Richfield Arts Commission May 2021 MinutesRichfield Arts Commission Minutes
Thursday May 6th, 2021 7:00 PM, Meeting held online due to Covid19 rules
Commission Members Present: Larry Nelson, Karin Wolverton, Aric Bieganek, Chelsea Knauf, Janie
Mork, Joyce Marrie,
Absent: Mia Simpson, Elise Melendez
Community Service Liaison: N/A
City Staff: Marykaye Champa
City Council Liaison: Mary Supple
Friendship City Liaison: Courtney Kupsch
Guests:
Called to Order 7:05 PM
Agenda: approved
Minutes approved by voice vote
Illusion Theater
Bonnie Morris from Illusion Theater talked about their summer plans in Richfield. They will be
partnering with Cornerstone group to do a total of 12 performances at the amphitheater by Lake winds
coop this summer. Most will be on Wednesdays but there will be two on Saturdays. The first one will
feature Kevin Kling and they are expecting a large crowd for that event. They may need help from the
arts commission to get word out about the events as well as help with crowds at the events. Marykaye
will get the schedule from Illusion Theater and we can commission members can see which events they
can help with.
Mississippi Valley Poets Project
The city and RAC members hosted a listening session at the lake winds amphitheater to get feedback
about the Richfield lake poetry project. There are a few vocal opponents but most of the comments
were positive. Some of the concerns were around upkeep and how the poems would blend into the park
overall. Amy is working on a report and recommendation with the next step being a vote by the city
council possibly as soon as May meeting.
Friendship City Commission Liaison
Courtney Kupsch has been appointed as liaison from the Friendship City Commission to the Arts
Commission. There has been some overlap in the past between the two commissions. And there will be
a paint the park event on Sat June 5th from 24 in Vets parks that could involve both commissions.
Partnering with neighboring Arts organizations
Janie has done some research on neighboring communities that have their own local arts organizations.
It was decided that commission members would take different surrounding cities to investigate and try
to connect with if there are partnership opportunities. Members will report back their findings from the
following cities at the June meeting.
Joyce Brooklyn Park
Janie St Louis Park
Aric Bloomington
Eagan Larry
Matching Grant Application
The matching grant application has been approved. The application process is on hold until funding has
been allocated or it is made clear where the funding will come from. The application will be both
available online and in paper.
Public Art Brochure.
The Brochure is completed and ready to go to the printer. Two versions ready to print. The printing cost
is not coming out of RAC budget.
2021 RAC activities
Little Library The little library is well stocked at the moment. Karin and other have been dropping off
books. There may be a need to do a book drive to stock up on books though this summer or fall.
Bandshell The dates we have reserved for the bandshell are August 21 st and September 11th and 12th.
There was some discussion that. The commission has talked about doing our recognition event for the
poets selected for the 66th street poetry project last year at the Bandshell in August. We will need to
discuss this at the June meeting as we will not be meeting in July.
Staff updates.
The Sunshine group will be working with the city to paint one of the traffic circles for Pride.
Chase Bank may be at the June meeting to talk about a sculpture they want to install on their property
at 66th and Lyndale.
Announcements
Mary Supple has been approached by a community member who is involved in musical groups in
Richfield and would like to see an official band. Mary will pass along more information about this as it
becomes available.
Adjourned at 8: 30pm.
Next meeting Thursday June 3rd
Respectfully Submitted by Larry Nelson, Acting RAC Secretary