November 20, 2024 — Boulder Arts Commission Regular Meeting

Transcript

Captions from City of Boulder YouTube recording.

[0:00] There you go, and, Jeffrey, there's no way for us to moderate the filming, so I'm sorry about it. Just kind of does what it desires. All right, we're recording. So let's start our November 20, th 2024 meeting of the Boulder Arts Commission. And hopefully, we can get you guys out of here really quickly. Let's do an approval of the agenda. Someone would like to make a motion. Aye, seconds. I'll second all in favor of the agenda passes, I'll 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. These indigenous nations include the Apache, Arapahoe, Cheyenne command Sheet for me Shoshone Sue, and mute.

[1:08] 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. and with that we'll move on to approving the October 2024, meeting and retreatment. Anybody have a motion. I'll make a. We're just approving the retreatment votes or sure in favor. Great. Okay, unanimous, wonderful. And I understand that we don't have anybody signed up for public participation. And nobody here or is anybody online. There's nobody online. Okay?

[2:02] All right. Moving on to commission business. Excuse me. The additions there other than our normal matters from Commissioners we should talk about. Georgia wasn't at the Retreat, so I think we should talk about the how we want to move forward the discussion on indigenous plan acknowledgement that is perfect. We have that under the next section. We will. We will get to that. We'll fill you in on some of the takeaways with that. Okay, no commission business. We'll move on to matters from commissioners and liaison updates. I'm I met with bit and had a nice chat talked about, you know. some funding challenges, not with the city, but like the larger sector.

[3:02] frustrations and whatnot but also perhaps future opportunities that could be presented. I couldn't hear who you were. Thanks. Buddy. Cheryl. I couldn't hear who you were speaking of. I don't. I'm so. Where the owl is. I have to talk to the owl, the owl intimidate you. I met with Kathy and Robin from Boulder International Film Festival. Oh, yeah. which is always a lovely meeting. But there, you know, it's they don't need a lot of support. They just have frustrations about, like, you know, funding in general. not particular to the city like statewide. but also foresee that there could be opportunities present themselves. So optimistic about that and yeah, good meeting. And I I'm going to see the little ballet. Nor am I not back there with my parents next week.

[4:02] and and my child. Good. This is an exciting time for B. Moca. I think, Lauren, you just mentioned that they are. They have their final 3 shortlisted architecture firms. The interviews have happened tonight is the last presentation. Presentations are at B. Moca, and they had a 150 folks signed up for tonight's presentation. So getting lots of public interest, and hopefully, it'll be a recommendation and final selection for our team, probably in January, has to be approved by the board go through that. So that's exciting. I can't remember if I told you all. I went to the Mallorfest house concert and roll off. Did I tell you that I can't remember roll out of next year, sometimes forgot with the retreat. That's they have another fantastic year planned for next spring, so we all have been to the Mallorfest. I think it's really fun. And

[5:00] I did chat with Modis. This was probably in September, and followed up with Ethan from Mahler Fest and Lauren. I sent you an email, you know. I think a lot of the organizations are confused by the bridge year funding, so I don't know if there's been another blast or update. I think that would be helpful on bringing them. You don't have to feed or staying in touch with them. Maybe you've done that already. Yes, I did send an email out somehow. There is still confusion. So I guess I'll try. And wordsmith that again to extra emphasis. But okay, great thanks. So yeah. Sorry. I'm late. I have been in a workshop with the Boulder chamber today since 8 o'clock this morning. Oh, my gosh! The leading change! It was amazing. Harnessing the power of diversity, equity, and inclusion in business. So I took 3 workshops. And then we had 2

[6:08] presentations. That were really really impactful. There's so much information that I would like to bring to the commission about this, because I think that as we one of the things I learned so many things, my brain is so quiet right now. One of the things I learned is like, I know that we have our diversity bi initiatives, and in order for us to. you know, put that out to the our organizations. We have to embody that ourselves. And we talked yeah, just about a lot of things, the beloved community fairness. Creating safe spaces so that people can have perspectives and be safe and without punishment or consequences.

[7:02] With that being said, I also want to let you know I've had meetings in the last 2 months with Junie Joseph, who was on city council. She's 1 of the people that was on council that voted me on she's now at the State level. I had a meeting with Taisha. She's also in the current city council, and I had a meeting, and she referred me to. There we go. What is our city manager had a meeting with her last week. The Arts Commission. I have been on for a little over 4 years. Are we still doing liaison updates right now? Or, this is another topic. This is just my updates. Okay, can we finish. Really I don't. I don't want to get too. I want to give you space to say what you want, but I feel like we're going a little off topic. And I want to finish up the liaison updates.

[8:02] And then can we come back to this? That work for you? Sure. Okay, thank you Did you have any more on the liaison updates? No, okay, Jeffrey. Did you have any I've got? I've always got some. I've got some. Yeah. Okay, I guess. Thank you. Cheryl, as a reminder, I've got to meet with the gals here coming up soon on on 2025 support and then, Maria, I always every time I see Ethan from Mahler fest I let him know that he has the biggest fan and advocate. For Mahler fest on the, on the liaison, on the Commission as as a liaison within you. So thank you for that Shakespeare festival! We've had our season announcement party for 2025, and we had the numbers for ticket sales and support for 2024 released because of the ongoing Gos, as well as a little extra love from Cu in this year and next year. That's really how they're able to continue to operate in the black as they went through last year, and this coming season without their 1,100 seat.

