March 26, 2025 — Boulder Arts Commission Regular Meeting

Transcript

Captions from City of Boulder YouTube recording.

[0:01] Okay, we are recording. It is Wednesday, March 26, th 2025. Welcome to the Miller Arts Commission meeting. and I'll open the meeting with that I mean bang of the gavel. We have some members of the Commission at least. Georgia Schmidt is online, Georgia. If you can hear us, and you can accept the invitation to be a panelist. Then we can see your face. That would be very helpful. We'll go until we're able to do that. We won't take any votes, because unless I can see her, that's not gonna allow us to vote. So we'll start going through the agenda on the non-voting items to begin. Don't see that. But probably yeah, I should very cool. Thank you, Georgia, all right. So I'll read the land acknowledgement.

[1:07] 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, Bonnie, Shoshone, Sue, and mute the city 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 to approval of the agenda. Cheryl is not here. Jeffrey is not here. Jill.

[2:01] Yeah. Caroline. Yes, for our time online. No, that Yes. All right, and with that I will hand over. Thank God, thank you. All right. So our 1st item is the approval of the agenda. Somebody would like to make motion. Push it for the agenda. Okay? Second, that all in favor. It's unanimous great, thank you. And approval of the February 2025 meeting minutes was sent out in the manager's packet. Let's funny. See also one thing for that excellent and also second, that great. I am.

[3:03] Give me just a moment, guys. Sorry my screen slide down all in favor. Approach. Great. Thank you. There we go. All right. Public participation. Yeah, we have Mary Martinez. Now. first, st she might not be here again, I guess. Do we have anybody else online that's up into? Is there anyone on Lingua that just speak. You can raise your hand now. so we'll move past that, and if something around oh, yep, Hi, Maria, Maria! We're on

[4:11] commission business right now in the agenda. Does anybody have any cushion business? There's there's noise coming from outside. So I keep thinking, it's you guys I have some. I did attend the Grant Committee meeting that was held right before this meeting, and it was, they are in the 1st round of scoring for the general operating grants. And so they have received the feedback for their questions. And I'm moving on to the second round of given giving their scores for that. It was, really a great group of very experienced and knowledgeable people. So I'm excited for some of the recommendations they're offering in terms of how we can improve the rubric and the

[5:13] and the the whole system. So very robust conversation, lots of philosophical discussions about many things that I know we've all discussed and thought about. And so it'll be really interesting. That's also so that's going. Well, good job, Sarah, thanks. All right. Matters from commissioners, liaison updates. I can make sure that I checked in with all of my liaison organizations on Federal funding questions. None get specific Federal funds. But the the Colorado creative industries is through Nea. And I guess a recent change is that now organizations can only apply every other year for that one. So that was just like piece of information.

[6:15] Yeah. I heard back from all of my liaisons. Some of them did not have any Federal funds. Some of them had Cci funds, and then there were a couple that I that had more direct connections to Federal funding, and Kngu gets any funds. 3rd law is applying for na funds for the 1st time this year. So I forwarded that information to Lauren, and she's compiling that. One thing that I found interesting is Kgmu is really listening her to what was going on in Washington today, because there were Congressional hearings on

[7:00] anti American media, and things like public radio and some of their sources of funding are pretty directly under attack right now. So we'll we'll keep our fingers crossed. That goes that it goes in some way. That isn't just so. Yeah. Maria and Georgia. Anything from you guys for Consord I I can't remember. Oh, maybe I'll be able to think of it later. Anything that I've gone to. I haven't spoken with any of my groups. I just do want to say that I wish that our Grant panel was a a lot more diverse. There's only one gender one

[8:01] race represented there, and I think it's important. And that was kind of the whole point of my suggestion of moving the Grants from the Commissioners to just to eliminate any unconscious, unconscious biases. That's it. That we get is that a 1 year assignment? Or when is that? It was supposed to be 2 years? They sign a 1 year contract at a time. Thank you, Georgia. Maria, anything for me Just as I mentioned last time, just a 1 organization with the Nea Grant. And that's my, that's my only update this month. Great. I also had some events that I went to that were really good. There was a meet up with the city council at the bus gallery.

[9:06] and that ended up. There were some illnesses that not everybody could show up. So it ended up being much more of just a matter of time. It was really really nice, and a sweet little gathering of people in the arts. I attended the Jcc. Bias. I'm not giving my full name, the bias inside us bias inside us. Thank you. And that was really, a cool exhibit, you know, a really fantastic presentation and very interactive, and and got the whole audience talking about implicit bias on all sorts of different parts. And then, finally, I attended at the Chamber of Commerce, Deb Malden and Michael from Pre boulder and Maria Marie from local. They did a joint presentation to a group of commercial brokers who

[10:07] and they were really making the case for them, for the empty commercial space here and in other areas in boulder, and that there are ways to do temporary special use cases to bring in pop-up art spaces. So they're really advocating for some. some help for the arts community. And beginning. The conversation is good. Don't know if we how well it landed, but they're continuing to to make the case that it's like, here I go. You have some stuff coming up next week, don't you? Yeah. In fact. several businesses and transit junction are working together to have lots of things popping up and going on during the week, and created a map of

