HomeMy WebLinkAbout060221 PTAC Meeting Packet
ARTS COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA
June 2, 2021 | 3:00 p.m. | Remote Meeting
****The State of Emergency declared by Governor Inslee temporarily prohibits in-person contacts
with the public required by the Open Public Meetings Act and the Public Records Act. The May 29,
2020 Public Health Order by Jefferson County Health Officer Thomas Locke also states no in-person
meetings are allowed. The Commission will be participating by teleconference****
Submit public comment emails to be read aloud (up to three minutes per person) to:
publiccomment@cityofpt.us or join in person via computer or tablet at http://joinwebinar.com
enter the 9 digit Webinar ID 539-393-595 or listen by phone only (listening mode only) United
States: +1 (415) 655-0052 access code: 155-675-573#
Local Dial In – (360) 390-5064 access code: 155-675-573#
I. Call to Order and Roll Call
II. Approval of Agenda
III. Approval of Minutes from the May 5, 2020 Meeting
IV. Public Comment (3 minutes per person)
V. Commission Business
A. Chair’s Update
B. Budget Update
C. Advisory Board Rules Update – City Attorney Heidi Greenwood
D. 2021 Commission Workplan
1. Public Art Maintenance Plans
2. Poet Laureate Program
3. Update Commission Mission Statement
4. Outreach Update
VI. Correspondence
VII. Set Agenda for Next Meeting
VIII. Next Scheduled Meeting – July 7, 2021 at 3:00 p.m.
IX. Adjourn
Minutes of the Port Townsend Arts Commission Meeting of May 5, 2021
LOCATION: City Hall
MEMBERS PRESENT: Jason Victor Serinus (Chair), Dan Groussman, Sondra McConnell, Nhatt Nichols, and Nan Toby Tyrrell MEMBERS EXCUSED: Michelle Hagewood and Danny McEnerney MEMBERS ABSENT: Joe Gillard STAFF PRESENT: Legal Assistant Amber Long and Public Works Director Steve King
Topic Motions/Recommendation/Action
Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 3:05 p.m.
Approval of Agenda The agenda was unanimously approved.
Approval of Minutes for April 7, 2021 Meeting The minutes of April 7, 2021 were approved 4-0 with Nhatt Nichols abstaining. Public Comment None
Draft Street Painting Applications Commissioners provided feedback on the revised street painting applications. They noted inconsistencies and typographical edits and suggested clarifying why there are
two separate application types.
Staff will make final edits and prepare the applications for posting on the City’s website.
2021 Commission Workplan – Public Art Maintenance
Dan Groussman described recent efforts to obtain
maintenance plans for twelve public art pieces.
Dan will work on a summary of his work on this project and will
wait until the fall to contact the high school art teacher about
having a student update the online public art listings.
2021 Commission Workplan – Poet Laureate Program
Nhatt Nichols led a discussion on possible approaches to creating a poet laureate program. There was general interest in allowing applications from non-Port Townsend residents, having an outside panel review applications, and providing a stipend of $1,000 for a one-year term.
Nhatt will work on a program proposal for discussion at the next
meeting.
The Commissioners agreed to add an outreach update to the agenda.
2021 Commission Workplan – Outreach Update Sandra McConnell explained the Food Co-op’s policy about artist use of the Alcove. Dan relayed his
conversation with Farmers’ Market staff about possibilities for funding artists at the Market.
Further discussion on this item will be added to the June agenda.
Topic Motions/Recommendation/Action
2021 Commission Workplan – Mission Statement Dan read a revised mission statement he had drafted.
Dan will provide a written copy of the proposed wording for discussion at the next meeting.
Next Meeting: May 5, 2021 at 3:00 p.m.
Adjourn: The meeting was adjourned at 4:58 p.m.