[9:16] Mary Ripon Theater, which will be back bigger and better than ever. In 2026 I met with Nancy Smith recently from frequent flyers. I'm not her particular liaison, but had a quick coaching session with her and got her connected to a number of other things, and we we schemed on some fundraising and and further programming ideas. I was entrusted. Through the team here at the Vitality office to be one of 3 panelists on for the Fundraiser Summit, with Carrie as well as Mark Reagan. And we. It was standing room only in that room that you're in right now. So thank you for entrusting me with that. I've met with leadership at local theater company on some of the really transformative work that they're doing on commissions as well as their work within the schools, particularly St. Brain Valley School district on a playwright series, and how we can

[10:12] best amplify and support that creative nations is being able to launch their 1st big fundraiser through a matching donation which will take them through Colorado gives day. So that's exciting for them to be doing that on their own as well. And that's that's my Updates. I have 3 different updates the 1st one is from Eco arts. Who says, that the biggest thing that they're dealing right now with is trying to figure out what trump is going to do about immigration, because they have a lot of mixed status families. But I thought it was worthwhile to read the 2 good things that they have as their takeaway for the situation. They had an interaction where Vinnie Montez, from the Boulder County Sheriff Department called to ask how everybody was doing and work out some sort of presentation in January from the sheriff's department about how they're hoping to help the community with whatever comes out of the Trump administration. So they're working on that. And then they're working on a workshop with Sophie Chan combining textile art with migration stories.

[11:24] So they've got some some good programming to to help them through that. I'm sorry you kind of rolled off your tongue quickly. Can you clarify what they're they have documented residents, or can you? Just yeah. I'll read that again. Sorry I missed that. Think you said in it. Yeah, now, I've closed my email. And I have to find that give me a moment. Yeah, we have so many mixed status families we work with who are terrified about having their families split up.

[12:12] Thank you. Yeah. Then. I heard from 3rd log dance who just had their dance for Parkinson's program, and that went off really, really well. And I wanted to read one portion of it. Of their little report out. Each dancer was prompted to generate movement material that was both externally and internally initiated to complement the motivation behind their their guests. Work And they did that by rendering into dance movement connections not only to systems within their bodies, but to

[13:06] connections with their past and geographically where they were from. And it's just sort of really like a cool program. And you went to that also. So it sounds like that was really great. And then finally, pull it up. The Gmu is moving forward. They are on track 4th quarter for occupation. Certificate of occupancy in the end of 2025 on their new space. and they offered to have me, and whoever else from the Commission wants to go and do like a hard hat walk through, and they could do that Monday or Wednesday. If anybody wants to join me on one of those days.

[14:08] just reach out, and if it's more than is allowable, we'll just get another group together. Just reach out or tell me after the meeting. This is kgnu is doing the build out on their building, and I'll read a little bit. He had a really good description of what they're hoping in local places, and it's on the street. Yeah, it used to be a maybe. Oh, oh, the ice rink! Yeah. So the facility that they're building, he says we'll have ample, accessible and rentable community and cultural space, a 70 to 100 person, black box style, flexible performance space with audio, visual audio video and broadcast capabilities.

[15:00] a rooftop patio and meeting events room, a community cafe and co-working space, including flex, flexible media training space. They're excited to be considered in a recent city of boulder, affordable commercial pilot grant program and they're going to be working with our office and the commission to provide some mural space. And there's a lot of exciting stuff going on over there. So by the end of next year, going to be a full spot. We can go take a tool. Are they part of the venues program? I don't know. I think that's a great question. The black box, if that is already part of the venues program. Oh, yeah, they're definitely on our radar. I want to go see it, though I haven't like done that, and I can keep an eye on everybody, too. I think we can go as a group as long as we're not discussing anything formal. But I can also go in and track.

[16:05] Yeah, awesome. Right? Okay? So that'll wrap up liaison updates and. One other real quick thing. Sorry on latest updates. When you mentioned 3rd law. It also reminded me of something else that I'd spoken with Nancy Smith over at frequent flyers. They're renting and have been for years 2 big spaces over by the Valmont Post office. and it's not being used during the weekdays. And they are they. They do have folks like their lawn. A couple other organizations come in. but not really enough to really show much monetizing for that space that they're paying for, anyway. So I'm gonna go look at the space. The 1st week of December. She's putting together some some information for me, and then I'm gonna start. I'm gonna send it all along to us as well. But I'm gonna start sending it some other folks saying, Hey, they have this space. They're they're charging less than anyone else in town. Can you use it during business hours during weekdays once I go see and and see what the capabilities of the facility are. But I think that's a great opportunity for be a for them to just build a revenue stream.

