HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - November 7, 2022, COTA Meeting Minutes
Minutes
COMMISSION ON THE ARTS
Council Chambers, City Hall
Monday, November 7, 2022
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Nancy Gebhart. Members present were
Deanne Brill, Dave Detlefs, and Jaime Reyes. Steve Kawaler was absent.
Public Forum
There was no one was in attendance for the public forum .
Approval of the October 3, 2022 Minutes
It was moved by Dave, seconded by Jaime, to approve the minutes of the October 3, 2022
meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
Approval of KHOI 2021-22 Annual Grant Final Report
It was moved by Jaime, seconded by Deanne, to approve the KHOI 2021-22 Annual Report.
Motion carried unanimously.
2023 Spring Special Project Grant Recommendations
It was moved by Jaime, seconded by Dave, to approve the average amounts presented, less $3
from Ames Chamber Artists and $5 from each other organization. Motion carried unanimously.
Good Company – $805
India Cultural Association – $1,825
Story Theater Company – $1,435
Ames Chapter of DMMO – $525
Iowa Youth Ballet – $955
Octagon Center for the Arts – $1,670
Ames Chamber Artists – $1,235
2023/24 Annual Grant Hearings:
Ames Choral Society – More outreach is occurring through Facebook and the website compared
to print. The group is excited about the program. 10-12 new members have never sung with the
group before. The group remains a non-audition organization, conducting four programs per
year.
Good Company – There has been an increase in the number of participants in the choir, with 27
singers vs. 19 last year. There is a December concert planned in partnership with Ames
Chamber Artists.
Dancenter Dancer Company Foundation – The funds from COTA are used to rent the City
Auditorium for a 3-hour performance. The event is open to the public at no charge. Dave noted
that the form had blank information in some places – an updated copy will be sent to City staff
for distribution to the Commissioners.
Story Theater Company – The COTA funds provided to this organization assist in hosting three
large stage productions, a smaller stage production, and several workshops throughout the
year.
ACTORS – An ambitious program of five shows is planned for the next ACTORS season.
Ames Chapter of Des Moines Metro Opera Guild – It was noted that the requested support is
for bus trips to allow people from Ames to attend the operas in Des Moines. There will be two
buses for each of the three main opera performances. It was clarified that the requested
amount is $1,529.75.
Ames Chamber Artists – The organization has a long history of collaboration with other
performing organizations in the area. The goal of doing so is to show young people that they
can have a lifelong commitment to singing and performing.
Ames Town and Gown – The organization hosts classroom workshops and other events in the
community. The artists provide lectures and demonstrations in a variety of settings.
India Cultural Association – The organization has held a variety of events and activities that are
provided free of charge to the public. There are eight events planned for this year. The number
of attendees continues to increase.
Octagon Center for the Arts – Activities are taking place in collaboration with other
organizations, such as YSS. Capital projects are in planning stages to provide artist studios. In
January, the organization is beginning a project in collaboration with Boys and Girls Club during
days in which there is no school.
Central Iowa Symphony – The organization supports four concerts per year. About 80% of the
funds are raised through donors and ticket sales, with about 20% from COTA.
Ames Community Arts Council – The mission of this organization is to collaborate with artists
and organizations. ACAC has provided small grants for murals and arts in education. The
organization also hosts the Business of Art conference each year.
The Buxton Initiative – The organization believes in the beauty of blackness, and showing that
through music, art, film, and literature. The organization is in the process of building a sculpture
for Franklin Park. The apparel and design program at ISU is also working with the organization
for a symposium.
Senior Variety Show – A goal of the organization is to bring in performers from all of Story
County to perform. There were 25 new acts in the past year.
Ames Children’s Choirs – The program includes boys and girls in age-based group choirs. The
programming is returning to normal compared to the height of COVID. A large membership
push is anticipated this year.
Ames International Orchestra Festival Association – Negotiations are taking place for several
orchestras to perform in the next season.
Friends of Ames Strings – The COTA request supports the summer string workshop.
KHOI Community Radio – The organization has worked with a variety of COTA organizations to
promote their initiatives. Community radio is commercial-free, so grants are used to
experiment and develop programming. Half of the programming is developed by local
individuals, with the other half curated from available national programming.
Kids Co’Motion – The organization provides skills to the kids in the program. The children use
their imaginations to choreograph their dances.
Upcoming Important Dates
a. No December Meeting
b. Next Meeting: January 9, 2023
Adjourn
There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 6:46 p.m.