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Minutes 01-08-04 • MINUTES OF THE REGUL R MEETING OF THE ARTS COMMISSION BOARD HELD AT THE SCHOOLHOUSE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM, 129 EAST OCEAN AVENUE, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2004 AT 6:30 P.M. Present Debby Coles-Dobay, Chairperson Arleen Dennison, Board Liaison Angela Budano Kimberlee M. McGow Anita Remer Suzette Urs Linda Sage, Alternate Absent Richard W. Beaulieu, Vice Chair Michael J. McGoey, Alternate I. Call to Order Chairperson Coles-Dobay, called the meeting to order-at 6:40 p.m. II. Attendance After member introductions Chair Coles-Dobay declared a quorum was present. III. Communication and Announcements Chair Coles-Dobay noted Andy Rooney's editorial on the 60 Minutes television show of Sunday, January 2, 2005, titled 'When Did This Become Art": The segment can be viewed in its entirety by accessing the following Website: cbsnews.com/stories/2004/12/20/60minutes/rooney/main662013.shtml. Mr. Rooney commented that art displayed in public places is not necessarily what he considers to be art. The commentary was presented in a way to solicit both negative and positive feedback, typical of Andy Rooney's controversial style. Chair Coles-Dobay felt that the 60 Minutes piece reflects sentiments from the majority of communities and it is this Board's responsibility to educate the community on the nature of art. She asked the Board to consider the definition of art, and provided such from several sources for their review. Meeting Minutes Arts Commission Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 3, 2005 IV. Department Update on Comprehensive Master Plan Text Feedback Chair Coles-Dobay stated that feedback was received from both the CRA and Planning & Zoning departments on the Master Plan draft. The comments provided showed a lack of understanding about the nature of art by these departments. Feedback from the Planning & Zoning department included: "Document does not appear to include provisions for architectural enhancements or elements (as touched on page 6). Understood that the mission to enhance City's image included project architecture as well as through art elements. Or, project design could contribute toward image/art. If so, design criteria/objectives should be written to enable simple and early communication with potential. applicants, and upon which staff comments would be based and supported." Chair Coles-Dobay reminded the Board that their Ordinance does not include project architecture but does include art elements. The Board's direction from the City Manager was not to be concerned with architecture because this was an area covered by Planning & Zoning. Ms. Dennison will develop a Q&A page that will address the concerns gained from each department. The answers to some of the concerns by the departments are not necessarily within the Board's parameters to decide but they felt that they would be better served to inform the City of the discussion points surrounding the issues and have the City make the final decisions. Another concern that each department had was whether the art element of a project always had to be created and produced by an artist? Doug Hutchinson, CRA, was concerned that there was not a clear definition on what art is and the parameters that define an artist are buried deep within the document. The Board felt that their role would be to continually educate the City and Community about what art is, not to add more information to the Master Plan document. Another concern the CRA had is: W "A great deal of concern that art is not art unless done by an artist." Chair Coles-Dobay responded to this by saying "Art is typically done by artists. Of course, designers and architects can create art." She forwarded to Mr. Hutchinson the list of definitions for art in an effort to help him understand the broad scope of art. She feels that the language included within the Developer Alternatives section of the Master Plan should clear up any confusion the departments may have for what can be considered art: 2 • Meeting Minutes Arts Commission Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 3, 2005 "The Arts Commission is receptive to the broadest definitions of art and encourages imaginative interpretations of media. The possible media and materials, which might used for permanent or temporary installation, decorative or functional purpose include: • Sculpture: Free-standing, wall supported or suspended; kinetic, electronic, etc., in any material or combination of materials; • Painted and mosaic murals; • Earthworks, fiberworks, neon, glass, mosaics, photographs, prints, calligraphy, any combination of forms of media, etc.; • Standardized fixtures such as gates, streetlights, signage, etc., may be contracted to artists for unique or limited editions. A discussion ensued regarding the Call to Artists section and who would actually qualify. It was mentioned that, although the criteria listed in the Call to Artists section states the artists must have very specific experience, the Board has the option of opening up a project to younger, less experienced artists. Mr. Hutchinson also was concerned over who would manage the impact fee/public art fee. He stated that he does not want to manage this process. He also suggested that the Board provide incentives as a payout. The Board discussed that they are not able to do that because they are not part of the CRA and it was suggested that if incentives are something that he feels are necessary, he needs to provide examples of what incentives, specifically, he is referring to and provide direction on how the incentives would work. The CRA_ suggested that the Board invest a portion of the Public Art Fee in an Endowment Fund. An endowment fund is a savings plan that an organization would invest into which continues to grow, in perpetuity, over the years. It would provide the Board with something to fall back on in leaner times. Parameters can be 'set as to whether the interest income can be spent or reinvested into the endowment until such time as the goal amount of the fund is reached. Fundraising can be performed to raise money to put into the endowment and there are State endowment programs that would provide grant monies toward an organization's endowment, provided the organization has raised a certain amount of money toward their endowment. Ms. McGow will research what other Public Art organizations are utilizing in the way of endowments. The City of Miami Beach's Civic Goals & Public Art Questionnaire document was reviewed as a potential tool to be used to guage the community's interests with regard to Public Art. The City of Boynton Beach's image was discussed. Chair Coles-Dobay informed the Board that the tagline suggestion that was provided to the City (The City of Boynton Beach — the Heart of the Palm Beaches) has not been adopted. It was hoped that if it 3 Meeting Minutes Arts Commission Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 3, 2005 were adopted, it would be used both internally within each City department as well as externally within the community. (Ms. Remer left the meeting at 7:50 p.m. and returned at 7:53 p.m.) V. Other Programs Mural Program The Art Center is placing a mural on a building in the City of Boynton Beach. Mike Rumpf, Planning & Zoning, asked the Board to provide feedback on whether the mural would be an asset to the community. It was determined that feedback could not be provided without knowing the dimensions of the building and the wall it would be painted on, as well as what buildings and landscape are on both sides of the building to be painted. Funds Request The Sister Cities organization requested a monetary donation to support their Quilt, Project at Congress Middle School. The Board responded that they have no funds available yet for projects. VI. Art Commission's Sales Presentation to the City Commission The subcommittee will meet on Monday, January 10, to finalize text revisions to the Master Plan document. Ms. Dennison will schedule meetings during the week of January 17th with Planning & Zoning and CRA for the Board to address their points of concern and educate them on the nature of art. Presenters that have confirmed their participation include: Elayna Singer, Administrator, Palm Beach County Art in Public Places. Norm Codo, Developer and Principal Benefactor of the Boca Raton Museum Jeff Segal, Landscape Architect Beth Ravitz, a public artist in Broward County The Board will verify their availability for February 1-15 to do the presentation. Once the date is confirmed with the City Manager's office, they will be notified. A guided tour video of local artists' work will be added to the sales presentation. It was mentioned that Rick Beaulieu, Board Member, might have videos of his work because he has been featured on various television programs. 4 • Meeting Minutes Arts Commission Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 3, 2005 V. Programs Artist Database The Board will provide names and locations of artists to Ms. Dennision. These names will be collected in a database that will be used for any future Call to Artists. Art Night Art Night is a potential program that would use the City's trolley system to visit local artists' studios to view their work. Tickets could be sold and refreshments served. V. Next Meeting The next scheduled meeting will be held on February 7, 2005. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Deanna Ewing Recording Secretary (010405) 5