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Home My WebLink AboutAM Minutes: 03/01/177y - CALL TO ORDER — Chair Carter called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. in the Museum Education Center. ROLL CALL: Commissioners Dale Carter, Carlos Reza, Jr., Donna Lee, Virginia Blitz, Director Darlene Bradley, Curator Dana Hicks, Education Coordinator Rebecca Wilcox. ABSENT: Victor Wu Approval of an excused absence for Commissioner Wu was moved by Commissioner Lee, seconded by Commissioner Blitz, and carried on a voice vote. AYES: Commissioners Carter, Lee, Blitz, and Reza. NOES: None. PUBLIC COMMENTS — The Commission welcomed two members of the public to the meeting. Nell Butler introduced herself as a student at both California State University at Fullerton and Wayne State University. Ms. Butler came to observe the Commission meeting in order to fulfill an assignment. Billie Tone, a former City of Arcadia employee, attended the meeting to learn more about the Museum's Commission as she is considering applying to the Museum's Commission in the future. Ms. Tone also wanted to show her support for the Museum's work in preserving the history of Arcadia. REPORTS FROM MUSEUM COMMISSION MEMBERS / LIAISONS Commissioner Reza shared his experience visiting the Museum last month with his wife. He thanked Curator Hicks and Coordinator Wilcox for guiding their visit and explaining the process of organizing and assembling the exhibit, "Only What We Could Carry: Remembering the Santa Anita Japanese Assembly Center, 75 Years." Commissioner Blitz, as the liaison for the Friends of the Arcadia Museum (FAM), informed the Commission that the paperwork transferring the 501c3 status of the Museum Foundation to the Friends of the Arcadia Museum had been completed. She also noted that she came to view the exhibit, "Only What We Could Carry: Remembering the Santa Anita Japanese Assembly Center, 75 Years," and found it highly interesting. She will be volunteering for the Day of Memory on f March 25th that will be held in conjunction to the aforementioned exhibit. Chairperson Carter explained that his wife (a member of the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden's strategic planning committee) had received an email from Margot Viera, great -great -great-granddaughter of E.J. "Lucky" Baldwin, that praised the collection and exhibits of The Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage, and encouraged the members of the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden's strategic planning committee to visit the Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage. Chairperson Carter also shared that he was able to attend the "History Lives Here" plaque ceremony that now marks the location of the original Arcadia Depot. DIRECTOR REPORTS A. Reports from the. Director: Director Bradley shared that she and Curator Hicks had completed the informal bid process for the new Museum monument sign, which will include a city logo and will name the education center, "Floretta K. Lauber Museum Education Center." Director Bradley also reported that she attended the Holy Angels School fundraising auction gala as a representative of the Museum. There were about 100150 people in attendance and she shared several artifacts from the Museum's teaching collection with attendees. B. Report from the Curator: Curator Hicks informed the Commission that the exhibit, "Only What We Could Carry: Remembering the Santa Anita Japanese Assembly Center, 75 Years," is open and will be on display until April 1, 2017. The current exhibit in the research library is "Peach Blossom Parade: 1949-1951," the current exhibit in the Council Chambers is, "The Life and Times of Tony Antista, 1907-1961," and the next exhibit in upper City Hall will be, "Adolf Frank: WWI Balloon School Memories". On May 11, the research library exhibit will be "Seal Cutting: A Hidden Diamond in Chinese Traditional Art by Yiyin Hu," featuring the artwork of one of the Museum's Young Adult Volunteers. Several pieces from Yiyin Hu's exhibit will also be displayed in upper City Hall later this year. The Arcadia Local Veteran's History Room will be changing to feature the story of Albert Gysegem. Curator Hicks shared upcoming Museum programs: the first Saturday Morning Coffee and Local History Talk at 1 Oam on March 4 featuring a talk from local historian and Museum volunteer, Jack McCrea. March .25 will be the Day of Memory coinciding with the Japanese Assembly Center exhibit and will feature lectures from June Berk, Bill Shishima, and Minoru Tonai, who were all interned at the Santa Anita Assembly Center. Curator Hicks also noted that Museum staff have been working on updating the Museum's website and will continue to update the information until completed. The Museum also has a new Twitter account to connect the Museum with the community and other museum professionals. Curator Hicks supplemented Commissioner Blitz's report on the Friends of the Arcadia Museum's (FAM) transition by noting that Jim Helms, former Mayor of Arcadia, lawyer, and board member of the Arcadia Museum Foundation, had completed the paperwork to transfer the 501c3 standing to the Friend's group. Commissioner Wu, also a former board member of the Arcadia Museum Foundation, has agreed to join the board of FAM and will serve as their financial advisor. The funds raised by the Foundation have been transferred to the FAM bank account, and they will soon be making a donation to the Museum. FAM will be hosting their annual member's meeting on June 24 and the Chamber of Commerce will conduct a ribbon cutting for FAM on the Museum patio April 27. Lastly, Curator Hicks shared a new photograph and an anthology that were recently purchased for the Museum's collection. Coordinator Wilcox then informed the Commission on several community collaborations, including meeting with Tongva cultural leader and Elder, Julia Bogany; Arcadia Unified School District Instructional Coach, Renee Costarella; and Arcadia Public Library Children's Services Supervisor, Petra Morris. Coordinator Wilcox attended the February PTA Founder's Day celebration and meeting to report on Museum programs and resources. Coordinator Wilcox noted that she is continuing Museum outreach with classroom visits to Highland Oaks' fourth grade classes and the third grade classes of Longley Way Elementary. Scout programs are also still available. The first Hands -On Saturday for Families was a great success with over 60 attendees eager to learn all about and eat lots of chocolate. The next Hands On Saturday for Families will be April 22, and will feature Critter Squad with live animals to help celebrate Earth Day. Lastly, on March 18, the Museum will host their first Up Close and Messy program of the year, allowing participants to learn about and try traditional batik fabric dyeing. C. Update on StEPs Program: Director Bradley informed the Commission that after reading over the museum self-assessment manual for the American Association for State and Local History's (AASLH) "Standards and Excellence Program for History Organizations" (StEPS) program, she would like to begin by explorin,g the second section all about Audience. This section focuses on marketing and press releases, community relations, and similar topics. This section supports Director Bradley's goal of increasing the visibility of the Museum in the community. Curator Hicks will prepare more information for the Commission to discuss at the next meeting. D. Discussion on off -•site Museum tour: Curator Hicks reviewed past Museum visits. She then presented several options for the next Commission tour: Riverside Metropolitan Museum, Huntington Library, Norton Simon, Rail Giants Train Museum, the Santa Monica Museum of History, and the Southwest Museum. The Commission agreed upon the Riverside Metropolitan Museum. Curator Hicks will contact the museum and propose April 18 or 25 and May 9 or 23 for the Commission's visit. a. Approve the Reqular Meeting Minutes of January 4, 2017 Recommended action: Approve Approval of Consent Calendar Item "a" was moved by Commissioner Lee, seconded by Commissioner Reza, and carried on a voice vote. AYES: Commissioners Carter, Lee, Reza, and Blitz NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Wu Chair Carter adjourned this meeting at 6:27 p.m. to Wednesday, May 3, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. in the Museum Education Center at 382 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia. UJ0=06 Darlene Bradley, Director of Libr,,rr)y & Museum Services Minutes prepared by Rebecca Wilcox, Museum Education Coordinator