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Cultural Development Board Meeting of June 30, 2021.
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a. BOARD-AS-A-WHOLE NOMINATION
The Board was advised of Geannina Burgos and Betty Horwitz’ interest in serving as the Board-as-a-Whole appointment. Information was shared about both. The Board discussed briefly and made the following motion:
Mr. Martinez made a motion to appoint Geannina Burgos as the Board-as-a-Whole member of the Cultural Development Board. Mr. Valdes-Fauli seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
b. ARTS ADVISORY PANEL MEMBER NOMINATIONS
Board members were provided in advance with a copy of the Arts Advisory Panel (AAP) resolution and CVs of those interested in serving on the Panel. Staff advised the Board that additional materials were sent the previous night from one person and could be shared on-screen or printed in the Clerk’s office. Ms. Cathers informed the Board that current eligible AAP members are interested in re-appointment, with one open vacancy. She continued, saying nine members serve on the Panel with seven arts professionals nominated and recommended by the Cultural Development Board. The other two, she said, are City Commission-as-a whole appointees who have been confirmed (Manny Mato and Maggie Hernandez). Dr. Roth stated that she was reluctant to vote on it at this time and would prefer to have the information of the person who recently submitted information.
Mr. Patnin made a motion to defer considering nominations for the Arts Advisory Panel. Mr. Martinez seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
c. ART IN PUBLIC PLACES (AIPP) PROJECT LIST UPDATE
Ms. Cathers gave a brief overview of Art in Public Places funding, explaining the two sources from private development and municipal development projects. Private development construction projects over one million, she explained, are required to put 1% of the construction budget into a public art fund with the City or request a waiver through the commissioning or acquisition of public art. Municipal projects, she continued, are mandated per Miami-Dade County code to put 1.5% of the construction cost toward public art.
Ms. Cathers presented a spreadsheet with a breakdown of funding received to date with projects that have been completed and are proposed. She pointed out the area specifying the Miami-Dade County project requirements. She clarified that while commissioning or acquiring public art is required per the County, the artwork is not required to be at the project site generating the funds.
d. PUBLIC ART COLLECTION - CONDITION ASSESSMENT
Board members previously received a copy of the public art assessment report. The Board discussed the projects and were advised of the Arts Advisory Panel’s recommendation to pursue restoration of the collection with certain priorities.
e. ILLUMINATE CORAL GABLES, PUBLIC ART - ARTIST APPROVAL & FUNDS
Patrick O’Connell, co-founder of Illuminate Coral Gables (ICG), appeared before the Board via Zoom and provided an update regarding the project. He stated that he met with the City Manager and gave him a status of fundraising and secured sponsorships.
Mr. Pantin made a motion accepting the recommendation of the Arts Advisory Panel and recommend approving the proposed artists as presented for Illuminate Coral Gables 2022. Mr. Martinez seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Mr. Martinez commented that there was not enough information regarding the nature of the Mayor’s concerns and that the City Commission will ultimately make the final decision.
Mr. Pantin make a motion recommending funding of $200,000 from the art acquisition fund toward Illuminate Coral Gables 2022. Mr. Martinez seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
f. ART BASEL 2021 - TEMPORARY EXHIBITION & APPLICATION
The Board was advised that annually the City has applied to Art Basel to present a VIP event in association with a public art exhibition. Last year, due to the pandemic, there were no in-person events and participants were able to preview the Augmented Reality experience associated with Kiki Smith’s “Blue Night.” Staff gave a brief overview of the Kiki Smith artwork “Blue Night”, noting that it was commissioned for two installations over a two-year period. The piece, it was said, consists of forty-two acrylic works depicting constellations, suspended under the palm canopy on Giralda Plaza. The piece was exhibited for the first-time last January and is scheduled for re-installation.
Mr. Martinez made a motion to recommend approving installation of Kiki Smith’s “Blue Night” in time for Art Basel and Miami Art Week, including application to Art Basel as an official event. Dr. Mayorga seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
CITY COMMISSION ITEMS:
The Board was updated on items being presented at the next City Commission meeting of July 13th including the Cultural Grant recommendations and Garage 7 (Minorca Garage) proposal artists. The Board confirmed the appointment of Dr. Roth to speak on behalf of the Board and agreed to nominate her to speak on behalf of the Garage 7 (Minorca Garage) proposal artists. The following motion was made:
Dr. Mayorga made a motion to nominate Dr. Roth to speak on behalf of the Board regarding the Garage 7 (Minorca Garage) proposal artists. Mr. Martinez seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
a. FIRE STATION 4 - AIPP UPDATE
Ms. Cathers reported that the Arts Advisory Panel reviewed the site plans for the new Fire Station 4 and had an in-depth discussion with the project architect and Fire Chief. She shared the Panel’s comments regarding the site itself and ultimate agreement that art should be in the broader community, not just downtown, but also for residents in other parts of the City. In addition, she said, they noted the building’s community focus and location in a high pedestrian area close to several schools. Panel members agreed to recommend artists to consider for a pre-qualified list that would be reviewed by the Panel prior to recommending an artist, or artists, to submit a concept proposal. Staff confirmed that this is one of the options the City has for procuring public artworks.
b. LE JEUNE ROAD BRIDGE - AIPP UPDATE
The Board was provided with an update regarding the status of discussions about the Le Jeune Road Bridge (between Ingraham Park and CocoPlum circle). A slide was shown of the prefabricated bridge rendering on site. The Board was reminded that the design is set, and the County has specified that nothing may be attached to the metal, on the girders, or under the bridge. The County stated that artwork on the concrete portions would be fine, and that maintenance would be the responsibility of the City. They suggested paint, vinyl, or possibly mosaic. The Board reviewed the areas of concrete between the girders and on the entry points of the bridge.
c. JULIO LARRAZ - AIPP PROPOSAL UPDATE
Board members were provided with a copy of the Arts Advisory Panel minutes regarding their discussion of the Julio Larraz proposal and motion not to endorse the proposal at this time, leaving it open to consider another proposal that is responsive to the Panel’s comments and addresses the AiPP criteria.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Mr. Pantin requested a public art workshop for the benefit of new Board members and refresher for re-appointed members. The workshop, he said, could cover how the Art in Public Places process works, the role of the Arts Advisory Panel, restoration, etc. The Board discussed whether it should be a separate meeting and agreed to include it with a regular meeting.
The Board discussed future meeting times. The Board has been meeting the first Tuesday of the month and there were numerous conflicts with other days and times. The Board agreed to continue meeting the first Tuesday of the month for now, except for August, when they agreed to meet the last week of July in lieu of an August meeting.
Dr. Roth asked about updating the Master Plan. Ms. Cathers responded that developing a Cultural Arts Master Plan was placed on hold due to the pandemic and that with direction of the Board, staff could begin the process again. She specified that the department would work through the procurement department to hire a consultant and would look at the existing Master Plan, the guidelines, and the cultural community beyond the public art program. Mr. Martinez commented on the benefit of bringing the City’s cultural initiatives together in one plan.
Mr. Martinez made a motion to develop a Cultural Arts Master Plan. Mr. Pantin seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
ITEMS FROM THE SECRETARY:
There were no further updates from the Secretary.