September 25, 2024 — Boulder Arts Commission Regular Meeting

Transcript

Captions from City of Boulder YouTube recording.

[0:31] Hold on trying to think that's cool. All right. Welcome everybody to the September 2520, 24 Arts Commission meeting in Boulder. We'll start by approving the agenda for today. Anybody have any suggested changes or would like to make a motion. I'm going to make a motion that I approve the agenda, all second fallen vigor

[1:01] great. I will read the land acknowledgement. The city of Boulder acknowledges the city is on the ancestral homelands and unceded territory of indigenous peoples who have traversed lived in and stewarded lands in the Boulder Valley since time immemorial. Those indigenous nations include the Apache. Arapahoe, Cheyenne Comanche Pawnee Shoshone. to unmute the city of Boulder, recognizes that those now living and working on these ancestral lands have a responsibility to acknowledge and address the past, and must work to build a more just future. All right, moving on to the minutes from our last meeting edits or changes that you see. Do we need to discuss the resolution that we're part of those minutes. During that.

[2:00] No, we're gonna approve the minutes, and we can do that in another time. Excellent public participation. We have some opening, yes, comments or rules. rules- rules, rules. I'll read the public participation guidelines. The city has engaged with community members to co-create a vision for productive, meaningful, and inclusive civic conversations. This vision supports the principal and emotional safety for community members, staff and council, as well as democracy, for people of all ages, identities lived experiences and political perspectives. For more information about this vision and the community engagement processes please visit Bouldercoradogov. The following are examples of rules of decorum found in the Boulder revised Code, and other guidelines that support this vision. These will be upheld during the meetings.

[3:07] All remarks and testimony shall be limited to matters related to city business. No participant shall make threats or use other forms of intimidation against any person. obscenity, racial epithets, and other speech and behavior that disrupts or otherwise impedes the ability to conduct the meeting are prohibited. participants are required to sign up to speak in advance and use the name they are commonly known by individuals, must display their whole name before being allowed to speak online. In-person participants are asked to refrain from expressing support or disagreement, verbally or with applause. Traditionally, support is shown silently through American sign language applause. Thank you. And do we have anybody online that signed up to speak. There's 1 person on the line. That person is not signed up to speak. We have 2 people present that are excited to speak, and the 1st person is Deborah

[4:08] Rates. So do I sit here. No, if you could please the cameras right here, and it'll pick you up if you see in your desk over there. Yes. got copies of something that I'm gonna require. It's the ballot measure language. I just wanted to pass that out information. Think of that as your camera and your microphone. Okay, I don't see myself. But okay, yeah, you won't be in one of the big squares. Okay, yeah. So I'm Deborah Maldin. I'm here tonight on behalf of Create Boulder, to share that we plan to continue to advocate for general fund support for the Office of arts and culture.

[5:00] and we hope that he'll join us in our efforts. There is precedent for continuing general fund support for the Oac. When the 3.5 million dollars of anticipated arts, culture and heritage tax receipts kick in in 2025, according to the draft, 2025 budget, the city's departments for parks and rep parks and rep and housing and human services will receive substantial general fund, support 6.5 million dollars in the case of Parks and Rec. And more than twice that 14.2 million for housing and human services. despite also receiving significant long-term dedicated funding over 30 million dollars each. Nevertheless, the draft 2025 budget zeros out general fund spending for the office of Arts and Culture. We believe this is a missed opportunity to enrich the lives of all boulder residents and runs contrary to the 2023 arts culture and heritage tax ballot measure, approved by over 75% of boulders voters. Last year

[6:10] the measure reads, quote direct and grant funding for arts and culture nonprofits. professional artists, arts, education. venues and workspaces, public art and multicultural programs. Do you have a copy out of a 2.6 million dollars draft budget next year for the Oac. About 1 million dollars is for personnel. cultural planning transfers and other expenses costs that we believe should be borne by the city through its general. You more than most know well that 1 million dollars of additional annual support. What additional support of 1 million dollars would do for the boulder community if the funds were spent as specified in the ballot measure.

