FLORIDA ARTS COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
November 14, 2007
Tallahassee

In Attendance:

I. Call to Order
Chairman Katharine Dickenson called the meeting to order at 8:45 a.m.

II. Introduction of Council, Staff and Guests
Mrs. Dickenson asked the Florida Arts Council, department staff, and audience members to introduce themselves.

III. Adoption of Agenda
Tim Deratany moved approval of the agenda with Jim Shaw seconding. The motion carried.

IV. Chairman’s Comments
Katharine Dickenson thanked the members of the Florida Arts Council, the staff and arts community for their support during her year as Council Chairman.

V. Department of State Update
Sandy Shaughnessy began her comments by thanking the Citizens’ for Florida Arts, Inc. for their hospitality. She also welcomed new Council member, Lois Benson.

The Department of State has requested increases in the Division’s budget for the 2008-09 fiscal year. The division is actively tracking SB166 which proposes a designation program for state orchestras.

The NEA state partnership application has been successfully submitted and Ms. Shaughnessy thanked Gaylen Phillips and Patty Warren for their hard work on the project. The NEA has been recommended for a budget increase, which will be voted on in December. Americans for the Arts has created a new Web site called “Arts Vote” which tracks various candidates’ policies on funding for the arts. National Arts Advocacy Day will take place March 31-April 1 in Washington, D.C.

Due to the recent budget cuts, Ms. Shaughnessy proposed a new Arts Council meeting schedule that would include two meetings per year by teleconference. This would significantly save funds within the Division’s operating budget. Several of the upcoming panel meetings will also be held via teleconference.

The Division has completed the development of its new program, Culture Builds Florida, which is geared towards projects in one of the four goal areas of the strategic plan. Next year, in partnership with the NEA and Creative Capital Foundation, the Division will host two professional development workshops to deliver skill-building opportunities to individual artists living and working in Florida.

The Individual Artist Fellowship traveling exhibit is now underway and exhibition catalogs will be mailed to each Council member.

The Southern Arts Federation will assist the NEA with their “Operation Homecoming-Phase II” project that will help U.S. troops and their families document their wartime experiences.

The Museum of Florida History will open its new exhibit entitled “Seminole People of Florida: Survival and Success.” The exhibit provides a glimpse into Seminole history, culture, and artistic traditions from the mid-1850s to the present.

VI. Approval of Minutes from September 2007 Meeting
Margaret Wise moved approval of the September 2007 meeting minutes, with Norma Roth seconding. The motion was approved.

VII. Recognition of Florida Arts Council Member Service
Secretary of State Kurt S. Browning presented service award plaques to retiring Council members Katharine Dickenson and Stephen Hogge. Secretary Browning also recognized retiring members Margo Bindhardt and Gary Libby who could not be present.

VIII. Guest Speaker(s) on Agenda by Special Request
Sherron Long, Executive Director of the Florida Cultural Alliance, presented the results of a recent survey of all Florida Local Arts Agencies.

IX. Business Items
A. Review of Florida Arts Council Meeting Calendar
Katharine Dickenson reviewed the upcoming Florida Arts Council meeting dates. Following discussion, it was determined that the June 2008 meeting would be held via teleconference.

B. 2007-2008 Grants Program Budget Update
Don Blancett presented an update on the 2007-08 grants program budget.

C. Florida Cultural Endowment Program Recommendations
Don Blancett presented the list of organizations that are currently on the priority list and eligible to receive a $240,000 matching endowment share. This list will be sent to the 2008 Legislature for funding consideration.

Following review of the priority list, Tim Deratany moved approval of the list with Norma Roth seconding. The motion was approved.

