Meeting of the Virginia Commission for the Arts

September 29, 2016

Staunton - Augusta Arts Center, Staunton, Virginia

In attendance: Shelley Kruger Weisberg, John Rainero, Faye Bailey, Bob Behr, Dorothy Blackwell, Matt Conrad, Lorita Copeland Daniels, Abigail Gomez, Jo Hodgin, Wanda Judd, Kathleen O’Hare.

Staff: Margaret Vanderhye, Mackenzie Byrne, Cathy Welborn, Casey Polczynski

Not present: Jay Dick, Grace Han Wolf

Shelley Kruger Weisbergcalled the meeting to order at 8:30am. New Commissioners, Matt Conrad, Abigail Gomez and Kathleen O’Hare were welcomed and introduced.

The June Commission meeting minutes: Bob Behr made a motion to approve the June Commission meeting minutes. Dorothy Blackwell seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

Margaret Vanderhye discussed the report of the executive and budget and policy committees. The budget that was approved in June, 2016 remains unchanged until the Governor announces the 5% reduction strategies. VCA made a petition to the Governor to be exempted from 5% cut. The Governor recently announced the need to cut another 5% statewide in FY18. Actions for FY17 reduction include:

  1. Cancel the artist fellowships
  2. Eliminate performing arts tour waitlist
  3. Apply the unused Local Government Challenge Grant monies
  4. Cuts to second round GOS payments (approximately 31% of final 15%)

Margaret Vanderhye gave an overview of the Budget and Policy meeting and background on the $97K funds from Virginia Arts Foundation. The budget and policy committee met on July 12, 2016 in Richmond to discuss the best use of the funds. The committees recommended that the available interest funds from the Foundation principal be used for a newArts in Education Express Grant. This program had been previously approved. The Virginia Arts Foundation Board of Trustees willmeet following the VCA meeting to consider applying the $97,000 to the AIE grants as a pilot program over the next three years.

The committee also recommended moving approval of the Technical Assistance budget from June to March in order to make spring awards in a timely manner. Guidelines will be amended to reflect the change from June to March each year. Matt Conrad asked about the nature of the Foundation fund and how it is held. He suggested that more interest could be gained annually and inquired about the commission’s latitude to make decisions about the Foundation funds. Margaret stated that the management of the funds must be taken up with the Department of Planning and Budget. Margi stated the $97K should be used for programs only. Casey Polczynski stated the pilot AIE Express program is modeled after a successful program in Nevada.

John Rainero made a motion to change the Guidelines so that theTA grants budget will be approved at the spring meeting and to affirm the executive committee’s directive to staff to submit the FY17 budget savings strategies the committee approved. Jo Hodgin seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.

Shelley Kruger Weisberg attended the Performing Arts Touring panel. She said the panel was well prepared. The videos are not always reflective of the high quality of the artists. The panel questioned how we could broaden the reach to be more inclusive.

Jo Hodgin stated thatmore geographic representation was needed on the panel. Cathy Welborn stated that unfortunately, two panelists dropped off at the last minute due to unforeseen circumstances.

Wanda Judd agreed with the staff recommendation to include Eastern Virginia Brass. Shelley Kruger Weisberg agreed and said that additionally, they have programs for children and effective management.

LoritaCopeland Daniels said that Virginia Handbell Consort was excellent when she saw them and were thoroughly engaging. The panel stated that the group did not use their allocation and did not get out beyond their immediate area.

Faye Bailey was concerned that the Virginia State Ballet might need toreconsider their new name as the Richmond Ballet is the “State Ballet of Virginia”.

Jo Hodgin made a motion to approve the tour directory panel with staff recommendations to include the Eastern Virginia Brass, Lynne Mackey, Marcolivia and Washington Saxophone Quartet. Matt Conrad seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

Casey Polczynski gave an update on Poetry Out Loud. Thirty per cent of the participants are new this year and every region is represented. The regional competition dates are set. Dates and locations can be found online. There are currently over twelve thousand participants from 48 schools. Going into this year’s competition with the national winner being from Virginia is a great boost for the program recruitment. Virginia is the only state that has had two national champions. Casey gave an overview of the state championship with WCVE and the broadcast of the state finals before the national finals.

Shelley Kruger Weisberg spoke about POL champion AhkeiTogun and his family and their meeting with the Governor. The program has had significant impact on many of the participants, but especially Akhei. Jo Hodgin said the Virginia state runner-up from northern Virginia performed and was a spokesperson for the arts in front of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors’ budget hearings

Wanda Judd chair of the Education Committee expressed her enthusiasm for the potential with the AIE Express grant program and the committee’s ongoing work to expand and enhance the Teaching Artist Roster.

