06-16-25_ArtsCommissionMeetingMinutes.docx — original pdf

Approved Minutes

REGULAR MEETING of the ARTS COMMISSION June 16, 2025, at 6:00 PM Austin City Hall, Council Chambers, Room 1001. 301 West 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701 The ARTS COMMISSION convened in a REGULAR meeting on 16, June 2025 at Austin City Hall, Council Chambers, Room 1001. 301 West 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701 Commissioner Houston called the ARTS COMMISSION Meeting to order at 6:06 p.m. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Gina Houston, Acia Gray, Celina Zisman, Muna Hussaini, Heidi Schmalbach, Sharron B Anderson, Nagavalli Medicharla Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Monica Maldonado Board Members Absent: Keyheira Keys, Felipe Garza, Faiza Kracheni CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Gina Houston - Chair, Acia Gray - Vice Chair, Keyheira Keys, Monica Maldonado, Felipe Garza, Heidi Schmalbach, Muna Hussaini, Celina Zisman, Faiza Kracheni, Sharron B Anderson, Nagavalli Medicharla MEETING MINUTES CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL • Donovan Jones from Austin Gay Men's Chorus spoke on the positive impacts the Thrive grant has had on their organization. • Deborah Orr from Outreach Productions spoke on the history of their organization, the impact the Thrive grant has had on their organization, their concerns with the proposed grant changes, and asked for the City to create a long-term investment strategy that includes long term grass roots organizations. • Joan Stwart spoke on the impacts that Outreach Productions has had on the community. They also spoke on the positive impact that the Thrive Grant has had on the organization. • Tonya Pennie from Lannaya and Dance Africa Festival spoke on the impact that their organization has on. They voiced their concern with a 2-cycle limitation on Thrive awards as they are already highly competitive and these limitations will unfairly stifle growth. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Arts Commission Regular Meeting on May 19, 2025. The minutes from the meeting of May 19, 2025 were approved on Commissioner Zisman’s motion, Commissioner Anderson’s second on a 7-0 vote with Commissioner Hussaini abstaining and Commissioner’s Keys, Garza, and Kracheni absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Report of the Art in Public Places Liaison concerning actions taking during the June 2, 2025 meeting of the Art in Public Places Panel by Commissioner Maldonado An update was given by Commissioner Maldonado A motion to move to Item 11 passed on Commissioner Maldonado’s motion, Commissioner Schmalbach second on a 7-0 vote with Commissioner Hussaini abstaining, and Commissioner’s Keys, Garza, and Kracheni absent. 3. Discussion on Calder Kamin’s canceled AIPP corridor project An update was given by Calder Kamin 4. Discussion of the City of Austin’s Art Policy goals An update was given by Chair Houston A motion to move to Item 6 passed on Commissioner Zisman’s motion, Commissioner Schmalbach second on a 7-0 vote with Commissioner Hussaini abstaining, and Commissioner’s Keys, Garza, and Kracheni absent. 5. Discussion on HOT leftovers transparency request for potential emergency funding. An update was given by Commissioner Anderson 6. Presentation and Discussion of recommendations regarding Austin's support for independent artists and creative workers through its cultural funding programs by Jane Hervey, Founder & Director, Future Front The presentation was made by Jane Hervey, Founder & Director, Future Front STAFF BRIEFINGS 7. Staff briefing on the Cultural Arts Division contract with The Long Center by Erica Shamaly, Music & Entertainment Division Manager The presentation was made by Erica Shamaly, Music & Entertainment Division Manager 8. Staff briefing regarding an update on the Hotel Occupancy Tax by Matthew Schmidt, Acting Cultural Arts Division Manager The presentation was made by Matthew Schmidt, Acting Cultural Arts Division Manager 9. Staff briefing regarding The Creative Reset by Morgan Messick, Assistant Director of ACME The presentation was made by Morgan Messick, Assistant Director of ACME 10. Staff briefing regarding update on the Cultural Arts Funding Programs by Jesús Pantel, Cultural Funding Supervisor The presentation was made by Jesús Pantel, Cultural Funding Supervisor 11. Staff briefing regarding an update on Art in Public Places by Jaime Castillo, Art in Public Places Manager The presentation was made by Jaime Castillo, Art in Public Places Manager DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 12. Approve the Selection Process Recommendations for the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Airport Expansion & Development Program (AEDP) Phase III Art in Public Places Projects – Restroom Entries A motion to approve the Selection Process Recommendations for the Austin- Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Airport Expansion & Development Program (AEDP) Phase III Art in Public Places Projects – Restroom Entrie passed on Commissioner Grey’s motion, Commissioner Zisman’s second on an 8-0 vote with Commissioner’s Keys, Garza, and Kracheni absent. 13. Approve the Selection Process Recommendations for the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Airport Expansion & Development Program (AEDP) Phase III Art in Public Places Projects – Amenity Lounges and Spaces for Children A motion to approve the Selection Process Recommendations for the Austin- Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Airport Expansion & Development Program (AEDP) Phase III Art in Public Places Projects – Amenity Lounges and Spaces for Children passed on Commissioner Maldonado’s motion, Commissioner Medicharla’s second on an 8-0 vote with Commissioner’s Keys, Garza, and Kracheni absent 14. Approve the Selection Process Recommendations for the St. John Redevelopment Site Art in Public Places Project A motion to approve the Selection Process Recommendations for the St. John Redevelopment Site Art in Public Places Project passed on Commissioner Zisman’s motion, Commissioner Schmalbach’s second on an 8-0 vote with Commissioner’s Keys, Garza, and Kracheni absent 15. Appoint new representative to the Downtown Commission. No Action Taken WORKING GROUP UPDATES 16. Update from joint Arts/Music Commission Working Group on Urban Core Issues with Commissioners Gray, and Schmalbach (chair). An update was given by Commissioner Schmalbach 17. Update from the Community Feedback on most recent release of the Cultural Funding Programs Working Group with Commissioner’s Schmalbach, Houston, Keys, and Anderson (Chair) An update was given by Commissioner Anderson FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Houston adjourned the meeting at 9:54 P.M. without objection. The minutes were approved at the July 21, 2025 meeting on Commissioner Zisman’s motion, Commissioner Gray’s second on an 9-0 vote with Commissioner Garza absent.