hands. I can't see Kathleen if you could. Verbally, Yes, we have a hey? Thanks. Everyone do we have a separate motion for the bare one specifically to postpone it. Okay. So for our next section and thank you again for reading these and looking through all of the amazing things that happened last year in the City of Boulder. I was even kind of surprised myself. I don't know if you guys were. But wow! So we have 30 reports. Excuse me. 32 reports for this evening. These are a report covering the last year of the grant payment. So I do have language to approve these as one big batch, or I can pull out

[26:13] as needed right. These. with your approval, it's, recertifies them to receive payment for this year for 2023 the 5 that we are waiting for have all been granted extensions and they're all in compliance. They just need a little bit more time to complete their reports. So this is another case where i'll give it back to Georgia. Thank you. And if you wanna i'll. I'll put up that list if you want to pull out any to discuss. I know that it's quite a few. You can approve them, approved individual ones approve with questions not approve. And then, in the case that you don't approve, we would just hold off on sending their 2,023 payment until you've approved their

[27:02] report, and responding to the questions. So those are the those would be the cases. So let me pull up the list for you, unless you have any more questions. For instance, we this is last cycle. The recertification does sort of keep them in good standing, but it doesn't affect any payments. So you know, whereas in other years, when we're in the middle of a cycle of a you declining to recertify, might have impacts on Grant. It wouldn't this time point of process, though. Georgia, if it's okay with you, is maybe pull the Commissioners on specifics when they want to talk about. and we can make a little list, and then you can go back and talk about each of those when it comes time to make the motion. I got schooled on a little bit of Roberts Rules of order

[28:05] that if the motion is published in the packet you're allowed to make that motion by just saying, I move to. I. I make a motion that has published in the packet. If you make any changes, that when you have to read everything out. so I've been doing it a little bit wrong, not wrong. I've been leading you astray in the past, but you can. Yeah, there you go. You can say a motion like this if it's and thank you. Bye. Yes. I have. I have a an overall impression and a save it that I would love to make, and then I had 2 different reports that I wanted to discuss whatever you want to. Okay. So I just wanted to say I was really really impressed by all of the reports and all the great work that's going on in the community. There were 2 really big things that struck me.

[29:11] I looked up with the average capital reserves for arts organizations with, and I don't remember who whose report I looked at, but what I saw was an average of 5 months for Arts organizations, and I felt like there were so many of our organizations that were above that average. There's some down below, but, like as a whole that seemed to me like people are like organizations, are coming back and and rebuilding and and looking strong at least about the average. So I thought that was really really super encouraging and good work t0 0ur organizations. And then I also really really appreciated all the good work being done in the community on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

[30:00] I saw themes throughout a lot of the reports on increasing the diversity of collaborators and highlighting works from diverse origins. Organizations are diversifying their boards and their leadership and their staff and artists. and overall increases in outreach to underserved participants and audiences. and I just had a few reports that I wanted to to pull out and sort of highlight how these are showing up across the board. and there's way more than this. But the older Opera Company was able to find Mycock earnest, and it's resident for program. That was amazing for the Boulder Corral. It was performing works from Ghana in the midwest of the Middle East. the local theatre company was began. It's bypass only quarterly convenience. The Sun, CC. Dance Film Festival called it for Hispanic heritage month screening and their organizations that are collaborating not only with the film. This is not who we are that talks about systemic racism and boulder, but also collaborating, collaborating within the in our racism, action and the initiative. So there's just a lot brewing in the community, and I just wanted to give a

[31:29] appreciation for the work that our organizations are doing, and really encourage those who are getting their head around, how they're gonna participate and add to that direction, to keep at it and keep going great. I have also

[32:12] older muse they're talking about in the report issues with lifelong learning, taking over after school programming, and I was wondering if there was an issue other organizations were facing, and I would love more information about that, because that that was when it was because their whole programming was around getting into the schools, and I was happy to see that they found an alternative. But you know, to go into the name or ahead of it. Same question, Boulder. Some of school I love that they detail in their expenses what was covered by the dos Grant? It's like an extra little specific information. It was nice when just modest cedar in general, just in general. I just love I love everything that they're doing. They are doing a great Job

[33:04] Orlando School for the Arts mentions in the report support for schools, but I they don't detail what that means. I don't know what that support is or what that I would love more details on that San Suu Kyi festival of Dan Cinema pays the artist 55 0f their budget, which is. I think that's all. And okay, it's all My. I had some similar type of summary comments to that's okay. I I appreciate it. Do you think we're like pausing. Or do you want me to reach out to these organizations and get responses for you, but without impacting their reports? Right? Yeah, none of this is affecting reports. Yeah, yeah, thank you. Okay, Great. Sure.

