Fine Arts Commission

Meeting Notes Skokie Fine Arts Commission - September 8, 2021 Meeting I. Call to Order – 7 p.m. by Chairperson Pam Garbarini; those present Included Vice Chairperson Jeff Rhodes, Commissioners Debra Hatchett, Doris Liberman, Jackie Moses, Mitch Thomas and Ellen Waxberg and staff liaisons Ann Tennes and Enkhnasan Taylor. II. Garbarini welcomed everyone to the meeting, and all of those present introduced themselves. III. Recap of 2020 and 2021 – Garbarini commended the commission and Tennes for coordinating the Fall in Love with Skokie – Fall 2020 photo exhibit as well as the Warm Days, Warm Hearts in Skokie – Summer 2021 photo exhibit. Waxberg asked about the commission’s grant program, and Tennes explained that the initiative has been eliminated from the Village budget for the next few fiscal years due to the extreme economic toll on Village revenues from the COVID-19 pandemic. IV. Upcoming Projects Artistic Excellence Awards - Nominations accepted through November 1, 2021; review and discussion at November 10, 2021 Commission meeting; awards presented at a December Village Board meeting. Tennes noted that the budget and pandemic conditions will not support a reception and also advised that no nominations have been received to date. Nomination information is featured in the current edition of NewSkokie, is posted on the home page of the website and will be included in upcoming editions of SkokieNews. Waxberg suggested former Fine Arts Commission Chairperson as a possible nominee. Listening Sessions (pending confirmation by artists) - October 13, – presentation by Commissioner Debra Hatchett, owner of Anatomically Correct; December 8 – presentation by Music Theater Works staff. Other possible presenters in coming months: Skokie Theatricals, Devonshire Theater, Skokie Sculpture Park, North Shore Center and Ellen Blum Barish. Rhodes expressed enthusiasm for the listening sessions and requested a formal brainstorming session on how the commission can amplify the work of other Skokie arts organizations. Hatchett expressed interest in promoting Skokie-specific artists in all areas of the Arts; Tennes #591400  advised that this might be easier for some types of artists than others, but that the commission should discuss. SOAR – Garbarini expressed interest in discussing options for presenting a 2022 Student Outstanding Artists Recognition (SOAR) program without a large reception as occurred in past years. The North Shore Center’s limited lobby hours might not be conducive to ‘drop by’ visits for student artists and their families. Tennes suggested the Skokie Public Library as a possible alternate location, with student art displayed in various locations at the Library. Garbarini requested a SOAR brainstorming session in October, noting that spring 2022 conditions and options might be difficult to predict. Tennes said she would contact the Library to see about feasibility as an alternate location. V. Open Discussion Partnerships with other Village advisory boards and commissions – Waxberg mentioned this idea that had been discussed in the past; Tennes advised that most Village commissions were just resuming in person meetings and program planning. Rhodes suggested partnerships could extend to commissions other than the Public Arts Committee and Performing Arts Center Board. Garbarini suggested tabling this discussion until 2022. Family Arts Day – this program was in the initial planning stages when the COVID-19 pandemic began. Rhodes suggested a commission brainstorming session to discuss a possible summer 2022 event featuring various Skokie Arts organizations. VI. Meeting adjournment – 7:58 p.m. Upcoming meetings: • October 13 – listening session and SOAR discussion • November 10 – Artistic Excellence Award discussion and SOAR and/or commission community arts support discussion • December 8 – listening session and SOAR and/or commission community arts support discussion Meetings held in conference rooms D/E at Village Hall or Skokie Police Headquarters training room, pending attendance confirmations. #591400