Fine Arts Commission — Skokie, IL
Date: 2023-11-08

Agenda
 Skokie Fine Arts Commission
 November 8, 2023 7 p.m.
 Skokie Village Hall Conference Rooms D&E


  I. Call to Order
 II. Introduction of New Member - Ellen Blum Barish
III. Previous Project Review
 a. October 2023 Arts and Humanities Month
 b. Ghosted Storytelling Event
IV. Upcoming Projects
 a. Excellence in the Arts Awards
 b. SOAR student art exhibit in March at Oakton College
 V. New Business
 a. Artists’ Happy Hour Networking Event
 b. Memoir Project for Underrepresented Voices
VI. Adjournment

Upcoming meetings: December 13 – Commission Meeting at 7 p.m.
 January 10 – Commission Meeting at 7 p.m.
 January 16 – Village Board Meeting at 7:30 p.m.
 (Presentation of the Excellence in Arts Awards)




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Skokie Fine Arts Commission
 November 8, 2023
 Meeting Notes



 1. Call to Order at 7 p.m. by Chairperson Pam Garbarini
 Present: Chairperson Garbarini, Vice Chairperson Rhodes, Staff Liaison Gioia, and
 Commissioners Blum Barish, Chander, Hatchett, Joshi, Levan, Liberman, Osseny,
 Thomas, Vasevski, Vicker and Waxberg.

 2. Introduction of New Member
 Ellen Blum Barish, an author, writing coach and previous recipient of the Fine Arts
 Commission’s Excellence in the Arts award, has joined the Fine Arts Commission. Ellen
 was also the headlining storyteller at the February 2022 Love Lost and Found storytelling
 event.

 3. Previous Project Review
 a. October 2023 Arts and Humanities Month was deemed a success. Thoughts for
 the future include trying to expand to a more diverse set of organizations. Also
 choosing a less-restrictive theme for the photography exhibit. Earlier outreach to
 groups so that perhaps they can plan events specifically for the month of October.
 Idea to send a thank you to the organizations that participated and ask them for
 feedback.
 b. Ghosted storytelling event – It was difficult to get storytellers. Perhaps the theme
 made people think they had to have scary stories? Group support for hosting
 another one in February with a Love theme. Commissioner VanOsdol will contact
 Take Flight to see what dates may be available. Commissioner Blum Barish will
 reach out to her storytelling contacts once a date is chosen to encourage them to
 participate.

 4. Upcoming Projects
 a. Excellence in the Arts Awards – Deadline for nominations is 12/8. Not many have
 come in despite publicizing in SkokieNews and on social media multiple times.
 Commissioners are encouraged to submit nominations as well. Discussed artists
 and organizations that could be recipients if no other nominations come in.
 b. SOAR student art exhibit in March at Oakton College – March is Youth Art
 Month which is a good tie-in. Commission discussed whether or not we wanted to
 grow the exhibit to include invited speakers throughout the month or at least
 during the Artists’ Reception. This would require finding a speaker, possibly
 renting out one of the classrooms, engaging a sound system. May be too much


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 effort for too little payoff. May also take the spotlight off the artists themselves.
 Better to keep as-is but bring in musicians and spread out exhibit in the atrium to
 provide more room during reception.

 5. New Business
 a. Artists’ Happy Hour Networking Event – We do a lot to support arts
 organizations but not as much for the individual artists. What do they need?
 Hosting a cash-bar happy hour event for Skokie artists to come together, meet the
 Commissioners, share their experiences and network with other artists would be a
 good first step. Could grow into a regular event. Maybe with professional
 development speakers? Commissioner VanOsdol will contact Sketchbook to see
 if they are amenable to hosting.
 b. Memoir Project for Underrepresented Voices – Commissioner Blum Barish is
 interested in leading a memoir-writing project with underrepresented communities
 in Skokie ending in some kind of “final project” like a podcast. Seeking to
 “amplify Skokie voices” Commission was unsure how we would support it.
 Perhaps in partnership with another organization like the library or the Human
 Relations Commission. Commissioner Blum Barish will continue to research
 what is out there and will report back at future meeting.

 6. Adjournment – Meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.


Upcoming meetings: December 13- – Commission Meeting at 7 p.m.
 January 10 – Commission Meeting at 7 p.m.
 January 16 – Village Board Meeting at 7:30 p.m.
 (Presentation of Excellence in Arts Awards)




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