RAC May 2018Richfield Arts Commission Minutes
Thursday May 3rd, 2018 7:00 PM, Richfield Community Center 7000 Nicollet Ave S
Commission Members Present: Derek Sandbeck, Chelsea Knauf, Larry Nelson, Thomas Eder,
Joyce Marrie
Absent: Mia Simpson, Karin Wolverton
Community Service Liaison: Lisa Rudolph
City Staff Liaison: Marykaye Champa
City Council Liason: Mayor Pat Elliot‐ not present
Guests: Jim Topitzhofer, City Parks and Recreation Director
Called to Order‐ 7:00PM
Agenda: approved by voice vote
Minutes‐ approved by voice vote
Standing Reports
New Member‐ the Arts Commission welcomes new member Chelsea Knauf
Art Display‐ Marykaye‐ We have artists in the community center through next year. Artists in the
community center are currently Amanda Peterson through May, June/July Alex Blaha,
August/September Willie Falwell, October/November Jerome Berglund, December 2018/January 2019
Nicol Kamholz, February/ March 2019 Marilyn Anderson, April/May 2019 Cynthy Mandl. We also have a
new artist in the display case in city hall, Madeline Olson who prefers to go by “Rei”.
Little Library‐ Larry‐ The library is doing well at the moment. The vendor that currently shares the space
with the Art Center has not started redevelopment of the space. For now both the library and the Art
Center are okay for us to use. Jim said that when the new lease for the space is done it will include the
Arts Commission still being able to use the space our summer events.
Artists Resource Group‐ If we want to have an Arts Commission Facebook group it would have to go
through the city. Tom wants to do his own online group that would be used to promote local artists,
events and opportunities. That would be okay as long as it does not represent the Arts Commission.
Summer Activities
Shakespeare in the Park‐ the Shakespeare group will again be doing three shows in Richfield in June.
They have not needed much assistance from the commission but it was decided to keep on the agenda
so we can make sure we maintain the connection. Larry will be at the show in Vets Park on 6/9, Joyce
will be at the show at Augsburg Park on 6/23 and Tom will be at the show at Woodlake on 6/28.
Photo Contest‐ Photo contest will be Wednesday August 1st. We have had representatives of the
commission act as judges in the past. If anyone is interested, they can contact Nick Thompson at
NThompson@richfieldmn.gov
4TH of July/Penn Fest ‐ Marykaye will check and see if other commissions are planning to be in the
parade again this year and if they would be open to partnering with the Arts Commission again.
66th Street Project‐ Jim Topitzhofer
There will be a presentation at the June 26th City Council meeting asking for $10,000 a year
from the city for the Arts Commission to use on public art projects in Richfield.
While the money initially will be used for the 66th street and possibly the Lyndale Street
projects. There will need to think long term going into 2020 and beyond.
There was agreement that we could look into doing RFP’S and potentially partnering with
developers in different ways including using our money to provide matching funds for public art
projects. It was decided that any fund request would require those asking for our money would
need to put in 2 dollars for every dollar we provided to the project. This is a policy that we can
re visit if needed.
There was also some discussion about soliciting donations from business and local community
groups. There was general agreement that members of the committee would be willing to play
a role in visiting local businesses and community groups to ask for contributions if needed for
community art projects going forward. Some examples would be going with staff to do a
presentation and ask to a local business or helping identify and attend meetings of community
groups to solicit funds for specific projects.
Staff Report‐Marykaye
Markaye brought shirts and is willing to order new shirts if needed
The dance group is preforming at the Masonic Home in Bloomington. Arts Commission members are
welcome to participate in if interested
Announcements
Joyce has been nominated for a Human Rights Commission Outstanding Citizen award.
Derek and his wife are expecting a child in early June.
Adjourned: 8:18 pm
Next meeting Thursday, June 7th 7pm
Richfield Community Center
Respectfully submitted by Larry Nelson, RAC Secretary
New Business:
Elections for chair and Secretary for 2018 – Mia and Joyce were elected as co‐chairs. Larry was
reelected as secretary
Announcements
The Art Shanty Project taking place on Lake Harriet every weekend through Feb 11th. The Art Shanty
Project is a unique artist take on fishing houses and is free and open to the public.
Illuminate South Loop, an outdoor interactive art event will be taking place from 5pm‐10pm Feb 1st, 2nd
and 3rd across from the Health partners offices in Bloomington just west of the Mall of America
Adjourned: 8:48 PM
Next meeting will be at the Community Center at 7pm on Thursday March 1st, 2018
Submitted by Larry Nelson RAC Secretary