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Cultural Development Board Meeting of November 16, 2021.
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NEW BUSINESS:
a. 427 BILTMORE WAY - ART IN PUBLIC PLACES
The Board was advised that the City Commission made a motion at their last meeting to combine the Art in Public Places fees from the Minorca Garage, Fink building restoration, Fire Station 4, and the 427 Biltmore Way building restoration to do a more significant sculptural work at the 427 building, specifically within the courtyard on site. They were further advised that the Mayor mentioned having an artist he would like considered for the opportunity.
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The Board-as-a-Whole agreed to move forward with the Arts Advisory Panel recommending the direction of the Art in Public Places opportunity at the 427 Biltmore Way building.
b. MOBILITY HUB - ART IN PUBLIC PLACES
Staff stated that the City Commission discussed ways to get Art in Public Places projects in front of them sooner to save time in determining the artist and artwork selection process and recommendations. With this intent, staff continued, saying the Mobility Hub, which was approved by the Commission in concept, is such a project and requested the Board to consider a motion stating whether it recommends doing artwork on the site and dedicating the required Art in Public Places fees to such artwork.
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Mr. Jose Valdes-Fauli made a motion recommending that artwork be incorporated into the Mobility Hub project using the building project’s required Art in Public Places fees. Mr. Pantin seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
c. AIPP WAIVER REQUEST, THE PLAZA - BRIAN DONNELLY, KAWS
Following up from the meeting on September 21, 2021, the Board was provided with materials for a new proposal by the artist Brian Donnelly, as KAWS, for the final public artwork in fulfilment of The Plaza’s Art in Public Places requirement. Mr. Beckmann joined the meeting through Zoom and presented the revised sculpture for the Board’s review. The artwork is within the same vernacular of the previously proposed piece, staff said, and therefore not necessary to take back to the Arts Advisory Panel.
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Mr. Valdes-Fauli made a motion recommending approval of the waiver request by The Plaza/Agave Developer for the commission and installation of a sculpture by the artist KAWS. Mr. Pantin seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
d. PROPOSED PROJECT - WINDOW COVERINGS DOWNTOWN
Staff reported that they will be meeting with the Business Improvement District about the possibility of using empty store fronts for a public art opportunity based on a model from other communities of artist designed window wraps.
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Mr. Pantin made a motion recommending support of developing a window covering public art initiative using Art in Public Places funds. Mr. Martinez seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
ART IN PUBLIC PLACES UPDATES:
The Board was provided with updates regarding Art in Public Places projects, including the re-installation of Kiki Smith’s “Blue Night”, the sculpture “Mars” by Julio Larraza on the Coral Gables Museum Plaza, and the current installation of “Coral Carpet” by R&R Studios.
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CULTURAL GRANT UPDATES:
The Board was advised of the late submittal of the FY20-21 Final Report by the Chopin Foundation, causing their ineligibility for this year’s Cultural Grant funding. The Board had a thoughtful discussion regarding the criteria, this organization, and circumstance.
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Mr. Rodriguez made a motion recommending revising the late Final Report penalty to re-apply for Cultural Grant funding from 2 grant cycles to 1 grant cycle. Mr. Martinez seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
With no further discussion regarding the Chopin Foundation, the following motion was made:
Mr. Pantin made a motion requesting the Chopin Foundation to appear at the next Cultural Development Board meeting regarding their late Final Report and eligibility for this year’s grant funding. Mr. Valdes-Fauli seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
CITY COMMISSION ITEMS:
The Board was advised that the Art in Public Places Ordinance amendment passed.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
a. ANDALUSIA - ART EXPERIENCE & STREET ACTIVATION
Staff provided a presentation for informational purposes regarding Andalusia Avenue. Ms. Cathers stated that business owners along Andalusia are interested in doing art activations along the street to encourage more foot traffic. An overview of the area was provided with opportunities mentioned such as painting crosswalks or intersections, painting the back of the Miracle Theatre to bring attention to it, lighting trees, potential murals, transforming an area into an outdoor plaza, etc. Renderings were provided of lighting treatments, a temporary stage area for programmed performances or spontaneous performances, and a possible mural above the storefronts.
The Board-as-a-Whole agreed to continue the discussion and move it to the Arts Advisory Panel for their input as appropriate.
b. DECEMBER BOARD MEETING
Due to the holiday break, the Board discussed meeting a week earlier in December, on Tuesday, December 14th at 9:00 a.m. After a brief discussion, the following motion was made:
Mr. Martinez made a motion for the Cultural Development Board to meet in December on Tuesday, December 14th at 9:00 a.m. Mr. Pantin seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
c. OTHER ITEMS
Reflecting on the previous conversations, Mr. Corral shared his experience of approaching the City to install a mosaic mural. He shared his experience of presenting a concept to the Mayor at the time and recalled discussions of bringing themed mural art into the City with donated funds. At the time, he said, he requested the City to award a wall for this purpose with fabrication, installation, and maintenance donated at 100%; however, it didn’t work out.
ITEMS FROM THE SECRETARY:
There were no further updates from the Secretary.