Florida Cultural Endowment Program Recommendations
Remaining on Priority List from 2003 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
(APPLICATION DEADLINE JUNE 1, 2002)
Organization County For SMS #
1. Philharmonic Center for the Arts Collier 6th
2. Museum of Arts and Sciences Volusia 4th
3. Historical Association of Southern Florida Miami-Dade 2nd
4. Miami Children’s Museum Miami-Dade 1st
5. Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts Brevard 3rd
6. Boca Raton Museum of Art Palm Beach 1st
7. Pensacola Little Theatre Escambia 2nd
8. John Gilmore Riley Center/Museum for
African-American History and Culture Leon 1st

Remaining on Priority List from 2004 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
(APPLICATION DEADLINE JUNE 1, 2003)
Organization County For SMS #
9. Vero Beach Museum of Art Indian River 3rd
10. Orlando Science Center Orange 2nd

Remaining on Priority List from 2005 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
(APPLICATION DEADLINE JUNE 1, 2004)
Organization County For SMS #
11. Orlando Opera Orange 1st
12. Sarasota Opera Sarasota 2nd

Remaining on Priority List from 2006 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
(APPLICATION DEADLINE JUNE 1, 2005)
Organization County For SMS #
13. Old School Square Palm Beach 2nd

Remaining on Priority List from 2007 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
(APPLICATION DEADLINE JUNE 1, 2006)
Organization County For SMS #
14. Friends of Mission San Luis Leon 1st
15. Asolo Theatre Sarasota 1st
16. Mary Brogan Museum of Art and Science Leon 1st
17. Jewish Museum of Florida Miami-Dade 2nd
18. Florida Holocaust Museum Pinellas 2nd
19. Orlando Shakespeare Festival Orlando 1st
20. Actor’s Playhouse Productions Miami-Dade 1st

NEW REQUESTS -FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE 2008 LEGISLATURE
(APPLICATION DEADLINE JUNE 1, 2007)
Organization County For SMS #
21. Friends of the Museums of Florida History Leon 1st
22. Art League of Bonita Springs Lee 1st
23. Emil Maestre Music Association (EMMA) St. Johns 1st
24. Lively Arts Center Volusia 1st
25. Morikami Palm Beach 1st

TOTAL REQUEST: $6,000,000

D. Cultural & Regional Facilities Rollover Lists
Don Blancett reported that in November 2006, the Council reviewed applications from 54 organizations and recommended funding for 47 Cultural Facilities projects for a total of $19,246,236; and one Regional Cultural Facilities project for $2,499,780. The recommendations were prioritized by score and submitted to the Secretary of State for approval. Subsequently, the prioritized list was sent to the 2007 Florida Legislature for funding consideration.

The 2007 Florida Legislature did not fund the projects listed on the 2007-2008 Cultural Facilities Program or Regional Cultural Facilities Program Priority Lists. Therefore, the Division implemented Rollover procedures as required by Florida Statutes (265.701, FS. and 265.702, FS.) and detailed in the 2007-2008 program guidelines. Procedures require that organizations wishing to remain on the prioritized list for funding consideration by the 2008 Legislature submit the following information to the Division:

1: Application Form (Applicant Information), Synopsis, Certification of Information and Compliance, Division of Historical Resources Letter, Project Team, and Professional Certification.
2: Scope of Work: Project Narrative and Prior and Current Phases.
3: Project Budgets (Summary and Detail), Matching Funds Statement, Match Summary Chart, and Donor Profile.

The Division received Rollover applications from 42 Cultural Facilities and one Regional Cultural Facility with funding requests of $17,176,929 and $2,499,780, respectively. Neither the governing statutes nor program rules require that Rollover applications be reviewed by the Florida Arts Council prior to submission to the Secretary of State, only that the organizations satisfy program eligibility requirements and provide project and budget updates. Organizations are not permitted to change the project scope or venue, or to request increased funding.

Forty-two of the original 47 Cultural Facilities applications and the one Regional Cultural Facilities application submitted the required information and are now eligible to be considered for funding by the 2008 Legislature.

Mr. Blancett asked the Council to review and approve the Rollover Cultural Facilities/Regional Cultural Facilities project lists.

Katharine Dickenson raised concerns regarding 09-9409 Debary Art League (Gateway Center for the Arts). Mrs. Dickenson’s concern was that this applicant received a $750,000 legislative project line item toward the project during the 2007-08 Session, yet remains on the rollover list, which she felt was unfair to the other applicants.

Mr. Blancett clarified that the line item received by the Debary Art League was for the 2007-08 fiscal year. The rollover list falls within the 2008-09 fiscal year consideration. The statute governing the Cultural Facilities Program specifically states that organizations “shall” rollover to the next year, unless they are not eligible or voluntarily remove themselves from the list.

Following lengthy discussion, Tim Deratany and Margaret Wise jointly moved to present the Cultural/Regional Facilities Program rollover list to the Secretary of State minus application #09-9409 Debary Art League, based on their receipt of the 2007-08 legislative project line item. Norma Roth seconded the motion. The motion passed.

Further discussion resulted in a motion by Jeff Tucker to reconsider the previous motion. Norma Roth seconded and the motion passed.

Lois Benson suggested sending a letter to the organization requesting them to voluntarily withdraw from the rollover list. Discussion ensued regarding the possibility of sending a letter to the organization.

Department staff reviewed the Florida Statutes governing the program. JuDee Pettijohn recommended that, in consultation with the department’s General Counsel’s office, the rollover list include #09-9409, but show a notation indicating that prior year funding was received through a legislative project line item.

Stephen Hogge offered a substitute motion. The Florida Arts Council recommends that #09-9409 Debary Art League not be included on the 2008-09 Cultural/Regional Facilities Program rollover list, due to their receipt of the 2007-08 legislative project line item funding of $750,000 and pursuant to the rollover statutory language which states: …Projects approved and recommended by the Secretary of State which are not funded by the Legislature shall be retained on the project list for the following grant cycle only.
Norma Roth seconded the motion, which passed.

Chairman Dickenson asked for a vote to make the substitute motion the main motion. The vote passed.

                    2008-09 Cultural Facilities Rollover List

* = Tied

            2008-09 Regional Cultural Facilities Rollover List

E. Art in State Buildings Program Recommendations
Lee Modica reported that 14 selections of artwork were made for the following locations: University of Florida (9) and Florida Atlantic University (5) for a total of $162,900. Ms. Modica assured the Council that all required procedural forms had been collected, reviewed and accepted documenting that established procedures were followed for these selections.

Stephen Hogge moved approval of the selection process. Janeen Mason seconded the motion. The motion was approved.

Stephen Hogge asked if there was a guide to the artworks acquired through the ASB Program. Ms. Modica responded that a listing or brochure of projects was planned for the program’s 30-year anniversary; however, due to budget reductions, the creation of a publication is no longer possible. Another idea was to create a searchable GIS map by county.

Following discussion, Sandy Shaughnessy assured the Council that she will take the idea of creating an ASB catalog or Web site through the assistance of an internship and/or private funding to the Secretary of State for consideration.

F. Panelist and Chairman Recommendations for the Cultural Support, History Museums & Arts in Education Programs
Gaylen Phillips reviewed the list of grant panelists chosen to-date for the Cultural Support, History Museums & Arts in Education Programs. Some recommendations are pending; updated lists shall be forwarded to the Secretary of State for appointment.

Following review and discussion, Jim Shaw moved approval of the grant panelist recommendations with Margaret Wise seconding. The motion passed.

X. Committee Reports
A. Governmental Affairs Committee
Tim Deratany, Committee Chairman, reviewed the report as follows:

The Governmental Affairs Committee was called to order at 2:05 p.m. on November 7, 2007. Committee members present were Committee Chairman Tim Deratany, Don Browning, Katharine Dickenson, Jim Shaw and Jeff Tucker. Staff members present were Sandy Shaughnessy, Dianne Alborn, Don Blancett and Patty Warren.

Chairman Deratany began with a review of 2008 legislative bills currently being tracked by the Division of Cultural Affairs.

HB 97 - Relating to State Government Websites
This bill would impact the department and division by requiring state government websites to be in English & Spanish by a certain timeframe. Several committee members expressed concerns, as this would create a specific fiscal impact on the division’s expense budget.

SB 166 - Relating to Official Orchestra Designation
Chairman Deratany asked Don Blancett to report on his research regarding the impact of this bill on the state orchestras in Florida. Mr. Blancett reported that his research so far had only found one orchestra in the state could meet all the criteria listed in the bill – The Florida Orchestra. Some of the orchestras could meet some of the criteria, such as budget size and American Symphony Orchestra League (ASOL) Tier levels, but not all the criteria as stated.