[34:02] I think these are a great way to get the pulse of what's going on t0 0ur in our community as we're talking about here, I think we're all getting some a great cross section. I appreciated seeing that staff members are getting increases in wages. That's really important, increasing the number of paid positions. So I think that all is important part of these grants. I would echo what Caroline says about the Dei initiative. So I think that was well written about. And we're really all the organizations are really addressing that initiative. Well, there's a lot of transparency in these reports. I appreciate that. You know some of the challenges the organizations are having one that came to. I think it might have been only one report, but I still see that we're challenges engaging kids in schools. I think I don't know which group it was. They were originally going to it. Go t0 3 schools, and they could only engage in 2 schools. I think that's a

[35:00] ongoing challenge for the community. You know that's obviously the future pipeline. That's our future. So we want to make sure that we're addressing kids. And then just the imagery. And these reports is just gorgeous, you know. It's just even if photography and visual arts is not their primarily primary art medium? They were still doing beautiful, you know the dance, the the images from the ballet. Those were just lovely. So this complement everyone for doing such great work on photographing the artistic talents of their artists. Thanks, bye, bye. that same Thank you. I had a couple comments about individual, you know, overall. I agree with Carolina with other Commissioners that it's it's almost overwhelming how much great work has been done in the last year and

[36:02] toward equity, but also toward just re welcoming the community back into arts, events and exhibits and performances I do have. And maybe this is Maybe this is part of a bigger discussion that you all will pursue in the next year. So I did have some questions about budgets. but gave me a little bit of concern for for several or several organizations. But let me first say the ones that that that I wanted to do it'll call us for use, I think, is is doing amazing work. and they are back into schools, and they apparently have are working things out with Bbsd. There's a new administrator in charge, who seems very supportive. and apparently they're not going to have to go through lifelong learning learning So that's wonderful news. Boulder opera. I agree you know, re-reaching 450 students in title. One schools like Jenny Hill, and of Columbine Elementary

[37:06] to experience Hansel and Gretel at the dairy. I mean. This is wonderful, and they've got the classrooms first and work with them about what the opera is about in Spanish and in English. I just. They also have a a professional sorry, a resident artist program for a bipoc singers, for they put some boots production. So, having just seen the opera their opera over this weekend. I know it's just. They're doing wonderful things, and i'm so glad that they are doing so much in the community. Colorado, Chautauqua. I want to applaud them for their expansion of arts and culture, partnerships and programming, such as the lat next festivals They've been mounting the last couple of years creativity alive. I wanted t0 0ffer Marilyn my deepest sympathies for the loss of her son Landrick. I think it's a wonderful gift in his honor

[38:04] that she has chosen to support youth, mental health through her work with boulder high students and the Scene Project, and I hope that people of all ages will benefit from the work that she's doing in healing through sound and movement for the dairy Arts center. I wanna I appreciate the dairy's willingness to pivot to expand its mission over the past couple of years, particularly through this report and their partnerships with creative nations, programming and sacred space for art and culture. By and for the native American community. and also the Naacps exhibit on Ernest Withers historic photographs of the civil rights movements. These are things that have occurred in the last year with at the Dairy art center that, I think are so important for our cultural history in Boulder and for our future in being a diverse and inclusive community.

[39:04] You see him a boulder. The museum is doing amazing works. street wise arts. As I said before, they're doing great work studio arts. I so appreciate how studio arts has opened up the possibility of pottery for so many underserved and low income. People through a pay what you can approach, and by their mobile pottery Studio it, I think. Just it's. I I hope, that other arts organizations take a look at that, if they can. I pay what you can you? You just gonna bring in so many more people? It is. It's just wonderful. The the organizations that I have a bit of concern about are, and I would like to actually pull out band of tofts. And the reason is. I know, that they said that 2,022 was was an incubation year. with no boulder performances.

[40:00] 2,020, from what I recall in previous reports, was also an incubation year that was understandable because of the pandemic. but they've also noted that 2,024 is projected to be an incubation year with no perform. I'm. Assuming with no performances again so i'm concerned about the idea of providing grants t0 0rganizations that Don't offer programming 2 0ut of the 3 years of a Gos grant. So it would be 2,022, and 2,024. The band of tops is noting on there in their report I i'm wondering whether this sets it. I know that everybody needs regeneration, time and creative time to put together a season. But I see all these other groups doing the work, and also doing the planning, and also recreating themselves every year. And I I don't know that this is a good precedent. Perhaps I've never seen this before in a Geos report, or in any group Geos report, and I just

[41:03] it gives me pause because I feel like if there's no benefit to the community. 2 0ut of 3 years in a Geos grant. We're really giving them the the entirety of the grant for one year of work in boulder. So maybe that's something, for I I would have a hard time approving their report. For that reason there are 2 0ther groups that whose budgets I just gave me some pause. One was sorry. Colorado, Shakespeare Company Festival. Excuse me. I found their budget very complicated, and I was. It included, a lot of references, line items related to the University rather than. and and different departments and stuff rather than just the festival. So it was very hard to sort of Parse

