by Kirby Lindsay, posted 13 September 2013
The September Fremont Arts Council (FAC) Committee Of the Whole (COW) meeting introduced new faces, procedures and ideas to the arts advocacy organization, now in its third decade of existence. Changes come hard to some, but the COW took reasonably well to these small shake ups.
Additions To The Board
The meeting, facilitated by Board President Peter Toms, started at 7:05p. In recent history, COW meetings were scheduled for 7:10p in deference to dawdlers, but the Board has asked for a return to the top of the hour, or something that approximates it.
Toms soon led a vote of approval for two additions to the Board. In its by-laws, the Board can be 9 – 13 people, and currently only has 9. The by-laws give no guides as to how to add people, so the Board welcomed Susan Harper and Christian Fulghum with a vote. The two will serve as interim members until the next election, scheduled for January.
Fulghum described himself as “involved in the music scene,” including owning a label – Fin Records, but he also has experience with non-profits. “I’m excited about this organization,” he said, “I think this organization is not as well-known as it should be.”
Harper, who has served previously, explained that she works at the City of Seattle, but she also has a music background, loves to organize events and knows fundraising. “I’m excited about absorbing,” as she learns about the FAC today, she said, “and contributing.”
After an approval vote from a quorum of Board Members, Rodman Miller – another Board Member – voiced his continued desire to have Board members serve two-year terms (instead of one.) He made a proposal, which will be posted to the membership vote at the October COW.
Results From A Mini-Board Meeting
Toms also reported that the Board held a mini-meeting before the COW, and worked out hiring arrangements for new Operations Manager Kudra Migliaccio. She will be in charge of communications including the FAC Twitter account, Facebook page, phone calls, website updates, and snail mail. Her hours, which are part-time, have not been worked out fully yet. Also, it was noted that the FAC website currently was down, but that will not be Migliaccio’s responsibility.
Treasurer’s Report
Under the report from exiting Treasurer Sonia Telesco, the COW heard that the donation box at the Fremont Troll – installed in November 2013 – has been collecting approximately $100 a week. With that money, the FAC has contracted with Wayne Richards for regular maintenance of the sculpture. According to Board Member Jerry Smith, who collects the donations, the regular cleanings mean that the sculpture now needs less cleaning. The Board also gave $1,200 to production of this year’s Trolloween, an annual celebration of the Troll’s Birthday.
Finally, Telesco announced that the FAC raised $10,000 over its costs on the 2013 Solstice Parade. “We can pat ourselves on the back,” she announced. The Board also budgeted $1,700 to fund the Luminata procession on September 21st, although this event – like all FAC events – is under-going changes to make it financially self-sustaining.
Luminata Lantern Procession
The annual Luminata lantern walk, on Saturday, September 21st at 7p at Green Lake will include a charge for cider and cookies – a change from previous years. Organizer Peter Toms announced that tickets will be sold ($1 per) for one cookie or one cup o’cider. The COW discussed charging for previously free goodies at some length, but the decision to move from a passive donation to a straight charge held.
Set-up at Green Lake will start that day at 2p, with expectations of increased sales of lanterns due to increased Saturday crowds. The booth will be at the starting area, near the Aqua Barn (Small Crafts Center.) Last year, Toms reported, the procession attracted close to 1,000 people, and this year three marching bands will participate. A request for volunteers to help brought out The Badgers – an ensemble from the most recent Parade – among others. Also, workshops for building lanterns – for sale or for personal use – were announced for Saturday and Sunday, September 14th & 15th, from Noon – 6p at The Powerhouse.
A Home For FAC
On the subject of the Powerhouse, Toms discussed the possibility of the FAC purchasing the building where they hold workshops and stage the Parade. It is Seattle Public Schools property – part of the original donation made by B.F. Day for construction of a school back in the 1800s – and originally housed the elementary school’s boiler.
Currently, the FAC rents the building for “a nominal fee,” Toms announced, “if we owned it, we would have a substantial asset,” but he also acknowledged that the costs associated with ownership would exceed that of the current rent.
However, consensus held with exploring the possibility, particularly as Randy Engstrom currently serves as Director of the City of Seattle Office of Arts & Culture. Engstrom previously helped with purchase and establishment of the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center – an effort seen as similar to this one. Toms promised to contact him, and Stephanie Pure, Board President of the Fremont Neighborhood Council, who originally suggested the idea and may have further ideas.
The COW raised ideas for potential changes to The Powerhouse should it be owned by the FAC, including leveraging the ownership into money for substantial improvements like a second floor. Toms would like to build artist’s housing into the space, to temporarily house visitors. Others mentioned the possibility of serving alcohol in the space (currently not allowed due to Seattle School rules,) and hosting a fundraising Troll-A-Go-Go there.
This discussion briefly led to the suggestion of looking at other surplus City properties that might also be available for purchase. The Powerhouse has limited space, and parking issues, plus possible restrictions on use that might be avoidable elsewhere.
The meeting contained much, much more information than this space allows (including a request for bagpipers and puppeteers for Trolloween.) To learn more about all that the FAC has in the works, attend the next COW meeting on October 8th at The Powerhouse (3940 Fremont Ave N) at 7p, sharp-ish.
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©2013 Kirby Lindsay. This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws. Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited.