Fine Arts Commission — Skokie, IL
Date: 2022-11-09

Agenda
 Skokie Fine Arts Commission
 November 9, 2022 Meeting
 7 p.m.
I. Call to Order
II. 2022 Artistic Excellence Awards Nomination Review and Discussion
III. Other Upcoming Projects
 a. Storytelling – February 16, 2023, 7:30 p.m.
 b. SOAR – March 2023
 c. October 2023 National Arts and Humanities Month Programming
 d. Other
IV. Adjournment
 Upcoming meetings: December 14, 2022, conference rooms D/E at Skokie
 Village Hall, 5127 Oakton Street, Skokie, Illinois 60077.




 #602485

Skokie Fine Arts Commission
 November 9, 2022 Meeting Notes
  I. Call to Order – 7:02 p.m. by Chairperson Pam Garbarini; those present included
 Vice-Chairperson Jeff Rhodes and Commissioners Michelle Beatrice, Judy
 Levan, Doris Liberman, Sonya Osseny, Mitch Thomas, Vassi Vasevski, and
 Ellen Waxberg as well as staff liaison Ann Tennes.

  II. 2022 Artistic Excellence Awards Nomination Review and Discussion –
 Garbarini reviewed the award criteria. The commission then discussed all
 nominations and determined that Niles North Orchestra Director Jennifer Page
 would receive the individual award and that Robin Horwitz and the Devonshire
 Cultural Center would receive the group award at the December 5, 2022 Village
 Board meeting. Tennes suggested seeing if the awards could be presented again
 before both the District 219 and Skokie Park District Boards for additional
 publicity. Tennes also advised the commission that long-time North Shore
 Center for the Performing Arts General Manager Michael Pauken was leaving
 his position in early December, and the commissioners agreed to present
 Pauken with an honorary award for his contributions to the arts in Skokie.

  III. Other Upcoming Projects
 a. Storytelling – February 16, 2023, 7:30 p.m. – Tennes advised that
 Commissioner James VanOsdol made arrangements with the owners of Take
 Flight Spirits for the event, and that Skokie resident, author/storyteller and
 former Artistic Excellence Award recipient Ellen Blum Barish has agreed to
 be the event special guest storyteller. Publicity will begin soon, with
 prospective storytellers asked to submit a 750-word story for consideration
 by early January. The event will be free but will be ticketed to control
 attendance due to limited seating. Storytellers will receive a small, Skokie-
 related gift as a token of appreciation for participating.

 b. March 2023 SOAR Exhibit – information has been sent to teachers with
 several responses already received; additional follow up will occur before
 the winter holiday break. The commission expressed interest in holding an
 informal open house reception inviting teachers and Mayor Van Dusen to
 attend. Tennes agreed to follow up with Oakton Community College staff.



Page Two


 #604524
November 9, 2022 Fine Arts Commission Meeting Notes

 c. October 2023 National Arts and Humanities Month Programming – the
 Commission agreed that further discussion on this would occur early in
 2023.

 d. Other – Osseny mentioned the long-standing commission aspiration of
 displaying artwork in vacant storefronts in and around Downtown Skokie,
 and Garbarini agreed that the commission would discuss the matter in spring
 2023. Several commissioners indicated they planned to attend the November
 12 opening of the new WHO Modern furniture and art gallery on Lincoln
 Avenue.

  IV. Adjournment – 8:30 p.m.
 Upcoming meeting: December 14, 2022, conference rooms D/E at Skokie
 Village Hall, 5127 Oakton Street, Skokie, Illinois 60077.




 #604524