Richfield Arts Commission Minutes August 2021
Richfield Arts Commission (RAC) Agenda
August 5th, 2021, 7: PM to 8:30 PM
Richfield Community Center
7000 Nicollet Avenue South, Richfield, MN 55423
Commission Members Present: Larry Nelson, Karin Wolverton, Aric Bieganek, Joyce Marrie, Hazel Bieganek, Chelsea Knauf, Janie Mork
Absent: Elise Melendez
Community Service Liaison: Not in attendance.
Friendship City Liaison: Courtney Kupsch
City Staff: Marykaye Champa
City Council Liaison: Mary Supple
Call to order at 7:06 p.m.
Call to Order
Online meeting today due to public health guidance on meetings that could occur online.
Approval of Agenda
Mia motioned to approve the agenda. Unanimously approved.
Approval of Minutes
Welcome Youth Art Commission Members Elise and Hazel!!
New youth member Hazel Bieganek, 8th grader and local business owner selling jewelry. She is the daughter of commission member <
Chase Bank Sculpture
There is space for public art by the new Chase Bank on 66th and Lyndale. Chase had reached out previously about RAC input on the arts project, but has not yet attended a meeting. City
will reach out regarding September meeting.
Mississippi Valley Poets Poetry Project Update
The project was approved by city council at the May 25 city council meeting. Installation is in progress. They will start advertising for August 14 event 6-8 p.m. The project will
be complete and unveiled by the organization at August 14 event, and will include a poetry reading. Currently, the posts have been installed with lights installed through additional
funding found by Parks and Rec team.
Youth member Hazel Bieganek, Parks and Rec Director Amy Markle, and Council Member Mary Supple will be speaking at the event. Commission members encouraged to attend and wear their
RAC shirt.
Pride Circle
Project has been approved at roundabout by Lyndale Avenue by 66th Street near McDonalds and the VFW. Upcoming meeting to discuss plans and timing for project end of summer. Will be
discussing public safety aspect as well for painting the pavement.
Community Service Commission update
New playground built at Augsburg Park. Some items on backorder due to COVID-19. Will include community events, such as performances, arts activities and story telling
Partnership with U of MN to study how participation and wellness if affected for youth, with focus on ethnic and low-income youth, who take part in Parks and Rec programming if financial
barriers are removed. Project funding/timi $2.5 million over 3 years.
Friendship City Liaison: Courtney Kupsch
Friendship Commission will be speaking at Unity in the Community on August 29 and Penn Fest on September 19. Will send information to RAC members to determine whether collaboration
could occur on events.
Exploring partnership opportunities to collaborate with neighboring arts organizations
No updates. Efforts in progress.
https://www.pps.org/Project for Public Spaces
See link for funding opportunities for local arts projects. Commission members should look a the link and discuss at September meeting. <
Will take partnership with nonprofits because the commission is part of local government. Friendship City Liaison Courtney Kupsch, Parks and Rec Director Amy Markle and Commission member
Joyce Marrie have experience in arts grants and can help with overviews and ideas for partnerships. <Could consider Richfield Foundation as a partner.
https://www.pps.org/article/get-funded-tips-for-a-new-era-of-placemaking-philanthropyhttps://www.pps.org/article/get-funded-tips-for-a-new-era-of-placemaking-philanthropy
2021 Activities
Little Library </w:t></
Inventory is low. Council Member Suppler donated 5-6 boxes of books. Will restock with books soon.
Crossroads event August 28</w:t></wth
Family event 2:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. fundraiser. Will have a variety of performances from a variety of artists. Will also include a silent auction and tables. <Still looking for donations;
please provide by August 16. RAC will <host a table with crafts and help staff the event. Two shifts: 2-4 p.m. and 4-6 p.m.<
Poetry Recognition Event September 12</w:t></wth. (Follow up/call poets)
Event start time is 3:30 p.m. Has not been a good response on poet participation. Will send out via Google docs to self-assign calls/emails to poets. Deadline for contacting individuals
is August 23. Will add advertisement to Google docs to help with talking points.
Penn Fest- September 19</w:t></wth
Timeline is 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friendship Commission <has a schedule in place; RAC will discuss shifts at September meeting. Will follow up with staff liaison about reserving a table.
Staff Update
Boxes of books in staff liaison office for little library.
August 28 event will include RAC table with monarch art projects; RAC will also pay for puppet shoe.
Need decision on Penn Fest in September 19.
Truck or Treat will include a dog show. Need a volunteer to MC.
Announcements
Update from Council Member Mary Supple on upcoming strategic planning by the city and opportunity for community members to participate in the process.
Adjourn