Fine Arts Commission — Skokie, IL
Date: 2024-04-10

Agenda
 Skokie Fine Arts Commission
 April 10, 2024 7 p.m.
 Skokie Village Hall Conference Rooms D&E


 I. Call to Order
  II. Artists’ Happy Hour Networking Event at Sketchbook
 a. Event recap
 b. Survey review
 c. Where do we go from here?
 III. SOAR student art exhibit in March at Oakton College
 a. What worked?
 b. What can we do better?
 c. Certificate changes
 IV. Fine Arts Grants Update
  V. Skokie Through the Lens
 a. Submission Dates
 b. Theme
 VI. Next Storytelling Event
VII. 2024 Arts & Humanities Month
VIII. New Business
 IX. Adjournment

 Upcoming meetings and important dates:
 May 1 – Budget Hearing for Boards & Commissions
 May 8 – May Meeting
 June 12 - June Meeting




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Minutes
 Skokie Fine Arts Commission
 April 10, 2024 7 p.m.


  I. Call to Order at 7 p.m. by Chair Garbarini
 Present: Chairperson Garbarini, Staff Liaison Gioia, and Commissioners Beatrice, Blum
 Barish, Chander, Hatchett, Osseny, Sloan, Thomas, and Waxberg
 II. Artist’s Happy Hour Networking Event at Sketchbook
 a. All that attended were very pleased with the turnout for this first event.
 b. To improve:
 i. Parking - Skokie Sketchers were also having an event that night which
 contributed to the issue.
 ii. Perhaps provide some structure at the next event – the lack of structure
 was purposeful at this first event but having a panel discussion or round
 table or class or something may be good for future
 iii. Supply different color nametags so that attendees are more easily
 recognizable as to type of art
 iv. Plan another event for October to coincide with Arts & Humanities Month
 v. Do more outreach to bring in performing artists (dance, theater)
 c. Next steps:
 i. Begin to put together artist directory
 ii. Explore possible opportunity for “pop up gallery” space
III. SOAR student art exhibit
 a. Some missed having a featured speaker. Will continue to discuss how we could
 do this without impeding on the open house nature of the reception
 b. Next year will set up Skokie backdrop and have students line up to take picture
 with mayor at a pre-scheduled time so that no one feels they missed out.
 c. Next year’s certificate paper has been purchased but, due to rising costs, future
 certificates will be the traditional 8.5” x 11”
IV. Fine Arts Grant Updates
 a. $7500 of the $10000 awarded has been disbursed. Grant recipients have until end
 of April to claim monies.


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 b. Commission needs to refine digital application for next year.
 c. Recommendation to provide grant limit to schools and organizations so that they
 know what to expect/ask for.
 d. Staff liaison Gioia will see if we can rollover any unclaimed funds to next budget
 year to support new programming.
  V. Skokie Through the Lens
 a. Theme will be “Signs of Skokie”
 b. Call for submissions will be included in next New Skokie newsletter and
 promotions will go out in Enewsletter and on social media
 c. Submissions will close in early September to allow subcommittee to review
 submissions and choose ones for the Village Hall lobby exhibit.
 VI. Next Storytelling Event
 a. Skokie Bike Network is hosting their second annual “Tales from the Trails”
 storytelling event on July 14 at Sketchbook and has asked if the Fine Arts
 Commission would like to be involved and support the event. All agreed it would
 be a good idea. Staff liaison Gioia and Commissioner Blum Barish will
 coordinate.
VII. 2024 Arts & Humanities Month
 a. Commissioner Hatchett agreed to cochair with Vice chairperson Rhodes
 b. Commissioners Chander, Osseny, and Waxberg agreed to serve on the
 subcommittee.
VIII. Adjournment




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