[7:00] The new cultural plan was expected to have been completed this year to inform the use of the arts, culture and heritage tax funds in its initial years. We are deeply concerned that instead of the plan informing the budget. the 2025 budget will include the new cultural plan and set a baseline for the Oac's budget out into the future. We urge you to ensure that the new plan, like the current one. reflects broad community input and a bold vision for the future. based on the aspirations and needs of our city's residents. and we hope you'll join us in advocating for continued general fund support for the office of arts and culture. After all. arts and culture are the glue that holds our community together. improving our individual and collective well-being, making our community more welcoming to all. and setting up the next generation of both rights for lifelong success. Thank you.

[8:05] Thank you, Deb. Do do we have questions for them? Does anybody have a question for Deb? Are you willing to feel? I only have a deep appreciation for you and Jen, and so many of the other folks that were part of 2 way funding and for your guidance with, and suggestions for this as well always. But thank you all I can say I want. Just want to say that I will need to leave at 6, 45. So I believe. looking at time watching you on tape delay great, and I look forward to the conversation. We'll make sure to speak up. Thank you. Thank you. Excellent. Thank you. Deb. Okay. And our second public servant to sign up to speak is Kathleen Mccoon. Hi, everyone nice to be here tonight? Thank you for having for offering this opportunity. I was a member of the Arts Commission for 6 and a half years, from 2,016 to 2023,

[9:07] and one of 5, 2. A ballot petition petitioners who helped organize the campaign along with Deb and Jan and others, and I'm now a board member for Create. Forward 2 way, provides a once in a generation, opportunity to support our creative community and help make us socially, socially and emotionally healthier, stronger, improve the life of kids, advance diversity, equity, and inclusion, and enhance life for everyone in both on behalf of many arts leaders. Great Boulder has asked the city Council to provide 1 million in general fund money to cover the arts and culture staff and administrative expenses, and the new cultural plan process we advocate for this continued support from the general fund, out of fairness and parity with other city departments, such as parks and rec and social services which receive many millions of dollars in general fund allocations every year, as well as dedicated sales, tax revenues.

[10:14] The intent of the ballot measure was to provide a more vibrant and sustainable arts, environment that benefits the whole community. The proposed city arts and culture budget that you approved would use about 25% of the 2 a dollars to backfill internal administrative functions which we believe are important, extremely important, but they will also deprive the community of the significant benefits that full use of the 3.5 million in sales tax revenues would provide. And what happens if sales revenues in the future dip an even greater proportion of the arts budget will consist of administrative costs which do keep going up every year, as we know.

[11:00] we hope that will be the case. We hope the sales tax revenues will continue to rise, but we don't know that, and we wouldn't want to see a precedent set like not having general fund support for our staff and administrative costs regarding the new cultural plan. We hope you become actively involved in the community process to determine how to spend these tax revenues over the next 20 years. We believe the plan should address the aspirations and vision of the community in the future. We ask, maybe not be limited to city budget proposals that 0 out general fund support, but to think big and help support a more expansive vision. With the help of general, with the help of general fund support. the city's 1st cultural plan identified big initiatives, and the department started with a $287,000 in funding to reach those goals 10 years ago. Or maybe it was 9 min right? We? I'm wrapping up. We reached some goals, but many we're still working toward. And we've had budget setbacks some years. That meant cutting arts, grants, and other programs. We launched the 2 way effort because we wanted to avoid this lack of sustainable budget in the future. We ask that you not be limited, but to think big and help support a more expanded vision of arts and culture and budget. Thank you very much.

[12:24] Thank you. Any questions for Kathleen, or just 2 comments 1st one I was. I was on the dairy board, and this was during covid days when when she was our liaison for the Commission, and and I use you as kind of my guidepost as to how to best serve arts organizations as as a liaison. So thank you for that, and thank you for your work on commission. And we had a discussion about what the impact is. And we were thinking about numbers. And when you're presenting, and if the if the if the ask

[13:01] of a million dollars seems daunting, you can think of it as $10 for every boulder resident of a hundred 1,000 people that live in our setting. It's a $10 investment for every resident of our city. That's 1 way to think about. Thank you appreciate that it really brings it down to kind of reality. It's like the Nprs which they're in the middle of driving great and no other participant con comments. Okay, moving on to commission business. This is a very easy transition. Because, I and just for the record, I do want to note on the record that this is some language that was developed by myself personally and with no input from staff. I know that they can't really get involved in the budget