Arts Commission 2021 Grant Funding ‐‐ Total Budget: $20,000Organization Event Amount Approved Amount Requested Status NotesKey City Public TheatreMay's Vote$1,486.00$1,486.00Invoice approved$1,486.00 $1,486.00Amount approved Amount requested Amount Paid Amount remainingQuarter 1 $1,486.00$1,486.00 $1,486.00 $2,514.00Quarter 2 $4,000.00Quarter 3 $4,000.00Quarter 4 $4,000.00Microgrants $4,000.00Total remaining in budget * $18,514.00Revised 5/26/21*if all approved grants paid in full & all requested amounts approved
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Amber Long
Subject:Can you share this in our packet with links somehow or resend it to everyone from me?: Broadening
traditional definitions of art
From: Jason Victor Serinus
Sent: Wednesday, May 19, 2021 9:58 AM
To: Amber Long <ALong@cityofpt.us>
Subject: Can you share this in our packet with links somehow or resend it to everyone from me?: Broadening traditional
definitions of art
CAUTION: External Email
May 19, 2021
https://art21.org/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=bannertitle&utm_campaign=Art21News
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Aki Sasamoto grapples with control and chaos
Mirroring its subject’s own playful and absurdist sensibility, this portrait of sculptor
and performance artist Aki Sasamoto is a fluid hybrid of fiction and documentary—at
once a magical realist world of spinning objects and a psychological exploration of
fundamental questions about artistic creativity.
From firing whiskey glasses to installing an exhibition, Sasamoto grapples with the
tension between control and chaos—between her mastery over materials and their
own will.
"Whatever I thought I had control over will change in front of me," explains
Sasamoto. "That to me is exciting, in life and in sculpture."
Watch the full film.
Deepen your connection to Art21
Donate today
Artists who broaden traditional definitions of art
https://art21.org/playlist/teaching-with-possibilities/?
utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=header&utm_campaign=Art21News20210519
3
Seeking to expand perceptions of what makes for traditional art, Art21 Educators
alumnus Catherine Karp assembled a playlist of filmsintroducing her students to
artists who use nontraditional materials and techniques.
"The sooner I can broaden the idea of the traditional definition of art," says Karp, "the
sooner and the longer the students will consider themselves artists."
Watch the playlist.
IMAGE: Production still from the New York Close Up film "David Brooks Tears the Roof Off"—one of ten films in the Art21
guest playlist, Teaching with Possibilities, by Art21 Educators alumnus Catherine Karp.
Upcoming workshop for educators
Join us tonight, May 19, at 6:30 p.m. ET, for the latest installment of our new five-
part professional development series exploring how artists use the five senses in
their practice.
For "Sound On," ponder the power of the human ear. See and hear how artists
investigate the psychological and sculptural dimensions of sound through recordings
of machines, musical instruments, their voices, along with reworked musical
compositions and well-known pop music.
The program is free and will take place via Zoom.
Register now.
Visit our education calendar for a list of upcoming workshops for educators.
4
Recommendations from Art21 staff
Visit: KUSAMA: Cosmic Nature at The New York Botanical Garden
It’s a beautiful time to visit The New York Botanical Garden, and in all honesty it’s the
first time I have been to any botanical garden when everything is blooming! Definitely
a worthwhile venture. The Kusama installations are an added bonus! Pro tip: don’t
make the same mistake I did and make sure to get the garden and gallery pass so
you can see everything (there are limits to the garden only pass!). And stop by Arthur
Ave. for some homemade pasta and Italian pastries while you’re up there, it all
makes for a really lovely and mostly outdoor day!
Shared by Lauren Barnett, Chief Operating Officer; On view through October 31 at The New York Botanical Garden
Visit: The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City
I'd like to recommend a return to the Met. Playing tourist in your home city is usually
good, clean fun and my most recent trip to the museum didn't disappoint. Seeing old
favorites like Joan of Arc, Living Room from the Francis W. Little House, and Arms
and Armor felt like visiting dear friends. While the rooftop is missing its usual frivolity
to imbibe, Alex Da Corte's As Long as the Sun Lasts coupled with views of the city is
worth the wait in line—plus the elevator ride up is just your party! Much more
pleasant than the usual cramming of strangers into such a tiny space.
