Arts Commission
Regular MeetingNorwalk, CT · June 6, 2023
Minutes
CITY OF NORWALK
ARTS COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
JUNE 6, 2023
ATTENDANCE: Marc Alan, Chair; Robert Abriola, Ava Jacobs, Brian Kaspr, Melissa
Matuska, Steven Rust
OTHERS: Sabrina Godeski, Sam Schutz, Annica Lydenberg
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Alan called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Mr. Alan called the roll. A quorum was present.
III. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
There was no one present who wished to address the Commission at this time.
IV. ADMINISTRATION
a. Approve the minutes of the March 7, 2023 regular meeting.
The Commission members reviewed the minutes.
** MR. ABRIOLA MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MARCH 7, 2023
** MR. KASPR SECONDED.
** THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MARCH 7, 2023 MEETING
AS SUBMITTED PASSED WITH FOUR (4) IN FAVOR (ABRIOLA, KASPR,
MATUSKA AND RUST) AND ONE (1) ABSTENTION (JACOBS)
V. COMMITTEE/STAFF UPDATES
a. Budget Committee Update – Sabrina Godeski
Ms. Godeski presented her report. She said that Mr. Shockley had retired from the City, so Ms.
Godeski will be handling the Traffic Wrap Box program. There is also $20,000 in the budget for
this. A discussion followed about possibly increasing the amount offered to the participating
artists.
City of Norwalk
Arts Commission
Regular Meeting
June 6, 2023 Page 1
Ms. Godeski then gave a brief overview of the budget and noted that Mr. Kaspr would be giving
a more in depth report.
b. Communications Committee Update – Marc Alan
Mr. Alan said that the City administration would be taking over all the social media and a new
system will be introduced. This means that the Arts Commission will not need to have their own,
separate social media account. Discussion followed about the transfer process for Arts and
Cultural Commission and the potential for creating new committees.
c. Infrastructure Committee Update – Brian Kaspr & Sabrina Godeski
i. Authorize the expenditure of $25,000 of Art in Public Places capital
funding to execute the You Are Not Alone Murals.
ii. Authorize the expenditure of the remaining $5,000 operating budget as
described by the Infrastructure Committee.
Mr. Kaspr introduced Ms. Schutz and Ms. Lydenberg. Ms. Schutz said that the group had started
in 2019 and they have 70 different murals around the world. The focus is mental health and the
theme is “You Are Not Alone.”
Ms. Lydenberg said that she was a painter and had read Ms. Schutz’s book about her struggles.
Mural arts are temporary and reaches out to those who are passing by. Mural have appeared in
different countries and done by artists in a variety of languages.
Ms. Schutz said that the goal is to inspire the artists around the world to participate and reach the
people who need to hear this message. There are interviews with the various artists along with
the various artists’ stories. The goal is to reduce stigma and shame associated with mental health.
The people who are hearing the message are going on to share that same message. There is
consistency in terms of the message and color palette.
Ms. Schutz spoke about the recent event in Darien where the empty Bank of America building,
which is scheduled to be demolished, was painted with the message and described how many
residents participated.
She also outlined their proposal for September, which is Suicide Prevention Month and detailed
the process.
Discussion followed about the quality and quantity of the murals, the City’s bidding process and
whether the murals would be located on public or private property.
City of Norwalk
Arts Commission
Regular Meeting
June 6, 2023 Page 2
Ms. Schutz said that they would like to have five murals in the Norwalk area. The organization is
looking for $25,000 to complete the five murals.
Ms. Schutz said that they could come back to the Commission with the locations and size of the
walls. The discussion moved to how long the various murals last and whether they could be
changed.
** MS. MATUSKA MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE EXPENDITURE OF $25,000 OF
ART IN PUBLIC PLACES CAPITAL FUNDING TO EXECUTE THE YOU ARE NOT
ALONE MURALS WITH THE CONDITION THAT MR. KASPR CURATES THE
PROJECT AND THE COMMISSION APPROVES THE DESIGN AND LOCATIONS IN
ADVANCE.
** MR. ABRIOLA SECONDED.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
ii. Authorize the expenditure of the remaining $5,000 operating budget as
described by the Infrastructure Committee.
Mr. Kaspr said that there was $5,000 remaining in the Operating Budget. Discussion followed.
