Newtown Cultural Arts Commission (NCAC)
October 14, 2010
Meeting Minutes
The Newtown Cultural Arts Commission (NCAC) held a meeting on Thursday, October 14, 2010 at 7:00 PM at the Newtown Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street, Newtown, CT.
Members Present: Martin Blanco, Emily Howard, Jennifer Johnston, Donna Mangiafico, Donna Monteleone Randle, and Linda Watson
Members Absent: Rob Kaiser, Jennifer Rogers
Auxiliary Members Present: None
Guest: Barbara Gaines
Jennifer Johnston called the meeting to order at 7:14 PM.
Minutes: The minutes of the September 9, 2010 meeting were approved as written.
Officer Reports:
Jennifer Johnston shared information about a recent Housatonic Valley Cultural Alliance BSA (Business Supports the Arts) Awards Breakfast she attended. Award recipients were Comcast - BSA Award, Two-Steps Catering - Art in the Community Award, and David Gesualdi, Artist – Special Recognition.
Jennifer also reported that she will send Paypal reports to Linda Watson, NCAC Treasurer, in the coming days.
Donna Mangiafico discussed the November 11, 2010 NCAC meeting date. The second Thursday falls on Veterans Day, which is a holiday the Town of Newtown observes. She will ask if the NCAC can hold it’s meeting in the Municipal Center or if it will need to be rescheduled.
Treasurer Report:
Linda Watson reviewed the NCAC Financial Statement.
Programs and Events:
Flagpole Radio Café: Martin Blanco announced that fundraising is coming on-line and that the show is on-track to meeting the matching grant money.
Martin related that he is currently working to secure a guest artist for the December 4th show. He has reached out to several artists and is awaiting confirmation.
Martin Blanco announced that there were 100 tickets sold for the November 6th show featuring Tom Chapin. According to past history, this is an indication that the show will be very well attended.
Martin reviewed the financial report from the September 25th show.
We’ve Got Talent
Donna Monteleone Randle announced that the reviews from the We’ve Got Talent show were excellent. Donna will contact the volunteers who contributed to the show to ask that they offer their feedback. She will provide a report at the November meeting.
Donna is waiting for the final financials and will have more information at the next NCAC meeting. She suggested using a portion of the proceeds to purchase something to donate to the schools or establish a grant or scholarship.
NCAC Website:
Martin Blanco asked if there was a date in mind for the new website to be fully functional. Jennifer Johnston related that there was not a specific date, but they are making progress. She is working with NCAC Member, Rob Kaiser, and volunteer consultant, Matt Cornhouse, and plans to meet with them again in the coming weeks.
Donna Monteleone Randle suggested that there be more information provided to people when they order tickets online, such as picking up tickets at the will-call table.
Public Participation: None
Other Business:
Martin Blanco reminded the NCAC that Bob Nolte would like to meet with commission members to discuss re-establishing a community band. Jennifer Johnston offered to set up the meeting.
Donna Mangiafico discussed the possibility of creating an annual arts festival. The proposed festival would include art exhibits, the sale of local art, jewelry, and goods such as maple syrup and organic produce. The festival would also feature local bands and food vendors. She also would like to include an art contest where the winning entry would be printed on posters and t-shirts. Donna will begin working to form a subcommittee to begin planning. The proposed date of the first festival would be summer or autumn of 2012. Members present were encouraged to forward contact information of local artists and cultural arts groups that might be interested in this venture to Donna.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:36 PM.
The next meeting date will be tentatively scheduled on Thursday, November 11, 2010, 7:00 PM at the Newtown Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street, Newtown, CT pending research on meeting on a holiday.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna Mangiafico
Secretary
Newtownartscommission.org
Our Mission: To create a greater awareness of the arts in our community through educating, enhancing, and promoting diverse cultural opportunities for Newtown.
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