[42:00] where Geos money was going, and and Also I wondered if there if there was a way they could, and it went on page after page. So I was just wondering if they could simplify and clarify how the B a/C grants were used, what specifically they paid for. and it also looks like there is a $158,000 deficit in 2,023, and a projected $66,000 deficit in 2,024. And I wondered if they could explain that finally spark shows their budget shows. Well, we seem a folder. Seems to have a big deficit, $500,000 this year. And next do we ask them to explain this do we ask them to? I explain how the Geos grant will help their sustainability when they are facing such huge deficits. Spark says that they have a des of it deficit of over a $100,000 in 2,022. And this is a

[43:07] a midsize organization. It's not a an extra large, and that's quite a that's quite a deficit for an organization of their size. So I just i'm thinking about the fact that Geos is designed for sustainability of Arts organizations, and i'm wondering how we approach this. I can add on to that. My one of my comments was also about the spark, and I noticed that they had a comment on their budget that they're bookkeeping software. I kind of messed up them up and was double counting expenses which I'm sure, increased the deficit. But I was completely unclear as to how and so I would really like to have follow up information. I i'm not certain, from

[44:01] my initial perspective, and I I hear something different from you, Kathleen. But my initial perspective was that it wasn't going to impact whether I would prove the report. But I would like to know where they are with the budget, because I have the same concern. You know. What are the actual numbers? I I understand they're having software issues. But i'd like to see that before next year. So i'm wondering, do we withhold approving reports if we have these questions until we get answers. so that certainly something you have the power to do if I can make a suggestion. If everyone was agreed on, what's not highlighted on the screen is, you can approve those.

[45:04] and then talk through what actions you want to take on each of the next, the ones that are up sounds good to me. So yeah, someone wants to make a motion on the beat off all the ones that are not highlighted, any takers. I will. So i'm reading all the ones that are not highlighted. That's my suggestion. Yeah. I move that we approve the following reports for the 2,022 to t0 24 geos grants. Should we say something like the first year of the 22? Because it sounds like we're approving them for 3 years We're approving the report? Stuff.

[46:05] Yeah, that I I think you could read it another way, and that would be You'd be approving them for 3 years. But I approved. I moved that we approved the file and reports to the Geos Grants Third Law Dance, Theatre, Arts, Hard Parts, Creative Reuse, Center. Boulder, Corral, Boulder, International Film Festival, Boulder, Metal Smithing Association, Boulder Muse. Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art Boulder Opera Boulder Sabbath School Butterfly Effect Theater of Colorado Cantabulae Singers Colorado Chautauqua Association Colorado Waller Fest Creativity alive. Dairy Arts Center East Window. The Town Frequent Flyers Productions. Inc. Kg. N. You. Local Theater Company, Modus Theatre. Orlando's School for the Arts Pro Musical Colorado Chamber Orchestra.

[47:02] a festival of Dance Cinema Street Wise Arts Studio Arts Folder T. 2 dance company, the cat amounts an Fp. It's for a second that everyone, but when they show the hands. But you seem racing. Okay. that's part of the. It was a separate organization. But thank you very much for approving all those. And now, Georgia, if you want to guide, just going back and talking with everyone about the action. Okay. So pandemic. That's s0 0ne way to do this, ask for a motion to start with. If anyone wants to approve it or Kathleen, you could sort of make a counter proposal to not approve it. If that's you know you don't. We don't need a motion to postpone it, but

[48:09] someone put something on the table to react to. If it's emotion. In the second you could discuss it. Well, I my thought is that for 3 0f the let's see one shoot it's for 3 0f the organizations. Colorado, Shakespeare Festival Museum of Boulder and the Spark. We have questions about the Budget, and related to the sustainability of the organization, and how Geos funding, whether it's essentially a good investment for the next couple of years. What look when you're looking at such big deficits? There may be explanations for the deficits, but I just would love to know how they plan to deal with it. because I think it. I would like to think that we would be willing not to fund a second and third year for an organization that will fold in the next. I'm not saying any of these will, and I hope they won't. But if you, during the course of the Gos Grant, we want to make sure that the the organizations were funding

[49:11] are viable right, and that they are developing some kind of financial sustainability. So I would be okay with this sectioning, those off. But bandit tops I have a bigger issue with, and it's really about their plan for programming, and whether that is a good investment. It's partly about the investment it's, but it's also partly about what are the benefits to the community and the 2 0ut of the 3 years that what they'll be no performances in Boulder. Shakespeare festival. We zoom a boulder and spark that we up or you approve their grants with questions.

