Title
Cultural Development Board Meeting of February 21, 2023.
Body
NEW BUSINESS - CULTURAL GRANTS:
a. ARTS & BUSINESS COUNCIL FY21-22 REPORT & FY22-23 PROPOSED PROGRAMS
Ms. Renee Pesci, Deputy Director of the Arts and Business Council, attended the meeting and introduced herself. Laura Bruney, Executive Director of the Council, attended the meeting via Zoom and reviewed the previous year’s programs and the proposed partnership programs for the current fiscal year.
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Mr. Rodriguez made a motion recommending continued funding for the city partnership with the Arts and Business Council of Miami. Mr. Martinez seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
b. CULTURAL GRANT GUIDELINES & APPLICATION - UPDATES FOR FY23-24
Dr. Roth reported on her conversation with the Mayor regarding the status of the Cultural Grant program. Topics included supporting organizations with their business address in Coral Gables, free access to granted programs, and greater financial accountability. She recommended delaying the announcement of the program until staff can get further direction from the Commission and suggested Board members speak with their appointing officials. Dr. Roth expressed concern about narrowing access to the arts and the potential loss of prominent organizations presenting in Coral Gables, such as Seraphic Fire and City Theater, that benefit the community by providing a wide range of cultural offerings.
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Mr. Pantin made a motion nominating Ms. Burgos to speak on behalf of the Board at the City Commission meetings addressing the Cultural Grant and process. Mr. Rodriguez seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
c. CULTURAL GRANTEE UPDATES AND CHANGE REQUESTS
Board members were advised of change requests from the South Florida Youth Symphony and Les Ailes du Desir Foundation. Updates were provided regarding Friends of Chamber Music and the Alper JCC. Requests addressed date changes due to venue conflicts. With no questions, the following motion was made:
Mr. Rodriguez made a motion approving the requested changes for the South Florida Youth Symphony and Les Ailes due Desire Foundation. Mr. Valdes-Fauli seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS - ART IN PUBLIC PLACES:
a. PUBLIC ART ACQUISITION - PROPOSAL REQUEST
Board members received a recommending motion from the Arts Advisory Panel to request a proposal from three prominent artists: Frank Stella, Wangechi Mutu, and Hernan Bas for artwork with a budget of $750,000. It was noted that the motion is in response to the Commission’s interest to acquire significant artwork and more specifically, in response to the Mayor’s interest in the artist Frank Stella.
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ART IN PUBLIC PLACES UPDATES:
a. ARTS ADVISORY PANEL MEETING MINUTES
Board members received Arts Advisory Panel meeting minutes for December 14, 2022, and January 11, 2023.
b. ART IN PUBLIC PLACES PROJECT UPDATES
The Board was provided with the following updates:
1. The Plaza: Michele Oka Doner’s hanging lanterns, part of the monumental artwork bench, have been installed.
2. Gables Living: artwork by Gustavo Velez has not been requested to move forward for City Commission approval.
3. Jaguar Land Rover: notice was sent to the developer to address the installation and suggested to take it through the Art in Public Places process.
4. Moon Over the Gables / Museum of the Moon: temporary public art project installed in partnership with the Coral Gables Community Foundation and the city’s economic development department.
OLD BUSINESS:
There was no old business.
CITY COMMISSION ITEMS:
The Board was advised of the Commission approval for the commissioning and acquisition of Janine Antoni’s artwork “Whispering Through a Stone.”
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
There were no further discussion items.
ITEMS FROM THE SECRETARY:
There were no further items.
Recommended Action
[Enter Recommended Action Here]