Cultural Commission

CULTURAL COMMISSION MEETING MONDAY, APRIL 27, 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 MEMBERS ABSENT: Kevin Miller Bette Solomon Rob Ward 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. Nejman motioned to approve the minutes from the Cultural Commission meeting of February 23, 2026. Mr. Mach seconded. A voice vote took place. All ayes. MOTION CARRIED. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Commissioner Topics Mr. Cunningham brought up a recent Elvis tribute event that took place at the Prairie Center. He noted that this was a rental event that he heard about after the fact and suggested that rental events should be taken into consideration to avoid booking shows that are too similar. He also asked if shows like this should be presented by the Prairie Center rather hosted as a rental event. Discussion took place regarding rental events. Mr. Sugarman and Ms. Weiler provided background on the scope and scale of rental operations at the Prairie Center, noting that approximately 125 rentals are held at the Prairie Center each year, which provides a  strong revenue source. Ms. Weiler stated that staff tracks all rentals to ensure they do not conflict with village-presented programming. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: No report. DIRECTOR’S REPORT: Ms. Weiler reported that Hobbs Behrouzi, the Executive Director of Innovative Learning for District 54 overseeing the district music and art programs, will be nominated to join the commission at the May 12 village board meeting. Ms. Weiler updated the commission on scheduled renovation projects, reporting that the east end of the building’s roof is currently being resurfaced and that work in the lecture hall and downstairs office has been completed. This project included repurposing of a portion of office space as a music room to help facilitate the chamber program (slated to relaunch this fall). Ms. Weiler reported on the sculpture park rejuvenation project and stated that six new sculptures were approved for purchase, three of which were installed last week. The conservator is working on the final pieces to be restored. Ms. Weiler reported that the 26-27 fiscal year budget was presented and approved at the Committee of the Whole meeting on April 21. The final step in budget approval will be the village board meeting tomorrow night. This fiscal year, new equipment investments will include in-ear monitors, new stage decks, speakers for 90 North events, follow-spots, and new wireless microphone receivers. Also planned for this year are a new elevator and new counters and sinks in the upstairs dressing rooms and conference rooms. Additionally, a new staff position, the Events Programming Specialist, will be added to Cultural Services special events division to program events at 90 North Park and assist the Special Events Coordinator with other village events. Ms. Weiler reported on the status of the rebranding initiative, stating that the village board has approved the Al Larson Cultural Center as the Prairie Center’s new name. Ms. Weiler thanked those who participated in the stakeholder and focus groups or the community survey. The new website URL, which is currently directing to prairiecenter.org, will be larsoncenter.com. Prairie Center staff are working with Joy Riot on the new logo and marketing assets. Ms. Weiler reported on the special events division, stating that the Prairie Arts Festival has been juried and there will be 112 artists in 118 spaces. The Plein Air Competition has 42 submissions and painting is underway. Septemberfest Arts & Crafts has 180 applications to date. The Volunteer of the Year luncheon took place last week and was extremely successful, with 37 nominations and 160 people in attendance. Ms. Weiler updated the commission on Prairie Center Arts Foundation business. The foundation board has approved the Al Larson Cultural Center Foundation as their new name and alccfoundation.org as their website. The foundation will hold a fundraiser event on June 20 featuring The Best of The Second City. Ms. Weiler encouraged commission members to attend and help celebrate the Prairie Center’s 40th Anniversary. The foundation’s Sponsor-a-Seat Campaign is underway. 41 seats have been sold to date. Ms. Weiler reminded the commission that the foundation’s fiscal year ends Thursday, which is also the deadline for anyone who wishes to donate and be included on this year’s donor wall. CONTINUING ITEMS: 1. Young Artists Mr. Sugarman reported that the Screen Test Student Fest took place on April 10 and 11. Schaumburg Youth Jazz Orchestra performed at Encore Village on April 13. Schaumburg Summer Theatre hosted an open house on April 21, the same day Schaumburg Choral Program’s Prelude, Cantabile, and Vocalis ensembles performed at Encore Village. The full Schaumburg Choral Program presented its spring concert on April 26, featuring over 120 singers and drawing more than 300 attendees. Mr. Sugarman reported that Cantabile will perform with the Mead Middle School Choir this Wednesday. On Sunday, May 3, three Schaumburg Youth Orchestra concerts will be held at 1, 3, and 7pm. Ms. Weiler noted that Rob Pileckis will be awarded Executive Director of the Year by the Illinois Council of Orchestras at the 7pm concert. The Foundation will be awarding three student scholarships at the concert, and one student scholarship was awarded at last night’s Schaumburg Choral Program concert. Mr. Sugarman reported that Schaumburg Choral Artists concerts are scheduled for May 16 at Our Saviour’s United Methodist Church in Schaumburg and May 31 at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Park Ridge. Auditions are underway for both music programs and are upcoming for Schaumburg Summer Theatre. Registration is open for three Young Artists Summer Camps: Schaumburg Sings, Summer Jazz Intensive, and Nutcracker Warmup Camp. Mr. Sugarman reported upcoming personnel changes for the Young Artists division: Schaumburg Choral Artists Director Tim Koll will be stepping away at the end of the season. Devin Godzicki will succeed Kevan Kosobayashi as director of Schaumburg Youth Symphony Orchestra starting this fall. Dung Pham and Andrew Viveros will co-lead the relaunch of the SYO chamber program beginning this fall. 2. 2025-26 Programming Mr. Sugarman reported that the annual Black History Month program took place on February 26 and featured Dreamscape Theatre’s production of School Girls; Or The African Mean Girls Play. Dominate the Storm with Reed Timmer played on March 1. Rhinestone Cowgirls played on March 20, and the Three Redneck Tenors played March 21. Senior Follies took place on March 29 with a record number of acts. The final Thursday Night Laughs show of the season took place April 9, and the season wrapped on April 18 with Broadway Star Jessie Mueller.  3. 2026-27 Programming Mr. Sugarman reported that ten acts have been confirmed for the 26-27 season and added that staff are working to add two additional acts. He shared a handout including a rundown of confirmed 26-27 acts to date and a tickets sales report for the current season. Ms. Cain asked if there is still interest in adding a blues act as an opener for the Lee Rocker show in the spring. Mr. Sugarman confirmed that the artist approved an opener and asked Ms. Cain to bring her suggestions forward when available. Ms. Cain asked if the Schaumburg A.M. Rotary Club plans to hold their fundraiser event in coordination with this show. Ms Weiler advised that the Rotary Club has decided to select a different show in order to continue holding their fundraiser in the fall. DEFERRALS: No report. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: No report. ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Nejman motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:20 pm. Mr. Mach seconded. A voice vote was held. All ayes. MOTION CARRIED. NEXT MEETING: May 18, 2026. Respectfully Submitted, Alissa Brunet Programming Manager, Cultural Services Department