[50:12] You know. International coming time. It band of tough say specifically why they couldn't perform. They do some kind of performance that. like they call it an incubation here, which. which I think is explain, explained briefly. But it's sort of like we won't be performing those years involved her, anyway. So I I just haven't come across this before, and I guess I've been thinking about it, and I thought, well, gee, if every one of these groups said that we would not have a lot of benefit for our investments, so so i'd like to hear their I mean I I cannot approve their report as it stands now, because this is not the assumption that we that I had when I voted for them last year

[51:04] last spring. I thought that they would be performing and in boulder every year. So I I can't approve their report under those circumstances, but in terms of the budget that asking the budget questions of the of the other 3 groups. I would be happy to see them answer before we voted again. But I wondered how other commissioner about that. Alan. I guess I definitely need a lot more contact from that about what like, what is the scope of what we and even do as a commission in terms of having given for your grant, like I know you spoke to it in the meeting, but now I have some context to apply. So the the reason we have a recertification process is to align with the city budget cycle

[52:06] the city. Really, on programming like this we have an annual budget. Really, Don't. pay for things in years ahead in the situation. So the way that we sort of create a structure to accommodate that is this recertification process right is that you are basically with your vote, saying that you're authorizing the spending of the scram honey for another. So it's it. It is very much meant to be it like intentionally a formality, right? But that is why, when we send those reports out to you, we say, like you're not looking for evaluating the grant. Again. you're not looking for. You know what is is changing or or evolving in the programming. Necessarily the real thing, because you've already voted on that.

[53:12] That's that's the real goal. So what what you were supposed to be doing is having that conversation is, and and I think Kathleen framed it. Well, it's like they are all of these organizations able to still do that. The action you're taking that has it can have some repercussions. Right? It's it, can. It can't hold a funding until you approve it right because of the city charter and the ordinance that creates a grants program, and the fact that you are actually the one who distribute the grant money like that's your responsibility to you know the will, the Council. so you can make a decision to fund or not front of any grants, including things like this. So that does make it a difference. But the thing you have to be most careful about. Is that the cause right is that if if you're going to make that type of decision.

[54:01] we need to take some careful steps to make sure you have all the information that the organization has a chance to respond. So at this point I don't recommend anyone. Make a motion to not approve a certification. I think postponing. It is perfectly fine. Any questions approving it? Pending questions is fine, too. But really your you know, your job here is just to clarify which of those things may not be able to execute on the grant, and get ask specific questions. That board will pass along so so that you have the information you need to be able to. Okay, and then a follow up question would be just a precedent from the Commission. So you know. Have there been organizations in the past that have not been recertified, and what sort of I think there has not? There have been postponements there have the tough questions to ask Lauren correct me if i'm wrong. But I do not think there is a

[55:04] right, as always. Has there ever been an organization that we've given a 3 year. Grant to that has folded. Okay, also. Now. okay, so what a what do you want to do it? I think. Postponing until we have answers, and then the other 3 I would approve, but also with asking questions as well. I'm on the I agree with the the 3 to approve pending questions about your budget getting up an up to date budget from the spark, and their comments on how they're going to approach sustainability. I agree with that. and then the band of tufts I mean I here with Kathleen, saying, I also know that organizations. Do you know part of what we're doing is sustainability and and providing stability for people, for organizations to get their head around their programming and changes what they want to do, I hear.

[56:22] And it's gonna be. It sounds like 66% of the the Grant period is, it has programming. and they are already kind of in my recollection from their application kind of on the edge of being having impacts in boulder already. So yeah, I I definitely want more information. I guess maybe I would like to take a look at their application. and see what the basis of it was, and what they disclosed in the application.

[57:04] It's a bad for us. I would like to see that as well. Yeah. Can I ask for clarification If we were to postpone all 4 0rganizations, recertifying all 4 0rganizations until we received more answers? Would other Commissioners support that? In other words, n0 0ne would get paid. Okay. that's what I would like to see. Because I feel like these are pretty important questions. It doesn't mean that they won't get paid. But in the case of like band of tufts, i'd love to see their explanation about how they will deliver some benefits to the community when they're not performing here for 2 0ut of the 3 years. It's I just it. I know there's too many organizations, too many artists out there that work really hard to deliver

[58:01] and to who enrich our community. And if someone's saying, we're not going to appear in boulder. Then it's like, Well, maybe someone else would like that money. Geos is very thought act or dos funding so the budget stuff. I think you know we could hear an explanation, and we could certify them in the next meeting. and then they could get paid. I'm assuming that if you postpone while you ask the questions they would not get the next year's funding until we approved of it. I just think what separates them on my mind is that band of tufts. It doesn't appear to that. They are, you know, performing for what they were approved to be doing with the other 3. You know we didn't approve them like we didn't approve their programming to be have, like the cleanest budgets that's not their job. Their job is to be performing, and like in

