Fine Arts Commission

Skokie Fine Arts Commission November 8, 2023 Meeting Notes 1. Call to Order at 7 p.m. by Chairperson Pam Garbarini Present: Chairperson Garbarini, Vice Chairperson Rhodes, Staff Liaison Gioia, and Commissioners Blum Barish, Chander, Hatchett, Joshi, Levan, Liberman, Osseny, Thomas, Vasevski, Vicker and Waxberg. 2. Introduction of New Member Ellen Blum Barish, an author, writing coach and previous recipient of the Fine Arts Commission’s Excellence in the Arts award, has joined the Fine Arts Commission. Ellen was also the headlining storyteller at the February 2022 Love Lost and Found storytelling event. 3. Previous Project Review a. October 2023 Arts and Humanities Month was deemed a success. Thoughts for the future include trying to expand to a more diverse set of organizations. Also choosing a less-restrictive theme for the photography exhibit. Earlier outreach to groups so that perhaps they can plan events specifically for the month of October. Idea to send a thank you to the organizations that participated and ask them for feedback. b. Ghosted storytelling event – It was difficult to get storytellers. Perhaps the theme made people think they had to have scary stories? Group support for hosting another one in February with a Love theme. Commissioner VanOsdol will contact Take Flight to see what dates may be available. Commissioner Blum Barish will reach out to her storytelling contacts once a date is chosen to encourage them to participate. 4. Upcoming Projects a. Excellence in the Arts Awards – Deadline for nominations is 12/8. Not many have come in despite publicizing in SkokieNews and on social media multiple times. Commissioners are encouraged to submit nominations as well. Discussed artists and organizations that could be recipients if no other nominations come in. b. SOAR student art exhibit in March at Oakton College – March is Youth Art Month which is a good tie-in. Commission discussed whether or not we wanted to grow the exhibit to include invited speakers throughout the month or at least during the Artists’ Reception. This would require finding a speaker, possibly renting out one of the classrooms, engaging a sound system. May be too much #616444  effort for too little payoff. May also take the spotlight off the artists themselves. Better to keep as-is but bring in musicians and spread out exhibit in the atrium to provide more room during reception. 5. New Business a. Artists’ Happy Hour Networking Event – We do a lot to support arts organizations but not as much for the individual artists. What do they need? Hosting a cash-bar happy hour event for Skokie artists to come together, meet the Commissioners, share their experiences and network with other artists would be a good first step. Could grow into a regular event. Maybe with professional development speakers? Commissioner VanOsdol will contact Sketchbook to see if they are amenable to hosting. b. Memoir Project for Underrepresented Voices – Commissioner Blum Barish is interested in leading a memoir-writing project with underrepresented communities in Skokie ending in some kind of “final project” like a podcast. Seeking to “amplify Skokie voices” Commission was unsure how we would support it. Perhaps in partnership with another organization like the library or the Human Relations Commission. Commissioner Blum Barish will continue to research what is out there and will report back at future meeting. 6. Adjournment – Meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m. Upcoming meetings: December 13- – Commission Meeting at 7 p.m. January 10 – Commission Meeting at 7 p.m. January 16 – Village Board Meeting at 7:30 p.m. (Presentation of Excellence in Arts Awards) #616444 #616444