[11:07] all of the things happening during that time. But yeah, there's a speed networking artist event happening at the junkyard on the 4th from 4 to 6. That's a collaboration with big dreams. And then, yeah, we just have a lot of our like ongoing events that happen. But are, gonna you know, kind of get the the full boost of Arts week. So our monthly salsa dancing night, our monthly fusion, dancing, dancing, night and then a theater show happening on the 11, th and then Lauren's got an update from Cheryl. Yes, she sends her apology. She has a family emergency and had to fly out today, but she sent 2 updates, one from Biff and one from Boulder ballet.

[12:01] I'm going to read them briefly. I'm just getting them sorry because they're quite long. But this had more people than I have ever attended. And it's 21st season, including 68 films from 18 countries, special appearances, 20% increase in their ticket sales, which is remarkable, and 6 teams without screenings. They awarded entertainer of the year to Actor Jay Lynch, who appeared for an audience of 600 people on March 15.th they honored fashion designer to the full with the inaugural inaugural catalyst award and have just been this year. So congratulations to the next one year. From boulder ballet they had a show this weekend and they're going to be sending around some books to the Commission. They're doing research in particular, with emotional states. I actually went to it. And it's a really interesting research project where they test your emotional state before the performance, and then right after it. So I'm really curious to see how it comes out. I've never seen something like that before.

[13:10] Some of their comments rose in this. Some of the feedback rose from the talent and technique and professionalism of the company, which was a reflection of a concerted increase to pay and to attract hair caliber, and across a greater variety of dancers. They had 700 applicants for 3 spots in their last hiring. but continued challenges with the cost of living for artists, which comes up very often in the blueprint as well, which we understand, and then they sent some feedback on Federal funding the Cci funding Nea funding. And we did some research just on what we could find online from Imls, from Nea and from Neh. So we have, like what is published, a lot of it going to the University of Colorado as well. But if you can send me whenever you hear from your liaison organizations. Just so we can track it because I think it's not showing up what we can get access to online and how it's many different ways that it's getting into our community right? And then I'll talk a little bit about advocacy later.

[14:11] Georgia. I have a question for you on that. I I understand you didn't have feedback from your groups yet. Have you reached out to them, or would it make sense for us to kind of split up your groups and do that ourselves, or Yeah, you can split up my groups and do it yourself. Okay, sounds good. I will send an email back. Okay, great. Thank you. all right. Commission work items. So this is an opportunity. If we have any updates from your small work groups feel free to fill us in. Now. I don't have a slide for it, but I could just sort of call out top to bottom from last time. So Georgia and Marie and I met on the continued work on supporting tribal nations. If you 2 would like to speak to that, and then I can talk about the conference

[15:04] Go go ahead, Georgia. I think you were. Gonna speak to it unless you want me to jump in Oh, you can speak to it! That's fine! I don't have our specific notes, but we had a we had a a good meeting, the 3 of us. Lauren was on her way to a conference that she was gonna take some questions to, so maybe she could update us on that in a minute. But our strategy was really to think of. I think, both more immediate goals and long term goals. I think Georgia was really advocating to get something in action immediately, and and not go through a lot of ruminations to come up with exactly the right thing. I think I was advocating to be cautious and make sure we engage the right people. So I think we came up with a strategy that really, I think, addresses both the short term and long term and the long term goals. Maybe, George, you could talk about that. The sort of notion of exhibition space.

[16:03] I think you were really advocating hard for that Yeah, I was just talking about, because what the land acknowledgement says is, it's saying how we took land. And just my thought was just that. How do we give it back? And that, what does what spaces does Arts Commission have to give back? And then putting out an invitation for any other organizations that have space. if they had space that they wanted to give. Yeah, kind of like, I was comparing it to the the venue. What the the venue Lauren help me! What is it? Like the Fee waiver program Yeah, like, how what one organization started it? And then E-town did it. And now

[17:06] the other place, I have a really bad cold, so I'm not. Mine is very foggy. George, I have the notes now in front of me. Why don't I go? Do you want me to go ahead and read them Sure. Yeah. So long term integrate dedicated support for the indigenous community within the Boulder arts blueprint directly in relation to the land acknowledgement. This could include establishing a Grant program project funding or collaborating on space for exhibitions and performances. So do you? Wanna add anything to that? Georgia I don't think so. Okay, then, short term, we have 2 items. We talked about funding for indigenous artists to present work in conjunction with the land acknowledgement. At the beginning of commission meetings, so this could either be showcasing their artwork piece of poetry