Shared by Emma Nordin, Associate Director of Education Initiatives; The Metropolitan Museum of Artis currently open
Thursdays through Mondays, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Thank you for supporting our work
More than ever, online access to the lives and stories of artists is crucial, and
Art21 is proud to share them with an ever-growing number of visitors including
students, teachers, parents, and art enthusiasts alike from around the globe. If you
are able at this time, please consider supporting the work of Art21. Every dollar
makes a difference.
Shop Art21
Our book of artist interviews, Being an Artist, is in stock and ready to ship
immediately.
Visit our online shop to purchase your copy.
5
Proceeds from each purchase help to support the ongoing production and distribution
of Art21's films and educational resources, bringing the works and words of today's
leading thinkers and creators to audiences worldwide.
Ten seasons of our Art in the Twenty-First Century series, featuring over 150 artists
total, are available to purchase on DVD through ShopPBS.org and other retailers,
and digitally through iTunes, Amazon, and Google Play.
Art21 is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization; all donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Donations to Art21
support the production of Art21's films, education initiatives, digital resources, film archive, and other Art21 projects.
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—
Jason Victor Serinus http://www.jasonserinus.com
(He/his and Jason or Jason Victor rather than Mr. or Sir)
• Music and audiophile critic: Stereophile, Seattle Times, San Francisco Classical Voice, Classical Voice North
America, Seattle Symphony, Port Townsend Leader, Bay Area Reporter, American Record Guide, AudioStream, Stanford
Live, Opera Now, Gay City News, Copper, Opera News, Carnegie Hall...
• Whistler Extraordinaire: The Voice of Woodstock in “She’s a Good Skate, Charlie Brown” • "The Pavarotti of Pucker"
• Chair, Port Townsend Arts Commission
"Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented." — Elie
Wiesel
"This is a time to remember all of us who are LGBTQ. It’s a time to stand out and be proud, to parade who we are, to
celebrate and to let them know we will not be silenced, we will not be stopped, we will not go back into the closet.
Together, we will love.” — JVS at our Orlando Massacre Support Rally in Port Townsend, WA
“Within infinite myths lies the eternal truth
Who sees it all?
Varuna has but a thousand eyes,
Indra has a hundred,
You and I, only two.” ― Devdutt Pattanaik
Creating a Poet Laureate position isn’t simply about bringing poetry to a few city events. It’s
about saying that we value how artists see the world, we value including them in our civic
discourse, and our lives can be made richer through poetry.
A Poet Laureate would be a way for the city to support an artist directly, and for our city to be
able to benefit directly from the work of an artist; this proposal would create a type of art
funding that is new and important for our city as we find ways to support each other and the
world we would like to live in post-pandemic.
We propose that a Poet Laureate position be created with the following expectation:
●The selected poet would serve for one year
●They would be available for 4 readings of original poems per year, at events to be
pre-determined by the city council and the arts commission
●In return, they would be granted an honorarium of $1000
The Poet Laureate would be selected from east Jefferson County individuals who apply for
the position. The selection committee will be made up of three individuals from literary arts
organizations, from both Jefferson County and outside of it to give the maximum objectivity
and breadth of experience in poetry.
This panel is to be determined by the Port Townsend Arts Commission, with the first year
being on a volunteer basis and an honorarium to be considered in subsequent years.
PTAC will handle the call for applications, the application itself, and convening the panel.
Drafted by Nhatt Nichols
RESOLUTION 01-029
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PORT TOWNSEND, WASHINGTON, ESTABLISHING THE ARTS COMMISSION
AS A CITIZEN ADVISORY BOARD
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that it is appropriate to remove from the
Port Townsend Municipal Code all references to the various advisory city committees (except
for certain committees established pursuant to state law, interlocal agreement, or otherwise), in
order to allow their re-formation (as appropriate) by Council resolution, with the goal and
intention being to give more flexibility to the Council to assign tasks and provide direction to
citizen boards and commissions formed by the City Council; and
WHEREAS, the Council adopted Ordinance 2760 on March 19, 2001 removing
reference in the PTMC to the Library Board, LTAC (except for substantive authority sections),
Parks and Recreation Commission, HPC (except for substantive authority sections), and the
Nonmotorized Transportation Committee, and
WHEREAS, the City Council adopted Ordinance 2769 on June 4, 2001, removing the
Arts Commission from the Port Townsend Municipal Code, in order to allow its re-formation by
Council resolution; and
WHEREAS, the City Council determines to establish the Arts Commission as a Citizen
Advisory Board by this Resolution, subject to Resolution 01-012 (adopted March 19, 2001),
establishing general rules governing citizen advisory boards.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council ofthe City ofPort
Townsend as follows:
SECTION 1. FORMATION.