Other concerns expressed by the committee included the annual responsibility of orchestra compliance and the possibility of having to rescind the designation; applicant organizations would be required to establish membership with the ASOL; the $7.5 million operating budget requirement would become obsolete in several years due to the changing economy; as well as the impact on staff time and the increase in budget expense.

Jim Shaw moved that the Florida Arts Council oppose SB166 in its current form, as the Council failed to garner support due to concerns expressed, as well as the lack of a “quality” judgment component and budget appropriations to implement the program. Katharine Dickenson seconded the motion which was approved.

Mr. Deratany turned to review and discussion of the Division of Cultural Affairs’ 2008-09 legislative budget request. Following their review, the committee fully supports the division’s request.

Tim Deratany proposed that the committee discuss possibilities for alternative funding opportunities. He suggested the possibility of developing a Lottery scratch-off game or utilizing some of the unclaimed prize money. Following discussion of these ideas, Jeff Tucker moved to explore the re-establishment of a dedicated funding source, such as an “arts” lottery scratch-off game or a portion of the 20% unclaimed lottery prize money through the Florida Lottery, or through the former trust fund source from corporate filing fees. Katharine Dickenson seconded the motion. The motion was approved.

Sandy Shaughnessy reported that the National Endowment for the Arts has been recommended for three levels of budget increases. The final increase amount will be announced in December. National Arts Advocacy Day will take place March 31-April 1, 2008 in Washington, DC.

With no further business, the Committee adjourned at 1:30 p.m.

B. Nominating Committee
Sandy Shaughnessy, Committee Chairman, reviewed the report as follows:

The Nominating Committee convened at 1:00 p.m. on November 7, 2007, to recommend a slate of officers to serve during the upcoming 2008 term. Committee members present were Committee Chairman Sandy Shaughnessy, Katharine Dickenson, Stephen Hogge and Janeen Mason. Others in attendance were Don Browning and Dianne Alborn.

Following thoughtful deliberation, the committee unanimously recommended the following slate of officers:

Chairman – Jim Shaw
Vice Chairman – Jeff Tucker
Secretary – Margaret Wise

With no further business, the Committee adjourned at 1:30 p.m.

Following Ms. Shaughnessy’s report, Tim Deratany moved approval of the slate of officers with Norma Roth seconding. The motion passed.

XI. Grant Panel Reports
A. Quarterly Panel Reports (QA and AEG Programs)
Janeen Mason, Panel Chairman, reviewed the report as follows:

Applications for the Third Quarter Quarterly Assistance/Artist Enhancement Grant Programs Review Committee took place on November 7, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. with committee members Morgan Lewis, Laura Stone, and Sarah Stage.

First, funding was considered for 15 Quarterly Assistance applicant organizations with a total request of $49,000. Projects represented a wide range of topics that included music projects, a jazz festival, and consultant projects. The committee reviewed each application and all 15 applications achieved the threshold minimum of 75 for funding consideration.

Full funding was recommended for the three top-scoring Mini-Grant applications for a total amount of $4,500. Full funding was recommended for the top-scoring Consultant application for a total amount of $1,000. Funding in the amount of $4,500 each was recommended for the two (2) top-scoring Special Project applications and $1,816 was recommended for next highest scoring application. The total amount recommended for funding was $16,316.

Next, the committee considered 59 applications for the Artist Enhancement Grants Program. The total request was $55,750. After careful deliberation and scoring, the panel recommended 12 applications for full funding in the amount of $12,000.

The panel members also ranked three applications in priority to receive funding should an Artist Enhancement Grant Award be declined or if additional funding becomes available. The following applications were ranked for funding:
(1) 08.2474 Laura Albritton
(2) 08.2462 Kerry Phillips
(3) 08.2373 Diana Shpungin

After the final application review and scoring, public comment followed from individuals on the conference call. They thanked the panel for their consideration of the group of applications. Some applicants also asked members of the panel what they could have done to improve their overall scores.

The meeting adjourned at 12:15 p.m.