[18:04] to be determined. I know I felt strongly that artists should be compensated for that work. Second short term support, Boulder County Arts Alliance. In relaunching their artist, listing with a focus on ensuring indigenous artists, are included and represented. And then Lauren did go to the summit and was gathering some input and feedback on these initiatives. So I think these are open for all of your feedback, and also, maybe, Lauren, you can share some of the feedback you received from the summit Sure, unless anybody wants to. Actually, I think I'll ask her if she wants to speak to, because we both went to it. So yeah, I mean, I have some thoughts. But if you want to go first, st let's go to sure. no, you. It's okay. I think. So. I wrote out a couple of notes, because after a couple of days, you know, you get a little

[19:01] and I think the thing that struck me most is that we've done the training. We've done lots of trainings as a city employee, and we have the training with Phil is very historically based. But it was like. Intellectually I understood the things that I'm about to say, but I did not feel it, and I felt it in a way, in a different way. That good frame for it. So working with indigenous artists is a for government is a very delicate balance, right? And it requires respect and trust and trust, built over time in a way that I think is like a little different than working with other contemporary artists. That I think that was my take from the artist that we spoke to specifically at this events as well. One off collaborations are often viewed with skepticism, and they like a sort of helicopter, drop in, extract something and go away instead of an ongoing dedication and long lasting relationships.

[20:07] And they mentioned, like us, supporting and attending the indigenous events that we host already, but then also hosting art markets, hosting like annual programs that are intended to support and give a way for people to make money right? And it is important that there were, I think, 12 different tribal nations represented at this conference. It was amazing. It was primarily geared towards museum representatives and with collections right? A lot of cities have collections which has its own set of traumatic history. But they were very impressed by the work that the city of Boulder had done, and a lot of our colleagues like Phil that you spoke to in gain. They were mentioned directly by representatives of being like good long time collaborators from a city to these are independent, sovereign tribal nations. Right? Like you're talking about actual independent nations.

[21:01] They also mentioned Emily at the Museum of Boulder, doing really this kind of consistent, solid work. So I think it's worth us like to what Georgia has mentioned to. It's worth us to consider how we continue to work with the representatives that we have here to not break the delicate balance that this relationship has built up over time. It feels very delicate. Did you get that sense, too? Yeah, yeah. and otherwise, I spoke to artists who are like interested in working with us, but also like hesitant. As soon as I walked up to one artist they said, Oh, city of well, I'm already hesitant because you have your work for government. Right? There is an underlying something else that we have to be very respectful with when we're talking with artists from these communities. Right? Yeah. And the fact, I think you mentioned it, that we're a city approaching a nation, and that they they want us to acknowledge that's not equal footing.

[22:01] Right? So I appreciate the idea of a long term continual. but also leaning on our friends and colleagues at the city and in boulder that are doing this kind of work, and seeing how we can like collaborate with them, and not necessarily certainly do more of, you know, like more promoting to those communities right? And making the artist list. I think that's a fairly easy one. But like being very deliberate and conscious when we are working with indigenous communities in a way that feels it. It felt very. It felt, I don't know. Am I getting there with it? Yeah, yeah. Yeah. I had a couple takeaways, if there's time. So just to note that as of this conference, creative nations funding is cut. So their youth programming that they're going to do in the area is no longer being funded. The creative nations. They also noted using personnel and bodies that already exist. So if there's already a cultural council to approach them.

[23:06] I was noting that we could add a question for museums who apply to our grant if they've had a tribal historic preservation officer consultation or tipo, which is now required, so we should probably add that in there, in the check box I certainly think there's, you know, opportunities to get more involved with the indigenous peoples, days, events that happen here in Boulder and then the conference was called beyond the land acknowledgement, and I think the main takeaway I got from that is the land acknowledgement is that this was in the past, and they want to say, like, we are still here because they are still here in the present. And and so think of things we can do in the present to further, that maybe connecting with the counties and open space projects things that are current and happening there. Beautiful lots of work to do. Yeah, yeah. What you said about creative nations.

[24:01] Yes, they what the tip said. I think it was from the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes. Those tips mentioned that creative nations funding is cut. Maybe that'll get contested. But it was canceled here in the boulder area due to the Federal Dei reality that we learned. And so yeah, there's specific youth programming here in Boulder that's no longer being funded. That was avoided previously. But they still get funded from us right Yeah. as in speaking to the organizations who no longer have funding sources, that's also something to take into account What was the source of their funding. I'm sorry I missed what you said. Was it Federal funding Yeah, creative nations. But it was Nea, or what kind of grant was it I have to look that up. I think it might be through the Nea. But I just wanted to call that out specifically.

