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Cultural Development Board Meeting of March 15, 2022.
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NEW BUSINESS:
a. AIPP WAIVER REQUEST, ALEXAN CRAFTS - VAUGHN SPANN.
Ms. Cathers introduced Jorge Navarro, who joined the meeting via Zoom to address the Board with a waiver request of the Art in Public Places fee in exchange for commissioning artwork and donating the artwork to the City. Board members received materials related to this item in advance of the meeting. It was noted that other representatives of the project were also on the call. Mr. Navarro stated that he is representing the developer Trammel Crow Residential, who is in the process of obtaining the development entitlements for the Alexan Crafts project. He stated that the project is in the Crafts Section close to downtown Coral Gables. David Castillo, as the projects Arts Consultant, also joined via Zoom to discuss the artwork.
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Mr. Valdes-Fauli made a motion recommending approval of the Art in Public Places waiver request for the Alexan Crafts development project in exchange for commissioning and donating artwork by the artist Vaughn Spann. Mr. Pantin seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
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b. JULIO LARRAZ - PROPOSED SCULPTURE ACQUISITION.
Prior to the meeting the Board received materials for a partial-gift proposal from the Julio Larraz Foundation for the monumental artwork Mars by the artist, Julio Larraz. Ms. Cathers presented a PowerPoint with an overview of the proposal and began by providing background about the foundation and the artist.
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Mr. Rodriguez made a motion recommending accepting the partial gift of a sculpture acquisition through the Julio Larraz Foundation for the sculpture Mars by the artist, Julio Larraz. Mr. Valdes-Fauli seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
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CULTURAL GRANT UPDATES:
a. GREATER MIAMI SYMPHONIC BAND - CHANGE REQUEST
The Board was presented with a change request from the Greater Miami Symphonic Band, requesting a change from five programs to three due to COVID related cancellations. With no further discussion, the following motion was made:
Mr. Pantin made a motion accepting the change request of the Greater Miami Symphonic Band as presented. Ms. Burgos seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
b. SERAPHIC FIRE - CHANGE REQUEST
The Board was presented with a change request from Seraphic Fire, requesting a change in programming due to COVID, saying they sent a recording of the concert to ticket holders and are hoping to re-schedule it at a later date. After no further discussion, the following motion was made:
Ms. Burgos made a motion accepting the change request of Seraphic Fire as presented. Mr. Rodriguez seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
c. AREA STAGE - CHANGE REQUEST
The Board was presented with a change request from Area Stage, requesting a change to fewer programs partially due to an error by their previous grant writer. Dr. Roth commented that it is not a good reason. Ms. Cathers stated that their programming is for their Inclusion Theater productions at Crystal Academy. The programs are open to the public, including ones at City Hall, with some date and location changes. One of the programs, it was noted, is being moved to the Museum, which will allow greater audience access. After no further discussion, the following motion was made:
Mr. Pantin made a motion accepting the change request of Area Stage as presented. Ms. Burgos seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
d. GENERAL UPDATES
It was noted that Florida Opera Prima has a production on March 26 at 5:00 p.m. at the Museum. Board members were invited to attend.
The Board was informed that Peter London Global Dance Company is having a performance at the Museum on April 3, to which Board members were also invited.
The Board discussed the importance of grant funds to non-profit arts organizations overall, commenting that the Coral Gables based organizations often are the host site to outside organizations and depend on their rentals as a source of revenue.
CULTURAL GRANT REVIEW PROCESS:
The Board discussed the upcoming Cultural Grant Review process. Dr. Roth asked how many participants attended the workshop. Ms. Cathers responded that 51 individual attendees representing 39 organizations were represented online and an additional 7 people completed the certification afterwards with 39 organizations completing the eligibility stage of the application process.
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Ms. Burgos made a motion recommending an increase to Cultural Grant funding by 5%. Mr. Rodriguez seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
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CITY COMMISSION ITEMS:
The Board was informed that the City Commission approved the Zilia Sanchez artwork for installation at 427 Biltmore Way.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Mr. Rodriguez asked for clarity regarding use of the Art in Public Places fees, asking about the importance of how it is used when related to a developer’s project. Mr. Valdes-Fauli responded that in essence, it is the City’s money, otherwise the developer would be paying the fee to the City. Mr. Rodriguez followed up, questioning why then, is the developer allowed to select the artwork? Dr. Roth said the Ordinance gives the developer that option.
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ITEMS FROM THE SECRETARY:
There were no further items from the Secretary.