[14:00] discussions and to the points that that Kathleen and Deb have brought up. and how they relate to the vote that we had at the last meeting. Where, you know, we approved what the the community vitality portion of the budget, as it applies to arts and culture. was what we approved. So I have some language that I put in front of you to further clarify that, and to just provide a message with that clarity to the City Council and to the Budget department. So what my resolution is and we can do if you have some minor edits, we can do that. But we can't get too deep into a discussion. If you guys aren't for it, then we'll just pass on making this a resolution. So the resolution language is that the Commission shall send that further information regarding stance on budgeting

[15:00] for the Arts to the Boulder City Council and Boulder Budgeting office Office, stating quote in follow up to the Boulder Arts Commission vote made on August 28, th 2024, approving the 2025 community vitality budget as it applies to arts, culture, and heritage. The Commission would like to clarify that its approval should not be interpreted as either a a waiver of its ability to request arts funding from the boulder. General budget should additional funds become available. or B as its endorsement of a position that no general fund support should be provided to the Arts and Culture. the Office of Arts and Culture Ms programs. So I'll open it for any discussion you'd like to have or a motion. Firstly, thank you for doing this. I think you and I were both like, and I remember even Maria and I just kind of staring each other. What is this. And why are we being asked to do a vote on this? So I think this this is. This is a nice way to

[16:00] to then go in and continue to ask for additional support where it's necessary, particularly on the administrative side. So I think this is a great compromise. Yeah, and I don't. I don't want to place it on the Commission to have a stance regarding that budget, but it's just would like to keep the door open absolutely any further discussion or a motion need to approve the resolution. Second. I'll agree with that. Right? I'll give. Okay. Great. Thank you. All right. Thank you for that. Any other commissioning business. Got it? Moving on to matters from commissioners and leans on updates. fun fun stuff. Where'd you go see? Feels weird not to defer to Maria. I did my homework, so I'm very excited, and I did a lot of things.

[17:12] So I'm usually not prepared. and some of it is because people wrote to me. But I've been in touch with Claudia. Go to ballet. I'm not going to read everything that they've been doing, because it's massive, but they have been putting in a lot of time. They worked with a consultant concerning some of the Dei concerns that brought to our attention last year. So they've worked with some consultants, with Alia Baker from ballet for black and brown bodies. Teresa roof of my ballet have looked at helping men with that they've updated their board recruitment with leadership and a goal for more equity.

[18:01] they've just. They've been doing a whole lot of like they've hired 2, 3 dancers of color elsewhere. But as I think I brought up in a previous meeting, there's concerns about how those artists can feel comfortable living in Boulder so that they can continue to attract guests. And they have their premiere night. And Jeffrey. Yeah, Jeffrey and I were both there, and they just about built Chicago holidays. It was. It was pretty. It was a pretty magical event. Streetwide had their mural festival last weekend and they're still getting doing all their data, reporting but there were 19 new murals created 7, almost completely sold out tours across the weekend panel discussions. Everything's well attended. Highlights include a mural

[19:02] in honor of the work of Laura, like cloud of water rights advocate and a mural to raise awareness and protect big cats in Colorado. Just 2 of the new murals you can look for around town and heather, and I heather from Betsy, and I've been touched, and they their season is about to premiere, and they also they're having a gallon in October, and so they? October 6th system. So thank you. Great job. Sunday, yeah. And there's still 6 bucks. We encourage that. And then just one other thing is that 2 weekends ago, the same weekend as street wise. We had a very busy arts weekend, because we went to junkyard for steamfest, which was great and kid loved it. Her friend loved it. It was fantastic. We got to smash things made from liquid nitrogen.

[20:06] and then also the Chili bowl. I'll speak again. You got it? Are you the is it you or Maria? That's the liaison for boulder ballet? So you mentioned they hired some dancers of color. Wow! That's great. After 40 years. And then trying to figure out. you know how these dancers will feel comfortable living in Boulder. I think it's going to be hard for them to figure out a brown perspective when no one on the board is brown. So I think she mentioned it was. It's not yet

[21:07] recruitment, building leadership that spans generations with diverse perspective and backgrounds and dance bringing increased representation. And they've also made their pay more transparent. Anything else want to do thank you. Thanks for participating. Our event. Juncture, social clubs, event, steam fest, which receives arts, education funding. I had about 350 attendees. We're happy that 65 of those were on scholarship offered way. More than that, with 65 attended on scholarship. 18 participating artists, about 25 volunteers, which school alliance kids came up and helped out same weekend lemon sponge cake had their shows, so unfortunately I was way overworked to be able to make it to it, but I heard great things from Jennifer