[17:11] Thank you. Thank you for mentioning that. Yeah, okay, back to Georgia, you had started to to. I'm assuming that it's something that we could fit under the commission business or on the agenda. Okay, well, I can talk about it. And if you stop me again, let's put it in there. Okay. So, as I was saying, I have meetings with the 3 individuals, Jenny, Joseph Taisha, and Newark, Nuria, our city manager, reason being because Arts Commission has always been something that I loved and enjoyed and felt like. I was working with a really righteous group of people who were going, who were supporting the arts in our community. I have not felt that way this year at all. The the.

[18:06] And it's a good concern to me. And I've brought what I've been witnessing to these people and letting them know that I don't want to be on a commission anymore because of the way I've been treated this year. and the things that I brought up was the Boulder ballet budget situation. This was you know, a grant that was written. Basically, you know, I hope, that there can be some training for commissioners to be able to recognize when organizations are utilizing marginalized populations to get grants for money? And Also, you know. my question has always been, to what standard are we holding organizations when we're funding them? Because, you know, again bringing up Lance Harding.

[19:01] His experience when he came in and spoke about how he was treated as a person of color by boulder ballet, and how I was treated as a person of color by boulder ballet. Because I worked there for 3 years. ran, I started so many programs. I wrote the curriculum for the school. I was the person to bring that to the school director, because I was setting classes from babies up to the point that there was no consistency between the classes, and this is a school that's been open for 40 years that had no curriculum, so I was the one to point it out. I wrote the curriculum and then, few months later, I got an email from the school director saying, Have you finished it? Because I've hired an assistant, and we're going to take it, and we're going to use it. And there was no opportunity for me to. I spoke with Claudia. I was like, why wasn't I,

[20:00] you know, let to know that their closest position open? They are nonprofit, they should be, you know, equity employers. And I said, Why wasn't i i should have at least had the opportunity to apply, given the work that I'm doing in a school, and I was told that this other woman was just doing the work, and it kind of fit, and they just created the position for her in which she's a friend of theirs, who is a white woman who already has a job at Cu. So this is part of systemic racism that keeps opportunity only to a certain people. And so, just with that knowledge, you know. Like, where are our standards? As far as who we are funding, especially when we have Dei initiatives in our community control plan and when I left the school there were so many parents that were calling upset that I was leaving because I was a very beloved teacher there, and they were like, When can she come back?

[21:02] Or at least can we have another person of color? As a teacher in the school, because there were people that were bringing the kids all the way from the area to be in that class, children of color so that they could see people of color in leadership, position? And I knew this because both Andrea called me and said, we have so many people complaining like, what should we do. and they often called me, or advice on how to come. do their positions, and run the school with them being paid, and having positions, and me volunteering my information. And I said, well, I can come back with these 2 and exemptions. I didn't want to work one class at a time, and I didn't want to work on Saturdays. I was offered one Class Wednesday and one class on Saturday, so said, I'm not going to be there, and they filled my position with 2 white women, and offered me $12 an hour to train them.

[22:09] So I think that it's important to like, I said. form a standard of like we are funding the other thing. There were 3 things that I brought up to in my meetings. The second piece was the situation with the dairy and my low scores, and how I was treated, and creating a space of belonging. and that welcome! What's the word? That's the word using some different psychological standpoint. Okay, this is alright. He is with the boulder chamber. He's part of our equity amplification program. I've also brought this to that program, and he's here for my support. But I'm not the only person of color in the room, as I always have been.

[23:04] So thank you. yeah, psychological safety where someone can share their perspective and not have punishment consequence. And then it stays in the room. And then it doesn't go out into the community. And which is what I experienced experienced in that situation, having mean spirited emails being sent around about me by other commissioners and their spouses. That should not be something that's happening in my with the knowledge that I had about being on a board, and I'm appointed here by City Council because of my level of experience and education in the arts. and the last piece that I brought up is biases within the Commission or organizations.

[24:08] and I think that I know that Jeffrey and I brought this up before has admitted that he's friends with everyone on the board at the dairy. He's friends with them. He's worked with them all before he's been on the board, and if he's was treated as I was treated and had to was. you know, being asked for a $1,500 fee to be on the board, that he also has a financial an interest in the organization and for him to be voting on the Grants. I think if there's a conflict of interest there. Oh, the last piece was the Board appointments last year. The conversation was between Caroline and I. Caroline's response was, I could do it or not, you know.

[25:04] I'm happy to do it, but it doesn't matter, and Bruce wanted me to be chair and I was open to it. Jeffrey appointed Caroline and then Bruce appointed me, and he said to have the intention of me becoming chair next year to be the 1st person of color as chair on the Arts Commission. That's what he said. I don't know the history of it, so I don't know if that's actually true. But And then what we experienced this year is, Caroline reappoints herself. and then it's for chair. It's between Jeffrey and I, and Jeffrey is appointed, and I'm given the excuse that it's because my term is ending. That's why I'm not being appointed. But Carolyn and I are on the same timeline. So I'm not sure why it's okay for her to hold her position when she's leaving at the same time.

