Newtown Cultural Arts Commission (NCAC)
February 9, 2011
Special Meeting Minutes
The Newtown Cultural Arts Commission held a meeting on Thursday, February 9, 2011 at 7:00 PM at the Newtown Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street, Newtown, CT.
Members Present: Martin Blanco, Jennifer Johnston, Rob Kaiser, Donna Mangiafico, Robert Rabinowitz, and Jennifer Rogers
Members Absent: Emily Howard, Donna Monteleone Randle, and Linda Watson
Auxiliary Members Present: None
Guests: Kate Katcher
Jennifer Johnston called the meeting to order at 7:20 PM.
Minutes:
The minutes of the December 9, 2010 meeting were approved as written.
Election of Officers:
Motions were made, seconded, and all were in favor of electing Jennifer Johnston to serve as Chairman, Jennifer Rogers to serve as Vice Chairman, and Donna Mangiafico to serve as Recording Secretary of the NCAC for 2011.
2011-2012 NCAC Budget:
Motions were made, seconded, and all were in favor of requesting a budget of $2000.
Officer Reports:
Jennifer Johnston announced that she received a tax-free donation receipt from the Labor Day Parade Committee.
Jennifer shared information about the Housatonic Valley Cultural Alliance (HVCA). The HVCA has been working on a regional collaborative marketing project. In order to take advantage of this, artists and arts groups must be members of the HVCA. Jen Rogers will include information in the next newsletter to encourage local artists and arts organizations to join. Jennifer Johnston will prepare a note about the HVCA and send it to Jen Rogers. Jen Rogers will also update the calendar. There are a few items that need to be taken off or added in.
Jennifer discussed the Fairfield Hills Master Plan Review Committee meeting. An arts campus, band shell, and performance arts center were discussed. The NCAC has been asked to gather information from local arts organizations to find out what they might like and report back. The Review Committee would like information from regional performance centers about the economics of managing the building/business. Martin Blanco agreed to set up a meeting with a colleague at the Ridgefield Playhouse. Jennifer Johnston also shared information about the current state of Plymouth Hall. She is waiting for information from Paul Lundquist about the viability of the building. In the meantime, the NCAC should gather information about managing a facility like the Ridgefield Playhouse and take steps to fundraise for and
promote this venture.
Jen Rogers wrote a column for The Newtowner. The next article is due April 1st. It was agreed to submit an article highlighting the Arts Festival. Donna Mangiafico will work on that.
Jen Rogers reviewed the newsletter and meeting notes from the first Arts Festival meeting. She will follow-up with a few people that were at the meeting to ask them to subscribe for the meeting notes and updates. Jen asked that everyone encourage friends and associates to subscribe to the newsletter. This can be done by visiting the newtownartscommission.org website or by forwarding the email Jen Rogers sent to NCAC members with the link.
The events calendar was discussed. Jen will add the NCAC meetings. Rob Kaiser offered to help oversee the project. Rob will report back at the February 24th meeting. Jen will share login and password information so that NCAC members can view the different templates available.
Programs and Events:
Flagpole Radio Café
Martin Blanco reported that there has been some good publicity about the Flagpole show. There was an article in CT Magazine for example. He also shared information about the February 5th performance. Martin will provide a more detailed financial report at the March NCAC meeting. He encouraged members to use the Flagpole shows as a vehicle to bring people in who might be interested in making a donation to the Arts Commission. The Alexandria Room is available before and after the shows for receptions.
Arts Festival
Donna Mangiafico reported that the first meeting was encouraging. The participants were enthusiastic and offered many ideas. Donna has drafted the guidelines and forms for the festival’s art contest. She will email copies to everyone for review. The next Art Festival meeting is March 4th at 7:30 PM in the Council Chambers, Newtown Municipal Center.
Public Participation:
Kate Katcher shared information about the next Stray Kats production – The Price by Arthur Miller. The show is Friday, February 11th at 7:30 PM.
Other Business:
The Bylaws were discussed. There are key NCAC positions that need to be filled. Donna will add Bylaws to the March meeting agenda and email them to everyone for review.
Grants were discussed. Robert Rabinowitz has been looking into grants that the NCAC can submit applications for. Robert offered to put together a grants calendar listing grants that are available and their deadlines.
NCAC Grants were also discussed. Robert drafted a grant application for artists to use to apply for grant money from the NCAC. He reminded members that this is a rough draft. Members were asked to review it and provide feedback before the next meeting via email. Kate Katcher suggested having a separate form for arts organizations. Rob asked Kate to provide examples of questions to ask of an arts organization vs. an individual artist. Grants will be discussed at the next NCAC meeting.
Next Meeting – Thursday, February 24, 2011, 7:00 PM, Meeting Room 1, Newtown Municipal Center.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:20 PM.
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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