** MR. ABRIOLA MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE EXPENDITURE OF THE
REMAINING $5,000 OPERATING BUDGET AS DESCRIBED BY THE
INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE FOR COMMUNICATION.
** THERE WAS A SECOND.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The discussion moved to the interactions with the State of Connecticut Department of
Transportation regarding the use of State owned spaces in Norwalk.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
a. Arts and Cultural Commission Transition and Reappointments.
Ms. Godeski explained that the Arts Commission was transforming into the Arts and Cultural
Commission and that the current Arts Commissioners have first choice to remain on the
Commission. She added that the Chair and Vice Chair will be appointed by the Mayor and the
change in the by-laws will allow the Commission to raise funding. There are nine seats with
three ex-officio members who are not required to be Norwalk residents. She requested that the
members who wished to remain to send her their resumes.
VII. OLD BUSINESS
There was no additional old business to consider at this time.
City of Norwalk
Arts Commission
Regular Meeting
June 6, 2023 Page 3
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
** MR. KASPR MOVED TO ADJOURN.
** MR. ABRIOLA SECONDED.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting adjourned at 7:24 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
S. L. Soltes
Telesco Secretarial Services
City of Norwalk
Arts Commission
Regular Meeting
June 6, 2023 Page 4
Agenda
ARTS COMMISSION
TUESDAY, JUNE 6TH, 2023 – 6:00 - 7:00 PM
AGENDA
To allow public access, anyone may access a meeting by telephone or Zoom. Specific
instructions and links can be found at www.norwalkct.org/meetings.
Members of the public can call in and listen to a meeting. They will not be able to speak or see
any of the meeting participants. Each meeting will use a unique Meeting/Webinar ID. Please find
the information using the link above.
Members of the public who wish to provide "live comments" will need to register in advance and
use the Zoom meeting platform. All participants will be muted upon entering the meeting. To
speak, click the “raise your hand indicator” and you will call on by the host of the meeting during
the public comment section. Please find the information using the link above.
Members of the public who wish to provide public comment are encouraged to submit those via
email in advance of the meeting. For these comments to be read into the record, they should be
submitted at least three hours in advance of the meeting start time. Please email Maritza
Alvarado at malvarado@norwalkct.org to provide written public comment prior to the meeting.
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. ROLL CALL
III. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
IV. ADMINISTRATION
a. Approve the minutes of the March 7, 2023 regular meeting.
V. COMMITTEE/STAFF UPDATES
a. Budget Committee Update – Sabrina Godeski
b. Communications Committee Update – Marc Alan
c. Infrastructure Committee Update – Brian Kaspr & Sabrina Godeski
i. Authorize the expenditure of $25,000 of Art in Public Places capital
funding to execute the You Are Not Alone Murals.
ii. Authorize the expenditure of the remaining $5,000 operating budget as
described by the Infrastructure Committee.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
a. Arts and Cultural Commission Transition and Reappointments.
VII. OLD BUSINESS
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Page 1 of 1
CITY OF NORWALK
ARTS COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
March 7, 2023
I. CALL TO ORDER
Board: Chairman Marc Alan, Brian Kaspr, Bob Abriola, Nori Grudin, Melissa Matuska, Nori
Grudin, Steven Rust (6:15)
Staff: Sabrina Godeski
Chairman Alan called the meeting to order at 6:05. A quorum was present.
II. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
There was no public participation.
III. ADMINISTRATION
a. Approve the minutes of the January 24, 2023 special meeting.
**** Mr. Abriola moved to approve the minutes of the January 24, 2023 meeting.
**** Mr. Kaspr seconded the motion.
**** The motion passed unanimously.
IV. NEW BUSINESS
a. Discussion on proposed Community Room Student Art Project.
Ms. Godeski talked about a plan to expand the People’s Gallery to incorporate student art work.
Since there are existing glass showcases in the community room, they had the idea to do a mini
canvas show. These would be a 4”x4” canvases on small easels. There is money in Ms.
Godeski’s budget and the schools will contribute as well. This would be in addition to any other
art shows.
