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Cultural Development Board Meeting of January 18, 2022.
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PERSONAL APPEARANCES:
a. ARTS & BUSINESS COUNCIL - ANNUAL REPORT
Ms. Cathers introduced Laura Bruney, who joined the meeting via Zoom to speak with the Board about the City’s partnership with the Arts & Business Council. She stated that the partnership has been ongoing for years, and annually Ms. Bruney summarizes programs from the past year and presents proposed programs for the current year. Board members were provided with copies of the Final Report from 2020-2021, including a social media campaign report, and the proposed programs for 2021-2022.
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Mr. Rodriguez made a motion recommending funding for the continued partnership with the Arts & Business Council of Miami. Mr. Martinez seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
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CULTURAL GRANT UPDATES:
a. CENTER FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF JEWISH EDUCATION / MIAMI JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
The Board was presented with a change request from the Miami Jewish Film Festival. Ms. Cathers stated that due to the pandemic, the festival decided not to have indoor screenings and shifted to free online screenings and outdoor film presentations. This year, she said, they will not be presenting at the Coral Gables Art Cinema and will instead present an outdoor screening at the University of Miami January 23rd at 7:00 p.m., in addition to a series of free online films. After a brief discussion, the following motion was made:
Mr. Martinez made a motion accepting the change request of the Miami Jewish Film Festival. Mr. Pantin seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
b. STRENGTH IN NUMBERS, POWER IN CONNECTION
The Board received a change of date request from the organization Strength in Numbers, Power in Connection. They were reminded that the program was originally scheduled for October, was moved to January due to pandemic closures, and is now proposed for Sunday, May 1st.
Mr. Pantin asked how organizations are doing overall. Ms. Cathers stated that organizations are continuing to be flexible and modify schedules due to pandemic related venue closures, noting that many are no longer holding indoor events and are continuing to be cautious. After a brief discussion, the following motion was made:
Mr. Rodriguez made a motion accepting the change request of Strength in Numbers, Power in Connection. Mr. Pantin seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
c. CORAL GABLES MUSEUM - DIRECTOR SEARCH
Ms. Cathers stated that the Coral Gables Museum is seeking a new Director and asked Mr. Valdes-Fauli to update the Board about the search.
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d. FY2020-2021 FINAL REPORTS
Board members received a data report for the FY20-21 Final Reports. They discussed the overall review process and staff stated that previously final reports were scored by the Board; however, there was no determination from the Board’s past discussions whether to continue scoring or not. Ms. Burgos summarized her understanding that determining accountability, if an organization did what they stated they would do, was the most important function of the report.
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NEW BUSINESS:
There was no new business.
ART IN PUBLIC PLACES UPDATES:
The Board was updated on the following Art in Public Places projects:
a. Art on! Storefronts
Board members were advised of the Commission Resolution approving the Art on! Storefronts program. Ms. Cathers asked for a member of the Cultural Development Board to sit on the selection committee for the program. She reviewed the process, stating that a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) will be released, and the selected artists designs will also be reviewed by the committee. She stated that the committee will include representatives from the Arts Advisor Panel, the BID, and economic development department. With no further discussion, the following motion was made:
Mr. Rodriguez made a motion nominating Mr. Valdes-Fauli to sit on the Art on! Storefronts program selection committee. Mr. Pantin seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
b. 427 Biltmore Way / Zilia Sanchez update
Board members were advised of the Commission Resolution approving the concept of having artwork at 427 Biltmore Way. Staff updated the Board on responses to questions the Board and Arts Advisory Panel had regarding the proposed artwork by Zilia Sanchez. Details about the material and construction were provided and also reported to the Arts Advisory Panel. Ms. Cathers discussed the necessity of revising the landscaping to accept the artwork. She also updated the Board regarding their request for an appraisal of the artwork, saying that it is in process.
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c. Mobility Hub
Staff reported on the City Commission’s Resolution approving the Art in Public Places fees to stay with the mobility hub and have artwork at the Mobility Hub site.
d. Coral Carpet at Balboa Plaza
Ms. Cathers reported that the Coral Carpet artwork at Balboa Plaza is complete.
e. Alan Sonfist temporary sculpture installation.
The Board was informed that Ms. Cathers viewed the proposed artworks and will be looking at potential sites for their temporary installation.
f. Le Jeune Road Bridge
Mr. Pantin reported that he had a discussion with County Mayor Levine-Cava regarding the LeJeune Road Bridge and possibility of incorporating artwork in the project. He stated that they said it is being passed to Michael Spring’s department and acknowledged City staff’s work in meeting with the project managers and County team.
CITY COMMISSION ITEMS:
There were no further Commission items to discuss.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Mr. Pantin suggested taking the lead on putting together a forum to discuss the lasting effects on the arts community resulting from the interruptions caused by the pandemic. Mr. Martinez proposed taking an aggressive stance to address ways to get people back to (in-person) art events and asked about the resources necessary to make this happen, perhaps designing it in partnership with the Arts & Business Council and the Economic Development department.
ITEMS FROM THE SECRETARY:
There were no further updates from the Secretary.