At Noon today we had our 5th meeting. Karl, Abbie, Marilyn, Lindsey, Matthew, Gail, Resa, and myself were in attendance. Maureen was sick, Randy was working on a deadline, and I'm not sure about the rest.
Future Dates:
___________________________
NEXT LADEC MEETING
Wed Jan 4 Noon Venus
___________________________
Jan 4 - Finalized Guest List (Lindsey)
February 16 - SEE GET GIVE Event!
June 2 - FIRST C Street Arts Festival
Oct 6 - C Street Arts Festival/Riverfest
Subcommittees
SEE GET GIVE guest list - Lindsey
refreshment queen - Marilyn
...further organization to be established at Jan 4 meeting...
C Street Arts Festival -
Visual-Abbie, Resa, Marilyn
Music - Paula?
Theatre - Deb
Art in empty storefronts.
We would like to appeal to one property manager at a time and slowly develop relationships so that we can move ahead in a manageable and attainable fashion. I will contact Mr. McGowan about the bank property tomorrow and may also approach Billy Myles. Appreciate input.
Gail mentioned that the President of the Board of Trade, Michelle, was very interested in using the Arts District outdoor event in combination with the BOT Riverfest event. So that is set for Oct 6.
Karl handed out some valuable pieces: MEDAF, Smart Move Facts, and the A & E Overlay including a map.
Lindsey brought a copy of the nonprofit, parties of interest spreadsheet and has offered to be the keeper of that file. She continues to collect data and we hope to send out an evite and follow up with phone calls per organization at the next meeting. Lindsey also researched signs and brought a copy of Sec. 20-107. Signage (a) General Guidelines.
This sparked a signage conversation with Karl. He told us that under the Unified Land Development Code there is the Community Appearance Code.
This signage conversation went on and it seems that it is a case by case basis whenever anyone needs to get a sign. I'm hoping that perhaps in the future there can be a pre-approved sign format with font and specs, that would maybe knock some kinks out of the flow and allow small business owners easier access to visible advertising. It seems the business owners crave it and the codes can't allow anything that they view as too harsh or out of the historic district aesthetic. Karl recommends continuing the conversation.
We chatted a little about financial incentives and Matthew said the Mayor has indicated that he will try to make funds more accessible to those who need them. I'd like to see incentives extended to those of us already in the arts districts to help us thrive That's what will attract outside organizations more than anything else.
Matthew also raised the question of the Main Street Manager. He went around the table and the general consensus was that it was a good idea provided it was the right person for the job, the job was well defined, and there was money in the budget to salary such a person. I'd pose an additional question: would the Main Street Manager be the same person as the Arts District Manager. Because according to the Maryland Code the Arts District needs a management component. We continue to define what that is. Just noting here that management is a serious full time job and requires extensive training and skill. Arts Management is its own major on college campus'. So, what sort of resource would we have to invest in that?
Just before the meeting I chatted with Aaron Markovitch on the phone. He wanted to be sure to be clear that the Anacostia Heritage Trail Area has a grant submission coming up in January however the City of Laurel will not qualify for what could be significant funding. We chatted with Karl about this. I don't thing this can wait for the next meeting so I'm at a bit of a loss as to how to proceed. It's hard to accept that we just can't apply for money that we may well qualify for and Lindsey points out that it's not just money it's a networking and advertising opp as well.
It would be really great if running an arts business on Main Street was more user friendly and if whatever necessary bureaucratic processes could be streamlined so no one would waste the most valuable small business resource of time.
We want to do the Valentines Event SEE GET GIVE as an open house format which will run on Feb 16 from 4-7. We want to cover the walls with places for people to write and encourage interactive input, exchanges and provide takeaways as well. Postcards. Questionairres.
We also spoke about having a takeaway in the rooms of the Quality Inn. Abbie said that postcards are affordable and that we should plan on doing that in a way which maximizes the resource by giving some information but pointing to websites as well.
Gail said the Board of Trade has a similar project and it may make the most sense to combine them.
Sidenote:
We need coordination with Public Works and Parks and Rec for the outdoor arts events.