[25:02] I'd be curious to get more information just to add to our discussion on Federal funding It is, anyway. Thanks. Well, well, it seems seems, then, that we have a more important role to hear. Continue to hear multiple voices in our community and lift up multiple voices. So we're just going through the list that Lauren has. The next group is connecting other funders, grantees and the arts community. Yeah, me, Georgia Lauren had a meeting last week. I was checking on some of this stuff, so one of my goals was to start to compile a more comprehensive list of possible funding sources for arts, organizations, and cultural organizations. So I've been working on that and have a draft that I can share with the rest of the Commission or Lauren and I can share with the rest of the Commission

[26:18] trying to plug in as much information as possible regarding funding ranges and due dates and things like that. Lauren had myself and Georgia reflect on the resources and opportunities that exist on the website because there are grants listed in here. We we kind of made the realization that perhaps resources and opportunities doesn't make it clear enough that these are actual funding sources really knew how comprehensive the list was. But yeah, we're kind of like we're noodling on. You know how we can just make it more. Add to it and make it feel more useful for folks whether that is

[27:07] sectioning it into types of funding sources. If it's for education versus event funding, or something like that. So it makes it just like takes a little bit of that leg work off recognizing that, you know, we want to like, put it together and update it. For perhaps be mindful of not to like, we constantly have to update it all the time with the most current information. Yeah. And then another thing that I mentioned that I'd like to maybe get help from the rest of the Commission on is thinking about which of either these funding sources or additional foundations. So of course, my list doesn't include everything. So I'd like the rest of the Commission to take a look at it and see what else we can add to it. But then, where we have contacts, because I feel like having the right person to talk to, to even connect with before the funding run is open, to understand what that work that foundations.

[28:04] internal goals, and things like that are is really helpful for folks, but it's not always easy to know who to contact and then, you know, if we need even more to do thinking about that in the corporate realm where we have contacts for the corporations would like to do sponsorships perfect, did. Georgia wouldn't add anything. I see you're cooking I'm making tea. No, Jill did a perfect job. Thank you. Thank you. I will add that in the committee there was a lot of talk about organizations really being able to benefit from both connections with other organizations that are that might talk. They were talking about smaller groups, you know, like one group may need a bus, and the other group has the bus and needs something else. So just strengthening those connections is great. And then that kind of segues into what Jeffrey and I were working on, which is coaching sessions. So another thing, that kind of came out of committee meeting today was the committee members were noting that, particularly in the small

[29:25] groups in the small organization category, that that there was some improvement to be had around organizational and financial literacy. And so Sarah and I just started spitballing ideas for the salons. That we do as our council. I'm sure Jeffrey will wanna join the conversation. Sarah had an idea of somebody that is already speaking to arts organizations around corporate corporate governance issues. So she's gonna get some more information there. And then Jeffrey and I, are working on putting together a 1 pager that

[30:12] ideally, I think. What? Our idea still very unclear, what our idea is that I think, where where we're headed is a 1 pager that we can give to other commissioners to go through with their liaison groups and just check in on the areas of support, specific support that they need, and who on the Commission may be able to have conversations with people and then connecting youth with art. Cheryl and Neely. Yeah. my notes are a little all over the place, but we just have some like kind of bullet points of directions to go. And 1st thing is what's already there. I'm making a list of what's already the Boulder Arts or the Youth Arts Organizations Advisory.

[31:07] He's use something. Yes, advisory board. Yeah, that's the one. And then also like places to meet like roots, dairy, junkyard even. It's a really great place. And then taking note of like or not organizations, but like events that already happened to highlight youth opportunities like trash through one way and the Boulder Film Association has a does a lot of youth programming that is really amazing. And then also talking about like mentorship, or like apprenticeship like with places like groundworks and stuff like that, where people go in and get their hands on doing the things and learning the things, or like the maker space of the library, too, if they do screen printing and like reading, printing and stuff like that. Yeah.

[32:02] so yeah, those are kind of the ideas that we have bulleted out there so far. Yeah, yeah, sound good. The last one was the continued work with the city's legislative liaison. So I reached out and ultimately. yeah. Ultimately, the city's policy advisor is supporting City Council's policy overall to like county State, Federal back and forth right? So there isn't a good place for the Arts Commission to like. insert into that other than like speaking directly to the Council, and saying, I think it's important to get this under policy. That being said, the 2025 policy is already present, and I think because of Federal changes, he's managing a lot now from legislative perspective. But that being said, I will send out this list, because the important thing is that there's information about intergovernmental affairs on the website. And you can look through that, like the city councils.

[33:13] goals, and policy goals. Right? The more interesting, I think, for this commission are the various arts, advocacy, options that exist both nationally and locally we have some. We're lucky to have some very good ones. So excuse me, Colorado. Business committee for the arts. Cbca has a cultural champions arm that all they work on is state advocacy. And I'm going to email all of these to you. So you don't have to worry about this. But They just published their new strategic plan, which is very focused on advocacy in the State, and I think it's important to like keep in touch with those to sign up for their newsletters. There's also Americans for the arts. They have an advocacy Hub that is national, but then they also have the Arts Action Fund.

[34:02] So for example, today, they sent an email and said, What do you want us to work on in the upcoming year like they work very specifically on a national level, representing all of us out in the country. Right? So it's another one I'd recommend looking towards and advocating with. And then we have what used to be West staff, which is the creative West and those coalitions. There are several different ones. As the Jefferies described. There are different coalitions around the country of different states that work together. We just have a very big one, for some reason, but creative West also works on sectional advocacy, and it's another really good one for us to stay plugged into to know what's going on. And that's both like connecting with them and seeing what's happening. Right? So I'll send out all of these links. I really encourage you. If you're interested in advocacy work on a different governmental level to sign up for these and see what's going on. They also send out just ongoing updates about nea funding, neh funding and all funding like those. So you get it to your emails instead of having to go hunt it down right to see what kind of changes are happening on a state level.

