Title
Cultural Development Board Meeting of April 6, 2021.
Body
NEW BUSINESS:
a. YES/NO - ILLUMINATE CORAL GABLES, PUBLIC ART PURCHASE PROPOSAL
Prior to the meeting, the Board received and reviewed a purchase proposal submitted by Antonia Wright and Ruben Millares for one of the artworks presented as part of Illuminate Coral Gables (ICG). Mr. Millares attended the meeting virtually and addressed the Board.
Ms. Horwitz made a motion not to accept the recommendation of the Arts Advisory Panel and not purchase the sculpture “Yes/No” by Antonia Wright and Ruben Millares. Dr. Mayorga seconded the motion, which passed with the following votes: Mr. Pantin, Yes; Ms. Horwitz, Yes; Mr. Martinez, Yes; Dr. Roth, Yes; and Dr. Mayorga, No.
CULTURAL GRANTS:
a. GRANTEE PRESENTATIONS
Four grantee organizations presented updates in response to the Board’s request to have presentations from grantees addressing how they are working through the pandemic and how programming has altered. The following Coral Gables Based organization leaders gave brief updates and answered questions from the Board: Mark Hart, Community Arts Program; Lauren Schiffer, Seraphic Fire; and Bari Newport, GableStage.
b. GRANTEE PROGRAM UPDATES
Mr. Pantin initiated a conversation about requesting additional funding for the City’s cultural grantees. The Board discussed the amazing work being done by arts organizations during this difficult year and wondered if it would be possible for the City to grant COVID relief funds to Coral Gables based (arts) organizations to help them catch up from economic shortfalls. Staff responded that arts organizations gained access to COVID relief funds through Miami-Dade County and that the economic development department administered small businesses grants to those eligible.
A motion was made by Mr. Pantin recommending an increase of 3% for FY2022 Cultural Grant funding. Ms. Horwitz seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
ART IN PUBLIC PLACES UPDATES:
Mr. Pantin asked for an update of the Gables Station public artworks. Ms. Cathers responded that the three sculptures have been installed with the large, Corten-steel sculpture (by Arturo Berned) visible on Grand Avenue and two sculptures by Blessing Hancock in the central plaza area of the project. She said the City is waiting for final closeout documents.
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CITY COMMISSION ITEMS:
There were no Commission items to report.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
There were no discussion items.
ITEMS FROM THE SECRETARY:
There were no additional items from the secretary.