City of Norwalk
Arts Commission
Regular Meeting
March 7, 2023
1
V. COMMITTEE STAFF UPDATES
a. Budget Committee Update – Nori Grudin and Sabrina Godeski
1. FY24 Capital and operating budget update.
Mr. Grudin reported that there is over $11,000 left in the budget. Ms. Godeski added there is
additional money available in the advertising budget and if there is going to be an ArtSpeak
event. This money needs to be spent by the end of June. Some ideas to spend the money are
to refresh some of the traffic boxes and renewing the membership to the Call to Entries account,
and adding lighting to some public art pieces.
There is no change in the Capital fund until the state approves the mural projects.
Ms. Godeski pointed out that the expense for social media will go away in the summer.
b. Communications Committee Update – Marc Alan and Sabrina Godeski
1. Visit Norwalk transition.
Mr. Alan would like Ms. Alterman to join this committee, but they have not all had a chance to
meet yet. On July 1st, all communications will go through Visit Norwalk.
Mr. Alan made the point that this transition will help make Norwalk an arts destination at the
state level.
c. Infrastructure Committee Update – Brian Kaspr
1. State progress.
Ms. Godeski reported that the state has not yet approved the expenditures for the murals.
There is no timeline for when this might get approved. Once that happens, there should be no
barriers to moving forward quickly.
2. Bloomberg grant application status and timeline.
Ms. Godeski reported that all the paperwork has been completed, and approval should be given
in March. Even if the grant doesn’t come through there is enough capital funds set aside and
this project will still go forward.
City of Norwalk
Arts Commission
Regular Meeting
March 7, 2023
2
Mr. Kaspr discussed a non for profit organization called You are Not Alone. They would like to
do a series of five murals around Norwalk that address mental health issues. This would not
cost Norwalk anything.
There was discussion about the possibilities of new public art pieces and where murals would
be appropriate and add value.
VI. OLD BUSINESS
a. Arts and Culture District update.
This is a state recognized entity. Mr. Alan has been proposing the city of Norwalk be an arts
and cultural city. It ties into the Visit Norwalk initiatives. The arts and culture district would
include the museums The process for approval from the state has been started. Being an arts
and culture district would allow the arts and cultural commission to raise funds and apply for
grants for the arts. When this happens the Arts Commission will become the Arts and Cultural
Commission, with a total of six members
Mr. Abriola suggested inviting artists to the commission meetings as a way to start the Artspeak
programs.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
***Mr. Kaspr moved to adjourn the meeting.
***Mr. Abriola seconded the motion.
***The motion passed unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 7:15.
Respectfully submitted,
Amy Chaple
Telesco Secretarial Services
City of Norwalk
Arts Commission
Regular Meeting
March 7, 2023
3
Capital Accounts
Summary of YTD Expenses and Account Balances
Description Department # Pro.# Original Balance Expenditures PO Avail. Bal.
MLK Blvd Art 0921-1450-5777 C0792 $ 50,000.00 $ 40,500.00 $ - $ 9,500.00
PO: Julio Pardo $ 16,500.00 $ 16,500.00 $ - $ -
Req: Studio 162, LLC $ 26,500.00 $ 26,500.00 $ -
Arts in Public Places Program 0922-3760-5777 C0804 $ 25,000.00 $ 6,000.00 $ 19,000.00
Arts in Public Places Program 0923-3760-5777 C0804 $ 50,000.00 $ 50,000.00
Norwalk Arts Commission
Budget Summary
Dept Account Summary Original Balance Expenses PO Transfer In/Out Balance
011450 5221 Printing & Duplicating $ 1,500.00 $ 1,500.00
5225 Secretarial Services $ 2,100.00 $ (790.00) $ (710.00) $ 600.00
Telesco Secretarial Services $ 1,500.00 $ (790.00) $ 710.00
5235 Membership & Dues $ 100.00 $ (200.00) $ 100.00 $ -
5237 Advertising $ 1,500.00 $ 1,500.00
5258 Other Professional Services $ 7,800.00 $ (4,250.00) $ 3,550.00
5286 Business Expenses $ 1,500.00 $ (1,129.48) $ (100.00) $ 270.52
5298 Other Contractual Services $ 500.00 $ (150.00) $ 350.00
5329 Other Operating Supplies $ 1,500.00 $ 1,500.00
VII.C
Chapter 17A, Arts Commission, is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:
Chapter 17A
ARTS AND CULTURE COMMISSION
§ 17A-1. Commission; Purpose.