[22:10] and then frequent flyers has a show coming up on the 18th that Nancy wanted me to mention for spooky cabaret. I went to polar museums. it sounds juicy. Okay. Event. And it was nice. I that was the second time I've gone you know, I'm always looking for Diversity. And in the 10 films that I watched, only 2 of them had brown people. and there, and there wasn't like any Asian or Hispanic, so room for expansion there. But otherwise the quality of the films in the dancing of itself in the film is

[23:03] so if you don't know what that is, they they do films. So yeah. And I met with this was a while ago. Now. person who is owning and running east window. Todd Herman. Huh! Todd Herman. Yes, met with him. That was really nice, just as liaison to get to know him, and what is what's going on, and how it's going. And I was really impressed with He is his gallery features art from people who, it seemed mostly like physically

[24:00] challenge people. And it was just interesting to hear this. The perspective of artists who are not walking or don't have full use of their body. It was really cool, and we had a conversation about a grant from years ago. And he was like, yeah, you gave us our lowest support. And I was like, really and I remember this. I remember the the grant, and wanting to know more information and wanting to go and see what they're doing. And I asked him to tell me about that experience. And so. and his response was that he actually looked at the organization. I think my comments were about the Dei group that they had for their organization and

[25:04] his reaction was to actually diversify the group that they had, and because I had said like, Can you put their pictures up and put their names up? And so they did that. And I thought that was just a positive response, I guess. Let's see kind of transitioning into one mind, which is 3rd law dance, and they're right now. They're offering a lot of classes balance dance for balance classes that are offered. They're focused on Parkinson's people with Parkinson's, but open all. So those are open enrollment, and if you know, people might benefit from that, that's ongoing. And then T. 2 dance has their gala coming up October 13, th which is at the Denver performing Arts Center, the Ellie Poppings House, and then they've got voices, which is a dance film being shown at the dairy. I don't know why I pointed to you. But November 16th

[26:18] so I might go check that out. And then a reminder that Kgmu has a public calendar of Arts events on their website. So if you have organizations that are like, why can't we get more people to come? Remind them of that resource? And then I'm hoping to get an update next month on. How are the things going with their new build out? That sponsorship asks for them or series that they're producing? got see Deb and I went to see separately Boulder Ballet on Friday. They basically filled the hall at Chautauqua. It was a really electric magical evening.

[27:02] I met with Chris Taylor. Individually. he is the new executive director for the Museum of Boulder. and then I got to meet with he and Juliet Barch. He's she's the new development director there. Folks will remember her previously from the Library Foundation. Before that she was working over at the Dairy Arts Center as well. So I got to meet with them and talk about where their finances are, but where the programming is to, and they have a 4 year plan for exhibits within the space. And it's really exciting. It's very engaging. And and there's there's way to ways to monetize it also to help help build their capacity, which is something that they're rather desperately needed. On Saturday, October 5, th they're having a gala at the Museum for their 80th anniversary. So I am. I've already got my tickets for that. So again, that's Saturday, October 5th Avenue boulder.

[28:02] and then for viva Theater. They receive one of our 6 organizational grants this year. and it was the 1st time they received one from us. And they're a small organization working with the historically underserved population. They are, they are for and by elders. And so they've got a lot of folks that are on stage and active 80 years old, 90 years old, 95 years old, and my 1st introduction with this organizations, probably about 15 years ago, and I saw their most recent production in the spring. and was really moved by what they're doing and and how they're doing it, and what level they're doing it. And so I met with them leadership there at the end of July, because I just received a ran from us. I want to coach them along, and within 2 months we were to put together the 1st Ever fundraiser Gala, and that was Sunday at the Dairy Arts Center. We got the licensure rights for a film called Ghost Light.

[29:08] which is about the power and the transformative nature of community theater, either as a participant on stage or watching it. And it's it wrecked us. But we filled the the Gordon Gam Theater just about all the way full, and then did an ask in the lobby and reached a goal of a $10,000 fundraiser for them. So this was. This was their 1st time, and it was very exciting, and it was a great community builder and friend raiser for that as well, and then their next production manager came to dinner opens next month. It's 1 of those great Kauffman and Moss, but a great American place from like 19 late thirties, early forties. So get a chance to go. See that also. Local theater has stockade opening here in about a week and a half. I encourage you to investigate that and go see that production. I met with Travis over at Orlando.