[59:09] the art stuff. So since we're only approving, we're not approving the Gos Grant. We're approving the report. So that's why I think we should still be approving them because they are still doing the programming that they were. We approved for them to do. But but I think the point that Kathleen's making let me try to. Can I try to summarize what I information on that? And I think on Colorado, Shakespeare, you're saying there's expenses that don't that that don't seem appropriate for a Geos report. It's more. This is going to see you. Boulder. Correct? Well, it's. I can remember having this discussion years ago, when we when Colorado, Shakespeare applied, and when there was a

[60:03] a feeling in the Arts Commission at that point that well, there's so a lot. I mean, they're part of. See you. Are we giving city money to see you when they have their own budget for it from Cu. And they are. They do very well, you know they they make a lot of money. So that was kind of one of the discussions I remember from several years ago we sought to give them a grant this this past spring for 3 years, but I look at their budget, and it's very complex, and it really good. A lot of the line items have nothing to do with the Gos Grant or the City of Boulder. It's really about cu finances. and so I guess i'd like to see a simplified budget, and i'd like to understand where the Geos money is going. where and where they intend the the other 2 years of grants to be what they intend that to be spent on.

[61:02] Okay. That makes sense for both of those, for them to work for us to postpone it until we get our information. What about the museum of Folder? What question there is? If it was a it said. Yeah, half half half 1 billiondollar that deficit according to their budget, and I guess i'd like to see. Well, maybe it's a similar question. What what Geos pay for in the next 2 years, when you, when you're facing such a big deficit. How will, what kind of programming, or how? How will you fulfill your promise of the application that we voted to fund? Maybe that's a way to put it. Maybe that's the way to put it to all of these. You know, these 3 0rganizations that have budget issues. They had to test, I think, is something different. But that's the different. Then you seem a boulder, I mean they're still very active in providing

[62:07] art and experiences to. So I think that kind of you know we're general. We're we're paying. I don't know exactly, but i'm assuming it's things like lights and things that it to us paid for. Yeah, operate export is meant to keep the doors over the organization running, paying their staff. you know, like wet line items, they that you know. Thank you, because we started an internship program Where? Thank you, because we were able to bring it to the schools or something. But it's some of them, and it's generally the large organizations. I think it just goes into a pot, and it helps with their sustainability. So

[63:03] anyway, I do. We have support. For see, once we approve, once we certify these 3 with the budget questions. they get their allotment, they get their funding for the next year right so correct, and so I at the most, if we had answers back from them for our next meeting, and we approve it at the next meeting, there would be at most a a month's delay in. That's right. Okay. Just wanna voice this because it occurred to me i'm not sure. It sway is what I will just or I'm leaning toward but delaying payments of a big Geos on an organization that maybe having cash flow issues right now is going to exasperate the problem.

[64:02] And that's you know, I think, what I'm concerned. Yeah, I think with my team of art I would be in favor of approving it with. I'm sorry we seem a boulder to approving with questions, because, like Carolyn said, you know they are in a financial deficit. So us not being late on that is not going to help them, and I have definitely seen. I've been to some events there. They're still it more because right? I know I agree with our to the community. So you know I don't. you know it would be interesting to know why they have such a huge deficit, but it has not stopped them from doing what they're supposed to be doing. or, as I can see. a question for Matt and Lauren. Is there any way that we could ask for these responses and then meet either

[65:01] as a quick interim meeting or distribute their response and vote via email. so it'd be. or via email and vote again. No, I don't think you could do that because we need the both to be taken in a public noticed meeting. Oh. I I I mean, it's entirely possible to schedule a special meeting to to take actions like that. I wouldn't recommend it for this. You know. The only time we've done that before is because there was an urgent matter that couldn't wait. And while I feel that this is, you know, urgent for these organizations that I don't. I don't think I have anything to indicate that a a month delayed with the structurally a problem. But I don't know, so I I I agree. I'd say, you know, to

[66:05] and gosh, i'm trying to come up with solution, and they're all bad, I think I think. Yeah, you've got to either take the to the March meeting. I apologize. is going on through that through the winter. in the middle of a run, or just doing the work that they said that they were going to do so. What was the question to get around that one? That's be? They are showing a large deficit. My understanding of the report was that was in great part due to some double counting that

[67:00] and salaries, I think, they said. which probably increases the amount of that. But I don't know back how much I don't know what the real numbers are. if they would even still have a deficit or not. If they're i'll keep this working correctly. That's that working. And then so they're keeping the doors open and doing the work. Then they're using the money right. So they're they're using the many doing my first first time. even though I I guess sorry. So I I i'm hearing maybe some support for approving museum of boulder and the spark and a certifying them, but also asking questions about their budget deficits. And could they clarify how they will make sure that G. OS money is well spent, or something like that. And then but I would love to see from from Colorado Shakespeare Festival. I would really love to see a much more simplified

