Arts Commission

AGENDA ARTS COMMISSION Community Room, 3rd Floor Arlington Heights Village Hall, 33 S. Arlington Heights Rd. Arlington Heights IL 60005 May 6, 2026 6:30 PM I. CALL TO ORDER II. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. April 8, 2026 Minutes IV. REPORTS V. OLD BUSINESS A. Cultural Arts Award B. Downtown Public Art Plan C. Mural Ordinance D. Sidewalk Chalk Art E. Artwork at Metropolis VI. NEW BUSINESS VII. OTHER BUSINESS VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT Anyone wishing to speak on a subject not on the Agenda may speak at this time. Please limit your comments to three minutes. IX. ADJOURNMENT The Village of Arlington Heights is committed to digital accessibility for all users. Persons with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services, such as an American Sign Language interpreter or written materials in accessible formats, should contact the Health & Human Services Department — located at 33 S. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005 — at 847- 368-5760 or ADA@vah.com. Page 1 of 3  AC 4/8/26 MINUTES MINUTES OF THE VILLAGE OF ARLINGTON HEIGHTS ARTS COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING HELD IN THE HANSON ROOM (3RD FLOOR) OF THE VILLAGE HALL APRIL 8, 2026 AT 6:30 P.M. Members Present: Mary Seitz-Pagano, Arts Chair Kristen Walter Erika Cutlip Kate Schwarz Sara Altieri Leena Joshi Carla McAleer Members Absent: Gretchen Grassl Kate Schwarz Brian Wolf Also Present: Michael Lysicatos, Planning and Community Development Darko Bojin, Planning and Community Development Arts Chair Seitz-Pagano opened the meeting at 6:30 PM. APPROVAL OF MINUTES COMMISSIONER WALTER MADE A MOTION, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CUTLIP, TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE MARCH 4, 2026 ARTS COMMISSION MEETING. ALL WERE IN FAVOR. THE MOTION CARRIED. CULTURAL ARTS AWARD Chair Seitz-Pagano opened the discussion on the Cultural Arts Award. The updated solicitation/application was shared by staff and reviewed by the Commission based on previous conversations. Commissioner Walter made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Joshi to approve the new solicitation/application. All were in favor and the motion carried. Commissioner Walter inquired whether individuals associated with religious institutions were eligible to be nominated. The Commission requested staff discuss with Village counsel on this matter and provide clarification at a future meeting to determine if the application would need any changes. The announcement would be made on April 15th (World Art Day) on the Village website and social media outlets. Staff would update the art and work with communication staff on disseminating the information. The commission asked that staff consider tagging related organizations in any social media posts such as Illinois Arts Council. DOWNTOWN PUBLIC ART PLAN There were not substantive updates on the Downtown Public Art Plan at this meeting. The commission is focusing its efforts on the Mural Ordinance and will continue the work on the plan at that point. Staff will work to develop some items for the Commission to discuss before that point. Once the project gets into a phase where grant applications may move forward the Commission will update a potential list of projects to work with the Village Board on letters of support and implementation. https://vah0.sharepoint.com/sites/PlanningTeam/Shared Documents/General/ADMIN/MINUTES/Arts/April 8, 2026 MINUTES 1 of 2 DRAFT.docx Page 2 of 3  AC 4/8/26 MINUTES MURAL ORDINANCE The Staff Liaison updated the Commission on the progress on this effort. Commissioners Altieri and Wolfe have been coordination with staff on the structure to determine the best avenue to adopt the ordinance (i.e., part of an existing code chapter versus stand-alone ordinance). Example ordinances are structure in various manners and give the Arts Commission flexibility in how to adopt the ordinance. Other topics under consideration include the types and locations on buildings for murals, restrictions by zoning district, regulating exceptions, content guidelines, and the review process and possible additional board review. Careful consideration will be required in terms of context guidelines in terms of appropriate context and potential limits on how content could be restricted. The process could also include a review by other boards and commission, such as the Design Commission, to ensure the integrity of architectural elements as they were reviewed and approved is not diminished with a project submission and review. The Commissioners leading the development of the ordinance made a decision to not include the ordinance as part of the sign code as there is a distinction made in the proposed language that it is exempt from the sign code already. The goal will be to develop draft language at the next meeting and discuss an adoption timetable. SIDEWALK CHALK ART Commissioner Cutlip summarized efforts to coordination with the Downtown Business Association as well as research on Chalk It Up in terms of artists and costs associated with these types of events. There was a discussion about potentially hiring professional artists at different levels to create a unique element to kick off the effort. The artist could also serve as a draw to the event through social media and other platforms. Concern about room to create an element in the Alfresco area, which is limited, or the sidewalks which are made of brick and not an ideal material for chalk art. The alternative venue under consideration was North School Park due events (i.e., National Night Out, Farmers Market) being held there and proximity to public facilities (i.e., Library and Historical Society) and parking lot that could potentially host food trucks to make it a bigger draw. A specific location has not been identified. The commission discussed coordinating with Special Events Commission to discuss potential coordination with events at North School Park. Researching other sidewalk chalk programs provided valuable guidance on supply considerations, sponsor information, content guidelines, terms and conditions for applications. Since the group is a Commission, versus an Arts Council, there may not be a need for terms and conditions for art entries. There is a question as to whether content would need to be restricted in terms of copyrighted images (i.e., cartoon characters), whether the temporary nature of the art or potential awards/stipends could impact any restrictions. The organizers of other events may provide useful guidance on these questions. The commission was potentially targeting the end of the Alfresco season or before Autumn Harvest to take advantage of nice weather, and have children before school starts. ARTWORK AT METROPOLIS Chair Seitz-Pagano provided that this effort will be delayed a bit due to the move of offices to the 4th floor of the building. NEW BUSINESS PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments. ADJOURNMENT COMMISSIONER WALTER MADE A MOTION, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CUTLIP TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:32PM. ALL WERE IN FAVOR. THE MOTION CARRIED. https://vah0.sharepoint.com/sites/PlanningTeam/Shared Documents/General/ADMIN/MINUTES/Arts/April 8, 2026 MINUTES 2 of 2 DRAFT.docx Page 3 of 3