[35:11] Great thank you. Thanks. All right. I'm going to turn it over to Brenda. Oh, what did we, miss? The building public? Okay. Good. Again. Just like had a little brainstorming session. And just a few ideas. One being a calendar of, or like schedule, perhaps of all of the granted projects would be really nice. And then, I think, ultimately, like the idea that, like organizations and individuals want to feel like their voices are heard, and like we have their back, and then that they can like rely on, but also they can rely on themselves each other as well.

[36:11] resources. I feel like that resources is is a part of that. It's like a really nice thing to have on hand. I don't know how like how like capable this is, or how like possible this is. But like a quarterly connective event of some kind, whether that's on a specific topic or just in general. Be really cool. Yeah, yeah, I don't know if Georgia has anything else Yeah, we had. What was that event? A couple, was it? 2 months ago? Where we were connecting artists were coming together. People who had spaces and people who had art were coming together to collaborate for

[37:05] Arts week The artist forums. Yeah yeah. Yeah, something. Yeah, having something like that, like, on a regular basis for artists to get together and support each other and just like, navigate what's what they're doing and what how it's going on here, that's. you know, coordinating that. And then the point of creating like a calendar of their events. We were because Yelene and I were saying how like we were reading the Grants. But then we didn't know which projects were funded, and when they were happening, like I would like to see there were so many grants that I read that I would have liked to see to attend their events. The events that we fund, I think, would be a great way to support.

[38:03] Are artists. and creating safe spaces for people to share their experience. You know that they would be able to come and say what's happening, what they're experiencing without getting any kind of reprimand or punishment from it like what I experienced. you know, expressing some concern and then getting beat down by people month after month, coming in. just creating a space. So that doesn't happen to anyone else, because otherwise people are not going to show up and speak up Thank you. Great For example, like when Marty stood up and started shouting at me and pointing his finger at me like if someone had intervened and like not let that happen.

[39:14] Or, yeah. thank you. Bring them. Hi, everybody. Today, I'm going to present 2 projects. Essentially what you will hopefully be approving are the art selection panels, and then recommending that we initiate these projects city Manager. So the 1st project is Central Avenue Bridge replacement. We will be working with our Transportation department to replace a bridge at Central Avenue near 57th Port. It's an office park.

[40:10] but the bridge needs to be replaced and our opportunities for art. We're thinking of either a mural or mosaic application on the bridge. So our total, 1% for our budget, which is all inclusive, is $25,000. This is a cip capital enhancement. Again, through the transportation department. Looking at the budget, our potential for one call will be around $18,000, knowing that we will pay about a thousand dollars for each proposal up to 3 proposals, for panel stipends for a total of 2,000, and then the cost of posting the call online is 500. we hope to kick off this our orientation meeting. Relatively soon here in the next month or 2. So our community art selection panel. These are our voting members. Cheryl. Cardozo is our arts. Commissioner Cami Galofre is our artist. Molly dirks is our arts professional? From Cu boulder

[41:12] Tyler. Maice is our community member, and Jennifer Chavez is our community member. So we have 2 community members, Arts, professional Artists and Arts Commissioner. Our Technical Review Committee includes Roger Kane, who's the project manager from transportation, mark Garcia, who's from planning and development services, and then Amy Beckel and Tony Strain, who are on the design and construction teams any questions or comments? Can you elaborate on the $500 for an online talk. So we use call for entry. And so for each of those calls, it's about $495 to place the call. But of course, to apply. If any of you're an artist and you apply for the call, it's free. Oh, yeah.

[42:04] we don't know that yet. So we have to get through the orientation meeting 1st kind of Orient. The panel come up with themes. Make sure we're locking in whether it's mosaic or mural application with that budget but hopefully the Rfq. Will be out this summer, I guess. Great! We've got a proposed motion. If someone would like to make a motion. I move that the Central Avenue Bridge, public art, selection, panel and project initiation be recommended to the city manager for approval. Second, all in favor. All opposed is George to George. George? Are you abstaining Oh, no, I just I, yeah. You're in favor Yes, I just can't see myself, so I thought you couldn't see me so

[43:02] So we have a unanimous look for in favor. Thank you. Great. Thank you. Our next project. This is for fire station 2 and 4 so we have 1% funding for the renovation and replacement of fire station 2 and 4 fire station 2 is that Broadway and Baseline and Fire Station 4 is on Broadway, as you're exiting Boulder, South Boulder. So we again, we have a art selection panel, and our technical Review committee. We're looking at opportunities for an outdoor sculpture and possible indoor our total combined budget for both of these fire stations is $250,000 for public art. kind of break breaking that budget down. We can either do 2 calls for $100,000 each, one for each fire station, or one call with a $200,000 budget. Again, at the orientation meeting with our panel and Technical Review Committee we can parse out what that looks like.