[68:09] budget that doesn't g0 0n page after page and include a lot of other university stuff in there, it really. Yeah, i'd like to to, just because they. with the whatever grant that we have that we just let g0 0f the you know what i'm talking about. So they're true. Well, but let them explain it right. Well, we'll we'll. We'll have to hear the explanation right? I just want to make sure you talk through consistency. It sounds like you're asking in the Colorado Shakespeare festival, for by the clarification you have from the zoom Board for budget clarification. If that's the category, they should all be treated the same by right. I was just gonna say that I I

[69:17] also leaning toward creating the whatever that budget comes back in it's not going to persuade me not to continue to get them funding that we've already agreed to give them. I i'm curious about it. I it may impact how I feel about giving them money in the future if they're giving money to you. But they do provide a public benefit. They do. Yeah. 3 things are providing that festival every year, and I still see no reason to. so that just because we are confused about their budget.

[70:00] I would also like to point out that the Shakespeare festival under that umbrella. They don't just do the festival. They d0 0ther stuff with school throughout the year as well, and they do like smaller productions throughout the year as well. So it's not just the festival they do. Well, that's right. They go, and they do so. Let's. Let's move this on that they i'm sorry. Could you say that I apologize? Yeah, that there there is a a rule in our grants program that they cannot give money to see you. The administration. We actually work with you administration to build the language that makes it

[71:03] that that makes it enforceable on their end. So not up. The Us. Grant gets passed on to you. Administration. Okay, yeah, I wasn't alleging that I just because I apologize. Okay. Okay. she. So if I could make a suggestion, if if there is, someone wants to make a motion about the green highlights here and approve it. Doesn't you want to call them. and we get a second. We may have a boat that gets us enough votes to do that. If we don't, then we could come back, but that would at least stop the the next step along I would make a motion that we approve these reports pending. Oh, no, because they said and ask follow questions.

[72:04] All of them approved. Okay, with questions. Okay, I'm: Good. With that. So then 2 s, then did I. They show up that we group the 3 with questions and then it's correct. so I don't trouble hearing you. It's very garbled. so i'll i'll. I'll speak at the motion on the table from Caroline, and second, by el aid, is to approve all Shakespeare Festival Museum of Boulder and the spark with questions. Yes, so I mean, I can't see Maria

[73:02] right? Well, okay, you know what I'm changing my point. I can. I change my both white? Both Sorry about to know as well. Okay. you could. and then we only we have 3 t0 2, Bruce. you know, and Roberts, do. We need a oh. 4 folks in a 7 body, or can we do free, since there are 5 people here. I'm not sure. It may be a No. I'm gonna have to look that up. Well, I just feel very uncertain about all 3 0f these organizations have significant deficits. And oh, Shakespeare festival, is It's on their budgets undiscernible to me, You know I I can't figure it out, and I there's way. Too much information that is not applicable, and therefore it seems like you can't really tell where the city's money is going.

[74:09] Museum of Boulder I and the and spark. I know I know all 3 0f those organizations are doing the work. but I question their sustainability, and I question giving them another year of funding, if it's not clear from there from their budget in their report that that they can easily provide this the programming that they said they would. So I guess I I was in favor of postponing for a month to get some answers, and then we would recertify. Well, I think I think Kathleen did a fantastic job convincing me number one. But but I think that these Geos, you know, there are a lot of organizations that were not awarded you as Grants, and so I think there is a

[75:04] certain level of due diligence on making the organization sustainable. and I think that the points that Kathleen has brought up are of significant concern, and I think that we can request further information before certifying. I don't feel like we've put an undue burden on these organizations to answer that question. Thank you. Well, said I, just don't know that it's really not unusual for businesses to be operating with that much. An affirmative vote of the majority of the members presence shall be necessary to authorize the action. So with 3 you can't approve this

[76:02] motion. or 3 t0 2. I'm. Matt. I'm sorry I can't understand what you're saying. There, there's a provision in the Arts Commission Section of Vulgar Revised Code Chapter 2 that says that a majority of commissioners present will constitute an approval of the action. I So it's 3 t0 2 approves the motion. Okay. so we're good on that. and then they have a tufts. so this one that we you don't need a motion to postpone. But I would suggest taking a quick straw poll to make sure everyone sort of that. There are n0 0bjections to proceeding with those phoning any questions. Okay. everyone in favor of

[77:12] Lauren. Do you want to read back your questions, or are you good at? I I can. But we also have the recording which I'm gonna guide them to listen to, because I do think it is a lot more insightful than what little notes that I have here. But if I can certainly so, for band of tufts to ask about there are 2,024 work. and how they intend on for selling the the their application, which is essentially the agreement that they signed to whenever they signed to this Grant, or that question is really for all of the for questions for the Shakespeare festival. How's the general operating support, Grant you specifically. Can they explain their deficit. And what do they have plan for the next 2 years with the general operating support funding specifically for museum of Boulder? How do they explain their deficit.

