Cultural Commission

CULTURAL COMMISSION MEETING MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2025 AL LARSON PRAIRIE CENTER FOR THE ARTS / CONFERENCE ROOM A MINUTES MEMBERS PRESENT: Jon Cunningham Marilyn Karr Michael Kozakis Bobbi Marchuk Kevin Miller Michael Nejman Bette Solomon MEMBERS ABSENT: Linda Cain Marilyn Pande Rob Ward STAFF PRESENT: Tiana Weiler, Director Eddie Sugarman, Assistant Director Alissa Brunet, Programming Manager STAFF ABSENT: None AUDIENCE: None CALL TO ORDER Mr. Nejman called the meeting to order at 6:33pm. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Ms. Solomon motioned to approve the minutes from the Cultural Commission meeting of October 27, 2025. Ms. Karr seconded. A voice vote took place. All ayes. MOTION CARRIED. NEW BUSINESS: Mr. Nejman suggested a holiday social event be held at Bella Napoli on December 15. The commission agreed on the venue and date. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. Long-Term Planning Mr. Nejman asked when the report mentioned in the Cultural Commission ordinance is prepared. Ms. Weiler stated she submits monthly and annual reports that are available on the village website. Discussion took place about how the Cultural Commission might contribute to the report and if they can create their own report. Ms. Karr stated that commission business is already included in director reports. Ms. Weiler advised that recommendations for additions to the report or budget planning process be brought to her attention by the commission. Ms.  Solomon noted that the commission should formally agree on any such recommendations by vote. Additional discussion took place regarding the Cultural Commission ordinance and communication between staff and the commission. Mr. Kozakis stated he is still interested in discussing facility updates and upgrades. Ms. Weiler stated that several building renovations mentioned by Mr. Kozakis were proposed for the capitol budget; however, the village’s facility operations team advised that a building modernization study would be the first step towards impactful improvements. Ms. Weiler advised that the study was not approved in next year’s budget and has been deferred for future consideration. She added that, while larger, expansive changes will not be made at this time, smaller improvements can still be brought forward for consideration. Mr. Nejman asked the commission for feedback on the continuation of long-term planning discussions. Ms. Solomon stated she does not see a need to continue the discussion each month. Mr. Cunningham stated that discussion of the Cultural Commission ordinance provided direction but asked for clarity on the topic of fundraising before moving on from the discussion. Ms. Weiler advised that assistance with sponsorship procurement and foundation fundraiser promotion would be the most helpful fundraising efforts on the part of the commission. The commission agreed to roll the discussion off the agenda for the time being, keeping long-term goals in mind moving forward. DIRECTOR’S REPORT: Ms. Weiler reported that the annual holiday tree lighting ceremony is this Friday. There will be a few new features this year: Tom’s Coffee Truck will be onsite, Santa will be arrive by horse and carriage, and carriage rides, which have already sold out, will take place on the paths south of the plaza. Ms. Weiler reported that this year’s holiday ornament features the 30th annual production of Schaumburg Dance Ensemble’s The Nutcracker and is on sale at the box office or on the Prairie Center’s website. Ms. Weiler reported that the Prairie Center Arts Foundation Sips and Snacks Wagon Fundraiser is now in its third year and continues to be a strong season supporter. The foundation will be sending targeted donor messages and social media posts promoting Giving Tuesday on Dec. 2 and year-end giving throughout December. Donors contributing $250 or more will be recognized on the donor wall in the theatre lobby. Ms. Weiler reported that several upgrades are underway in the Schaumburg Sculpture Park, including new lighting, cameras, and ongoing preventive maintenance. New garbage cans, benches, and signage will also be added. Three sculptures are currently undergoing restoration with an offsite conservator and will be returned in the spring. Ms. Weiler reported that the theatre seat installation begins on December 22. Capacity will be 423 after the new seats are installed. A new numbering system will be implemented to eliminate duplicates. With the installation of the new seating, patrons will have the opportunity to purchase seat plaques for $300 each or $250 when purchasing two or more seats. Ms. Weiler reported that renovation will begin in the lecture hall and downstairs office space in February. A sturdier stage and updated AV and lighting will be added in the lecture hall, while the technician office and studio space downstairs will be reconfigured to incorporate a new chamber rehearsal space for the Young Artists Programs. Ms. Weiler reported that after careful review, the decision has been made to not proceed with the lobby expansion at this time due to village hall cost overruns, other organizational priorities and last year’s significant investment in the lobby doors, bar, and flooring, which have already improved the space. Ms. Weiler reported that the rebranding study is still underway and there is no new update since last month’s meeting. Potential new names are still under review by village leadership and updates will be shared as soon as decisions are finalized. CONTINUING ITEMS: 1. Young Artists Mr. Sugarman reported that all nine ensembles of the Schaumburg Youth Orchestra and Schaumburg Choral Program are currently in rehearsal. Interviews with potential chamber program directors are in process with plans to relaunch the program in fall of 2026. The choral program’s Prelude and Cantabile ensembles will sing at the village’s tree lighting ceremony on November 28. Schaumburg Dance Ensemble is in rehearsals for The Nutcracker, which opens December 4. The new Schaumburg Youth Jazz Orchestra will perform a winter concert, Jingle Bell Swing, on Dec. 17. Mr. Kozakis noted that the Schaumburg Youth Orchestra collaboration with string trio Simply Three went very well and was an excellent opportunity for the students in the program. 2. 2025-26 Programming Mr. Sugarman shared a ticket report for the season of arts and entertainment with the commission, noting that there have been performances and five acts, with four of them being sellouts. Mr. Cunningham asked if third party ticket sales are still occurring and if this results in many empty seats at sold-out shows. Ms. Brunet stated that third party sales are still occurring, but typically the tickets are used. Prairie Center staff continue to review third party sales trends and ways to prevent and limit these occurrences. The Prairie Center’s ticketing platform is in the process of implementing new ticketing formats to help with this as well. Mr. Cunningham noted that the commission can help educate audiences on the official website by sharing Prairie Center social media posts referencing the website. Mr. Sugarman referenced his request from the October meeting for promotional assistance for the Jessie Mueller concert and thanked Mr. Nejman for sending leads for group sales.  3. 2026-27 Programming Mr. Sugarman stated that he and Ms. Brunet will be attending the APAP conference in January and asked the commission to start thinking of any acts they would like staff to review for consideration as well. DEFERRALS: No report. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: No report. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Solomon motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:33 pm. Ms. Solomon seconded. A voice vote was held. All ayes. MOTION CARRIED. NEXT MEETING: January 26, 2026. Respectfully Submitted, Alissa Brunet Production Coordinator, Cultural Services