[44:16] Personally, I think it's nice to have 2 separate projects for one for each fire station, but I know there has been some interest from the fire station chief and the project manager to maybe combine the budgets for one project at the Broadway baseline location, because it's just a lot more impact and visibility for the people of Boulder but again breaking down the proposals, stipends and the online call, plus a contingency. So hopefully. We'll kick this project off in the next month or 2 with an orientation meeting. Our art selection panel will include Caroline Kirk, who's our Arts Commissioner Michael Benjamin, who's a local artist, Crystal Nelson, an Arts professional, again from Cu Boulder, and then Deanna Barani and Shelly Schwartz from our community members.

[45:06] Our Technical Review Committee includes Adam Goldstone, who's our project manager with Facilities Leanna Evanson, a project analyst with Facilities Dan Dillon, who's the fire Chief Mark Garcia with planning and development services, and Jenna Miss Yelly, who's the architect for the project? Questions Can you explain? You have a $250,000 budget? But then you're only are you? Intentionally only using a portion of it, and not all of it. We are using. Well, so I'll go back to that slide. So we are. We have to pay our stipends for our proposals and our stipends for our voting members, plus the call of the online, plus the cost of the online call. And also a little contingency, we that all has to come out of the 1%. So

[46:12] the rough. The rough estimate right now is that it's like the call itself will be around $200,000 for one project or 2 calls at $100,000 each. With that, those other funds going towards contingency. Proposals, the panel step in. So we'll obviously we'll once we figure out how much we're paying for the proposals. Then we can bump that total contract, amount up the proposal. Any other questions Yeah, Brendan, is it? Part of all of the budgets to withhold a little bit for maintenance. just to build that reserve That's not in our policy is we don't withhold any percentage from our 1% for public art, for maintenance. I know some programs around the country do that. We can use maintenance funds either from the general fund or from our 2 way funds

[47:08] for maintenance Okay. Thank you. You know any other questions. I was curious when you're paying for proposals is that like from the beginning, when an artist submits, they're receiving a stipend, or is it once they get into like a second round, great question. Yeah, it's the second round. So artists they don't pay to apply, but they will apply with images of their past work, their resume, and maybe a paragraph about why they're interested in the project. And then from there the voting members will pick their top 3 to 5 artists to then create a proposal which takes time and energy, and they create renderings and create a budget and create a narrative and a maintenance plan. So that's all included in that. And that's when we pay those those top any other questions.

[48:02] I think we're ready for someone to make a motion. The fire station, 2 and 4 public art selection, title and project initiation be recommended to the city manager for it. So I'm like just second transaction, all in favor. We can see you, Georgia. I see your hand up. It's unanimous. Thank you. Thank you very much. All right moving to Sarah. France. So we have community project Grant reports from Chelsea, Albertson, Empacy Leader Project, Mary Martinez and Merlin Holmes as a reminder. You can improve all reports, approve individual reports, approve individual reports while submitting specific questions, postpone approval of individual reports pending the answers to specific questions or not approve, should just be or ambush.

[49:03] not approve individual reports, and cancel the final payment. So before somebody makes a motion. Does anybody have any of these reports? I think, to pull out for in-depth conversation. and if not, we can move forward with somebody making a motion, and then we can enter into discussion. I move that we approve the Grant reports from Chelsea, Albertson and Theater project, Mary Martinez and Marilyn Lilly the second and second, that great and discussion anything that anybody would like to discuss about. and if not, we can move to a vote. So I'll move to a vote all in favor.

[50:02] So, Georgia, that's unanimous. That's great. Awesome. Thank you. Guys. I would like to say, just I was. I was really happy with all the reports in in particular. It was so nice to see Marilyn Holmes back, and the in like. I know the personal impact that that subject matter has had on her, and the way that she brought that forward for conversation and visibility within the community was really incredible, and I really appreciated that her project went through the way it did. Second bat for him. Right? All right. We have 3 Gos recertification reports as a reminder. East Window and Mobile Theater Company were both presented at the last meeting. And the Commission had questions for those and postponed adults, and then we received the big dream in winter.

[51:05] So again, you can improve all reports, approve individual reports, approve individual reports while submitting specific questions, postpone approval of individual reports, pending the answers to specific questions or not approve individual reports, and cancel the final payments great. So same question, if anybody would like to pull out any of these reports for specific discussion. and if not, I'll invite somebody to make a motion and move that we approve the following reports, for the 2022, 2025 Geos grants, east window local theater company, and the big dream. 2 seconds, 2 seconds. all in favor, or what's sorry, some space for discussion. If anybody would like to discuss.