At the conclusion of his report, Mrs. Mason moved approval of the Quarterly Assistance and Artist Enhancement Program funding recommendations. Jim Shaw seconded the motion, which carried.

Quarterly Assistance Program Awards

Artist Enhancement Program Awards

B. Challenge Grant Program Panel Report
Katharine Dickenson, Panel Chairman, reviewed the report as follows:

The Challenge Grant Panel convened via teleconference at 9:00 a.m. on
October 31, 2007, to review, score and recommend new initiatives and innovative projects with local, regional and statewide impact.

Twenty eligible applications were reviewed by the panel. Eighteen of the twenty application representatives participated in the conference call to give updates and answer the panelists’ questions.

During the preliminary scoring round, one application did not achieve the minimum required score of 75 and was dropped from consideration. After the final scoring round, 19 applications were recommended for funding.

Panel comment was as follows:
• Thanks and appreciation to the applicants for proposing excellent projects and to the rest of the panel for their valuable comments.
• Thanks to staff; really liked the teleconference format.
• Fellow panel members excellent; many thanks to the staff.
• Loved the teleconference format; could not have traveled to Tallahassee in person.
• Thanks for the hard work of the program manager and all the rest of the Division staff.
• Very impressed with the excellent applications; range of activities in Florida far greater than South Carolina (comment from the out-of-state panelist).

Public comment was as follows:
• Great appreciation for a very efficient panel Chair.
• Really like the OASIS system for submitting grant applications.
• Thanks to staff for all their help; OASIS is very easy to use.

At the conclusion of her report, Katharine Dickenson moved approval of the funding recommendations with Janine Mason seconding. The motion was approved.

Challenge Grant Program Awards

C. Individual Artist Fellowship Panel Reports:

1. Media Arts
Gaylen Phillips, Panel Chairman, reviewed the report as follows:

The Media Arts Fellowship Grant Review Panel convened in Tallahassee on October 10, 2007, to recommend fellowship awards for the 2007-2008 fiscal year. The panel reviewed 23 eligible applications and the budget allowed for $15,000* in fellowship awards (either three $5,000 awards, or two $5,000 awards and two $2,500 awards). The panel recommended that the following applicants receive fellowship awards:

$5,000 Fellowship Awards
08.1287 Eric Breitenbach (Seminole) $5,000
08.1274 Kiran Deol (Palm Beach) $5,000

$2,500 Fellowship Awards
08.1314 Vanessa Cruz (Flagler) $2,500
08.1293 Anthony Torres (Orange) $2,500

The panel recommended to fund the two applications awarded $2,500 fellowships with full awards should additional funding become available.

*Due to funding made available after the panel meeting from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Challenge America Program, increasing the total discipline budget to $20,000, the following two awards will be increased by $2,500 to be funded for a full $5,000 fellowship:

08.1314 Vanessa Cruz (Flagler) $5,000
08.1293 Anthony Torres (Orange) $5,000

Panel comment was as follows:
Panelists commented that they wished they had more funding available to award in the category. They also commented on the importance of awarding Media Arts Fellowships in a variety of genres and how important it is to make awards to artists who are doing experimental work to support the exploration in the medium. Panelists also commented that they really thought that there would be more applications made to the program. They also commented that they found the composite DVDs of applications very helpful and would prefer to review future applications in that manner.

2. Visual Arts: 2D
Gaylen Phillips reviewed the report as follows:

The Visual Arts 2-Dimensional Fellowship Grant Review Panel convened in Tallahassee on October 25, 2007, to recommend fellowship awards for the 2007-2008 fiscal year. The panel reviewed 143 eligible applications and the budget allowed for $80,000** in fellowship awards (either sixteen $5,000 awards, or fifteen $5,000 awards and two $2,500 awards). The panel recommended that the following applicants receive fellowship awards:

$5,000 Fellowship Awards
08.1510 Clive King/Drawing Miami-Dade
08.1528 Joelle Dietrick/Mixed Media Leon
08.1551 Barry Sparkman/Mixed Media Miami-Dade
08.1568 Elisabeth Condon/Painting Hillsborough
08.1582 Lilian Garcia-Roig/Painting Leon
08.1612 Arnold Mesches/Painting Alachua
08.1614 Mark Messersmith/Painting Leon
08.1620 Carol Prusa/Painting Palm Beach
08.1636 Kari Snyder/Paper Miami-Dade
08.1637 David Almeida/Photography Miami-Dade
08.1640 Todd Bertolaet/Photography Leon
08.1641 Dan Biferie/Photography Volusia
08.1647 Steven Gregory/Photography Hillsborough
08.1660 Maritza Molina/Photography Miami-Dade
08.1696 Rima Jabbur/Painting Orange

$2,500 Fellowship Awards
08.1643 Linda Broadfoot/Photography Duval
08.1666 Rebecca Sexton Larson/Photography Hillsborough

The panel recommended to fund the two applications awarded $2,500 fellowships full awards should additional funding become available.

**Due to funding made available after the panel meeting from the NEA Challenge America Program, increasing the total discipline budget to $85,000, the following two awards will be increased by $2,500 to be funded for a full $5,000 fellowship:

08.1643 Linda Broadfoot/Photography Duval
08.1666 Rebecca Sexton Larson/Photography Hillsborough

Public comment was as follows:
A member of the public in attendance commented on the composition of the panel. The audience member commented that there were not many traditionally themed works that scored well with the panel and thought that was perhaps due to the panel’s composition.

Members of the public also thanked the panel for their hard work reviewing such a large number of applications.

Panel comment was as follows:
Panel members commented that they felt it would be helpful for artists who are creating artist books as their pieces, to submit those in a new category – artist books. They felt this would be a better way to review such artwork.

Panelists also made numerous comments on the value of a well-written artist statement. They mentioned that it was imperative that the statement provided was in direct correlation to the images submitted. They also mentioned that it might be helpful for the Division staff to revise the form used for the artist statements in order to emphasize this.

Panelists also encouraged artist applicants to put information about their process in the artist statement. They felt that this would be very helpful to many of the artists who had work before the panel at this meeting.

A member of the panel also commented to the staff that they hope the review will not allow slides in future years. They felt that the digital images were much more consistent and are preferable to slides. They also mentioned that if slides are scanned, it is important for the light levels of the slides to be corrected before they are saved electronically.

The panel also commented that they felt the artists could submit less support materials and still have effective applications. They suggested perhaps allowing only one catalog or publication, etc.

Panelists also commented that they felt the scoring criteria “consistency in the body of work” was not very useful and suggested revising these scoring criteria for reviewing the work of visual artists.

Members of the panel also commented on the experience as a whole. They felt that their fellow panelists were thoughtful in their scoring and comments. They also commended the Division staff on the organization of the application materials.

3. Visual Arts: 3D
Sandy Shaughnessy, Panel Chairman, reviewed the report as follows:

The Visual Arts 3-Dimensional Fellowship Grant Review Panel convened in Tallahassee on October 23, 2007, to recommend fellowship awards for the 2007-2008 fiscal year. The panel reviewed 53 eligible applications and the budget allowed for $35,000 in fellowship awards (either seven $5,000 awards, or six $5,000 awards and two $2,500 awards). The panel recommended that the following applicants receive fellowship awards:

$5,000 Fellowship Awards
08.1404 Frances Trombly/Sculpture Miami-Dade
08.1415 Tim Ludwig/Clay Volusia
08.1449 Gael Silverblatt/Metal Palm Beach
08.1453 Bryan Hiveley/Clay Miami-Dade
08.1472 Blane De St. Croix/Sculpture Palm Beach
08.1494 Alain Guerra/Sculpture Miami-Dade

$2,500 Fellowship Awards
08.1473 Donna Sweigart/Metal Pinellas
08.1475 Helen Otterson/Clay Palm Beach

The panel ranked the following applications should additional funding become available (in the following order):
1) First, fully fund the two $2,500 awards to $5,000 each.
2) 08.1486 - Kerry Phillips
3) 08.1403 – Nazare Feliciano
4) 08.1405 – Sana Doumet
5) 08.1465 – Candone Wharton

Panel comment was as follows:
Panelists commented on the need to look at adding a new category to the fellowship review panels for Multimedia work. This category would include work that used the internet as they felt that it was hard to evaluate such work under the “3-Dimensional” criteria. Panelists also suggested revising the scoring criteria to eliminate the “consistency in the body of work” criteria. They felt that at times this was hard to judge and potentially irrelevant. They also felt that it would be helpful to have copies of the DVD submissions that support the experimental applications in advance of the meeting in addition to still images.