[30:01] Talking about what their 3 Year Plan is, what their history is you got to brag about. You know the the early days with the dev basically getting them their space down down there, and and what they're doing and at what level they're doing now, and just what their reach is. And then we talked some some Geos stuff as well, and then Shakespeare festival. They put out the call for auditions for 2025 for their shows, and at the end of October we'll have our next board meeting, as well as a season of goose party. That also happens in the same week. So we kind of know what to look forward to next summer for thanks everyone right? Anything else that would fall under other topics from the community tomorrow at junkyard. Social Club is a nonprofit meetup. 1st of what's going to be a monthly. Last Thursdays of the month. Nonprofits connect.

[31:02] Sometimes there might be speakers, sometimes it might be facilitated collaboration. It's being put on in partnership with the community resource center. So if you have, yeah, do you want to share with liaisons on our website, I can also share it out with you all individually, after the meeting public art program remnants. That's right. Records. No, that's fine. Hi, everybody. I have some public art progress updates. what? I wanted to talk to you about tonight was our experiments in public art program. so we working with the standing selection panel, the standing selection panel is really in charge of temporary art donations and deaccessions of permanent public art. So the experiments in public art falls under temporary art. This year we do have some general fund dollars to spend with experiments in public art.

[32:12] but because of the short timeline, or to encumber the funds before the end of the year. The panel decided to do a sort of lecture workshop series. Which isn't, which is in keeping with kind of past projects that experiments in public art has funded. So the panel decides to create an invitational, a list of 20 artists or artist teams that have civically engaged art practices. These artists were invited on July 17, th via email. 5 of the 20 artists did respond with proposals, and those proposals were all approved by the standing selection panel on September 10.th I'm gonna go through each of the projects right now. But we're hoping that these the budgets will range between 5 to $15,000 per project and the series we're hoping the series will run May of next year through September. So as

[33:04] Boulder Arts Week wraps up in April, we can start kicking off experimental public art, which will be a combination of lectures, workshops, and potentially some temporary art installation. So I'll just gonna quickly go through. The proposal. So, Anna Marie Hernando, she's a local artist. She'll lead a lecture or 2 about her civic practice and her current projects. She'll also talk about her involvement experiments in public art in 2016. We're looking at her being sort of our kickoff artist in May, and there is a possibility here for a temporary art installation or computer community art making workshop. So beamer, Torres is also a local artist. He will lead a lecture or 2 we're we're I can get to this a minute, but he'll lead a lecture or 2 on his transformation from a graffiti artist in Denver to a really well-known neural artist. He'll also lead a design workshop and a live mural painting project with community members. So we're looking at September 2025 to kind of

[34:02] cap the series. So 2 local artists will launch and then close the series in 2025. And there's a possibility for a partnership here with streetwise arts. Their bureau festival, which just happened 2 weeks ago, is in September, so this might be a perfect partnership. Sarah and Joseph Bellnap. They're from Illinois. They will lead an immersive and an interactive presentation and performance about outer space and art making they'll also hold an art making workshop under the stars. we're looking at August 2025 for this series. And there's a possibility for a partnership with fiscal open space. So it'll be a really cool experience to happen from physically. Molly Gambardella. She's from Connecticut. She'll lead a lecture about her partnership with the New England Botanic Garden and her art making process using mass produced objects, reused objects. And looking at June for this lecture and workshop, and there is a possibility for a partnership with growing gardens and eco cycle, and for a temporary

[35:09] art installation as part of the her workshop and lecture. And then, finally, we're not a Gaoy and Francesca Rodriguez Sawaya. They're from New York. They're going to lead an augmented reality lecture about the history of weaving and computing through key objects and stories with a digital exhibition. We're looking at July for this project to happen. And there's a possibility for a partnership with Cu boulder art lab and weaving studio. So we and we're in. We got the proposals. They were all approved. We have additional funds. So the panel asked me to go back to each of the artists, and ask if they would, instead of doing one lecture. Could they do 2 lectures like one in the evening and one on an afternoon. And if there's any possibility to kind of beef up a little bit of these programs, so I'm in that process right now.

