July 8, 2009 Board Meeting

[artsunit]

Minutes

Arts United Board Meeting
July 8, 2009
@ Jim Soule’s house, 577 Rock St.

Board Members Present: Jeff Carpenter, Patrick Norton, Jason Caminiti, Jim Soule, Al Deston

Absent with excuse: BT Hathaway, Lisa Bibeau, Jerry LePage, Joan Medeiros

Absent: Kathy Castro, David Jennings

Also in attendance: Stefani Koorey and Al Lima to report on their projects and fundraising; Susan Wolfson and Am Curry Bassett from Y.E.A.H.! as guests

Meeting opens: 6:15 pm

Stefani Koorey presents report on Storefront Artists Project
John Paul Viveiros, owner of 189 Durfee St. happy with the first artist, Liz Graham. Will add 2 more artists. Schedule cleanup for July 20th. Will appeal for volunteers to help.
Jon Varao has rented his storefront space and the artist Michael Close will go to 189 Durfee St.
73 Columbia St. Fall River Rising photo exhibition.
Jim Soule will talk to Dennis Bascombe about the old Modern Furniture Gallery space on South Main St.
Stefani Koorey is working new approaches to get other owners to offer spaces. Go through business owners, the Downtown Waterfront Committee. Make videos with owners of storefronts that have rented after artist-occupied.
It’s about relationships – all the spaces that we’ve received were because of personal connections.
Making new Storefront Artists Project signs to advertise each location better.


Stefani Koorey and Al Lima present report on fundraising.
Research grantmakers to see what they are looking for.
Focus quality of life issues, how to improve the lives of those in the community.
Education, arts, low-income are the 3 elements.
Bundle initiatives; some already in the works, with a track record, some are proposals looking for volunteers:

10 initiatives
1. Fri. Night Flicks
2. Every House Has a Story
3. Fall River Rising
4. History Club

Proposed projects - need someone to take them on and try them out:

5. Housing Authority Photo Classes
6. Poetry Slam
7. Youth Music event
8. Ethnic dancing – Lebanese, line-dancing, etc.
9. Thursday Happenings (at City Hall Annex)
10. Auction

Patrick: some programs like this are happening around town already, Open Mic Night at the Narrows, Little Theatre performances, “Arts Around the Block” etc. The missing ingredient is publicity to get attendance. To look for any of us to take on a new project is too much; we’re all stretched too thin. Better to take a look at the projects that our members already have going around town. Fundraising: Corporate funding is about connections. Each of us have to reach out to someone we can pull in. “Everybody needs a godfather.”

Susan Wolfson says YEAH! is about reclaiming futures. Get government funding to help save the youth. Get Sam Sutter involved.
Al Deston must depert for his “It’s My Turn” rehearsal… Show opens next Thursday at Little Theatre.
L.A.G.O.A. “Lizzie Borden Live” performance qualifies as a success in this format.
“84 Things”… get 7 people to do 3 things every quarter and 84 things get done in a year.
Patrick quotes John Cummings: “The only way for an arts organization to work is to fund itself without grants.”
Write a plan for the next two years. Where does Arts United want to be. How to get there.
Jim asks about publicity. Branding. New Bedford has the racehorse billboard.
Stefani mentions the sidewalk chalking campaign “Steve is coming”
Sidewalk campaign for Arts United; different projects, over and over. Something that Y.E.A.H.! youth might get into.
Voted unanimously:
Arts United will extend our 501c3 status to “Arts Around the Block” if they list us as sponsors.
Corky Row Neighborhood Association should be on Arts United board. Susan Wolfson will recommend a name.
Financial report:
Little change in balance from last month.
Membership report:
Members:
33 people 6 organizations

all are encouraged to attend:
Y.E.A.H.! meeting Tuesday 12:30 pm - 25 North Main St.

Meeting adjourned at 7:30pm
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Arts United | Fall River
http://www.artsunitedfallriver.org/