[78:09] What does the generate, the the Us. Grant cover specifically, and for the spark also? How is there deficit, explain? And if that is a technical issue, yes or n0 0r you know what are the actuals up to date, and for all of them it is about fulfilling their pro. I see promises in the applications, but it's really the agreement made with the City and the Boulder Arts Commission and their applications right, which is a ta, which is, they've signed a legal agreement to this. So how are they going to be fulfilling that in the next 2 years? And how do they for those that are having budget issues. How do they plan to be sustainable in the next 2 years

[79:11] organizations that i'm thinking abandoned of tufts in particular, if they would want to come to the next meeting, I mean we would still have them write something and send it to you in advance of the meeting. But if you want me to ask them to be in attendance, to answer any follow up questions for them, or for the other 3 as well. That's one of the options that we give whenever somebody is requesting an extension, or if there's questions about the program and that sort of thing. But it's up to the Commission that that would be helpful. But I I did want to emphasize that for band of tufts. It's 2 0ut of the 3 G. OS. Grant years that they say they would have an incubation year. Maybe they could. Could they define what they mean by incubation here, because my understanding from their report was that they would not be performing in boulder. So i'm wondering. The bigger question is, how will you provide benefit to the community

[80:01] in those in in those 2 0f the 3 years that you say you would be doing an incubation year. So it's a pretty significant question. And then for Colorado, Shakespeare Company, I would really like to see a simplified budget. I'd like to see their budget and a page or 2 that just refers to how they're spending the Geos money. and not have all the other See, you departmental stuff presented. hey? I think we got that quick. Thank you. Hmm. It sounds like you can move on to a management commission. If you want great matters from the Commissioner. I I want to correct something that I just said with the scholarship I said to you, doesn't have a problem pocketing the money that you does not problem accepting money.

[81:14] And if anyone else I can give a brief update on the project that Maria and I are working on with the Human Rights Commission, and we had a meeting earlier this evening, and we have a plan of action to yeah similar language for the website developed and approved by you guys as well as working. Oh, that's further. And events possibly being involved in the experiments and public arts. Just the general report back. Is that or we're continuing to move forward on that. Okay, great. Thank you for your work.

[82:22] And I, Matt, didn't mention also that one of the summits coming up is planning to have a focus on this kind of Okay, yeah, I started that conversation. So okay. anything else? N0 0kay. are you? I questions about the managers memo. I'll let you know that we probably see. Tomorrow. We'll distribute press release. We're drafting up in collaboration detail about their free, their fee waiver program. So we'll start to get the word out about that or it's already built, all the back end and the process. Yeah, so

[83:13] should be able to shout that from loose talks pretty soon. It's exciting. Is this the E. Town P. Waiver program? And can I ask you. Is that program? Do you hope to expand that t0 0ther venues? Is that part of the part of the galvanize some, some some other venues, to participate entirely up to them, of course, but we'll we'll encourage you. Thank you. and then thanks everyone for attending me your head. I thought, like really well, congratulations to Lauren for organizing that, you know. Yay, thank you, Lauren. That was so much fun. It's really good. Yeah. And and so nice to see everyone sort of gathered together in one place. There's a lot of leadership.

[84:06] and they, thanks everyone to participate in the Grants training as well, which is another one that Warren serves. Thanks for quote. It's very important. Okay. So I wanted to in 6 P. Talk about the Budget investment to the part of the funding. That's the Council proposed that you thank you very much for the comments and the recommendation in the last meeting Those were included in the staff. Memo. The first reading was on consent last week. That went fine, and next a a week from tomorrow March second. I believe it is. If there a meeting would be the second reading. That'll be the actual public hearing where people can weigh in on this and make a lot of discussion. So I don't really have any news to share about that. But we should. On our second here, we Council has to say, and they might make a decision to proceed. So we'll let you know how that goes

[85:06] our pro funding that we talked about last time. But what what is actually being discussed? Because I couldn't I wasn't able to watch that part of the City council meeting. What kind of money are they talking about? Yeah. So that there was nothing to listen to. And don't watch the video because they didn't discuss it at all. Yeah, it was on consent, which meant that they approved it without discussion. So we don't have any context to share about what they said or what they're thinking about this, that' all come on March Second. Okay. So if we want to go back and understand how much they will be deliberate over on March second

[86:05] this week. Whatever it comes out, I I will definitely forward on a copy of it to you, but in both of those it it does laid out, and city council had to ask Staff to make a recommendation for a total of $250,000 from the arc of funds for the corporate program specifically targeted at Venues and artists there was a further recommendation that you all made back to add $92,000 to that, and add upating support as one of the things to consider. So the staff recommendation is still $250,000. The Arts Commission recommendation is an additional 92, if up to Council can work that out at the March. Second. Okay. And so so I guess if if anyone feels strongly about it on the Commission, we could appear at the public meeting.

