Cultural Commission

CULTURAL COMMISSION MEETING MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2026 AL LARSON PRAIRIE CENTER FOR THE ARTS / CONFERENCE ROOM A MINUTES MEMBERS PRESENT: Linda Cain Jon Cunningham Marilyn Karr Michael Kozakis Michael Mach Bobbi Marchuk Michael Nejman Marilyn Pande Rob Ward MEMBERS ABSENT: Kevin Miller Bette Solomon STAFF PRESENT: Tiana Weiler, Director Eddie Sugarman, Assistant Director Alissa Brunet, Programming Manager STAFF ABSENT: None AUDIENCE: None CALL TO ORDER: Ms. Cain called the meeting to order at 6:32pm. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Mr. Cunningham motioned to approve the minutes from the Cultural Commission meeting of November 24, 2025. Mr. Mach seconded. A voice vote took place. All ayes. MOTION CARRIED. NEW BUSINESS: 1. COMMISSIONER TOPICS: Ms. Cain reported that a recurring item, commissioner topics, will be added to the agenda moving forward to provide a formal opportunity for commission members to present ideas or feedback they may have. She requested that commission members ask to be recognized by the chair when they wish to speak to help facilitate an orderly meeting. Ms. Cain brought forward suggestions for a future kitchen expansion, scaling back on the use of theatre haze during concerts, reviewing the number of seats that are designated for premium ticket pricing, and an acoustic treatment in the theatre. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: No report. DIRECTOR’S REPORT: Ms. Weiler introduced Mr. Mach to the group and welcomed him as a new member of the commission. Ms. Weiler reported that the foundation presented two $500 scholarships to Schaumburg Dance Ensemble students at the final performance of The Nutcracker. Both scholarships were awarded to high school seniors who had danced with the program for more than nine years. Ms. Weiler reported that the Prairie Center Arts Foundation’s 2025 Holiday Sips and Snacks Wagon Fundraiser was very successful, raising over $6,000. The foundation’s Sponsor-a-Seat campaign is underway, with 21 seats sponsored to-date. Interested parties can see which seats are available to sponsor on the Prairie Center’s website. Ms. Weiler reported that the new theatre seats have been installed. Renovation work in the downstairs office space began today, and work is scheduled to begin in the lecture hall on Monday. Limited parking at Prairie Center events is expected through May or June due to the continued construction of the new Village Hall. Prairie Center staff are working closely with Schaumburg Police Department’s auxiliary officers, the Schaumburg Church of Christ, and School District 54 to provide overflow parking when necessary. Ms. Weiler reported that the village’s capital budget was approved at the last board meeting. The budget includes plans to install a permanent traffic signal at Schaumburg Road and Prairie Center Drive, with an estimated installation date of summer 2027. Ms. Weiler reported that the village is actively investing in the enhancement and long-term stewardship of the sculpture park and seeks to expand the collection by acquiring three additional completed works of art. The RFI for these works was released on Friday. Ms. Weiler reported that she and Mr. Sugarman will present the proposed budget for next fiscal year to the village manager’s office later this week and are in the process of finalizing department goals for next year. Ms. Weiler reported that there is no update on the Prairie Center’s rebranding campaign at this time. Ms. Weiler reported that applications for the Prairie Arts Festival, Plein Air Competition, and Septemberfest Arts & Crafts opened earlier this month, with 46, 8, and 69 applications received to date, respectively. CONTINUING ITEMS: 1. Young Artists Mr. Sugarman reported that Schaumburg Dance Ensemble completed a very successful run of The Nutcracker in December. Mr. Sugarman reported that two Schaumburg Choral Program Ensembles, Prelude and Cantabile, performed at the village’s Tree Lighting Ceremony on November 28. The Schaumburg Youth Jazz Ensemble performed a winter concert, Jingle Bell Swing, on December 17. Two performances of Presto! Holiday Concert were held December 20, featuring six ensembles of the Schaumburg Youth Orchestra and Schaumburg Choral Program. The Schaumburg Youth Sinfonia Strings and String Ensemble presented a joint concert on January 11. All nine music ensembles are now back in rehearsal for the spring session. Mr. Sugarman reported that the Schaumburg Youth Orchestra Chamber Program will be relaunched this fall, co-led by Andrew Viveros and former SYO director Dung Pham. The program has been on hiatus since fall 2025 following the retirement of former Chamber Program director, Stephanie Preucil. Mr. Sugarman reported that Schaumburg Youth Symphony Orchestra director Kevan Kosobayashi will be stepping away from the program after a very successful tenure. A new director has been selected and will be announced soon. Mr. Sugarman reported that audition registration is now live for Senior Follies, which he will be directing. Film submissions are now open for Screen Test Student Fest, which will be directed by Rob Pileckis. 2. 2025-26 Programming Mr. Sugarman shared a season ticket sales report and noted that sales numbers are strong overall. Numbers are currently slightly low for Gunhild Carling on February 6; Abbey Road on February 14 is almost sold out. Mr. Sugarman reported that a new show, Rhinestone Cowgirls, has been added for March 20 and tickets are on sale now. 3. 2026-27 Programming Mr. Sugarman reported that he and Ms. Brunet attended the Association of Performing Arts Professionals conference in New York earlier this month. Mr. Sugarman shared a list of potential shows discussed with agents at the conference and played video clips of the artists when available. Discussion took place about several of these acts, including The Dolly Show, Taylor Swift tribute Are You Ready For It, and The Stray Cats’ Lee Rocker. Discussion also took place about holiday programming, including a return performance of Zachary Stevenson’s A Holly Jolly Christmas and a performance of Vince Guaraldi’s A Charlie Brown Christmas by the Chris White Trio. Mr. Sugarman thanked the commission for their feedback, adding that this will help advise Prairie Center staff as they begin offers and negotiations for the season.  Ms. Cain asked about a date for a blues show this year and suggested October 17. Mr. Sugarman stated that he will check on the date and would like to talk more about the specific acts Ms. Cain is considering for the show, along with potential audience draw and marketing strategy, before moving forward. DEFERRALS: No report. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: No report. ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Nejman motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:47 pm. Mr. Cunningham seconded. A voice vote was held. All ayes. MOTION CARRIED. NEXT MEETING: February 23, 2026. Respectfully Submitted, Alissa Brunet Programming Manager, Cultural Services Department