Approved Minutes — original pdf

Approved Minutes

REGULAR MEETING of the ARTS COMMISSION February 23, 2026, at 6:00 PM Austin Energy, Mueller Assembly Rm 1111a (115). 4815 Mueller Blvd, Austin, TX 78723 The ARTS COMMISSION convened in a REGULAR meeting on February 23, 2026 at Austin Energy, Mueller Assembly Rm 1111a (115). 4815 Mueller Blvd, Austin, TX 78723 Commissioner Medicharla called the ARTS COMMISSION Meeting to order at 6:10 p.m. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Hussaini, Pownall, Banskota, Medicharla Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Houston, Anderson, Schmalbach Board Members Absent: Garza, Kracheni, Keys, Maldonado CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Gina Houston - Chair, VACANT - Vice Chair, Keyheira Keys, Monica Maldonado, Felipe Garza, Heidi Schmalbach, Kirtana Banskota, Muna Hussaini, Bailey Pownall, Faiza Kracheni, Sharron B Anderson, Nagavalli Medicharla MEETING MINUTES CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL • Jessica Arjet from Hideout Theatre spoke about their struggles having to find a new location • Miranda Harris spoke about the Joy for Seniors program by ArtlyWorld. • Skylar spoke about the Joy for Seniors program by ArtlyWorld. • Cedric Silan of Asian invited the commission to the lunar celebration this Friday al Bolm arts. • Natalie Crowe spoke on their questions about the Convention Center redevelopment • Katy spoke on their opposition to the Convention Center redevelopment APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Arts Commission Regular Meeting on December 15, 2025 The minutes from the meeting of December 15, 2025 were approved on Commissioner Anderson motion, Commissioner Schmalbach second on a 7-0 vote with Commissioners Garza, Kracheni, Keys, and Maldonado absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Update on actions taken at the March 2nd Art in Public Places Panel by Commissioner Schmalbach The update was given by Commissioner Schmalbach. 3. Update on actions taken at the February 18th Downtown Commission meeting by Commissioner Houston The update was given by Commissioner Houston 4. Report from Mayor’s Public Places Task Force by Commissioner Garza. No update given STAFF BRIEFINGS 5. Staff briefing regarding an update on the Hotel Occupancy Tax by Jesús Pantel, Cultural Funding Supervisor. The update was given by Jesús Pantel, Cultural Funding Supervisor. 6. Staff briefing regarding update on the Cultural Arts Funding Programs by Jesús Pantel, Cultural Funding Supervisor. The update was given by Jesús Pantel, Cultural Funding Supervisor. 7. Staff briefing regarding an update on the AACME Funding Programs by Laura Odegaard, Acting Division Manager, AACME. The update was given by Laura Odegaard, Acting Division Manager, AACME. 8. Staff briefing regarding an update on Art in Public Places by Jaime Castillo, Art in Public Places Manager. The update was given by Jaime Castillo, Art in Public Places Manager. 9. Staff briefing regarding the Austin Convention Center and Creative Economy Benefits to Austin by Acting Director of Austin Convention Center, Katy Zamesnik and Assistant Director, AACME, Morgan Messick The update was given by by Acting Director of Austin Convention Center, Katy Zamesnik and Assistant Director, AACME, Morgan Messick DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 10. Approve a recommendation for one new member to the Art in Public Places Panel. 11. Approve a recommendation for the Colony Park Pool Art in Public Places Project Final Design - Chirs Tobar and Celica Ledesma. The motion to approve Item 11 does not pass on Commissioner Scmalbach motion, Commissioner Anderson second on a 5-0 vote with Commissioner Pownall abstaining and Commissioners Houston, Garza, Kracheni, Keys, and Maldonado absent. 12. Approve a recommendation for the Faulk History Center Art in Public Places Project Final Design - Suzy Gonzalez. 13. Approve a recommendation for the Northeast Service Center (NESC) Garage Facade Art in Public Places Project Artist Selection. 14. Approve a recommendation for the Art in Public Places Pre-Qualified Texas Public Artist Pool Request for Qualifications. The motion to approve a recommendation for Items 10, 12, 13, 14 was approved on Commissioner Schmalbach motion, Commissioner Anderson second on a 6- 0 vote with Commissioners Houston, Garza, Kracheni, Keys, and Maldonado absent. 15. Discussion and possible recommendations to Spanish language contracts for Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment (AACME) grants. The motion to approve a recommendation to Spanish language contracts for Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment (AACME) grants was approved on Commissioner Hussaini’s motion, Commissioner Pownall’s second on a 6-0 vote with Commissioners Houston, Garza, Kracheni, Keys, and Maldonado absent. 16. Discussion and possible action to elect new Vice Chair. No action taken 17. Approve at least one member to the Working Group on Urban Core Issues. No action taken 18. Establish an Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment (AACME) Funding Appeals Working Group A motion to establish an Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment (AACME) Funding Appeals Working Group was passed on Schmalbach’s motion, Banskota’s second on a 6-0 vote with Commissioners Houston, Garza, Kracheni, Keys, and Maldonado absent. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 19. Update from joint Arts/Music Commission Working Group on Urban Core Issues with Commissioners Schmalbach (chair). 20. Update from Arts Commission Bylaws Working Group with Commissioners Houston, Garza, Keys, and Anderson (Chair) FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS • Update on meeting with Katy from Convention Center and Commissioner Anderson • Discussion on creating technical workshops at Cultural Centers • Discussion on The Long Center contract review ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Medicharla adjourned the meeting at 9:07 P.M. without objection. The minutes were approved at the March 23, 2026 meeting on Commissioner Medicaharla’s motion, Commissioner Schmalbach’s second on a 10-0 vote with Commissioner Banskota absent