[52:02] If not, I'll move to a vote all in favor. That's unanimous. Thank you. I saw Mary Martinez's hand go up. Is she is okay? Okay, let's finish Sarah's section. And then we can. I just have one more thing. Boulder Ballet was listed as a large organization. They are actually an extra large organization, according to their annual revenue in 2024. And so that did affect the budget we have for new 2025 applications. So I just wanted to show an updated yeah. so

[53:03] all right. If Mary was scheduled for public participation, so if she'd like to make some comments now, I'll invite that and have 2 min if you'd like to What? Happened? Hello! Everybody. Hi! We can hear you Okay. I wanted to tell everybody, thank you. And in my Lakota language we would say, Whoopee, love. I've seen a lot of healing that the Arts and Commission is able to provide through artwork and theme. It seems like the native community really needed it, and I'm very, very appreciative of all the work that you guys get done year round to give back to the community because it's working and a lot of the women that I'm sewing with

[54:07] have testimonies and stories of their personal growth. So I've affected over. I've had over 20 women give me personal testimonies of how they feel about learning new skills, being proud of themselves. being able to sell items at a local trading post here in Denver. That's for native Americans. So providing development within themselves, it's been an amazing experience for us to learn and grow together. And I just thank you. I appreciate all your work. Thank you. Thank you so much for those comments and that feedback. We appreciate it all right. Member matters from South Cindy, Illinois. Just me this evening. But Cindy wanted to send along. On the back of your packet was a big list of how you can get involved and build Arts week, some things to promote, some events to attend. I'll be sending out clicks, picks, and an email if you want to go to anything with me, remember that we still have a ticket fund. So let me know if you need a ticket for anything.

[55:16] and as part of that, together with the blueprint update is The consultants are doing all of their investigating now, and all of the documents that we send them so much research. They will likely come back early May. They're working specifically on the Grant program like a super deep dive into the Grant program right now. But then also analyzing the 1,177 survey results that we questionnaire results that we received, and the next step for them is to build something that will be a little bit more in depth and investigative to go out during the Arts week. So we'll have 2025 volunteers out around the Builder Arts week. doing the next step of engagement. On the blueprint, which is super exciting.

[56:01] I think. does anybody have questions about movement stuff? You should also be getting an email once a week. Our newsletter or my email. What are they gonna be saying? They'll be well, it's twofold. The 1st is just helping get people like, learn about all the arts. We give up stickers, that sort of thing. The other part, though, is that the the cats, the engagement team, the consultants are building some kind of interactive something that people can give us more feedback now. So they're like doing all of their analysis of the 1st round of big vision survey. And then the next step is for us to say, Okay, so it sounds like you. A lot of people, by the way, for example, are very interested in arts education. So you're right on the right track. Yeah. So we need to ask, what do you mean by that? Specifically right. So do you mean after school, you mean in school? Do you mean all ages, you know, so helping us narrow down what we should be doing for our new policies. Yeah, yeah.

[57:03] thank you. Any questions. Cool. Hmm, anybody have questions about the manager's memo. I am. Oh, yes, yeah. Can you tell us more about this artist style, Brackett, and why there's examples of this work. Yes. So if you saw in the last pages. this is part of a Children's book that's being constructed. Excuse me. This is part of our experiments in Public Art series that is going specifically with the comprehensive plan. So we had some funding set aside to to plug artists into the experiments and put artists into the comprehensive planning process. Right? And that's like Modis Theater. Did the playback series to talk about what people want to see in their neighborhoods. Right? And one step of it is to we hired an illustrator with the help of Rachel Kane. This is not me. I have a an amazing contractor that's helping on this. Hired an illustrator to help the comprehensive plan. Do some drawings, and

[58:07] these will be like printed large style. At different events, they'll be made into a children's book. It's different ways of helping explain these very big and complex topics, right housing and the ability and safety. And I mean, they're so big and complex that illustrating them helps us all visualize them. Right? we just closed a call for the next experiments in public art round which will be in association with the community assemblies. So there'll be an artist that's attending the community assemblies and then making some piece of work that explains what that process is like. There'll be another call that comes up soon. That's gonna be more of an interactive you know, like pulling in for information from the public and then also expanding it out. So it's been very exciting. I think it's kind of a unique way for planners to go, but they've been really supportive of our work, and like using different venues to help people engage with and understand these like gigantic topics. Right?

[59:07] Thank you. I love it. Thanks for bringing it up. Yeah, you're welcome. Any other questions. Manages no move. No? All right. Okay, this is George's final meeting, so we want to send her off with all our good wishes. And, Lauren, you had something you wanted to say, yes, I will defer to the Commissioners first, st and I do have a gift for you. It's actually in a bag right next to me, so I'll have to arrange to give it to you, I guess, from the staff and from your fellow commissioners and for me something that was not purchased with city money. I'll just say that. Okay, whenever you get it. yeah. But I'll I'll defer to my commissioners before I say something. Georgia. I just wanna thank you for your perspective on the Commission. I know that your voice it will be in my ear

[60:00] for for years. And the perspective that you bring, and the ways that you've asked for us to show up and to listen and to make space, and I know it hasn't been easy for you, and I appreciate your bravery in bringing these topics forward. And for me personally it has had a huge impact. How I view this work and the questions I'll be answering. So I really appreciate you, and I wish you luck in your next endeavors. Thank you, Caroline. I still have your drawing of me on my refrigerator. I love it. Smile to me every time Yeah, I still have my own Well, it's funny how it actually, I feel like it actually looks like me.