[36:00] Negotiating with these 5 different artist teams. So if we do, just for you all process wise, if if there are going to be any temporary art installations on public property, I'll come back for more of a formal approval from you all. But right now it's really a lecture and workshop series, so there's really no need for a formal approval from you all. but I'm happy to answer questions. My favorite thing about every single one of those projects is the fact. There's a collaborative nature with a with a local organization, organizations that will benefit that organization from them learning. But it will also help Co promote the the events, too. So it's it's it's the perfect win. So congrats on that. Thanks. Well, thank you for your time. Yeah, no question is good news, I guess. Thank you. Sure. Great. Thank you. All right, Lauren.

[37:01] Okay, and actually, before I get started, I would like to welcome Sarah, who's been sitting back here. We need your help. I'm glad you're here. He's already doing a wonderful job. Can you just say 2 sentences about yourself? Sure. Hello, Commissioners. I'm Sarah Harrison, the new Grants program manager. I previously managed grants for the Colorado Department of Transportation and Colorado Street. Very happy to be here on week 2. I'm happy to take some. We're finally off of Lauren's hands and I'm getting settled. But I'm looking forward to getting to know you all better in a few months. Welcome. Welcome. Okay, so hopefully, tonight will be the last time I present on the Grant program, because we'll take turns in the future. And but let's look at rampants. Okay? One second

[38:06] Grant reports, and sorry for a the snapu of giving you such. I deeply apologize. This is why Sarah's here. You had just 3 to look at the boulder community media project. The sounds to see festival of dance cinema, which might be actually what you were talking about that they shouldn't in their report pretty quickly. So good for them. So and then Jessica Bertram Cu boulder arts administration graduate certificate program. This is one of our leadership certificate. Yeah. so by now I imagine that you know the drill. You have the option to approve them all approve individual reports, improve individual reports with questions. postpone approval until any of your questions have been answered or not approve them, and cancel the final payment. Do you have language for us wants to make a motion, and then we can open it for discussion if it gets seconded.

[39:05] I move that we approved the Grants report from boulder community media, Santa City festival of dance, cinema and Jessica Bertram. That's savage. It's Let's open it for discussion first.st If there's any feedback or questions both the community community media. That was that was extensive. and it was a a big collaborative lift with a lot of different funders in that. Put the language back up. Remember who I'm talking about. No. I was really impressed with with what they were able to produce, as well as how it really is guiding the city to notice. you know some of the the actual subject matter of of the film. Since Susie, I thought it was

[40:00] an astounding amount of work to put put that together, as well as having the dancers actually work. As the photographers also, and directors. So I was really impressed by every aspect of that Jessica Bertram. I don't remember. I don't know if I was a voting member when we went through that one originally thought for for an $8,000 grant, having 70 participants, was kind of a low number in general, so I'd like to see more more. Speaking towards that specifically. So that was that was my takeaway from that but but happy to to approve the the reports. if you. My only comment was on the Jessica bird from Grant and I. I really did appreciate the impact she seemed to have on the people who were there, and that her intention was really seems to have been

[41:04] in line with the outcomes, and I really hope now that the Cu dance department sees the value of this kind of outreach programming, and will support her with her own financing. That would be great. That'd be a beautiful town gal thing right there, got you? I I just appreciated Jessica. I could tell the excitement like coming through like she was so excited about it. The fact that she's like 1st time my time at see you, I felt connected to the community. Yeah. no. that's what the arts alright ready for a vote all in favor. Unanimous. Great great program blueprint cool, and we'll send the comments to the applicant also with the royal wedding. So not me.

[42:02] Okay, step 3. So you received a lot of documentation. I appreciate all of the time that you spent on it. Thank you. Thank you in advance. and really, our only question is, if you have questions or advice on the program documents that were included in the packet, and I will give you a verbal refresher of all the things that you have done, which was the Grant panel process, which was the big shift for next year. There were also You might not have even noticed frankly, but like we shifted the artist hiring grants and the professional development grants earlier in the year. That was something that we've heard from people over and over. It's 1 of the ways before we do a full culture PIN blueprint that to help some of the programs happening earlier in the year like that are happening like for a monthly junior day, right? the rubric for leadership, pipeline scholarship which you requested for next year. We did a version of a rubric, but still hopefully respectful of it being for an individual and having some of that