It's a real pleasure to sit around the table with such wonderful colleagues. The conversation picks up the first Wed of Jan at Noon.
See you at Venus.
Future Dates:
___________________________
NEXT LADEC MEETING
Wed Jan 4 Noon Venus
___________________________
Jan 4 - Finalized Guest List (Lindsey)
February 16 - SEE GET GIVE Event!
June 2 - FIRST C Street Arts Festival
Oct 6 - C Street Arts Festival/Riverfest
Subcommittees
SEE GET GIVE guest list - Lindsey
refreshment queen - Marilyn
...further organization to be established at Jan 4 meeting...
C Street Arts Festival -
Visual-Abbie, Resa, Marilyn
Music - Paula?
Theatre - Deb
Art in empty storefronts.
We would like to appeal to one property manager at a time and slowly develop relationships so that we can move ahead in a manageable and attainable fashion. I will contact Mr. McGowan about the bank property tomorrow and may also approach Billy Myles. Appreciate input.
Gail mentioned that the President of the Board of Trade, Michelle, was very interested in using the Arts District outdoor event in combination with the BOT Riverfest event. So that is set for Oct 6.
Karl handed out some valuable pieces: MEDAF, Smart Move Facts, and the A & E Overlay including a map.
Lindsey brought a copy of the nonprofit, parties of interest spreadsheet and has offered to be the keeper of that file. She continues to collect data and we hope to send out an evite and follow up with phone calls per organization at the next meeting. Lindsey also researched signs and brought a copy of Sec. 20-107. Signage (a) General Guidelines.
This sparked a signage conversation with Karl. He told us that under the Unified Land Development Code there is the Community Appearance Code.
This signage conversation went on and it seems that it is a case by case basis whenever anyone needs to get a sign. I'm hoping that perhaps in the future there can be a pre-approved sign format with font and specs, that would maybe knock some kinks out of the flow and allow small business owners easier access to visible advertising. It seems the business owners crave it and the codes can't allow anything that they view as too harsh or out of the historic district aesthetic. Karl recommends continuing the conversation.
We chatted a little about financial incentives and Matthew said the Mayor has indicated that he will try to make funds more accessible to those who need them. I'd like to see incentives extended to those of us already in the arts districts to help us thrive That's what will attract outside organizations more than anything else.
Matthew also raised the question of the Main Street Manager. He went around the table and the general consensus was that it was a good idea provided it was the right person for the job, the job was well defined, and there was money in the budget to salary such a person. I'd pose an additional question: would the Main Street Manager be the same person as the Arts District Manager. Because according to the Maryland Code the Arts District needs a management component. We continue to define what that is. Just noting here that management is a serious full time job and requires extensive training and skill. Arts Management is its own major on college campus'. So, what sort of resource would we have to invest in that?
Just before the meeting I chatted with Aaron Markovitch on the phone. He wanted to be sure to be clear that the Anacostia Heritage Trail Area has a grant submission coming up in January however the City of Laurel will not qualify for what could be significant funding. We chatted with Karl about this. I don't thing this can wait for the next meeting so I'm at a bit of a loss as to how to proceed. It's hard to accept that we just can't apply for money that we may well qualify for and Lindsey points out that it's not just money it's a networking and advertising opp as well.
It would be really great if running an arts business on Main Street was more user friendly and if whatever necessary bureaucratic processes could be streamlined so no one would waste the most valuable small business resource of time.
We want to do the Valentines Event SEE GET GIVE as an open house format which will run on Feb 16 from 4-7. We want to cover the walls with places for people to write and encourage interactive input, exchanges and provide takeaways as well. Postcards. Questionairres.
We also spoke about having a takeaway in the rooms of the Quality Inn. Abbie said that postcards are affordable and that we should plan on doing that in a way which maximizes the resource by giving some information but pointing to websites as well.
Gail said the Board of Trade has a similar project and it may make the most sense to combine them.
Sidenote:
We need coordination with Public Works and Parks and Rec for the outdoor arts events.
It's a real pleasure to sit around the table with such wonderful colleagues. The conversation picks up the first Wed of Jan at Noon.
See you at Venus.
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