Arts and Culture Commission - May 15, 2024 Minutes
The Regular Meeting of the Arts and Culture Commission of the City of Fargo, North Dakota, was held in the Meadowlark Room at City Hall at 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 15, 2024.
The Arts and Culture Commissioners present or absent were as follows:
Present: Monika Browne-Ecker, Anna Johnson, Tracy Jordre, Jon Offutt, Deb Williams, Joe Williams
Absent: Danyel Moe, Tracy Walvatne
Also Present: Commissioner Kolpak
Chair Jordre called the meeting to order and welcomed Members to the meeting.
Item 1: Approve Agenda and Minutes
Member J. Williams moved to approve the Order of Agenda. Second by Member Offutt. All members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Member Johnson moved the Minutes of the March 27, 2024 Arts and Culture Commission meeting be approved. Second by Member Browne-Ecker. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 2: Current Project Updates
Introductions were made.
Planning and Development Director Nicole Crutchfield presented on the current projects. She noted that there were over 16 applications received this year for public art, 9 were selected, however the Downtown Music Mural by Peggy Lee will not proceed.
Planning Coordinator Maegin Elshaug shared two projects are outstanding that being the Skywalk Mosaic and the All Nations Community Celebration/Painted Playground at Madison Neighborhood with completion of both projects expected to be by the end of June.
Ms. Crutchfield noted that there will be no new calls for art or new projects this year.
Discussion occurred on the reasoning of the Peggy Lee mural not proceeding, which was due to artist capacity.
Item 3: Past Project Review
Ms. Crutchfield presented on the past projects.
Brief discussion was held regarding the past projects.
Item 4: Future Project Priorities
Ms. Crutchfield shared on the Ripples of Impact (ROI) report with Reach Partners noting the work will be continuing through this year. She asked who may want to be in an advisory workgroup for the report. Members D. Williams, Browne-Ecker, and Johnson expressed interest.
Discussion was held regarding the advisory workgroup, the ROI report, and the timeline.
Ms. Crutchfield asked the Board to write down answers to the following questions; what do we measure and how do we define (qualitative, quantitative, or both), what do we define as important metrics that are unique to Fargo or our region, and if they knew any experts in this field.
Discussion was held regarding the Board Members answers to these questions.
Ms. Crutchfield presented on succession planning and governance and the public art master plan (PAMP).
Item 5: 2024 Budget
Ms. Crutchfield stated there was a pivot from last year and the request for additional funding and a staff person was denied.
Item 6: 2025 Budget
Ms. Crutchfield shared the reduced funding request and the potential impact this would have on the work and projects of the Board.
Discussion was held on the future of the program, governance models for art programs, and the potential for integration.
Ms. Crutchfield briefly presented on each governance model.
Commissioner Kolpak commented on the Commission’s work of governance and consistency of board operations.
Discussion was held on making the most impact with the funding received.
Item 7: Adjourn – Next Meeting: August 21, 2024
The time at adjournment was 5:08 p.m.