[26:05] But I would. Can I just ask a question to clarify the language, since this is being recording, sure, and that I was nominated. You are nominated that you weren't. I wasn't appointed by Jeffrey. I was nominated by Jeffrey. Yes, yes. and so I just that's very concerning to me that it's it feels like the room can't handle a person of color in a leadership position. And so it's just kind of manipulated in a way. and I think that it's, you know, knowing that Jeffrey has missed a large number of meetings in the year that he was here to the point that Carolyn and I had asked Lauren how many meetings? Kind of Commissioner, miss, before. They're no longer on the Commission, that that is the person that would be chosen to put leadership position.

[27:04] So those were the things that were that I brought up and they're being looked into. My hope is that we can grow and be a better example for our community building community trust in this sort of thing that's going on. It doesn't give a lot of confidence to the other artists of color in town to operate and apply for grants. Thank you. I think I'll open it to the floor. I just I want to keep the comments like short. I don't think it's the time for the Forum today to sort of dig into solutions, but thank you for sharing. That was very well organized, and I took some notes on it.

[28:01] I do know from my perspective that I I hear, and I have been hearing what you have brought as concerns, and I know that there are some of the ways we're going to talk about it in a couple of minutes some of the things that came out of the a retreat that may start to address them. It's a a long process to turn the ship, and can to continue to try and turn the ship. and thank you for some guidance on a direction that would help people in your business, you know, with your perspective to get on a better track. I know that we're gonna have space after next year for really making substantive changes to things that may impact. How things like you said about who?

[29:00] what's the standard that we're holding organizations to? That's all stuff that we can start to dive into after the the transition year in 2025, as we have the new Grant money. And can we really have some impact on what questions we're asking and what sort of information we're getting back. those are my initial thoughts. But I'll open them, for anybody else has feedback or comments. and then I do have a follow up question. Well, I do think Georgia brought up some great points. I think that's why. at least I know I asked for more training on some of those issues. That's why we had the training and I think we need to find a way to track and measure how we're working for on many of these issues. I think we have to find a I appreciate your list, but I think we have to find a way to, maybe step back even further and make sure we understand exactly what we're

[30:04] trying to measure and then track it so that we could continue to grow. There was a speaker today that did an amazing job that I'm hoping that we can get in here. He does training. Yeah training. I took 2 of his workshops today, Bill de la Cruz and I have his information. But I'm he just was like hands down, I think. And I because I've listened to so many meetings and read so many books, and he brought so much information into a small like it, just a shorter amount of time in it, because it's such a huge yeah. So I hope that we can have him in here.

[31:05] Honestly, I'm sorry that you've had this experience I've been hearing. You have this experience. I don't know. Say other than like, I agree that we need to work harder. I'm sorry that you compensate. and I'm hearing you say we which is making me quote that until the end of your term you're going to staying to help us. I can save up to you. But thank you. Yeah. I haven't been here the last 2 meetings, because the last few several meetings that I've been. I can't get out of bed the following day. You know. And because it's exhausting and

[32:19] So I'm I'm here because not for me, but for my children and my grandchildren and other people. and I will. I'm finishing my term because Junie and Taisha and Mira asked me to. They they said. They know it's hard, Jenny, especially. She was like, Yeah, they're going to beat you up. It's gonna be really hard. It's gonna suck. You're gonna cry. But she's like you have to keep doing it.

[33:02] And I know, and I'm doing it for the people who did it for me before me. You know there are people who have lost their lives for the freedom that I have as a black woman. doctor, anything you wanna add. Nope, I'm just. I'm glad meetings recorded, and past and present one. So. Thank you. I've taken notes. Well, I think we're all feeling that we want to do. Better make things feel safer for you. How can we do that as a commission within the scope of what we have the power to do? And as humans within the scope of what we have the power to do and bring it to us. so that can the one question be answered like, why, why am I told that I, because

[34:05] Jeannie Joseph is a lawyer. I told her about the vice chair and chair position, and she said, the natural progression is for the vice chair to become the chair. And so I'm just curious. Why, like what happened in there, and why? I'm told that because my term is ending, and then that it wants to be. You know that it was actually, you guys that said it to me. You know that you wanted consistency. And so I'm just curious. Why, it's not okay for me. But it's okay for Kevin. Think I recall saying that. And I feel like it was important for one person to be consistent and have one person, if that's just what we're thinking at the time in depth information about that. I thought Carolyn was doing a great. I also nominated Carolyn for the chair, but she's doing a great job.

[35:00] so I don't have any more to say for one person to be consistent and one person control. But the person that you're saying is consistent has missed many meetings person that you really didn't know. I don't. I don't have a contract. and I really didn't weigh in on that. At that discussion. Okay? Trying to recall. I think I feel like the conversation was about chair first, st and we voted on chair first.st Yeah. So we like the Nominations for Vice Chair hadn't come up. So the conversation about the consistency wasn't presented. And Caroline, I mean, I didn't think of it at the time that could be our meeting so.

[36:07] But that I have, I mean, is there something bigger than that? I'm not denying there could be? But I haven't access. Acknowledge that I should. because the other thing that happens is like a person of color in a leadership position was removed and replaced by white male. Lauren, do you have the Commission's De and I initiative or statement? That is part of the application process in front of you that you could read. No, I'm sorry. The Commission statement on cultural equity. I also don't have that. I'm sorry it's framed in terms of marginalized people. Is that right.

