WORKSHOP ITEM Shari Kunza, Recreation Manager
Title
BLAINE ARTS COUNCIL POLICIES
Background
The Blaine Arts Council was founded in 2002 to promote, advance and celebrate the arts in the Blaine community for the appreciation and participation of our residents. Over the past 14 years, the Blaine Arts Council has sponsored monthly art exhibits at Blaine City Hall, volunteered at arts related programs such as the Teen Art Show, Children’s Art Workshop, World Fest, and the Winter Holiday Celebration. In addition, the Blaine Arts Council is a network of artists supporting and encouraging each other.
The Blaine Arts Council is not a formal organization chartered by the City. Membership is based on interest in the arts and decisions are made by consensus. The Arts Council has recently received inquiries from large, high-profile shows and has accepted these shows to be part of the 2017 exhibit schedule. After accepting these shows (Arts in Harmony and the North Star Water Media National Show) the Arts Council felt that these shows were too big to be handled by our small group of volunteers and not in line with their mission.
The Arts Council adopted policies regarding membership and selection of art exhibits at their October 11, 2016 meeting. The Blaine Arts Council is asking the Blaine City Council to support their policies and give them authority to select monthly art exhibits at Blaine City Hall.
Recommendation
Authorize the Blaine Arts Council to select and schedule monthly art exhibits at Blaine City Hall.