HomeMy WebLinkAboutAM Minutes: 09/06/17MUSEUM COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, September 6, 2017
CALL TO ORDER — Vice Chair Donna Lee called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m. at the
Floretta K. Lauber Museum Education Center.
ROLL CALL — Commissioners Dale Carter, Virginia Blitz, Carlos Reza, Jr, Victor Wu, Donna
Lee, Director Darlene Bradley, Curator Dana Hicks, and Museum Education
Coordinator Rebecca Wilcox
REPORTS FROM MUSEUM COMMISSION MEMBERS /LIAISONS
Commissioner Carter was pleased to see the Museum's Annual Report and enjoys sharing it
with others. Commissioner Reza shared that he has been advocating for the museum and
sharing with others the programs and exhibits we offer. Commissioner Blitz noted that the local
Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) chapter updated its website and there are now
links to the Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage and the Arcadia Public Library. As Liaison to the
Friends of the Arcadia Museum (FAM), Commissioner Blitz shared that FAM is continuing to
work on the By -Laws and the group will meet September 13 with attorney and former Mayor Jim
Helms, who is assisting with the filing and completion of the paperwork.
DIRECTOR REPORTS
A. Reports from the Director: Director Bradley reported that the City's leadership academy is
still accepting applications and she encouraged the Commissioners to apply as a way to
learn more about how the City operates. Director Bradley shared that the City Council is
currently in the process of creating voting districts, and will host a special meeting on
September 7 to review the current information and take public comments. She also reported
on a City Council study session on historic preservation. Director Bradley noted that the new
fiscal year began in July and FAM made a donation of $8,585, which was presented before
City Council following the dedication of the Floretta K. Lauber Museum Education Center on
August 1, 2017. Staff is proactively marketing the Museum at past and upcoming events
including the annual Taste of Arcadia and Pasadena Pops concert. Director Bradley invited
the Commissioners to the library on September 16 at 2pm for a Constitution week program
featuring character actress, Judith Helton as Abigail Adams. Lastly, Director Bradley
thanked Curator Hicks for her assistance with a John Muir history talk and exhibit that
brought in over 60 attendees at the library.
B. Reports from the Curator: Curator Hicks reviewed the latest edition of the museum
calendar and postcards with the commission. She reported that the current 9th Annual Juried
Photography Contest and Exhibition will close on September 16, and will be followed by the
exhibit, Away From Home: Photography of Jane McCrea, opening September 30. Museum
Commissioners are invited to attend the exhibit opening reception on September 30 at
10am. A new exhibit in the museum's research library is also being installed and is titled,
Glimpses Through the Fog: Artwork of Barbara Martin, which will open September 9. Albert
Gysegem is the current featured veteran in the Arcadia Veteran's Local History Room.
Museum staff are currently working on the 2018 museum calendar, and will have a finalized
version soon. Curator Hicks noted some of the highlights for the upcoming year, which
include: Sid Bingham as the 2018 spring artist and a symposium for the 100th anniversary of
the Ross Field Balloon School. Curator Hicks reported that the summer Arcadia at the
Movies programs were well received. Commissioners Carter and Blitz assisted with those
programs. Museum staff are currently completing updates to the museum website and have
launched a YouTube page with several past history talks and more to come. Current adult
volunteer in collections, Whitney Jacobs, has completed her work on creating archival
housing for the Riyo Sato collection and is now inputting that information into the
PastPerfect database. Saturday Morning Coffee Talks will be starting on October 21, with
volunteer Dan Hennessey sharing new research about the death of Officer Mathies. On
November 4, fellow volunteer Laura Henneforth, will present on Who's Who in Arcadia.
Curator Hicks also noted that she has begun work on fulfilling Capital Improvement Projects
for the museum, which include: installing new exhibit cases, ordering new mannequins,
painting the back gallery, ordering new street banners, installing lighting in the museum's
walkway, and the wooden slats on the exterior of the museum structure refurbished. Curator
Hicks invited the Commissioners to the museum's annual pie social and open house on
October 20. Education Coordinator Wilcox has been spending the summer preparing for the
new school year and upcoming family programs. The Arcadia Dance Day program on
August 5, presented by local Girl Scout Cadette and Silver Award Candidate, Kathleen
Wijaya, was a great success. Coordinator Wilcox noted that she attended the PTA Council
meeting to share all of the museum's program offerings with school officials and families.
Coordinator Wilcox will be interviewing new Young Adult Volunteer applicants the week of
September 12, and will host the orientation breakfast on September 23. Coordinator Wilcox
noted the next Hands -On Saturday program, The Enchanting Sounds of India, will be held
on October 14 10am-12pm and will feature a performance by the classical Indian trio, Raga
Essence.
C. Discussion on American Association for State and Local History StElPs program,
section 2: Audience: Director Bradley shared an overview of staff observations of
audience, which includes: researchers, tourists, families, schools, Scouts, volunteers,
commission members, FAM, and many others. Discussion ensued, with Director Bradley
and Curator Hicks noting that more information will continue to be gathered as we move
forward.
D. Annual Report: Curator Hicks reviewed the annual report with Commissioners.
CONSENT CALENDAR
a. Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of July 5, 201
Recommended action: Approve
Approval of Consent Calendar Item tia" was moved by Commissioner Carter, seconded by
Commissioner Wu, and carried on a voice vote.
ES.
AYr7 0.
Commissioners Carter, Wu, Lee, Reza, and Blitz
NOES: None
Adjournment:
Vice Chair Lee adjourned the meeting at 6:26 p.m. to Wednesday, November 1, 2017 at 5:00
p.m. in the Museum Education Center at 382 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia.
A.. •
Darlene Bradley, Director of eibrary and Museum Services
Prepared by: Rebecca Wilcox, Museum Education Coordinator