[87:05] And do you know whether that would be virtual or in person. So yeah, they it will be hybrid. So people can attend in person or virtual. You do need to sign up to speak in advance. So if you do want to do that, just a reminder. If you do speak before council, it's advised by our attorneys to go ahead and say you're a member of the Arts Commission. But you're speaking, not speaking on the Commission's behalf, speaking as an individual right, and you can also write a letter. I think that has to be right. But and and the the City Council members, they get tons of emails. But if you make it short and pithy with a great headline. They will read your email, you know, if you ask for more funding. So you know, if you like to continue to advocate for it, I would encourage you to do that for additional funds for Geos and so forth.

[88:22] 0 0kay. So finally, we're in the middle of the Commission Interview Commission to application interview process. We've had one interview conducted another One's happening this week tomorrow, maybe. and then an upcoming meeting in March Council will approve those. And so there. There's a couple of steps of process that bring us to what looks like. The April meeting is what we're doing so sort of in the middle of all that. But i'll keep everyone informed as things before I I feel like in the past this interviews were recorded. Are those available for us to look at. They are being recorded. I don't know the timeline or process for many most public. But since they are, I will share that. Okay.

[89:08] How many people apart before people applied. But 2 0f them lived outside of boulder. So I I haven't really figured out. I don't know if anyone really knows why. Yeah, you should be ours. Commission has for for a minute for more than that. But hopefully, there's 2 great people that we What would the process look like if it was one of those 2 0r both of them didn't get approved right? So it actually happens quite often that at that time seats are not completely filled, and Council has the option to extend the deadline basically and encourage more applications. And then I said, there's a cut off in the year at which point they need to make application appointments by.

[90:04] or also have to wait for, the next year. I can't remember what the date is. It's late in the year, or I think of August, or something like this. And commissioners who are in seeds with the expires terms are can be extended into their right. So yeah, Kathleen don't take a deep breath yet. I I think I can say we say we all hope that they're just 2 great people. We're going to get yeah 0 applications for for the junction playing board, which is very unusual

[91:00] that the cultural plan does have something to say about this, that artists, arts, leaders should also be government leaders, and should apply for these positions. So when you g0 0ut to the world, talk to your liaison. Groups, talk to artists come across smart people. you should tell them to apply and tell them to apply for. Well, you can't now the application deadline path. But you know, for for the future we should be encouraging our leaders to be leaders of all kinds, so tell them to apply it's a good thing. and I just want to say that this is public information. You can see the applications in a Pdf. They send out a Pdf. Of the application applicants for all the different boards and commission. So you can see you can read through the 2 applicants applications. Sorry for ours commission, and honestly, I I think we would be fortunate to have both those people if they are appointed. So you know I Yes, okay.

[92:02] you know. to be determined. But one of them I know, and I know would be a wonderful parts, Commissioner and the other one I don't know, but looks wonderful as well, so I think we'd be lucky right so, anyway. But go ahead and review those after Matt. Yeah, i'll make sure everyone that concludes my step. Okay. So I forgot to ask you there any questions about the the Memo man. I have a question. I'm sorry if I missed it in your memo. What's the status of hiring some someone to run the public art programs. We have narrowed down our finalists, and they're scheduling interviews. Now, I think we've got potential dates that go to the middle of March to finish this as soon as those are nailed down. I'll have a timeline for what to expect depending on that person's we but their other job. But that sort of thing. We'll have it once we make that offer and have that negotiation. We have a timeline. But yeah, it looks like interviews for the middle of March.

[93:05] Great. And I would actually like to clarify you. You all start the Grants awards this month. Right? Yeah. Just today you got your first Review. Okay, I Won't be participating that this year. But but you know we we can discuss whether I need to hang out for another month or 2. If there's for some reason we don't have one or 2 appointments by city council, but but I won't be doing like with the grant. So I wish you all have fun with those. That's really a wonderful process. Right? So yeah, how many, how many years, Kathleen? It's been more than 5 because your phone out of terms. You've done 6 and a half a year and a half the first time, and then I was reappointed. Yeah, so I think i'm up to something like 76 meetings

[94:01] or apps that you have to read in here. I think the Gs here. Yeah. And I in the non Gs here. It'll be closer to. I won't. Go back and count them. It's you 1,000 to me. So I know you're all going to do a great job, and I look forward to hearing about them later. You know the the grant applications that you've chosen so would be exciting. So, anyway. Thank you. Thank you for all the hard work.

[95:02] Okay. Okay. Good. Thank you, Laura. You know. at this meeting. right? That's fine. We're recording. It is.