Public Arts and Culture Advisory Council

PUBLIC ARTS & CULTURE ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. Electronic Meeting Members Present: Lindsey Kmetty – Niles Park District (CHAIR) Susan Lempke – Niles-Maine District Library Joseph Steinfels – Niles VFW Post 3579 Janet Spector Bishop – School District 63 Marina Samovsky – Photographer Kathleen Gallegos – Artist/Art Station Studio Sarah Djordjevic – Maine East Fine Arts Dept Alicia Bermes – Niles Chamber of Commerce Members Absent: John Kosirog – School District 71 Debi Gajewski – Artist Barbara Karawacki – Niles Historical Society Carol Luc – Artist George Alpogianis – Niles Sister Cities Village Officials/Staff Present: Katie Schneider – Community Engagement Coordinator I. Call to Order: Chair Lindsey Kmetty called the meeting to order electronically via Zoom audio/visual conferencing at 4:01 p.m. on Tuesday, April 13, 2021. II. Public Comment The electronic meeting is open to the public. No public comment was submitted in advance of the meeting. No public comment was made at the meeting. III. Approval of Meeting Minutes Janet Spector Bishop made a motion to accept the minutes of the March 9, 2021 meeting. Joseph Steinfels second the motion, all were in favor. None opposed. Minutes approved. IV. Organization Representative Reports Janet Spector Bishop (East Maine School District 63) – District 63 art teachers were featured by the NEA (National Education Association) on how art and music was incorporated remotely. Their summer programs will be vastly expanded this summer. Sarah Djordjevic (Maine East Fine Arts Department) – Maine East had their first football game with the marching band playing. The spring theatre production will be in-person, outside with limited seating. Alicia Bermes (Niles Chamber of Commerce) – The Chamber is slowly moving towards in-person events and meetings. The Chamber is moving forward with Taste of Niles and working on a location. Susan Lempke (Niles-Maine District Library) – The Library is hosting a Summer Reading contest, winner will be on the cover of the newsletter, she asked for assistance in promoting. Joseph Steinfels (Niles VFW 3579) – The VFW will host its annual Memorial Day ceremony at the Niles Veteran’s Waterfall (Touhy/Milwaukee) Kathleen Gallegos (Arts/Art Station Studio) – Unfortunately, Kathleen has closed her studio. She will continue to offer private classes but from her home. V. Niles Artisan Guild Debi Gajewski and Carol Luc were absent from the meeting, no report was given. VI. Old Business a. Leaning Towers of Parade: Alicia reported on the businesses that will be participating as sponsors, there are 13 total. The Chamber can place another order later, but only if Alicia can sell half of the shipment before ordered. The Council discussed locations and ways to secure the towers. There are four holes at the base of the tower that can be staked in the ground or drilled into concrete. Public Works can assist with public property but not private property that would be up to the business. There is an option for a $250 concrete base, but that would be at the expense of the Arts and Culture Council. Council members discussed and agreed to evaluate on a case-by-case basis and purchase the concrete base as needed. Artist will receive a $400 stipend, plus reimbursement on supplies up to $100. The Arts and Culture Council will need to approve all designs. The application will be available this week with a June 1st deadline. All designs will be reviewed for approval at the June 8th Public Arts and Culture meeting. b. Niles – At Our Table: Marina asked for assistance connecting with families particularly of Asian descent. Katie shared logo samples for the project; the Council discussed and agreed that option 1 was preferable. Marina and Katie will continue to work on logo development. VII. New Business There was no new business. VIII. Open Discussion The Council discussed quickly the utility boxes and agreed to post the Call for Artists in August and September. IX. Next Meeting The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. electronically. X. Adjournment Janet Spector Bishop made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 4:55 p.m. Marina Samovsky second the motion, all were in favor. Meeting adjourned. Minutes submitted by: Katie Schneider, Community Engagement Coordinator