The Port Townsend Arts Commission Advisory Board is hereby established, subject to the
general provisions in Article 4 of City Council Rules of Procedure, and this Resolution,
including any amendments thereto.
SECTION 2. SCOPE OF WORK AND TASK DESCRIPTION.
The purpose ofthe Arts Commission established by this Resolution is declared to be to promote
and encourage public programs to further the development and public awareness of and interest
in the arts, to have available to the city and its citizens a degree ofexpertise with respect to the
performing, visual and literary arts and to act in an advisory capacity to the city government in
connection with the artistic and cultural development ofthe city.
1 Res. 01-029
Provided by Dan Groussman
Resolution 01-029
Establishing the Arts Commission as a Citizen Advisory Board.
Section 2. SCOPE OF WORK AND TASK DESCRIPTION
The purpose of the Arts Commission established by this Resolution is declared to
be to promote and encourage public programs to further the development and
public awareness of and interest in the arts, to have available to the city and its
citizens a degree of expertise with respect to the performing, visual and literary
SECTION 3. TERM OF BOARD - SUNSET PROVISION.
This board shall constitute a standing advisory board, subject to further city council resolution.
No sunset provision is established.
SECTION 4. MEMBERSHIP
There is created a board of arts commissioners, consisting ofseven up to nine members, to be
appointed by the mayor with the consent ofthe city council from citizens of recognized fitness
for such positions.
SECTION 4. TERMS OF OFFICE.
The term ofoffice shall be for three years, except that initial appointments shall be staggered
from one to three years so that no more three members shall have their terms expire in any one
year.
ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Port Townsend at a regular meeting
thereof, held this 9th day of July, 2001.
Attest:Approved as toform:
City Clerk
John P. Watts
City Attorney
2 Pcs. 01-024
arts and to act in an advisory capacity to the city government in connection with
the artistic and cultural development of the city.
Section 2. SCOPE OF WORK AND TASK DESCRIPTION
The purpose of the Arts Commission established by this Resolution is declared to
be to promote and encourage public programs to further the development and
public awareness of and interest in the arts, to have available to the city and its
citizens a degree of expertise with respect to the performing, visual and literary
arts and to act in an advisory capacity to the city government in connection with
the artistic and cultural development of the city.
What’s the PURPOSE of PTAC?:
1) “Promote” public programs.
2) “Encourage” public programs.
3) “Further the development” of the arts AND public awareness in the arts.
4) “Act in advisory capacity” to city govt.
?? Should we change the PTAC SCOPE OF WORK/TASK to accommodate a
more pro-active arts entity?
?? Should we change our MISSION to accommodate a more pro-active arts
entity?
CURRENT MISSION STATEMENT:
It is our mission as an appointed City Commission to facilitate public
arts programs that enhance the cultural life of City residents.
~Mission Statement action words: “facilitate public arts programs” and “
enhance cultural life of residents.”
FACILITATE: Definition: verb ~ “to make easy or easier”
ENHANCE: Definition: verb ~ “to further improve the quality of…”
Dan: I suggest we leave the wording the same on the SCOPE/TASK paragraph
from the Council Resolution 01-029 but interpret it differently than we’ve done in
years past. I am seeing more clearly now that we don’t necessarily need to
change much in our mission and purpose, just in how we interpret it to be more
proactive instead of just responsive (like we’ve been for years). I suggest we
read the SCOPE/TASK statement “further the development and public
awareness of and interest in the arts” as the avenue available to us to enable us
to focus on more OUTREACH. I believe that with words in there like, “Promote”
and “encourage,” mean that we’re supposed to do more than just wait for funding
requests.