[61:04] Hold on Yeah, I mean, side by side. Comparison. Can you see it? Oh, my gosh. yeah. So yeah, the floor is open, if anybody else would like to say anything, and I know Lauren has some words to say so. I'll say that I'm grateful that I got to serve on the commission with you for at least a year, and I feel like I learned a lot in this 1st year, and it's definitely going to play a role in how I analyze and think through the ways in which we, as a commission can show up for the city and the artists and people of color? So, yeah, thank you for all of your contributions. Thank you. And hopefully, you know, you guys will all be an advocate, not just for people of color, but people with different abilities. And

[62:11] all of the people who have a tendency to be marginalized in our community and unheard and unseen. Who is this person next to you, Jill? Well, this is well. Laura Aldridge is our new contractor, who will be helping with our accessible signage implementation. And then this is Jake, who's the public art program? Coordinator so big? Thank you to both of them for helping me manage this program. Okay. Sorry. I just went over there. And I was like, Who is that It's just staff. Georgia.

[63:03] Well, Georgia, I think I agree with everything that's been said so far. I'm just hoping that you continue on with the work items. As we we talked about when you and I and Lauren met. So I hope you continue as a community member and a former commission member. So you continue to lend your voice to those initiatives Okay. He's Smiling. Yeah, I'm so glad that I got to work with you for 3 years. It was. It was amazing. And you're like, no nonsense like take no shit. Mentality and viewpoint is extremely valuable, and I hope we can all take some of that in as well. But I'll I'll see you know Yeah, hopefully. One. Yeah. And I was gonna see if Matt wanted anything to, because it's been 5 years, which is remarkable. I wrote something because I'm not as eloquent as all of you. It's pretty, though.

[64:08] Oh, here's Matt, though, Matt Georgia. A couple of things. Thank you. For Lauren for allowing me to do this. But I've just wanted to say that I appreciate your wisdom and leadership through all these years, and especially I've I've learned so much from you. And so this has been a really valuable time, and thank you so much for showing up for this community. And there's also something sort of poetically tragic about the fact that your 1st meeting was during the pandemic on Zoom when we were trying to figure out all that and your last meetings with you sick on Zoom, and it's just wonderful and sad, and somehow a weird bookend to this. But, you have seen us through some extraordinary times and extraordinary conversations, so thank you so much for everything you've done to advance this group and look forward to you being out in the community and continuing your leadership

[65:08] Thank you. I don't know. Oh. I want to take a moment to recognize and thank you so much, Georgia, for your service on the Arts commission, as you all know, serving on this commission is, it requires a very deep commitment, and hours and hours and hours of personal time, a strong belief in the value of the arts. I have learned from you, because you have brought passion and conviction to your role, and you've approached your service with a dedication of a true artist, someone who understands the power of creative expression and the responsibility of shaping how the arts are supported in our community. Thank you for your time and your energy and your passion, and I know that you will continue to bring artistry to stages and studios and classrooms in boulder and beyond. and I also know that you all remain a strong advocate for the arts, and that's something that we always need. I look forward to seeing you out in the community

[66:06] Sure. I agree. Well, thank you. Thank you all. It's been a really I was reflecting this week. on my whole experience how we were online for so long. How I mean, I was, I think, was it a year that we were online before I saw anybody's actual face? I think it was more than I think so too, Yeah. And it just was. It's just been such an interesting experience to get to know people in a little screen and then see their actual face, like all the sides of it. And I've just I've learned so much. it's been a really special experience, and I can't believe it's come to an end. I remember when I 1st got on and like our 1st meeting, and I was reading through something, and it said that the timeline was 5 years, and I was like, Oh, my gosh! Like I didn't know that I'm like, how did I miss that like 5 years? That's forever because the Arts Commission in Encinitas is 2 years.

[67:24] So I thought it was another 2 year stint. But And I wasn't. I was like, how am I? Gonna 5 years. I don't know, anyway. So it's incredible that it's come to an end. And I've had such a good time meeting every single person on the commission. I love meeting people that I would not normally have access to. It really broadens my horizon. And I'm just thankful for each and every one of you

[68:01] Something like that No. I know we all hope you feel better, and we hope to see you out at Arts, events. And Lauren, how can she pick up her gifts, I will organize it with you. They are. I will show you. It's a box in a bag in a bag Good. I was missing a box around the house. I was just thinking like God, I need another box The mantle back there. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. All right this brings us to the end of our agenda. So I'm going to call close for meeting. Goodbye to everybody online. I hope you feel better. Georgia. Thank you. Hi, commander. multiple things