[43:06] you know you're talking about an individual instead of an organization or a Grant project, right? It's like what they're working on. So a little bit different. than our normal cell rubrics. But still some numbers, because that's what you best for. And then some minor adjustments to the scoring system, and the rubric, and the rest of our discussion, too, and all of these discussions, just to point out. We will be giving all of these to the consultants to to talk about what we want for upcoming years, and what we want them to be looking at when they're benchmarking with other cities and other grant programs like these are the concerns that this mission has and that we have a staff. I'm sure you could listen to them. Talk about it. And how can we? How can you help us? dig into best practices and make that, and then be best as ourselves. Right? Thank you. Would, you bet. Perfect. Yeah, for us to do the best practice, particularly. We're open to the conversation about

[44:02] hiring someone to. That's the Grant panel. So they're in those documents. And I apologize. It is a lot of information. There is a process built out in the documents for a Grant panel for next year, so it'll be a pilot, and I ensure that as every pilot we will have things to learn through that new practice. But it is in that very long packet. If you look, if you search for the Grant panel process. So we built it out, and we're gonna try it. And we're gonna learn. Spoke to a lot of our concerns and hesitations. And and I I felt like everything kind of been add value to people brought up, or at least patches. So I felt pretty pretty secure with that, so that great sure I'm noticing something that may, I may already know the answer on the leadership, pipeline Fund scholarship. The purpose of the grant is very rooted in language around those who are going to support equity, and in the arts and leadership in those fields, and that's not reflected in the language for

[45:15] the scoring so the the tie in there is that they will have had access to traditional leadership, development opportunities versus not having access to traditional leadership. development, opportunity. Thank you. Sorry, thank you. and they will have an interest in becoming a mentor advocate or not having an interest. And there is some delicate government language happening there. We cannot say like, we cannot narrow who we are. Yeah. So this is a way to say. have you had limited access to traditional leadership opportunities? And that means many different ways, right? That could be all kinds of things right? It basically implies that they they they did come from a historically underrepresented or underserved population. Yeah, okay. However, that seems right.

[46:05] And this language, too. Could it go through some edits? I mean, this is, that's what it's for. But that tracks. Yeah, thank you, for there's some delicacy to it. Thanks for asking. Yeah. I wonder, too, we can but information in there around, because I know we have the question of Have you received? Oh, sure, yeah, we have like a like, if you're a 1st time applicant, or if you've received a competitive Grant before. and when they're answering that question, I I was always thinking that was in regards to this the Boulder Arts Commission cause. I think it would be good information to know. You know, it's organizations are getting grants from multiple spaces. Oh, oh, that's interesting.

[47:00] because I know that as an individual artist, yeah. I noticed I applied for a grant someplace else, and didn't get the grant, but the list of grantees showed that there was a large organization in there that got the grant that it's so large. Organizations are getting all grants all around, and it makes it hard for us to grow as a community. The arts to grow and change when the smaller individuals coming to town, just speaking from like, it's so heartbreaking to watch these individuals come into town, and they're doing something new and different. And then they need because they're not getting the support that they need. So yeah, just a few. and also make sure the system speaks. Yeah, like, if one person's getting all the grants like they might be coming from a place.

[48:02] But they're benefiting from the systems that we're talking about changing right? And I also don't want it to. I also wanna make sure it's not disqualifying. And and you know, organizations, or that at least that it's it's something that we can grade on. Are you getting it or not? Just so, we know. because they may be, it may be an organization that is producing programming that that speaks to one of our criteria or all of the criteria, right? Definitely, obviously, would have to keep the our larger organization. It's yeah, well, yeah. But it's it's yeah. But you are right. It's important to know. Yeah. let me speak to those 2 things. Just what comes to mind. The 1st is that I don't know. 3 or 4 years ago the Commission very purposely added, the individuals category community projects for individuals for exactly that reason because they were always. you know, organizations with grant writers. And then small organizations were just more competitive. Right? Yeah. So the Commission decided to separate funds out specifically for individuals, which is wonderful, right? Like it's, I think it has served some of that purpose. Yeah, the second piece is that. And this is something, I'm thinking, if we can make a note about it. And in the budget that they

[49:13] provide, other funders should be listed because you're not just looking at their outgoing funds. You're looking at their revenue right? And we do give them a link which probably needs to be updated. But there's a link to, hey? Here's a sample budget. If you want to see what the budget looks like, and I'll just double check that we have separate. that we have some language about making sure that you're listing your revenue and your other sources, because that would be a real clear. you know, even if they're applying for certain grants, or they're looking at certain grants. It would be listed there, you know. Yeah, yeah. thank you. But then, would we also need cost of operations.