Lorita Copeland Daniels gave a report on Special Constituencies. She highlighted the veterans and military programming survey noting survey highlights. Feedback suggests most arts organizations do not know what arts therapy entails. She stated it would be helpful to put together a segment to show how an arts therapist could help an organization. 59% of the respondents stated they were not sure if they would use an arts therapist. 34% said they were interested in creating a military and veteran program. The committee discussed the potential for VCA’s website to develop a page highlighting programs conducted by our grantees where program specific information could be hosted. She encouraged commissioners to attend programs for veterans funded by VCA such as Mighty Pen Project (Richmond), Combat Papers (Portsmouth), Armed Services Arts Partnership—Comedy Bootcamp (Hampton Roads). Faye Bailey stated the Portsmouth Museum exhibition was powerful. Casey said an artist from Mighty Pen Project reached out to become a part of the teaching artist roster. A majority of survey respondents did not know if or how they might use arts therapists in their organizations; potentially the commission could offer workshop opportunities.

Bob Behr and Jo Hodgin gave an overview of the 50thAnniversary plans. The theme from the celebration is “50 for 50.” The first meaningis programmatic—select 50 artists, programs, organizations, or arts leaders who provided inspirationover the last fifty years from around the Commonwealth. The second “50 for 50” refers to funding levels: 50 cents per capita for the 50th anniversary of the commission. The Commission will also engage in a series of Round tables over the next 18 months to engage business and civic leaders about the vitality of the arts in their respectivecommunities. The “Listening Tour” will give the VCA a chance to shape the programs and plans for the commission for the future. Art Works will be used to help “launch” and publicize the effort. Bob Behr requested that if anyone has key contactsfor potential partners in program or funding support to send them to the Committee. Matt Conrad offered to assist the commission with a General Assembly resolution for the 50th year anniversary.

The Commission recessed at 10:15 am to see a performance at the American Shakespeare Center and then reconvened at 1pm.

Shelley, Margi, Casey and Cathy gave overview of the NASAA conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan. . Margaret Vanderhye gave an overview of breakout sessions and speakers for the January 25 Art Works for Virginia Conference. This year’s theme is “A New Virginia Renaissance”.

Shelley Kruger Weisberg announced that the new Commission members would serve on the following committees:

Kathleen O’Hare-- Arts in Education

Abigail Gomez—Special Constituencies

Matt Conrad--Policy and Budget

There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 1:27p.m.

The Virginia Arts Foundation Board Meeting

The Virginia Arts Foundation was called to order at 1:28pm by Margaret Vanderhye. She gave a background report on the establishment of the VAF and the purpose of the meeting. She said the sole agenda item is to consider whether to approve the use of $97,000 in VAF interest funds for the purpose of launching a three year pilot program for the Arts in Education Express grants with approximately $32,000 being used each year for FY18, FY19 and FY20. Casey reviewed the AIE Express program that the commission approved pending funding in June, 2015.

John Rainero made a motion to approve the VAF funds for the three-year pilot program for the AIE Express grants. Bob Behr seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. Matt Conrad asked how the Commission might access more of the funds or generate more interest and donations to the Foundation, an issue that needs Department of Planning and Budget involvement.

The meeting adjourned at 1:32pm.

The next meeting of the Commission will be December 7th and 8th in Charlottesville and will be hosted by the Paramount Theater.

Attachment 1:

The Virginia Commission for the Arts at 50: A Celebration

Anniversary Committee Report to the Commission, September 28, 2016

Bob Behr, Jo Hodgin

Thanks to your input and some terrific work by Margi and the staff, today we’re sharing some exciting plans and progress for the Commission’s 50thAnniversary.

At our June Commission meeting, all of us agreed that the Anniversary would be a success if it accomplished 2 things:

  1. Secure additional state funding for the arts
  2. Build the brand of the Commission within the legislative and administrative branches of Virginia Government, the arts community, and the general public

NEW 3rd goal: to lay the groundwork for our strategic plan. More about that in a moment.

The budget has become an even greater issue. So it’s crucial that we stage a stunning celebration without diverting critical funding from potential grantees.

So everything we are planning is run through these filters:

  1. Any activity we choose must require minimum expense.
  2. We have to be very creative about integrating the celebration into existing activities.
  3. We need to create a year so appealing that outside funders will join in the celebration.

THEME:With these parameters in mind, we have an outline for an engaging, low cost, fundable celebration that we’re calling 50 for 50.

It’s a theme with a double meaning:

  1. We will be presenting 50 for 50 Arts Inspiration Awards to recognizing 50 innovative individuals, organizations, programs and events that have used the arts in a transformative manner to benefit Virginia
  2. In 2018, we will have as our rallying cry “50 cents per capita for FY19 to support the arts in Virginia.” This moves us closer to our long-held $1 per capita goal, increasing the budget of the Commission to about 4.2 million.

HIGHLIGHTS AND CURRENT ACTIVITY: Allow us to share the highlights of the 50 for 50 Celebration and what we’re doing right now to move forward.

