Grants Selection Panel for the Arts

Arts, Humanities & Historic Preservation Grant Evaluation Panel - ARTS

Minutes of the Special Meeting

March 9, 2011

 

Panel Members Present:  Pat Yanke, Mark Tully, Christine Kortbein, Kay Taylor, JoAnn Mundth

UWEX Staff Present:  Jenny Erickson
UWEX Arts and Culture Members Present: None

 

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 11:10 AM by Erickson and the requirements of the Open Meeting Law were met.

 

Approval of Agenda

Motion made by Taylor, second by Yanke to approve the agenda.  Motion carried.

 

Introductions

           

Review of Process Procedure

Erickson gave a summary of the changes to the UW-Extension, Arts and Culture Committee.  She also presented an overview of the roles and responsibilities of the staff, panel members and UW-Extension, Arts and Culture Committee members.

 

A question was raised regarding evaluation of grants in regards to educational outreach.  Is a purely entertaining performance (no educational outreach) still considered educational?

 

Election of Chairperson

Kortbein was selected to serve as chair of the panel for the meeting. 

 

Consideration of grant awards and development of recommendations

            The panel reviewed all 11 grants and discussed the pros and cons of each application.       

            The following are the funding recommendations and comments for each application:

 

A.) Al Ringling Theater requested $2375 and the panel recommended fully funding this project.           

 

Pros: 

-          Expanding the children’s theater with additional workshop

-          Responding to a local need

-          Exciting to see the next level beyond Missoula

Cons:

-          It was unclear what the grant application was for

-          Lack of a variety of funding sources – might not be sustainable.

B.) American Players Theater requested $3000 and the panel recommended partial funding this project at $1500.       (NOTE: RECEIVE OTHER WI ARTS BOARD FUNDING)

 

Pros: 

-          APT is a well oiled machine

-          Good grant writing

-          Keep expanding their project with additional meet and greet

Cons:

-          Have a history of being funded by this grant. 

-          May be time to provide these funds to new and upcoming ideas/groups.

-          Additional outreach to parents could be beneficial

 

C.) CAL Center Presents, Inc requested $5000 and the panel recommended not funding this project.   

 

Pros: 

-          World class entertainment in rural community

Cons:

-          Purely entertainment – no educational outreach.  The project does not engage the audience.

-          May need more than one show to reach audience

-          Funding imbalance – most of the funding is from the AHHP grant and not from the community.

-          Lacking a variety of funding sources.  This project may not be self sustaining.

 

D.) International Clown Hall of Fame requested $3800 and the panel recommended fully funding this project.    

Pros: 

-          Unique and reflects Baraboo history

-          Suitable to Baraboo

-          Innovative

Cons:

-          Lacking collaborative partners

-          Lacking varied income sources

-          Should work to include home school students (unclear how this was intended in the grant application)

      Comments:

-          Find partner with business development skills to help grow this idea.

-          Reach out to communities beyond Baraboo

 

E.) Reedsburg Players requested $1000 and the panel recommended fully funding this project. 

Pros: 

-          Nice program with a small budget

-          They do a good job

-          Lots of participants (including past participants)

Cons:

-          Lacking varied income sources from local entities

-          Need to charge for admission

 

 

F.) River Arts, Inc requested $5000 and the panel recommended partial funding at $2500 for this project.   

 

Pros:

-          Great, new and different idea

-          Draws students from all school districts

Cons:

-          Other communities with youth choir are located near much larger populations.

-          Expensive to operate, and budget might not reflect true costs

-          May be better as an adult choir

-          Don’t want to replicate school choral programs, but might be good if school funding is cut

 

 

G.) Sauk County Honors Music Project requested $1000 and the panel recommended not funding this project.    

Pros: 

-          Liked the idea of  music programs for kids with special talents/interests

-          Excellent program

-          Liked the jazz expansion program

Cons:

-          Should not need nearly 50% funding from this grant at this point.

-          Should/could involve River Valley School District

-          Exclusive group

-          There are many other opportunities for honors groups

-          Need more innovation in application

-          Would like to see increased collaboration with other music/arts entities throughout the county.

 

H.) Sauk Prairie Rec Department requested $2500 and the panel recommended not funding this project.    

 

Pros: 

-          Nice idea and nice event

-          Art as a part of parks and rec

Cons: 

-          Not a well written grant – budget not complete

-          Event could be done with less/no money

Comments:

-          Consult with River Arts Inc on future projects

-          Consult with Spring Green Area Art Coalition because they have hosted art in the park before

-          Consider a good idea grant

-          Perhaps start with a less ambitious program

I.) UW-Baraboo/Sauk County requested $5000 and the panel recommended fully funding this project.

Pros: 

-          New and innovative idea

-          Includes every form of the arts

-          Fabulous reputation.  This group has done their homework

-          Only requesting a small portion of the total budget so this project could become self sustaining

-          Big, far reaching idea with a lot of collaboration

-          Tracking audiences

-          Have a strong foundation with Summerset Theater

Cons:

-          Take on a lot without timeline

-          Need more organizational structure – no timeline

-          Are the artists confirmed?

 

J.) The Village of Sauk City requested $3500and the panel recommended partial funding at $1325 for this project.    

 

Pros: 

-          Collaboration with many local groups

-          Community building/community outreach

-          Connection with National Night Out

-          Growing event

Cons:

-          Could get sponsorship from community collaborators including local businesses

-          Not an innovative/creative idea

-          Needs more community based financial support

 

K.) Wormfarm Institute requested $4000 and the panel recommended fully funding for this project.    

Pros:

-          Creative and innovative

-          Wide audience

-          Have done this before so have ground work

-          Great idea

-          Incubator project

-          Reasonable budget

Cons:

-          None

 

The total amount of funding recommended by the Arts Panel is $21,500.

 

Adjourn

Meeting adjourned at 1:00pm 

 

 

Submitted by,

 

Jenny Erickson

Sauk County UW Extension Community Development Educator