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2024-03-12 FAC Minutes Minutes of the Fine Arts Commission meeting held on March 12, 2024. Members present: Kristen Adsit Victor Bruce Anne Camille Hersh Clarissa Rodriguez Michael Stock Tara Strickstein Members absent: Ian Peter Hosfeld Also present: Jacquelyn Village, Assistant Recreation Director Leslie Rackl, Executive Assistant Mark Weiser, Music Promoter The meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m. Mr. Stock made a motion to approve the minutes of the February 13, 2024 meeting. Motion seconded by Ms. Adsit and unanimously approved. Discussion turned to the Miami Shores Community Alliance grant. Ms. Rodriguez related that the Alliance has asked for an interim report from last year’s grant recipients. The 2024 grant cycle is as follows: Grant applications will open on March 15th and close on April 15th. Grants will be awarded on May 22nd. Discussion turned to the Art In Public Places Streetscape Project. It was noted that the existing signs will require upkeep. Ms. Hersh noted that removing existing signs from locations opens the door and sets a precedent for others. It was noted that there is no appellate procedure for people who may not like a project. It was also related that there is no end date for the Streetscape Project. Ms. Strickstein suggested having a timeline for future projects. Ms. Rodriguez said that there are three options for the Streetscape signs: Leave the signs as they are currently; replace the signs if they are broken (as is the case on 109th Street); or have a finite timeframe for the signs and then pick new locations for the signs. Mr. Bruce suggested letting the Village Attorney continue with the process. Ms. Adsit will reach out to Dennis Leyva about Art In Public Places in regard to ordinance issues in Miami Beach. Moving forward, Ms. Adsit asked about a budget for the care and maintenance of Art In Public Places pieces. Ms. Rodriguez said she has performed an informal polling on the signs and everyone she has spoken to is in favor of the messages/signs. At this time there was discussion regarding the recent concert with Liset Alea, which was well attended. It was noted that there were sound issues at this concert; difficult, with the sound board as well as the mics. Additionally, at the last two concerts there have been problems with the sound. Mr. Weiser said that the sound that has been used is meant for a crowd of up to 200 people, not a large field. Mr. Weiser added that Ms. Alea had her own mic for the concert, which was replaced after the second set. Ms. Adsit requested the Commission sponsor additional concerts. It was noted that the Egret was only used for the October 2023 concerts; all other concerts this year were promoted solely on social media. Ms. Hersh noted that the Commission may need to increase the money for sound. Mr. Stock suggested using the 9900 building as an option for concerts. Discussion turned to Green Day. Last year the Commission had a booth at the event with KidCreate Studios. Mr. Stock made a motion to provisionally approve a budget of $650 for the Green Day event with KidCreate Studios for 2.5 hours. Motion seconded by Ms. Rodriguez and unanimously approved. At this time Commission members discussed new event ideas. It was noted that the Commission needs to serve Miami Shores artists more effectively; one idea would be to have an open studio night for artists. Another idea is to have an online registry of artists; there could also be an open mic night and utilize a platform or a movable stage. Commission members suggested artist workshops. Other suggestions include setting up a grant for artists or incentives to bring them to Miami Shores. Ms. Villagran suggested offering art classes as part of a grant. Mr. Weiser related that he been involved with organizing weekly artist/craft markets. Mr. Stock suggested bringing in folk artist Chuck Brodsky to perform. Ms. Rodriguez would like to move ahead with one or two of these suggestions before the end of this fiscal year. Ms. Villagran also suggested that the Commission could co-sponsor one of the Plaza 98 events; specifically, provide the entertainment and/or band for the event. The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.