HomeMy WebLinkAboutAM Minutes: 11/07/18MUSEUM COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, November 7, 2018
CALL TO ORDER — Chair Reza Jr. called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. at the Floretta K.
Lauber Museum Education Center.
ROLL CALL — Commissioners Dale Carter, Billie Tone, Jeanne Roy, Carlos Reza Jr., Virginia
Blitz, Director Darlene Bradley and Curator Dana Hicks
REPORTS FROM MUSEUM COMMISSION MEMBERS I LIAISONS
Commissioner Blitz updated the Commission on the Friends of the Museum's recent activities
including the annual membership meeting this past month and their upcoming mini -fundraiser Hot
Chocolate Bar that will be held in conjunction with the Snow Festival and Bali Shadow Puppet
program in December. During the Bali Shadow Puppet program, the Friends will also help cover
the front desk at the Museum. It will be very festive. Commissioner Carter reported that he spoke
before the City Council about the Museum on the same evening that the Friends of the Museum
presented their $2500 check to City Council. Although it was not coordinated, it worked out well.
Commissioner Blitz said that the $2500 was to be used for the first touch screen in the Museum,
and specifically for the World War I Balloon School exhibit. This would allow the community to
look at other documents in the collections that are not currently on display. Commissioner Tone
and Blitz also shared information about the DAR grant that Commissioner Blitz is currently
working on. It is a matching grant that the Friends of the Museum and DAR will each contribute
to equally. She is working on securing the appropriate paperwork needed to move forward. This
grant would provide a second touchscreen in the Museum for the Veteran's Exhibit.
DIRECTOR REPORTS
A. Reports from the Director: Director Bradley reported that she attended the unveiling of the
new historical marker at Baldwin Lake at the L.A. County Arboretum. The Museum pays $500'
towards the historical markers each year. The fall Leadership Academy visited the Museum
and Library and learned more about the behind -the -scenes operations of both facilities. The
Veteran's Luncheon is scheduled for tomorrow. Tickets were sold out but if there was interest,
to consider it for next year.
B. Reports from the Curator: Curator Hicks reported that there is a new exhibit on the Parker
Lyon's Pony Express at the Library. She regularly puts up Museum exhibits at the Library with
signage directing people to visit the Museum. The Museum will be closed for the Thanksgiving
holiday weekend. She also reported that the behind -the -scenes tours with each of the
Commissioners was complete. This will be offered annually to ensure Commissioners are
updated on the exhibits, collections and programming. The next event at the Museum will be
the Bali and Beyond Shadow Puppet Cultural Show. It will coincide with the Snow Festival
and the Friends of the Museum will be on hand to assist the Curator with this program. This
program provides a way to get people into the Museum too. The Museum Youth Council (4)
will help set up and hand out fliers at the Snow Festival next door. Curator Hicks then unveiled
the new 2019 Museum brochure, highlighting some of the upcoming events, exhibits, and
special programs for 2019. Kruti Shah will be the featured artist and her work will focus on
gods of India and peacocks. To tie in with the featured spring artist, the Spring Soiree will
feature a Sitar player and a Tabla player. In the fall, there will be a children's art exhibit, and
at the end of the year, the Arcadia's Flourishing Painters will be highlighted, focusing on local
artists. Currently, the Veterans Exhibit highlights Dr. Richard Cordano. Next year, if no one in
the community comes forward, Charles Gilb may be the next veteran honored. The History
Symposium will focus on Santa Anita Park with Sandy Snider and Alan Balch, each speakers
at this event. Arcadia at the Movies will feature a tribute to Hal Roach, first owner of the Santa
Anita Race Track and movie producer. Some of his films include Little Rascals and Laurel and
Hardy. The Museum will feature its first "silent" movie Ask Grandma. New on Saturdays, the
Curiosity Cart will be available to visitors to experience real artifacts. Also new this year is the
completion of the Arcadia Time Machine kit, available to teachers to check out and use in their
classrooms. To round out the calendar, there will be a Knitters and Makers Demonstration
group from the L.A. County Arboretum. Also new this year, there will be a Speaker's Bureau
that are available to give talks on Arcadia history at different venues in the area. The group
has met and Curator Hicks is working on guidelines and marketing for this program. There will
be an online form on the Museum's website and all requests will go through the Curator to set
up.
C. Community Conversation on Essential City Needs: Director Bradley presented on the City's
economic condition, the community's public safety priorities, and invited the Commission to
continue the conversation and/or provide input either through the paper survey handed out or
the one available online.
D. Update on American Associatl"on for State and Local History StEPs program, section 2A
& B: Audience: Curator Hicks reviewed the steps taken thus far, including the various
surveys, social media venues, and online comment card. In addition, input from the public,
volunteers, visitors, and audiences at various events also provide valuable input. She then
referenced the upcoming section's questions and assessments.
CONSENT CALENDAR
a. Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of September 5, 2018
Recommended action: Approve
Approval of Consent Calendar Item "a" was moved by Commissioner Tone, seconded by
Commissioner Roy, and carried on a voice vote.
AYES: Commissioners Reza, Carter, Tone, Blitz and Roy
NOES: None
Adjournment:
Chair Reza adjourned the meeting at 6:30 p.m. to Wednesday, January 2, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. in
the Floretta K. Lauber Museum Education Center at 382 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia.
Approved:
Darlene Bradley, Director of Library and Museum Services
Prepared by: Darlene Bradley, Director of Library and Museum Services