[37:01] The Commission statement of social equity follows the cities which is closer aligned to race race equity in particular, because it's still the biggest predictor of any kind of like outcomes in society, right, like your educational or your housing level of your income levels. The Commission statement within the Grant program is more broad, very specifically to say. You know, what? How does your programming work in relation to the statement on culture equity that the Commission builds? But then it broadens out to say, diversity of all kinds within the grant programs. So it could be age. It could be male and female, or everything in between. It could be, it could be Asian, it could be black, it could be brown. It could be a gay man, or someone who is Trans or Lgbtq. We all fit that. We're on the same team. Yes, please. I didn't want to interrupt first, st like, Thank you very much for bringing this forward.

[38:02] and Staff wants to support the Commission to make sure that this is addressed and improve how effective you can be. You know, with the business yet. So that's really important. So I appreciate that I did want to address one small thing. No answers. Usually I don't but the practice of the Commission has not been to have a prescribed progression that it's based on supermarket. It was. It's been the practice for a very long time to have this nomination discussion in order to set the chair. That is different from other boards and commissions. There are several who operate like we do. There's several that operate by seniority. And so I just wanted to point out that that that's not the history here. But that's not predictor of what's best. So just wanna make it clear that the rules we're following did go the way that it's prescribed, and not that. That's exactly.

[39:05] Thanks. Okay, thank you again. And if you feel complete we'll move on to the next agenda. Okay? All right. So we are at the commission work items. And I think this is a really good transition, because this is for the bridge year. This is some outcomes from our retreat in terms of what we as commission, wanted to be working on, and then Lauren's going to break it down a little bit further. And so again, this is focusing on 2025, and after the bridge the quote unquote bridge year, then we're also going to have another bite at the apple in terms of more impactful long term ways that some of these issues can be integrated into the events and public art programs and the like.

[40:09] Yes, but thank you. So at the Retreat we talked through your commission kind of wish list of work items, right things that you think were of interest that you want to work on, that you want to work on with Staff independently, and I went through all of them. Thank you so much, Lisa, also for the excellent notes, because it was a very big discussion, more than I think any commission. You have big high hopes and dreams. And I. We broke it up in a few different ways, and I have the much longer list that I want to just list up a couple of things. And then this is what I think for today, because we're also missing a couple of people. But to start thinking about what specifically you as commissioners want to work on in the future, and I'll remind you that now we have a grants panel, so you will have a little bit more time to work on things and time and energy. Right?

[41:05] but let me 1st briefly. So when I, when we went through the minutes and the the retreat discussion. There were some topics that were on our work plan already, which is great because we can say like check, we are happy to do that. And then there were some that are out of the scope of the Commission, right that are being worked on in the community. But we cannot work on, or the Commission can't necessarily work on as an entity as a group. And there's some also that we're going to be. We've been talking to the print. Consultants specifically about how they can help us, including some of the topics that you just broke up or brought up. So for things on the staff's work plan supporting organizations with the Grants process. For example, if you were talking to somebody, an individual and artist organization have them come, talk to us, and we're happy to have them talk to Sarah. I say, the Royal! We now come talk to Sarah, and she will happily meet with anybody that wants to learn about the Grant program. We have a new round of our grant writing fund right? $500 to help somebody apply for one of our competitive grants encourage people listening to investigate that, too.

[42:14] Our venue study. So the venue study went out. It is going to both venue utilizers and venues themselves. That will be We'll be getting data and giving it to the blueprint team, but then also have our own report. In a couple of months. Cultural organization summits with Cbca, for example. We'll we'll host one in the future. We're talking through that marketing grants to steam programs. There's been reaching out specifically at your guidance to steam programs to pull in applicants that are working a little bit more field than arts programming. bringing in a representative just to discuss how to review report budgets, which is what Georgia just mentioned. We will have Deb come in in January, February. Thank you. So

[43:01] we'll be inviting commissioners and the new Grant panel so you can meet them as well. But to talk through looking at budgets both for applications and looking at report budgeting right? So you can talk through what you're looking for, what might be. Something that might alarm you like things that are under minimum wage, like paying people under minimum wage, like mentioned talking through specifics. So everybody, the panel and yourselves are all on the same page about looking at budgets when they come to the Grants program we're sending funding opportunities to you to share. I do need to talk through that. Make sure it's not overwhelming, because we actually get quite a few of them, I'm happy to say an upcoming deadlines and things into our manager's memo, which I will do, and then I'll leave this for last there were a couple of things that are out of the scope of the commission, and sadly kind of out of our scope. One is a cultural calendar, so Boulder County Arts Alliance has a centralized calendar that we guide everybody to just because the city is not equipped to manage a

[44:03] functioning calendar like a website in that way. I encourage you to send everybody that you know to go use that calendar. They're also renovating their website. So I think it's going to be a lot more user friendly, which I think is one of the challenges. At this moment any kind of policy, cheerleading and support and advocacy. I can do it as an individual, but as staff we have a limitation on what we can do right. I also encourage you to join. Cbca has a arts advocacy. What is it called Advocacy League? Oh, no, it's an network. Thank you. Network. We can send you the email. They have excellent updates about statewide advocacy, opportunities, etc, etc. And then civic area planning and the comp planning process. Please give us your input. I send out your surveys. Let us know if you're interested in like their upcoming steps. But we can give that information to you, but having the commission come together and go to them, is challenging, as you all know. Can you please keep us up to date on that? Yes, happy to. And the Comp plan stuff, too, because we're overlapping with some partners in that which is really great. Yeah.

