DuPage County Ad Hoc Fine Arts Committee Met June 22

DuPage County Ad Hoc Fine Arts Committee Met June 22.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

1. CALL TO ORDER

2:00 PM meeting was called to order by Chair Lynn LaPlante at 2:00 PM.

2. ROLL CALL

PRESENT: Rutledge, DeSart (Remote), Deacon Garcia, LaPlante

ABSENT: Hart, Selmon

Other Board Members Present: Amy Chavez

County Staff Present: Nick Alfonso (State's Attorney's Office), Secretary Theresa Glatzhofer, Joe Hamlin, Geoff Matteson, and Joan Olson

Committee Advisors Present: Greg Bedalov (Choose DuPage), Beth Marchetti (DuPage Convention and Visitors Bureau), Jim McGuire (DuPage County Fairgrounds), Barb Szczepaniak (DuPage Foundation), and Deborah Venezia (Arts DuPage)

3. MINUTES APPROVAL

A. Ad Hoc Fine Arts Committee - Regular Meeting - Jun 8, 2021 3:00 PM

4. PUBLIC COMMENT

No public comment was offered.

5. CHAIRWOMAN'S REMARKS - CHAIR LAPLANTE

Chair LaPlante noted that the Festival has received its first sponsorship from WDCB; WDCB will have a large presence at the Festival and will broadcast portions of it live. Chair LaPlante further noted that a music producer has been secured and that he is in the process of securing headliners. Chair LaPlante explained that she is working on the "call for artists," which will likely be sent out tomorrow.

Chair LaPlante attended the recent Choose DuPage Board Meeting, where she gave a presentation about the Fall Fine Arts Festival. Chair LaPlante was also a guest speaker on the Deep Dive DuPage podcast. Chair LaPlante noted very positive feedback as a result of her outreach efforts.

Chair LaPlante also attended a golf cart tour of the DuPage County Fairgrounds with Mr. McGuire; she further noted that she would like the Committee and Advisors to have an onsite tour of the Fairgrounds during a future meeting.

Chair LaPlante stated her goal for the fine arts to have a line item on the County's Fiscal Year 2022 budget and highlighted a question on the recently released budget survey that asks residents whether they would support funding the arts.

6. FALL FINE ARTS FESTIVAL - UPDATES & DISCUSSION Mr. McGuire mentioned the idea of tying the Fall Fine Arts Festival back to the Fairgrounds/agriculture, noting potential competitive exhibits for artwork regarding pollinators. Mr. McGuire also introduced the unique fundraising idea of having a farm-to-table dinner, sourced from local restaurants. Mr. McGuire went on to note that award recipients, donors, and sponsors could be highlighted at the dinner. Mr. McGuire also introduced concepts that the Fairgrounds have implemented in the past, such as high school student art scholarships and a talent show. Chair LaPlante noted that the Fairgrounds were originally planning to have the DuPage County Fair soon after the Fall Fine Arts Festival; instead, the fine arts portions of the County Fair event will be combined with the Fall Fine Arts Festival, resulting in a doubled audience and less competition. Chair LaPlante also explained that she, Mr. McGuire, and the County's senior staff will meet tomorrow to review the draft intergovernmental agreement with the Fairgrounds. Chair LaPlante echoed Mr. McGuire's comments regarding tying the Fall Fine Arts Festival theme into agriculture and highlighting the work of the DuPage County Environmental Committee.

Ms. Szczepaniak mentioned a grant that the Fairgrounds can apply for that is due next week. She also noted that another grant was previously awarded to the Elmhurst Symphony for a "Pollinators in Action," event and suggested that Chair LaPlante reach out to them for potential collaboration. Ms. Marchetti added that Governor Pritzker will be making a grant available to aid street festivals and events, which the Committee could apply for.

Mr. Bedalov asked who the point person will be so that Advisors and Members can provide names of potential artists, entertainers, and vendors. Chair LaPlante responded that the potential structure would include herself, Ms. Jares, and Mr. Ingram (Producer) for entertainment, and Ms. Venezia for visual arts; however, this has not yet been finalized. Chair LaPlante went on to note that the headliners are being discussed and researched at this point and that names of the headliners will be announced at a later date, once they have been secured.

Mr. Bedalov asked if the idea of a brand manager has been discussed for the Festival. Chair LaPlante responded that Mr. Bedalov can be the point person for brand management. Mr. Bedalov noted that the Choose DuPage Board is in full support of the Festival and that he will reach out to branding and marketing experts.

Mr. Bedalov gave a brief explanation of the Reinvest DuPage Grant Program, which the County Board approved $15 million for earlier that day. He noted that a press release and webinar about the Program will be forthcoming and asked that the Members and Advisors make their arts constituents/partners aware of the Program.

Mr. McGuire and Chair LaPlante clarified with Member Deacon Garcia that the County Fair and Fall Fine Arts Festival will be blended together with a focus on the arts-related portions of the Fair.

Chair LaPlante confirmed with Ms. Marchetti that the dates for the Festival will be September 24, 25, and 26 of 2021.

Mr. Bedalov noted that he has received phone calls regarding other arts fairs in the area and asked how to best respond to their questions about another potential competing event. Chair LaPlante clarified that the Fall Fine Arts Festival will not compete with other fine arts events in the area and will collaborate with them instead. Chair LaPlante suggested that Ms. Szczepaniak assist with messaging about not competing with other fairs and festivals.

Chair LaPlante announced that the next Ad-Hoc Fine Arts Committee meeting should occur in two weeks, and that messaging confirming that date and time will be sent out by the end of this week.

7. OLD BUSINESS

There was no Old Business.

8. NEW BUSINESS

There was no New Business.

9. ADJOURNMENT

Without objection, the meeting was adjourned at 2:45 PM.

A. Adjourn

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