UPDATE ON OUR WEB PAGE:
What the community currently sees when they search online for Port Townsend
Arts Commission:
*NOTE: Since our last meeting, the second search result option has been
updated to NOT show an old listing of commissioners that is outdated. But it
still does not redirect to the correct landing page.
City website link: current information as of 22may21 on website TOP CLICK
(above):
Meetings
Arts Commission meetings occur on the first Wednesday of each month at 3:00
p.m. All meetings are open to the public and public comment is welcome. All
scheduled meetings can be found on the Meetings Calendar and meeting agendas
and minutes in the records and documents directory.
About the Commission
The Arts Commission promotes and encourages public programs to further the
development and public awareness of and interest in the arts and acts in an
advisory capacity to the City government in connection with the artistic and
cultural development of the City. Members are selected based on their
knowledge and expertise with respect to the performing, visual and literary
arts.
Grant Funding
The Port Townsend Arts Commission is dedicated to supporting arts that
have a recognized quality and significant connection to the City. It is our
mission as an appointed City Commission to facilitate public arts
programs that enhance the cultural life of City residents.
The Application for Financial Support, Funding Guidelines, and Frequently
Asked Questions are available in the links below.
New for 2021: The Commission will review applications for microgrants
($500 or less) on a monthly basis throughout the year. Applications are
due at least one month before the event and by the 20th of the month prior
to the meeting when they will be reviewed.
All other applications will be due and reviewed according to the schedule
below:
< < schedule here > >
NOTES:
Google searches pull up 2 results, the second should be
removed/redirected to top search result?
Website landing page on google search – 1st SEARCH RESULTS (top link
above):
https://cityofpt.us/bc/page/arts-commission-0
NOTE the ZERO at the end of this URL address – this one links correctly.
> List of current PTAC members, FAQ link for funding requests, other links.
> Info about MEETINGS, ABOUT THE COMMISSION, GRANT FUNDING (see
below).
> GRANT FUNDING: The Port Townsend Arts Commission is dedicated to
supporting arts that have a recognized quality and significant connection to the
City and to serving city government. It is our mission as an appointed
City Commission to facilitate public arts programs that enhance the cultural life
of City residents.
Website landing page on google search – 2ND SEARCH RESULTS (second link
above):
https://cityofpt.us/bc/page/arts-commission-2
NOTE the “2” AT THE END OF THIS URL ADDRESS – this link displays
summarized info and no listing of commissioners or FAQ or other links and
should simply be REDIRECTED TO THE CORRECT LANDING PAGE.
This portion under “grant funding” states our “mission” but it’s not
clear how our stated mission came about – it’s not mentioned in the
Council resolution so it seems it was established arbitrarily at a later
time.
DISCUSSION:
“MISSION STATEMENT” ISSUES of excluding portions of our arts
community?:
CURRENT WORDING: It is our mission as an appointed City Commission to
facilitate public arts programs that enhance the cultural life of City residents.
Dan: The mission on our web page states that our focus is supposed to be
on “City residents” but it is becoming more and more clear that East
Jefferson County residents are integral to the ongoing vitality of our arts
scene in PT. Our current mission excludes large portions of our arts
community if it’s to be read as only focusing on “city residents” to receive
benefits from our work as a commission.
I suggest we broaden our focus to include a changes just one word in our
mission from CITY to COMMUNITY: that “enhances the cultural life of
COMMUNITY residents.
DAN: I propose we change our MISSION to replace “City residents” with
the words “Community residents.”
PROPOSED NEW MISSION?:
CHANGE FROM: It is our mission as an appointed City Commission to
facilitate public arts programs that enhance the cultural life of City
residents.
CHANGE TO: It is our mission as an appointed City Commission to
facilitate public arts programs that enhance the cultural life of community
residents.
PROPOSED:
Grant Funding
The Port Townsend Arts Commission is dedicated to supporting arts that
have a recognized quality and significant connection to the City. It is our
mission as an appointed City Commission to facilitate public arts
programs that enhance the cultural life of community residents.
