HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-10-14 CAC MINUTESCity of Englewood
Cultural Arts Com.mission
Minutes of October 14, 1996
The special me eting o f the City of Englewood Cultural Arts Commission was called to order at
5:46pm by Co-Chairman LaPorta at the LaPorta Art Gallery ._
Members Present:
Members Absent :
Also present:
LaPorta Kreiger, Spangenberg, Curley, Miletto
Krueger, Styes , Donelson, Habenicht, Black, ex officio
David Taylor, l::aylor Dance Co.
Se! Hewitt, Arapahoe Philhannonic
The minutes from September 4, 1996 meeting will be approved at the November 6th meeting due to
some Commission members not receiving them before this evening's meeting.
LaPorta Kreiger asked Commission members if there was interest in having a float in the
Englewood Holiday parade on Saturday , October 26th . LaPorta Kreiger pointed out the theme for the
parade was "Goals to Gold , Bringing the Dream to Reality"; and the float would consi st of a bras s quintet
from the Arapahoe Philhannonic and two dancers from the Taylor Dance Co .. It was added Melody Music
and LaPorta Art Gallery would have representation on the float. LaPorta Kreiger stated she was also
looking for different organizations and businesses to walk beside the float in support and young children to
distribute handouts on the fundraiser and auction .
A motion was made by Commissioner Curle y and sec ond ed by Miletto that the Cultural Arts
Commission have a fl oat in the Englewood Holiday Parade on S aturday, October 26th . The motion passed
unanimously.
LaPorta Kreiger distributed in fo rmation she had gathered c oncerning issues for a Cultural Arts
Center including arts organizations and their needs , Englewood's needs, and the goals of the Cultural Arts
C ommi ssion . David Tay lor asked if the list was available to the public . LaPorta Kreiger responded it was .
Taylor remarked that more mid-sized and major organizations interested in the Center need to be
included on the list, along with mention of other arts organizations from outlying cities also interested in
using the facility . LaPorta Kreiger agreed.
LaPorta Kreiger indicated she is working closely with EDDA and a gentleman interested in
renovating the Gothic Theater in Englewood . LaPorta Kreiger explained the gentleman hopes to offer a
theater to bring in other acts, regular shows for children, and open time for public and local community
organizations.
Spangenberg pointed out the Cultural Arts Commission is not looking at the Gothic as the (only)
answer to a Cultural Arts Center.
David Taylor from Taylor Dance Co. expressed confusion as to why Englewood would be looking
at so me thing else at this time, and that the Gothic Theater had nothing to do with the fundraising and the
Cultural Arts Center. Spangenberg agreed the Gothic would be limited in what it could accommodate,
using the Arapahoe Philhannonic as an example.
LaPorta Kreiger clarified that the handout she distributed states the Cultural Arts Center may not
be necessarily located in one place. LaPorta Kreiger suggested if the Gothic Theater was renovated and
used for cultural purposes, then possibly local support and interest would prevail bond for a Cultural Arts
Center.
· Taylor then inquired where the money to build a Cultural Arts Facility would come from. LaPorta
Kreiger responded the money would be raised throug~ the auction, art shows, organizational support, etc.
Taylor continued saying the size of building being coni;idered would cost millions of dollars. Spangenberg
indicated part of the feasibility study is to determine that.
Taylor asked who was doing the feasibility study. Spangenberg explained that names have been
referred to the Commission members, and that a m~eting took place with Semple and Brown, Cultural
Facility Architects, in August. Spangenberg stated the list consisted of four to five names . Taylor asked if
the architects' experience was local and was with performing arts facilities. Spangenberg responded yes.
Taylor then asked if Semple and Brown had any local experience. It was explained Semple and Brown 's
experience with Cultural Arts Facilities was in Escondido, California. Taylor suggested on this scale, Gully
Stanford should be involved. Spangenberg informed Taylor that she has been in touch with Stanford and he
was the one to recommend Semple and Brown .
Taylor then pointed out that the strongest selling point for the Cultural Arts Center is the list of
names of interested organizations, city wide . Taylor added there needs to be a plan and suggested the
Commission bring in someone from the Arvada Center who has knowledge of how Arvada accomplished
such a goal in their community . Taylor pointed out the Arvada Center is an important and unique facility
because it is funded partially by the City and the incl usion of Arvada's success would add greater weight to
the study.
Taylor then suggested a questionnaire be sent to all interested organizations to determine their
needs , wants , etc . Taylor offered to develop the questionnaire .
In regards to the meeting with Semple and Brown, LaPorta Kreiger stated that Semple and Brown
suggested a 1,700 seat theater could be self-supporting. Spangenberg added that would include certain
conditions. Taylor responded that nothing is self-supporting . LaPorta Kreiger explained it depends on
who and how it would be managed.
Taylor expressed his feelings that there definitely is a need for a Cultural Arts Center, and asked
what exactly were the plans for the Center. Taylor suggested a meeting to bring in experts from performing
art organizations, including the Arvada Center, Gully Stanford, and the Englewood City Council.
Taylor left at 6 :38pm.
LaPorta Kreiger then asked commission members if they had any opposition to Saturday, February
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\ for the Cultural Arts Commission auction . Curley moved to hold the auction on Saturday, February 8~
1997 . Miletto seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Discussion then ensued as to the donation of
items, storage of items and advertising. Spangenberg suggested displaying the donated items in bank
lobbies to alleviate the storage problem and als o as a means to advertise the auction.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:55pm.
Deborah A. Severa, Recording Secretary