There shall be a Commission known as the "Norwalk Arts and Culture Commission”
(the “Commission”). The purpose of the Commission shall be to serve as stewards for
the City of Norwalk’s public art collection and cultural assets. The Commission shall
also promote the educational, cultural, economic, and general welfare of the public
through the marketing of arts and cultural attractions, as well as encourage, facilitate,
and cooperate with artists and artistic and cultural enterprises and organizations for the
development of the creative, performing, and visual arts as well as cultural activities in
the City of Norwalk. The Commission shall be deemed a “cultural district commission”
for purposes of Section 10-401a of the Connecticut General Statutes, as the same may
be amended from time to time (the “Act”).
§ 17A-2. Definition.
“Cultural District” means each area within the City of Norwalk designated by the
Common Council from time to time as a Cultural District in accordance with the
provisions of the Act. A map of each Cultural District as so designated shall be available
from the Department of Economic and Community Development or other Department
designated by the Mayor.
§ 17A-3. Membership.
A. The Commission shall consist of nine regular members appointed by the Mayor with
the consent of the Common Council. All regular members shall be electors of the
City of Norwalk, and a majority of the regular members must live or work in a
Cultural District.
B. Not less than seven regular members of the Commission must represent the Norwalk
arts and culture community, including at least one representative from each of the
following categories:
(1) local cultural or arts council,
(2) cultural organizations (i.e., historical society, museum, ethnic heritage
organization),
(3) artists that live and/or work in a Cultural District,
(4) organizations that represent artists (artist cooperative, etc.), if applicable,
(5) for-profit creative businesses (i.e., theatre or gallery), and
(6) local business and/or chamber of commerce.
Any regular member of the Commission may represent more than one of the
foregoing categories.
C. Regular members shall be designated to serve staggered three-year terms. Any
regular member may be removed by the Mayor for failure to attend three or more
meetings of the Commission, without reasonable excuse, within a calendar year.
Any vacancy for any reason in the position of a regular member shall be filled by the
Mayor with the consent of the Common Council for the unexpired portion of the
term of the member whose place becomes vacant.
D. The Commission may also include up to three ex officio members, appointed by the
Mayor with the consent of the Common Council. Each ex officio member must be
affiliated with a Norwalk arts and cultural organization, but need not be an elector of
the City of Norwalk. Ex officio members may fully participate in meetings of the
Commission, but without being counted towards quorum requirements and without
the right to vote. Ex officio members shall be appointed for three-year terms. Any ex
officio member may be removed by the Mayor for the failure to attend three or more
meetings of the Commission, without reasonable excuse, within a calendar year.
Any vacancy for any reason in the position of an ex officio member may be, but is
not required to be, filled by the Mayor, with the consent of the Common Council, for
the unexpired portion of the term of the ex officio member whose place becomes
vacant.
§ 17A-4. Officers; Operation.
A. The Mayor shall appoint a Chair and Vice Chair of the Commission who shall each
serve for a term of three years or until the earlier of their resignation, death, removal,
or the expiration of their term on the Commission. No Chair or Vice Chair shall
serve more than two consecutive terms in such position.
B. The Chair shall be responsible for presiding over meetings of the Commission,
establishing a meeting schedule, and appointing members to any subcommittee(s)
established by the Commission. The Vice-Chair shall chair meetings in the event of
absence of the Chair.
C. The Business Development and Tourism Department, or other Department
designated by the Mayor, shall provide administrative support to the Commission.
Section 17A-5. Powers and Duties.
A. The Commission shall have such powers and duties as may be necessary or
desirable for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of the Act and as may
otherwise be designated by the Common Council from time to time. In furtherance
of the foregoing, but not by way of limitation, the Commission shall:
(1) Assist the Mayor and Common Council in the determination and
2
establishment of Cultural Districts;
(2) Prepare and maintain an inventory and asset map of the cultural and artistic
resources of the City by each subject deemed to be of significance by the
Commission; and
(3) Develop and manage an Arts and Cultural Plan as a guiding document for the
Commission, which shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(a) the goals and objectives of the Commission, including goals and
success measures for Cultural Districts,
(b) a management plan for the maintenance and preservation of the
City’s arts and cultural resources, and
(c) a marketing plan for the promotion of the City’s arts and cultural
resources.