1
Amber Long
From:Denise Winter, KCPT <denise@keycitypublictheatre.org>
Sent:Thursday, May 20, 2021 6:01 PM
To:artscomm@cityofpt.us; Amber Long
Subject:Grant Final Report for Key City Public Theatre Mays Vote project
Attachments:PTACGrant_Jan2021_FinalReport.pdf; PTAC Invoice for May's Vote 2021-1.pdf
CAUTION: External Email
Hello Commissioners,
Please find attached a copy of Key City Public Theatre's Grant Final Report and an invoice for grant funds. There were no
print materials for this project as it was all done virtually. Below is a link to the webpage from the KCPT website where
you can see the acknowledgement of the Port Townsend Arts Commission. In addition, the Arts Commission was
thanked for their grant funding support in a live broadcast pre‐show speech before every online performance.
http://scanmail.trustwave.com/?c=16439&d=xoan4OKmhj5hd0_nFKno3Sq556d5‐
QxvJ7xNmVSdHQ&u=http%3a%2f%2fkeycitypublictheatre%2eorg%2fmaysvote%2f
Thank you so much for the funding in support of this successful project, Denise Winter
‐‐
Thank you, Denise Winter Executive Artistic Director, KCPT denise@keycitypublictheatre.org 360‐379‐0195
http://scanmail.trustwave.com/?c=16439&d=xoan4OKmhj5hd0_nFKno3Sq556d5‐QxvJ‐
kZywHPEw&u=http%3a%2f%2fwww%2ekeycitypublictheatre%2eorg
May 20, 2021
Port Townsend Arts Commissioners,
I am pleased to report that Key City Public Theatre (KCPT) has completed its May’s Vote virtual tour project
for which we received a City of Port Townsend Arts Commission (PTAC) grant award. This letter serves as
our final report and is accompanied by an invoice for the full grant award amount of $1,486.00.
KCPT has delivered more than two dozen performances of the women’s history play May’s Vote to
communities across WA State, reaching over 1000 patrons with this story of women’s suffrage while educating
residents about the long fought battle for the right to vote during this past election year. Our most recent virtual
tour began January 26, 2021 with a special emphasis on partnering with Port Townsend and Jefferson County
organizations, and a goal to extend the Suffrage Centennial celebration through Women’s History month,
(March), however, demand for performances carried us through April 17, 2021.
Collaborative efforts provided opportunities for local libraries, schools, and nonprofit organizations to reach
their constituents with history and arts content during pandemic closures. To increase accessibility, all online
performances were presented free to everyone. PTAC grant funds for this project replaced the ticket revenue
and ensured that direct program costs, primarily artist fees, were covered, making these free performances for
our community possible. Two additional accessibility strategies were employed. KCPT, sourced a close-
captioning provider to create subtitles for our performances so that hearing impaired patrons could more readily
enjoy performances. We received numerous compliments and thank-yous for providing this service to patrons.
Staff also connected with a wide range of nonprofit, government and community groups throughout the county,
both new and existing partners, to work in tandem and spread the word about this free program. By casting a
wide net, along with our partners’ outreach to their constituents, KCPT reached more than 420 residents and
students of Jefferson County with this virtual tour project. In addition to the County specific performances,
additional partner performances were scheduled throughout the state but were open to all audiences and
attended by members of our community.
Partnering organizations for whom special performance times were scheduled in Port Townsend included:
Jefferson County History and Art Museum, Port Townsend High School, Port Townsend Library, along with
Avamere, Discovery View, and Victoria Place senior living residences. Additional Jefferson County Partners
included: Jefferson County Library, Friends of Swansonville, Ludlow Village Players, Port Ludlow’s First
Wednesday Luncheon group, Quilcene Community Center, Quilcene Historical Museum and Worthington
Park, Quilcene School District, and Rainforest Council for the Arts in Forks (serving West Jefferson County).
Together with our partners, educational components were added to these performances with additional history
materials/weblinks/displays, classroom work, post-play discussions that included County specific women’s
suffrage history, and increased community dialogue about the right to vote and its meaning in our lives today.
PTAC’s grant funding was a critical factor in our ability to deliver this program and meet project goals.
With gratitude,
Denise Winter, KCPT Executive Artistic Director