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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Public Art Selection Committee - 05/24/2023MEETING MINUTES South Burlington Public Art Committee Approved Minutes 05/24/2023 at 12:00 PM In Attendance: Committee Members: Penne Tompkins (Chair), Amanda Holland (Vice chair), Jean Sebastien Chaulot, John Killacky, Sophia Babbitt Staff: Ilona Blanchard Public: None Meeting was called to order at 12:05 PM. Reviewed and edited changes from last week’s meeting and confirmed, modified updates on the draft Cultural Plan. Motion to approve the Planning and Cultural plan draft that will be submitted to Kelsey. John Moved, Sophia seconded. Approved unanimously. Adjourned at 1:36 PM NOTE of Framework: Goals → Objectives → Strategies (Actions) → Measurement of Progress Community, Culture & History Recommendation approved by the Public Art Committee 5/24/2023 Tapping into South Burlington’s cultural resources and history is key to building community and identity. Providing and supporting opportunities for community-building are central to the City’s work in the coming years as we continue to grow in population and want South Burlington to thrive. As we support new cultural ventures, it is important to preserve and engage with the past and appropriately preserve historical buildings, landscapes, and scenic views. Arts and culture nurture a vibrant community and bring people together for powerful shared experiences that inspire a creative exchange of ideas. The arts touch people’s lives in profound ways, providing enrichment for everyone – children to seniors, stimulating creativity and innovation, and enhancing and strengthening our overall community. Along with parks, libraries, and schools, the arts build a sense of place, well-being, and belonging, all of which contribute to building community and creating identity for South Burlington. Meeting our goals for a distinct South Burlington identity requires investment in cultural and artistic resources. This includes an expansive view of arts including, but not limited to, visual and media arts, music, dance, theater, performing arts, crafts, fiber arts, traditional skills, and creative writing. Progress will require both City-directed action and collaboration with community partners. Investment in the broad artistic community including artists and the groups that support artists is needed to build vibrancy and sense of belonging. The City has a role to play in supporting public art in new developments and redevelopments, providing facilities where artistic groups can meet, create and share art, expanding educational opportunities for all kinds of arts and crafts, and that to support programming for all ages in the arts. The development of additional community spaces would provide more options for cultural organizations to gather. The City also can serve as a municipal partner in funding applications where such cooperation is necessary or desirable for future artistic projects and investments. There are opportunities to engage in artistic, artisan, and cultural projects at all levels in the City government. The City has improved the engagement with the arts community in City Hall by providing auditorium, and other meeting spaces, and establishing a public gallery space in the lobby. Future engagement opportunities could include public infrastructure, recreation facilities and programs, and other public assets. OBJECTIVES ● Foster equitable and accessible cultural activities across all areas of the city o Create and implement a City-wide Cultural Plan o Invest in projects which support access to art, through facilities, classes and installations o Sponsor or organize events which feature arts and arts engagement prominently o Organize and support events that celebrate and support diverse cultural backgrounds Commented [1]: Kelsey - is this the correct framework? o Provide a diversity of artistic experiences within walking distance of all neighborhoods; prioritizing those with higher housing density ▪ Objective Measurement: # of City events, classes, and activities that are accessible to the public and include an arts and/or cultural component and/or support the diverse cultural background of South Burlington residents/businesses. ● Integrate arts and culture into public buildings and spaces o Establish a policy that requires a minimum investment in public art and/or a public art component in public buildings and places o Pursue opportunities which foster the production and enjoyment of the arts and culture in public and private spaces. INVENTORY, ANALYSIS, & CHALLENGES Historic Sites and Structures. [Kelsey - Committee suggests a callout that lists historic resources for more information] As the City continues to grow, development must pay attention to and be sensitive to the importance of preserving the city's diverse historical, architectural and archaeological past. South Burlington’s buildings trace the City’s evolution from an agricultural community to a booming post-war suburban community. South Burlington has fewer remaining historic buildings and properties than some surrounding municipalities. The City’s early history has been well documented through annual reports, oral histories, and publications, including the City’s formation from the original City of Burlington which notes buildings potentially eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. The City should maintain a list of historic buildings potentially eligible for the National Register and may explore local historic registry options. Recognizing our history as we develop our cultural assets keeps the past alive and enriches the present and future. South Burlington’s agricultural landscape is part of the City’s cultural heritage. We must also recognize the pre-colonial history of the area and should engage with the indigenous communities for consultation about their histories on this land and possible archaeological sites. Cultural Facilities and Organizations. Building an inclusive, fair, and just community is a primary goal for the future of South Burlington. Knowing your neighbors and forming relationships with others build a more resilient and supportive community. Engagement in arts-related activities, groups, and events facilitate these connections. We should enhance existing regional resources, while encouraging and developing new cultural amenities in South Burlington. Cultural facilities in South Burlington are owned and operated by both the public and private sectors. Since opening in 2021, the new City Hall has provided a performance friendly auditorium, Public Art Gallery, Senior Center, Public Library, and numerous meeting rooms for use by the public. Cultural resources in the City include places of worship, libraries, public and private schools, studios, arts and service organizations, and community groups which attract South Burlington residents, neighboring residents and regional visitors. Several businesses and non-profits directly support the arts through classes, performances, showings and production. Collaboration with these regional organizations and religious communities can help build community in South Burlington and connect us to our neighbors and region. OBJECTIVES ● Integrate South Burlington’s history with its future through engagement with historic and cultural sites, structures, and landscapes. o Update the inventory of the City’s historic resources, assess the significance of identified buildings, structures and landscapes, and consider listing roadside architecture and post-World War II construction as historic properties. o Evaluate whether additional protections are required to preserve historic, cultural and archeological resources while balancing other goals. o Consider adopting any regulatory tools to achieve an appropriate level of preservation of these resources. o Promote knowledge of and interaction with historic and cultural sites as feasible ▪ Measurement: Residents know which sites and structures are historic and significant in South Burlington. ▪ Partner with local historic society to update the City history and culture. [Committee recommends the following paragraphs be moved to other parts of the plan] Move to the natural resources - Scenic Quality. South Burlington has outstanding scenic views of the Green Mountains to the east, and the Adirondacks and Lake Champlain to the west. Through careful planning, appropriate development design, and through acquisitions and easements, important vistas and viewshed protection zones can be protected for future generations to enjoy. Viewshed Protection Zones exist for six views and opportunities exist for additional overlay districts. The City should also explore protection of lakeshore views, both from the shore and from the lake, especially of undeveloped lakeshore areas. Move this paragraph TO CONSERVATION OR ENVIRONMENT Prior to WWII, much of the land now in South Burlington was rural farmland surrounding the more urban Burlington core. The remaining farmsteads and farmland reflect the community’s strong agrarian past. These landscapes are important links in our open space network as working lands and as conserved open spaces. Maintaining and managing the few remaining agricultural lands for agricultural operations is a priority for the City for food production, climate-resilience, and to preserve views and open space. Move this paragraph TO CONSERVATION OR ENVIRONMENT: Preservation of open spaces can preserve the scenic quality of South Burlington’s landscape. Maintaining open land can maintain the scenic quality of forestland, maintained agricultural land and shrubland, and a varied landscape. In addition to the recreational and environmental benefits, open land contributes to the scenery.