[45:10] I hope you did the survey that we said. It's always it's surveys and meetings, you know. kind of a lean in process. You know what I mean. Finally, some things that are going to be integrated into the blueprint process. So I've asked our I call them the cats, which is terrible. But it's public, square or yeah, public square projects and puma and psp, their acronym sounds like. you know, like a right. So I've been calling the cats for months. Anyways, the cats. They agreed to that, too. They are going to also be looking for in their research on other like other cities, that they're doing comparative research. They're going to be looking for, how other cities are supporting their tribulations and their artists. Indigenous artists.

[46:00] Dei, best practices in grant programs and other best practices for arts, commissions in other cities connecting youth with arts, opportunities which is like always been a challenge for us. So we're, how do other cities do that? Really well. And then how? To? Which is the biggest question ever how to adjust systemic racism throughout programs. And I think it goes back to well, what are other cities doing? What are other arts, commissions doing? What are other arts, institutions doing that we can learn from them, since we have people doing research for us, too, right? And then, finally. if I didn't miss anything, I probably did. It was a really good conversation. Thank you. But I'll go up to the commission work items. And these items are ones that these are not in the staff work plan but we are happy to support time and meetings and communications and organizing committees. Right? There is a hope that we organize committees in part, and then we do trainings. We don't wanna like overbook you all to, or have like very, very long commission meetings. We want to do some work behind the scenes, and maybe do a training every other month, or, you know, like when you said.

[47:10] spread it out and have it focused. We can. Obviously, we. I would be the point for those, and I would help find one of your list from the trainings that you were with today, with the Chamber, for example, other recommendations for other people to speak to in the community would be wonderful, and then I can help organize those and pay for them right? And I think for this evening. But this is up to the chair. Of course, that if you want to just think through, if there's anything missing on this list that would fall into that realm of things that the Commission wants to work on. If you want to form any committees, if you want to wait and talk through it in January. When we still haven't, you know, won't have the Grant program up and running so we might have a little bit slower meeting in January, too, but knows I'm sort of up to you on how you want to prioritize these items. Yeah, what? What my thought was on it? And I'm open to discussion. But because

[48:07] we can take some time we have December. We're going to talk about whether or not having the December meeting or not. But the beginning of the year may be a good time for us to have gathered our thoughts around prioritizing what we've identified as areas that we want to work on because we're gonna have a busy year and a transition year next year. So let's we're not going to be able to do everything. So we as a group need to figure out what are the top priorities? And what can we do? Some extra work on for committees? And I think if we talk about that in depth in January. But give it some thought until then. That was my suggested timeline. That makes sense for everybody else that makes sense. I wonder if I could ask Lauren a couple of questions. Sure

[49:04] is it? Can you remind me, Lauren? You know that cultural summit which I think is wonderful. How do you set the topic for that? And and I really like the year where we were doing some work on artists that were getting bullied. And then you also have that as part of the summit. So if there's a way to dovetail, you know, missions work into kind of a culmination like that. Oh, yeah, I think that's a wonderful idea like those topics. By popularity. And what we're hearing in the community of interest. So we just had one about fundraising that Sarah managed, and that was the one that was standing room only in here I sent out a survey what they wanted the next topic to be. And I didn't receive many responses. But it was 6, 3. So yeah, at least for that question. And I think it does. Well, when there is more background information. And then that that's like a culminating public event. Instead of asking the Commission meeting. And you know, a little more fun.

[50:00] So I think that's Carolyn. I think that's good, too, is the structure of our permissions work, and and then have some type of public rollout. so that those things dovetail together as a suggestion, and I think that my second question is, are there any discretionary dollars for anything that we do? You know it's like. I'll just throw an idea, I said. Not that it means anything, but you know, if we want to have some indigenous artists do some work. Are there any discretionary dollars. Yes, we have budget for those to pay honorarians to anybody presenting. And anybody. Certainly, like any artists that are presenting as part of those. Yeah, it's not a lot, but it is honorarium. So we can figure out what is works. Well as artists. Yeah. So I would suggest that Carolyn is that we have some outcomes, you know, some goals and targets we're trying to meet, and some tangible outcomes. I think that will help motivate us to to meet and move things around.