At the conclusion of the Fellowship Panel reports, Janine Mason moved approval of the funding recommendations with Stephen Hogge seconding. The motion was approved.

D. State Touring Program Roster Panel Report
Morgan Lewis reviewed the report as follows:

The State Touring Program Panel convened in Tallahassee at 9:00 a.m. on October 24, 2007, to recommend companies and individuals to the State Touring Program roster.

Thirty-two eligible applications were reviewed by the panel. Applicants were well-represented in person and on the telephone.

During the preliminary scoring round, two applications did not achieve the minimum required score of 75 and were dropped from consideration. After lengthy and thoughtful discussion, 25 companies/artists from the remaining 30 were recommended to the roster.

Five applicants were recommended for the program’s “In the Wings” designation; this component does not provide fee support to the selected artists, but does promote their booking and contact information. In the past, several companies have “graduated” from “In the Wings” after receiving additional touring experience through this exposure.

All 30 of these artists will automatically be nominated to Southern Artistry, an online database managed by the Southern Arts Federation which will increase their exposure.

Complete information on booking the selected artists will be available on the Division’s Web site under 2008 – 2010 State Touring Program Brochure Presenter Support Application Form. Presenters will have until May 1, 2008 to book these artists, at which time they will apply to the Division for fee support.

Panel comment was as follows:
For APPLICANTS:
1) Very important to include the number of audience/participation numbers in the application so that their touring impact can be measured in the evaluation.
2) The weaker applications were those whose written proposals and narrative answers did not adequately describe or explain the artists’ product and services. In some cases, the A/V materials were much stronger than the written portion of the application.
3) Edit the application for readability, including an acceptable font size and the number and manner of review quotes.
4) Very impressed with the diversity among residency activities.

For STAFF:
1) Please send emails to the panelists that include the direct links to the applicants’ Web sites – this saves time in reviewing.

Public comment was as follows:
1) Applicants deeply appreciate the State Touring Program and want the Arts Council, legislators, and other funders to know how essential the program is; in most of the rural areas that are served by the program, it is the only opportunity for school students to see live performance.
2) One group commented that being voted to the “In the Wings” category at their first application four years ago was an excellent way to get more touring exposure and carry the approval of the juried process. They felt “In the Wings” had tremendous value.
3) Communication is so vital to the success of this program that it was suggested that the Division purchase a separate domain name that will lead applicants directly to the online roster.
4) A suggestion was made to celebrate the history of the State Touring Program with an exhibition/event at the Museum of Florida History.
5) Applicants recognize the importance of arts advocacy and know that contact with local and state legislators can have positive impact on future funding.
6) Mention was made of the annual Arts Day event as a possible venue for roster artists to give exposure to the touring program; also, membership in the Florida Cultural Action Alliance was encouraged as this organization schedules Arts Day and works on advocacy issues.
7) A request was made to the Division to provide a current mailing list of schools and presenters.

At the conclusion of Mrs. Lewis’ report and following review of the roster recommendations, Margaret Wise moved approval. Janine Mason seconded the motion, which was approved.

XII. Other Business
Stephen Hogge asked if there were limits as to the number of shares an organization could receive through the Cultural Endowment Program. Don Blancett responded that no limits currently exist other than a waiting period of 36 months between the receipt of shares.

Katharine Dickenson clarified her objection regarding the Debary Art League’s inclusion on the Cultural Facilities Rollover list – her intent was not to send a message to the Legislature, but to send a message to the arts community. Chairman Dickenson again thanked the Council, department staff and Secretary Browning for their support during her term.

XIII. Public Comment
No public comment was received.

XIV. Conclusion
With no further business, the meeting concluded at 12:00 p.m.