B. In no event shall the acts or proposed acts of the Commission conflict with the
lawful designated duties of any other body or commission of the City of Norwalk.
§ 17A-6. Acceptance of Public Art.
A. The Commission shall review any proposed gift or donation to the City of any piece
of Public Art (as defined below) and make a recommendation to the Mayor and
Common Council as to whether such gift or donation should be accepted or rejected
and, if accepted, the proposed location of such piece of Public Art in the City. Upon
receipt of such recommendation, which shall not be binding on the Mayor or
Common Council, the Mayor and Common Council shall review and make a
determination as to whether to approve such gift or donation, including the proposed
location of such gift or donation, in accordance with City and Common Council
policy and procedures.
B. For purposes of this Chapter, the term “Public Art” means works of art in all artistic
disciplines that are created or designed for, built, or displayed in a community space
and accessible to all (public) for the benefit of residents and visitors. Public art may
include murals, sculptures, temporary installations, art shows, and festivals and other
types of artistic expression.
§ 17A-7. Establishment of the Norwalk Arts and Cultural District Account;
Investment.
A. There is hereby established an account known as the Norwalk Arts and Cultural
District Account (the “Cultural District Account”). The Cultural District Account is
established under authority of the Connecticut General Statutes for the exclusive
purpose of funding activities in a Cultural District that implement or promote the
purpose of this Chapter. The Account shall consist of the following:
3
(1) Funds attributable to sponsorships or underwriting of specific cultural or
artistic events and/or programming within a Cultural District. Such
sponsorships or underwriting shall be approved in accordance with City and
Common Council policy and procedures; provided, however, that such
approval shall not be required for any individual sponsorship or underwriting
that does not exceed $20,000 in the aggregate;
(2) Any funds from any source designated to be added to the Cultural District
Account to be used exclusively for cultural or artistic events and/or
programming within a Cultural District; and
(3) All investment income earned by the Cultural District Account.
B. All of the monies in the Cultural District Account shall at all times be subject to
withdrawal for use as provided in this Chapter. All or any part of the monies in the
Cultural District Account may be invested in any manner in which public funds may
be lawfully invested. No sums contained in the Cultural District Account, including
interest and dividends earned, shall be transferred to any other account within the City
budget or used for any purpose not provided for in this Chapter.
C. Any budget proposed by the Mayor or approved by the Common Council, and any
appropriation made for the arts and cultural enrichment of the City, shall not be
reduced, ratably or otherwise, in consideration of any moneys in the Cultural District
Account. Expenditures from the Cultural District Account shall add to and not replace
budgets and appropriations which also serve the purposes of the Cultural District
Account.
D. The continuation of the Cultural District Account shall be perpetual notwithstanding
that from time to time said account may be unfunded. Funds in the Cultural District
Account shall not lapse at the end of the City’s fiscal year.
§ 17A-8. Expenditures from the Cultural District Account; Administration.
A. Any funds held in the Cultural District Account pursuant to Section 7(A)(1) of this
Chapter shall be expended in accordance with the terms of the applicable sponsorship
or underwriting. All other funds held in the Cultural District Account shall be
expended in accordance with (1) the Arts and Cultural Plan and (2) any applicable
guidelines prepared by the Business Development and Tourism Department and
approved by the Common Council.
B. No expenditure of funds from the Cultural District Account shall be in excess of the
available balance in the fund.
C. No officer or employee of the City, or any member of their immediate family, may
receive a financial benefit from or have a direct or indirect personal or financial
conflict of interest in any Person that receives funds from the Cultural District
4
Account. Terms used in this subparagraph not otherwise defined in this Chapter shall
have the meanings given in § 32-3 of the Norwalk City Code, as the same may be
amended.
§ 17A-9. Cultural District Account Reporting.
The Chief of Economic and Community Development or their designee shall, on an
annual basis or as otherwise requested by the Common Council, prepare and deliver a
written report to the Common Council of the amount in the Cultural District Account and
deposits and expenditures therefrom.
Effective Date.
The foregoing amendments to Chapter 17A shall be effective July 1, 2023.
5