[51:07] And then I think we need to include respect what George is saying. We need to include like work. I don't know how you want to frame this Georgia, but also just on the Dei. Let me read what you 1st said. You know the standards of who we're funding, you know. So our Dei Sanders, I'm gonna say this myself away. But I think we need to include another line item here. Georgia, sharing with us. Oh, yes, certainly. Sorry. Not open. Sorry. Yes. I'm really curious, too, about the if anybody is seeing presentations directly related to, like like you said that you had gone to presentations today. Right? Like, we have our city resources. And we have worked with the equity project that we held last year. We held a whole series. That's another thing I should mention. So last year we held that series with the Equity project for leaders of nonprofit arts communities. Right? And that was something that stemmed discussion from the Commission. But if it's not something that you feel like you want to do specifically, or you feel like it's of interest to the broad community. We can also seek funding or like away funding specifically for programs like

[52:21] we think it would be of interest to individual artists to learn how to improve their website. That's a very silly example, but something like that where you can make a recommendation, and we can build it out as like with more community involvement, too. So it's not necessarily commission, solely working on the Commission. Right? Websites were actually brought up today when we were talking about hiring, but people of color, or just like diversity. for accessibility, too, is a huge thing right now, because the the the state mandated that all governments have to. Our websites have to be accessible to readers. So it's a a big deal, and I think

[53:07] it would be recommendable for everybody in the arts community to go that direction, too. Right? So I think there's some work in that direction. Was it something like that about making websites accessible, or was like who you're hiring to manage the website? Actually, we had a panel that was answering questions. And it was really diverse. And so we were just asking them questions. And so part of the conversation was like, so when people of marginalized populations look or looking for jobs, and they're looking on the company website. What are they looking for? So our What was he? I can't remember what this person consider they they said. He looks for pronouns like if there's you know the executive, whatever underneath the name, if he sees pronouns, and he says, Oh, they understand me.

[54:07] And then, you know. Everyone went down the line and said, like what they look for. That's great, you know. And the person from Naacp said that they look for more than one black person is, if there's 1, and that's the token and like there's and there are things that you know we talk about amongst ourselves like when we're looking for things. That everyone else may not know but there was a woman that did a presentation. It was the Pillsbury Theater presentation, and I think that did you see that? What was her name? Michelle? I'm trying to find it okay. But she worked with the theater company that George Floyd was murdered right outside of.

[55:04] and they did this presentation, and it was really really good, thorough. entertaining, entertaining, and it explains things. It explained a lot. That I think would really help. But it's yeah. We'll have to get in touch with Michelle, because it's not. You can't find it anywhere. It's very locked. Yeah. And like, when we were watching it, we had to put our phones away like no. I'm glad there was value found in the Chamber event today. I sent 2 of my team to that, so I know they were looking forward to that. And Chambers worked really hard on putting that that production together. Going back to the the pronouns. Conversation the very 1st time I really had a chance to understand that impact as a gay man of a certain age was probably back in 2016 or 2017 cause I'd I'd led the de, and I charge at my previous company, as well as initiating all of our erg and our De and I initiatives where where I work now.

[56:14] and I I was the 1st person in the company to include my pronouns within my email signature, and we had a scholarship. Grantee reception that year's I think it was 2017, and we had 30 scholars, high school scholars from across the the footprint of that organization, and there were 5 of those 30 who came up to me and physically embraced me at the event, because I was the 1st person from a from a corporate entity who had sent them emails to let them know about the logistics of the upcoming event that included pronouns within my name. And if and they all identify. They just kind of out of themselves and identify themselves. I'm thinking, that's

[57:07] that's that's nearly 20% of the scholars from that year. And that that just still sticks with me as as something that was meaningful then, and continues to be meaningful. That's something to be said for marketing website, like how you're presenting yourself to public kind of. and the language and the accessibility. That kind of topic, right like, or that kind of discussion, right? What's the impact report? How are they activating their employee resource groups? Do they have employee resource groups. So I have the name Michelle Camp Michelle Campbell. She's the founder. There's a whole bio. But she also had a company called Thank you read

[58:02] re a g, and then the other one was Oh, reach sorry so much information. Do you remember what the other one diversity something. Anyways, we have. Yeah, there were. There were a lot of resources there. But I'm sure you can get from john. There, yeah. So is there a list part of what got sent out as part of the packet all the topics. And then she's taking notes on what we're gonna add. Yes, give some thought, give some further thought as to what you would like to prioritize, and then and start

[59:01] narrowing down, focusing in on what can actually get done next year reasonably and do some work on it. Could I send out because we also are missing a couple of people? I could send out this list with some updates to it. If you want to tell me your top 2 priorities or something, it'll help us like narrow down, I think, because it's just so much. You're all have big goals. Thank you. I'd also like to hear if you have suggestions for the Cultural Organization Summit, too yeah, great. Yeah. So we'll solicit that and organize our thoughts in December, maybe customer soon to be decided in January. Okay, any other topics from the community? December meeting. Are we going to do a December meeting? So it is up to all of you. But I will say that in the past we have generally not held a December meeting, because unless

[60:08] we have anybody that has turned in a report, and they ask that you read the report because they need the money. Basically, they need the the last 20% right in the last few years. When I reached out and said, Are you able to wait until January. With that cause any hardship. Nobody has. Everybody's been like, no, it's okay. But we always wanna make sure. That is, at the organizations. Discretion and not the commissions, because, you know. we promised a certain amount of kids in our Grant program, right? And one of them is just consistency. So If Sarah agreed to do this. We have agreed to do this, that If anybody turns in a report between now and the week before we'll reach out, and we'll see if they are okay to wait till January. We can have a very nice conversation with them, and it's totally cool if they not wait, and we'll have like a very quick online 15 min meeting with the Grant reports. Basically, I mean, maybe you're

