Cultural Council · August 6, 2024 · 6:30 PM
Amesbury Cultural Council Meeting
Board approved $800 for a 4‑pack ad package, selected grant topics (arts education, festivals/community, performing arts, place making), committed a $200 deposit toward the $5,000 Open Studios trolley rental, and approved up to $1,200 for concrete paint to install a Pride Flag on the stairs behind Casa Maria.
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Key decisions
Purchase 4-pack ad package for $800
Set next grant cycle topics: Arts education/instruction/programming; Festivals/Community; Performing Arts; Place Making
Place a $200 deposit toward the $5,000 Open Studios trolley rental
Approve up to $1,200 for concrete paint to paint the Pride Flag on the stairs behind Casa Maria (public art project)
Randy Herman submitted withdrawal from the Cultural Council effective after this meeting
Agenda
2. Approve June Minutes
Approve the minutes from the June meeting.
4. Treasurer's Report
Treasurer provides financial report and updates.
Marketing
5. Marketing Report
Marketing updates including Business & Breakfast (July 30); reports on the Block Party (June 27) and Pride Day (June 30).
Marketing
5a. Business & Breakfast, July 30
Recap of Business & Breakfast event held July 30.
Marketing
5b. Block Party and Pride Day Report
Report on the Block Party (June 27) and Pride Day (June 30).
Grants
6. Grants Report
Discussion about leadership for the grants program and general grants overview.
Grants
6a. Public comment survey results
Presentation of public comment survey results related to grants.
Grants
6b. Vote on priorities for 2025 Grants
Vote to set priorities for the 2025 grants cycle.
Grants
6c. Grants Finances
Financial update related to grants.
Grants
6d. Updates on 2024 recipients’ projects
Updates on projects funded by 2024 grant recipients.
7. Open Studios
Discussion and planning for Open Studios, including permits, venue logistics, trolley rental, volunteer status, sponsors, and publicity.
Open Studios
7a. Special Events Permit
Discussion of and/or application for the Special Events Permit for Open Studios.
Open Studios
7b. Costello Center
Discussion regarding use of the Costello Center for Open Studios.
Open Studios
7c. Trolley rental / Vote to contract with Salem Trolley
Discussion of trolley rental and a vote to contract with Salem Trolley for Open Studios transportation.
Open Studios
7d. Volunteer status
Status update on volunteer recruitment for Open Studios.
Open Studios
7e. Sponsors
Discussion of sponsorships for Open Studios.
Open Studios
7f. Publicity
Plans for publicity and promotion of Open Studios.
8. Art @ City Hall
Discussion or updates related to Art @ City Hall programming.
Public Art
9. Public Art Report
Updates on public art projects and initiatives.
Public Art
9a. Pride Stairs
Update on the Pride Stairs project.
Public Art
9b. Mural at Amesbury Industrial
Update on the mural at the Amesbury Industrial building.
Public Art
9c. Jeffrey Briggs’ “Carriages to Automobiles”
Update on Jeffrey Briggs’ “Carriages to Automobiles” project.
10. Poet Laureate Report
Report from the Poet Laureate.
11. New Business
New business including a meeting with the Boards, Commissions, and Committees Review Committee.
12. Matters not reasonably anticipated
Matters not reasonably anticipated in advance of the meeting.
Calendar
13. Dates on the calendar
Review of upcoming dates: Artist Mixer (Aug 22), Grant Cycle opens (Sept 1, 2025), Artist registration for Open Studios opens (Sept 1), next ACC meeting (Sept 3), and Open Studios dates (Nov 9 & 10).
Calendar
13a. August 22 Artist Mixer
Artist Mixer at Barewolf Brewery on August 22, Thursday, 6-8pm.
Calendar
13b. September 1, 2025 Grant Cycle opens
Announcement that the 2025 grant cycle opens September 1, 2025.
Calendar
13c. Artist registration opens for Open Studios
Artist registration opens for Open Studios on September 1.
Calendar
13d. Next ACC meeting
Next ACC meeting scheduled for September 3 at 6:30 pm.
Calendar
13e. 28th annual Open Studios
28th annual Open Studios scheduled for November 9 & 10.