If you have questions or suggestions, please feel free to raise them as we’re talking. And if some aspect of this celebration piques your interest, we welcome your participation.

  1. Of course we need our own year, and our own day. We’re working now on the first of these proclamations, for the Virginia Year of the Arts, which begins April 5, 2017 and runs through April 4, 2018, the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Commission. We hope to have a proclamation presented in the Virginia House and Senate in January and in the U.S. House and Senate before April, perhaps during National Arts Advocacy Day in March.

ACTION ITEM: If you have recommendations for the best avenues for moving the proclamations forward or particular information that they should include, please talk with us as soon as possible.

  1. The Celebration Highlight that has the most direct impact on us as Commissioners is the Listening Tour. Last night’s round table and a similar breakfast discussion in December give us an opportunity to draw attention to the arts in each community where we meet. Margi is working with contacts in each location to connect us with community leaders. This concept will be fleshed out and launched as the statewide Listening Tour as part of the Anniversary Celebration.
  2. Build awareness for the arts and the commission. This is already a grassroots opportunity in each community. But these roundtables and the observations that come from them present a press opportunity, something we’ll want to work on going forward.
  3. Prepare for Strategic plan: we collect the kind of on-the-ground information and impressions that will be critical as we move into strategic planning in the next couple of years.
  4. Save Money By incorporating these activities into existing Commission meetings, we can meet the goals of the Anniversary Celebration in a fiscally responsible manner.

ACTION ITEM: We would love to hear your impressions of the panel and your recommendations for community outreach and format in future

  1. We’re very excited about the 50 for 50 Arts Inspiration Awards. While statistics on the impact of the arts really resonate with some, all of us are moved by stories about the changes the arts can make in a community or for someone in need. We will have a terrific opportunity to tell fifty such stories in a variety of ways. A recommended list of awardees will be put forward to you by a jury comprised of the Anniversary Committee and other knowledgeable Virginians, including former Commissioners and leaders they and you recommend.

ACTION ITEM: If you have suggestions for potential jurors, please let us know.

  1. There are a number of public events that offer fantastic opportunities for celebration. The Art Works for Virginia Conference is a logical one; Margi is also working on two others. First a partnership with the Virginia Science Museum as part of their DaVinci Alive program. A great chance to highlight the synergy between the arts and science. Second, a reception with the Governor to honor the recipients for the 50 for 50 Arts Inspiration Awards.

FUNDRAISING: With 50 for 50 Awards, public events, proclamations, and especially the roundtables statewide, the 50th Anniversary Celebration holds great promise for doing more than just “checking the anniversary box.”

We can do this work well with funds and vehicles that we have in place. But with additional private funding, we can do things right. We can use each these vehicles to draw real attention to the critical role played by the arts and by the Commission. With that in mind, we are developing a case statement and list of potential funders for the awards, events, and roundtables.

ACTION ITEM: Funders to add to list? Call for participation.

Attachment 2:

The Virginia Commission for the Arts at 50: A Celebration

September 28, 2016

Bob Behr, Jo Hodgin

Purpose: To celebrate the critical role that the arts play in Virginia.

Working Theme: “50 for 50”, which refers to 50 Arts Inspirations that have made the arts in Virginia what they are today, also to a goal of 50 cents per capita funding for the arts

Desired outcomes:

  1. Secure additional state funding for the arts
  2. Build the brand of the Commission within the legislative and administrative branches of Virginia Government, the arts community, and the general public
  3. Lay the groundwork for the VCA’s next strategic plan.

Time Frame:

  1. 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Commission: April 4, 2018
  2. Celebration Year: April 5, 2017 – April 4 2018, plus additional activities in 2018.

Highlights

  1. State and National legislative recognition for Virginia Year of the Arts (April 5, 1017 – April 4, 2018) and Virginia Commission for the Arts Day (Month?) (April 4,2018)
  1. Listening Tour: Regional Celebrations/Town Halls to coincide with Commission meetings
  1. 50 for 50 Arts Inspiration Awards, recognizing 50 innovative individuals, organizations, programs and events that have used the arts in a transformative manner to benefit Virginia
  1. Art Works for Virginia Conferencewith Anniversary Theme for 2018
  1. In Discussion: DaVinci Alive Program with Virginia Science Museum; Governor’s Celebration

Funding needed: TBD, pending budget decisions and staff analysis

Planning Partners:

  1. Commissioners in each Region, with local leaders in the arts and civic life (examples: arts councils and arts leaders, chamber of commerce, tourism groups) Education Secretariat? Virginia Tourism Corporation? Arts and Military / Veterans groups
  2. General Assembly Arts Caucus
  3. Office of the Governor
  4. Virginians for the Arts
  5. Someone to help develop a press plan/logo, etc., e.g. VCU or other university? NOTE: Washington Post writer has expressed interest in tying us in with 50th anniversary of NEA. RICHMOND PUBLIC TELEVISION? Norfolk TV station

Timeline