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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