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Cultural Development Board Meeting of February 06, 2018.
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PERSONAL APPEARANCES:
Barbara Stein, executive director of Actors’ Playhouse, introduced herself and expressed her gratitude for the Board’s support. Ms. Stein shared her concern that the last couple of years the Board has held the belief that large organizations may not have as much need for grant funding as smaller organizations, and referred to the eligible amount of funds for large Coral Gables based organizations being reduced from fifteen thousand ($15,000) to ten thousand ($10,000). She explained in detail the expenses organizations such as Actors’ Playhouse have to produce high quality productions and questioned whether it was a good idea to reduce funding for organizations that do so well. Ms. Stein further expressed the struggle to keep quality productions and still grow the organization. The Playhouse just celebrated thirty years, she said, and continues to bring many people to Coral Gables to see productions that are done better than anywhere else.
ARTS & BUSINESS COUNCIL:
Laura Bruney, president and CEO of the Arts & Business Council, introduced herself and responded to the previous comments regarding cultural grant funding, stating that as members of Americans for the Arts, the Council has arts advocacy talking points that can be used when speaking with others, including facts such as arts programming in Miami-Dade County generating 1.4 million in economic impact and 44,000 jobs in the arts. Ms. Cathers stated that while data specific to Coral Gables can’t be separated, the numbers speak to the County as a whole and overwhelmingly demonstrate the benefit that support of the arts has in Miami-Dade County.
CITY WEBSITE DESIGN:
Maria Rosa Higgins-Fallon, public affairs manager, and Rayza Collazo, IT specialist, greeted the Board to discuss and present an updated City website design. Ms. Higgins-Fallon stated that IT and the office of communications have been working with a professional website design company to create a site that is beautiful, applies state of the art technology, and is ADA compliant. Now, she said, they are making presentations to all the Boards and departments for their feedback.
CORAL GABLES CULTURAL GRANTEE REQUESTS, UPDATES & REVIEWS:
a. The Opera Atelier, FY2016-2017 Final Report
Staff reported that the Opera Atelier has submitted their Final Report for FY2016-2017 as requested. Ms. Horwitz, the assigned reviewer of the report stated that she will review and report back to the Board at the next meeting.
b. Cuatrogatos Foundation, Program change request
Board members were presented with a program change request from Cuatrogatos Foundation, eliminating the puppet show from the presentation on March 11th and replacing it with the addition of musician Hector Eduardo Herrera. A revised budget was presented along with the change request. A representative of the organization was unable to attend. The Board discussed the content of the program, location, and funding sources. With no further discussion, the following motion was made:
Mr. Pantin made a motion to approve the requested change as presented. Mr. Perez seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
c. South Florida Chamber Ensemble, Program dates
Ms. Cathers updated the Board on the reconfiguration of the programs and dates presented by the South Florida Chamber Ensemble. She noted that dates and programs are not changing, rather what is being presented when, and that a new schedule will be forwarded to the Board. She also encouraged Board members to check the organization’s online calendars or call to confirm dates and locations before attending an event.
d. Florida Opera Prima
Ms. Cathers stated that Florida Opera Prima requested funding toward one event to be held at the Coral Gables Museum last Sunday, February 4th. She stated that she went to the Museum and there was no event. Ms. Cathers contacted the Museum representative in charge of events who said the venue contract was not signed and the event did not happen. Ms. Cathers also reached out to Florida Opera Prima and did not receive a response; however, she noted that the same performance took place at another venue in Miami a couple of days earlier.
Ms. Burgos made a motion to withdraw funding from Florida Opera Prima. Ms. Horwitz seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
CORAL GABLES CULTURAL GRANT FY2017-2018:
Deferred
ARTS ADVISORY PANEL NOMINATIONS:
Board members were provided with two nominations received by the City for vacancies on the Arts Advisory Panel, Herbert Brito and Linda Chapin. Ms. Cathers advised that Mr. Brito’s background is in design and architecture with Ms. Chapin having a background in Art History. The Board reviewed the nominee’s CVs, discussed, and agreed that the Panel is in need of a member with architecture and design experience. The Board asked that Ms. Chapin’s information be kept for future consideration. With no further discussion, the following motion was made:
Mr. Perez made a motion recommending Herbert Brito as a member of the Arts Advisory Panel. Mr. Pantin seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS:
There was no new business.
OLD BUSINESS:
There was no old business.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Mr. Pantin asked for an update regarding the Cruz-Diez crosswalks. Staff advised the Board that a proposal to make the crosswalks permanent was submitted and presented to the Arts Advisory Panel, who fully supported the design. However, due to the high cost of the design and maintenance, they moved to deny the proposal as presented.
ITEMS FROM THE SECRETARY:
There were no items.