Cultural Council · September 8, 2026
Cultural Council Meeting
Council discussed pursuing a Massachusetts Cultural District designation (City as applicant, Cultural Council as partner) and reviewed a stalled two-mural public-art proposal (declined for this cycle; applicant encouraged to reapply). The council also advanced Open Studios 2026 preparations, hiring a brochure illustrator and a flyer distributor and assigning event roles.
occurred Agenda PDF Minutes AI Summary
Key decisions
Hire Lauren Pettapiece to create the Open Studios brochure map illustration for $200
Hire Evelyn Kovach to distribute Open Studios flyers for $125
Selected the brochure cover image for Open Studios: Margaret Leahy's 'Floroculus'
Assigned Open Studios volunteer/staff roles: Sally Nutt as trolley liaison and City Hall point person; Laura Schofield as Cultural Center point person; Bonnie Brady to manage the raffle
Poet Laureate program will no longer pay headliners at events
Declined to fund the artist's two-mural proposal in this grant cycle due to changes from the original application; recommended the applicant submit a new proposal and consider the Friend Street mural project
Council and Mayor agreed that the City would be the applicant for a Cultural District designation and the Cultural Council would be an application partner; acknowledged the need for a paid district manager and to establish metrics for the district
Agenda
Minutes
1. Approve August Minutes
Vote to approve the August meeting minutes.
Reports
3. Treasurer's Report
Treasurer presents the financial report to the board.
Reports
4. Grants Report
Update on grants (status, applications, awards).
Reports
5. Marketing Report
Update on marketing activities and plans.
Reports
6. Cultural Center Update
Update on Cultural Center operations and activities.
Programs
7. Open Studios 2026
Discussion of Open Studios 2026 and related activities; includes a vote to spend up to $125 to hire Evelyn Kovach to distribute Open Studio posters around Amesbury and surrounding towns.
Reports
8. Art @ City Hall Report
Report on Art @ City Hall activities and status.
Reports
9. Public Art Projects Report
Update on public art projects and initiatives.
Reports
10. Poet Laureate Report
Report from the Poet Laureate.
Planning
11. Fund raising plan update
Update and discussion of the fundraising plan.
Planning
12. Cultural District
Discussion regarding the Cultural District.
New Business
13. New Business
Matters introduced as new business for consideration by the board.
Other
14. Matters not reasonably anticipated in advance of the meeting
Matters not reasonably anticipated in advance of the meeting.
Calendar
15. Dates on the calendar
Review of upcoming dates on the calendar.
Adjournment
16. Adjourn
Meeting adjournment.