[50:00] Well, they're putting there in like, project budget, yeah, and for general operating support, they're putting in their operating budgets. Yeah, okay, maybe it's just some language to help make it clear what you're looking for. Yeah. Yeah. Is there a reason why this fan is? No, it was really warm, and the sun is out. And then, now, it's yeah to get you some like, yeah. thank you. We'll see what we have for now in the in the Grant stuff it's just to be. Thank you. I did see a typo in the she used to send like immaculate it was in the chat. I'm trying to find the correct page to book it for you. It was in the general operating.

[51:02] I just I will forget to give it to you. Put it down to page 12, if you if you Google for 14. Thanks, man. So if that looks good to everyone, let me just put up some next steps here. Nope. hey? So thank you very, very much for your time. And through all of this, because I know this has been now like 4 or 5 meetings and trainings, and talking and talking to each of you, and I really appreciate it. This is the kind of thought that I deeply appreciate and want from all of you. So thank you.

[52:04] If there is any public comment, I'm just gonna say copy edit again. if there's and there's let me double check. Just that. There's somebody online. Okay. And then for next step. Sorry I forgot. Yes, please. And it was in the section about the new panelists coming in and There's a bunch of stuff about the conflict of interest, and my thought was. there's language about being able to defend their scores, and I would like to see it a little bit more personalized in terms of that it's it's got to be reflected back through the rubric like your scores is reflected in the rubric, or you know, however, people wants to come up with language on that

[53:01] everyone. Thank you. But interesting. So thank you. Comment for our next steps. We will vote on the Grant program in full at the October retreat. and you will know, and I can also send it out if y'all are interested that there are city council budget dates between now and then. So there are some points of interest which might change things we don't know, but the vote will be at the October retreat, which is on the next slide. But then there are Grant info sessions on November 21st and December 12, th we'll do one online, which is live translated. So there's a Spanish version, and then there'll be one in person. and we'll reach out about. Excuse me. is the intended audience, for that. The persons who are filling out the grants. We don't have any involvement in this. In this. In the past. We've usually had one Commissioner each to ask questions and to respond as to like, how you're thinking of things. It's a lot of the people that attend are really new applicants that have really never gone through the program. So they'll ask about. I mean, you've done it before right? Haven't you spoken at one of those

[54:21] you like sort of field questions about. Oh, this is when I'm looking at the rubric. And then I'm thinking of this, and when I'm looking at the community priorities, like, you know, there's sort of guidance from you as commissioners that have read a million applications. Now, right? So 2 dates, we'll reach out to hopefully get a volunteer at one of each. It's always really nice to have one of you there to like talk to people, and just to meet the new people in town. The new applicants right? And then just a couple of upcoming dates for this commission in particular. Thursday, October 17, th is our Land Acknowledgement Committee, and everybody's invited we are. I've been working with Bill Yates.

[55:04] from our. He's a primary contact for tribal nations, and we have a consultant in from this house who's going to come present? It's going to be amazing, highly recommend. You attend. This will be like, I believe at this point it'll be like a training like we we've done with Anna Sylvia that it'll be noticed, but not recorded. But we're still kind of going back and forth on that, and then our retreat will be 2 to 7 on Wednesday, October 23, rd at Roots. It's going to be a lot of fun. I think it'll be really interesting and thoughtful, and we'll do some good stuff there. So just the Land Acknowledgement Committee is that here? Yes, it is, and I will. Why don't I send out a reminder just in case myself? It is Richard. Yes. really. it's in my calendar. Yeah, it's on my calendar. It it does say, it's here. Okay, great secretary. He's over. I mean, that's why I hired him.

[56:02] and that's it from me. Thank you. Everybody. Thanks for your time, too. Let me put the last one. That one. Did we really get through this in an hour? Right? I mean, I mean, look at us well, we still have questions from managers. Memo. Anybody have questions about that October retreat, any comments about the October retreat, expectations, fears, excitement. I have very high expectations. Okay? Good grades. Excellent. Well, then, let's eat some more barbecue and get in. Yes.