[61:06] minutes. You do have to have a public participation. And you can, we can keep it as short. We can talk with the chair just to have like, basically looking at reports and online. So does that work for everybody. Is that all right? Well, yeah, what's the date it would be if it was online. December 18, th Wednesday, December 18.th Yeah. great. So, Rob. Thank you. Sure. Pretty sure grant program matters today. Last meeting, the Commission requested more information about attendance numbers from the events from Val Foundation. And so those numbers were provided to me, and I included them in the managers. Update this month. We have streetwise arts and junkyard social that both turned in reports for consideration

[62:05] as a reminder. You can approve, approve both reports, approve individual reports, approve individual reports while submitting specific questions, postpone approval of individual reports pending the answers to specific questions and or not approve individual reports. And so the final payments. Anybody like to make a motion? I'm sorry I missed the email with this report. So my mistake for not reading. Then I move that we approve the Grant report to shoot white arts and junkyard social. One second. I second, that I always initiate them, which is why I was letting someone else start this way. Okay, all in favor, all abstaining. Yeah, along with my peers. Okay.

[63:03] Great. Thank you. Any comments that you want to put on the record about grants. I can say I was really impressed with streetwise about how many collaborations I had. I thought that was really great. Model and junkyard. I just I just think it was a really cool program. I would also like to see, just as a very informal thing how many people actually came because they did mention they didn't have as many as they would have liked, but they want to improve every year. So just wanted to get a sense of where they were this year in terms of attendance, for I'm happy to reach out to them again. So we have the 2025 Grant program is ready to preview, and as of now, the following grants are open and you are able to apply for them. General operating support grants again for those that were not previously awarded in the last year

[64:13] community project grants, arts, education project grants, the leadership pipeline fund, and then scholarships for Boulder Arts Week are open right now, too. and we have the summit coming up December 11th with fellow funders discussing opportunities for the next year. and that'll be at Chautauqua Community House. I toured it today. I'm really excited. It looks like a very welcoming and cozy space. And then we have 2 info sessions. One tomorrow morning we have one Rsvp and then another online that will have Spanish interpretation on I was planning to come tomorrow morning. If there's anybody else who would really like to come in addition, or instead of I'm happy to set back on that. And I.

[65:02] Already got another board meeting at that time, because it's death by board meetings this week. I would say that the person coming tomorrow worked for the city of Boulder in the office of culture for 15 years. So I don't think, okay. no, yeah. And I guess on zoom, is that going to be a recorded session from tomorrow? So tomorrow will not be recorded. But the one on the 11, th and then the 12th will both be recorded. Okay, so do. Would you like to have somebody come to the December 12th Zoom Phone commission. I think it would be great to be, but we can check on Rsvps later, too. But we might get more actually at on the 11. So the 11.th Why don't you reach out to me tomorrow if you would benefit from me coming anyway? And then on December for the December 12, th let us know if

[66:09] Commissioner, participate in that one. Yeah, with regard to that wonderful oh, and please spread the word that we're seeking applications for panelists as well. Okay. I didn't hear you. I'm sorry. Please spread the word that we're seeking applications from panelists and. Okay. Great. Thank you. Media Kit, if you'd like it. If you have an organization that wants to share that out, I can send that to you as well, panelists for to review this next year. Okay, listeners. No. But yes, the Grant team. They recommend grants for their commission, too. That may not be very clear. Because it's something that's happened over the last couple of meetings is that they

[67:03] are moving forward on getting a grants panel. Which meeting can she find all the criteria. probably the September meeting and the October. But the September meeting is that big here with the whole Grant program. But this is the paid Grant panel that they'll have we can send information to actually, and we should send it to you the Chamber also. We also have a live, your website, the Chamber. Sorry. The website's also live. Oh, great. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And Sarah reach out to me if you need contacts at any of the Chambers of Commerce across the county. So what we're hoping also is that we're taking all of the grant reading off of our plates. That'll allow us more time and flexibility to focus on bigger picture issues, and and how those grants are set up, and more directly to the points that you brought up, how we address that. Yes, I remember this from, yeah. Okay, we spoke about this this summer.

[68:01] Is that pity cool? All right. Any questions about the manager's memo? Great. Let's adjourn our meeting. I have something to say which I should have put in other topics from the community. Brown sugar nutcracker has been canceled for 2024, but I'll be. I'm sorry for that. There was not enough. I didn't have enough answers right? Last year's here was my vision, and here's what happened. And so it was going. And it started leaning this way. And I was like, Well, I'm down. Yeah, we'll ask you next year if you're planning to try again next year. I really enjoyed that. You really enjoy what was the vision, the actual vision? Awesome claims don't have a demo.

[69:05] I stole that component who saw it, and I know, but can't remember either particular, but set up appointments. But all right, let's adjourn this meeting. I've got one. I've got one more thing, but. Yeah. It's helping Caroline. So my mother was.