RACC News June 2016

Art4Trails unveiling June 4

It was a grand way to kick off the Rochester Art Center's afternoon and evening of celebration in honor of their 70th anniversary. Along with a contingent of 25-30 riders with We Bike Rochester, local neighborhood residents, and sculptors' families and friends, Mary Ellen Landwehr and Dave Beal of the Rochester Arts and Culture Collaborative introduced and unveiled the five public art pieces installed along the Zumbro and Bear Creek, from Silver Lake to Slatterly Park.  We even had a special guest, Mayor Brede, who accepted the donation of Richard Brubaker's sculpture, Sunrise, Sunset, on behalf of the city.  The birthday party in Mayo Park began immediately after the sculpture tour with music, cake and a variety of activities for the whole family.

This project couldn't have happened without some major partners including the Mike Nigbur and the Rochester Parks Department, We Bike Rochester, RNeighbors, and many private donors,  not to mention the hours of work and energy given by Mary Ellen Landwehr and her whole Art4Trails committee. Sincere thanks to one and all!

Treecycle by Joshua Schroeder

Flathead by Andrew Arend

Thanks to Slatterly Park neighbors for their support via RNeighbors

Bags of leaves by Chris Delisle and Christ Dahl

Sunrise, Sunset by Richard Brubaker, welcomed by Mayor Brede

Heron with Pumpkin Seed (fish) by Judd Nelson

Plus - if you haven't caught up with the new RTown talk show produced in Rochester by the folks at KSMQ Public television, their next run of shows will begin shortly and we hear it will include a segment on Art4Trails. We'll let you know when that is scheduled to air!

Senior Center/Armory proposal for an arts and cultural center

The city council has approached the Spaces team in their new incarnation as Arts and Cultural Initiative (ACI) to prepare a presentation to the Committee of the Whole on an upcoming Monday in July. We don't have the date yet, but we will be sure to post it when we do because 1) we would love all our backers and committed parties to be there to show their support for the proposal and 2) it's another opportunity for you to hear and learn about the project in case you've not yet had the chance. So look for a date/time announcement when it has been set.

It's summer so here are a few things going on next month:

Bookbike at the Honkers game
Sunday, July 10 at 12:00pm to 1:30pm,
Mayo Field
Walk or bike to the Honkers game to receive free admission from We Bike Rochester. Visit the award-winning BookBike to check out books, get a library card, or share stories and ideas!


PrideFest
July 14 - 17
Rochester annual LGBT celebration culminates with a festival on Sunday at the Peace Plaza from 11am - 4:30pm. Stop by the Diversity Council's booth and say hello! More details
​

World Music: Krar Collective
Thursday, July 21, 7pm
Peace Plaza Stage
Thursdays on First presents this Ethiopian band playing traditional instruments with an energetic modern groove.
​
But there is so much much more out there for everyone.  Bookmark one of the many event calendars, including at the Diversity Council website, and try something new!

Some impressions from MCC public comment meeting

There was a public comment meeting about the proposed Non-profit/Charitable Facility Use Discount Policy, hosted by the Mayo Civic Center Commission task force which developed the policy.  Donna Drews was also on the panel. The goals in developing the policy were threefold: keep the "civic" in Mayo Civic Center; provide a uniform, transparent, efficient process for all potential users; assist the Rochester Convention and Visitors Bureau in their work of marketing the facility.

While lightly attended, several people did make comments or ask questions. Following is a brief, informal summary for general information:

• The importance of making the MCC available to local, not only touring, groups was stressed, as well as the importance of supporting the growth of local arts and cultural organizations, and honoring local reservations, even when a bigger option comes along, was highly encouraged. 
• A clarification was sought about whether the discount applied to current rates or whether rates would be increased so that even with the discount, the cost remained prohibitive. Task force members did not have specifics about rates, but it seemed a general consensus from the panel that rates on rooms in the policy (which excludes the new construction) would not change substantially.  It was later remarked from the audience that even with the discounts on performing spaces such as Presentation Hall, other options, such as schools or churches are still much more affordable.
• The fact that many small organizations, arts or cultural, don't have any budget or even official 501c3 status was brought up, and attendees were directed to Section 6 of the policy which indicates the option of applying for greater discounts.  The task force members also referenced their own research into other meeting place options, such as is available in the public library, at the new senior center (125 Live), and other locations in Rochester. These are often offered at an hourly rate that most non-profits can afford.
• City entities, such as the Rochester Public Library and the Civic Music Board, are in an unusual position in that they are not 501c3 organizations and have certain restrictions because of their status as part of the city. The task force is aware of this conundrum, and this will be something that will be kept under consideration.
• The assembly was reminded that the Rochester Area Foundation can work with new or emerging non-profits, whether through RAF acting as fiscal agent, providing affordable meeting rooms, or by making available their new incubator spaces.
• Previous MCC users sought clarification on how "legacy" activities may be affected by the new policy as far as the discount, lead time for reservations and holiday use. It was pointed out to the panel as well that catering rules, as in Section 5, are a challenge for non-profits and their budgets.
• While not necessarily a part of this policy, the idea of a city-wide, aggregated calendar of non-profit fundraisers, events, performances, was brought up and met with enthusiasm by the panel, although the MCC commission would not be in the position to be able to coordinate such a project.

The comments and questions will be brought by the task force to the next regular meeting of the Mayo Civic Center Commission, which will be Wednesday, June 8, 3:00-5:00 pm in the Riverside Suites of the MCC. This is a public, open meeting and there will be, as usual, a public comment period at the top of the agenda at 3:00 pm.