Title
Cultural Development Board Meeting of October 2, 2018.
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NEW BUSINESS:
a. CORAL GABLES ART CINEMA, EXPANSION
Brenda Moe introduced herself to the Board and stated that she is the administrative director of the Coral Gables Art Cinema. Ms. Moe gave a brief history of her involvement in the establishment of the Art Cinema under the leadership of Steven Krams. Marlin Ebbert accompanied her and introduced herself as a Coral Gables resident and vice-chair of the Art Cinema’s Board.
Dr. Alvarez-Perez made a motion recommending expansion of the Coral Gables Art Cinema into the requested space; that the City continue to offer rent subsidy, provide City funding toward capital costs (up to $350,000), and offer a percentage of time for use of the space by outside organizations for cultural programing. Mr. Pantin seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
b. PUBLIC ART DONATION - CIFO COLLECTION, FREDY ALZATE GOMEZ
The Board was advised of a sculpture donation proposal from the CIFO Foundation and provided with information about the artist Fredy Alzate Gomez and the artwork “Vacuus”. Staff described the artwork as a composition of unique pieces that are castings of gold mine shafts, constructed in fiberglass and painted. It was explained that the pieces are light-weight and permanent installation would require attaching the pieces together and installing the work-as-a-whole on a permanent foundation.
Dr. Alvarez-Perez made a motion thanking CIFO Foundation for offering the donation of artwork by Fredy Alzate Gomez and would love to consider another donation as this piece would be difficult for maintenance, safety, and location considerations. Mr. Pantin seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
c. ART IN PUBLIC PLACES ORDINANCE - AMENDMENT
The Board received proposed amendments to the Art in Public Places ordinance. Staff reviewed the updates, noting the primary modification is for art in public places fee waiver requests by private developers (for commission, purchase, and donations of artwork) be approved by the City Commission prior to final Board of Architects review. Staff explained that developers often wait until they’re ready to pull a building permit and then rush to propose purchase or incorporation of artwork into a project. With no further discussion, the following motion was made:
Ms. Horwitz made a motion recommending text amendments to the Art in Public Places ordinance as discussed. Dr. Mayorga seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
d. ARTS ADVISORY PANEL VACANCY AND NOMINATION
The Board was advised that Arts Advisory Panel member Lauren Hall recently accepted a state position in Washington, D.C. and has resigned from her position on the Arts Advisory Panel. Staff informed the Board that the Panel would like a member with the same skill set in conservation and recommended conservator Emily MacDonald-Korth, who has expressed interest in serving on the Panel.
Dr. Mayorga made a motion recommending Emily MacDonald-Korth as an Arts Advisory Panel member. Dr. Alvarez-Perez seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
CULTURAL GRANTEE REQUESTS, UPDATES, & REVIEWS:
Staff explained that the on-line grant process does not allow for an external evaluation for cultural grant final reports. To address this, Ms. Cathers said an independent process was added to the online system for the Final Report, where pdfs of the original grant application and final report will be uploaded for comparison. Board members will then mark their comments and final evaluation score similarly to the grant application evaluation.
ART IN PUBLIC PLACES UPDATES:
a. PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING
Staff reported that the Arts Advisory Panel recommended four artists to submit proposals and one artist had to decline due to illness and short-staffing in their studio. The three recommended artists (Jose Bedia, Cherrylion Studios/Martin Dawe, and Ivan Toth-Depena) have completed their site visit and met with police, fire, planning staff, and the project architect. The artists have been asked to submit proposals by October 30th. Staff shared that the City will make the proposals available for public comment and the review panel will then consider the proposals and make a recommendation to this Board prior to a final recommendation to the City Commission.
Dr. Mayorga made a motion nominating Leslie Pantin to sit on the Coral Gables public safety building public art review panel. Ms. Horwitz seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
b. GIRALDA AVENUE STREETSCAPE
Ms. Cathers announced that the sculpture being installed on Giralda Plaza (“Coral Forest” and Secret of the Seas” by Sibylle Pasche) is scheduled to arrive on site at the beginning of November with installation planned for November 20th and 21st.
c. HANK WILLIS THOMAS
Ms. Cathers reported that the artist designed benches by Hank Willis Thomas are currently being fabricated and preparations for the installation of the speech bubble signs is progressing. She updated the Board on the partnership with the Lowe Art Museum this year and invited Board members to attend the morning reception on Sunday, December 9th. Following the reception, she said, a City trolley will take those interested to the Lowe Art Museum for their annual Art Basel Miami Beach Bubbles and Brunch, with a lecture by the artist scheduled for 12 noon.
d. VENICE IN THE GABLES
The Board received a report on the closing event and auction for Venice in the Gables, discussed the status of the remaining posts, and discussed the outdoor installation process for those interested in keeping the posts outside.
e. BALBOA PLAZA
The Board was notified that the public art piece commissioned by MG Developer at Balboa Plaza in association with the art in public places program is now complete. Ms. Spain shared that the City has made it a wi-fi hot spot as well (in response to the Arts Advisory Panel and Cultural Development Board’s recommendation).
OLD BUSINESS:
There was no old business.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Ms. Burgos reported on the Art in Public Places workshop, stating that three commissioners were present along with members of the Cultural Development Board and Arts Advisory Panel. The Board asked for clarity about the purpose of the meeting and asked if any action is needed by the Board. Staff responded that direction may be given from the Commission-as-a-whole and that there is nothing to follow-up with at this time.
ITEMS FROM THE SECRETARY:
Ms. Spain stated that Peter Iglesias has been appointed by the City Commission as the new City Manager.