Rochester Arts and Culture Collaborative April 2015

Things are moving quickly in Rochester on many fronts, including arts and culture, indicating the time was ripe for the formation of a body such as RACC.  The Collaborative strives to offer a conduit for the voices of this varied community to come together and speak in a unified voice, and it is making a difference!

Some examples since the birth of RACC last September:

• The Policy team has in the last week begun the process of developing a relationship with the Greater Rochester Arts and Cultural Trust. Until recently, the Trust has been spending time out of the public eye developing their own vision to meet their own mission statement, and they are now bringing forth their first initiative: a Public Art Master Plan, beginning with a study conducted by an outside consultant.  In a recent meeting the RACC steering committee had with Brad Jones, Chair of the Trust Board, the Collaborative learned of this effort, and a conversation with our Policy team and members of the Trust has begun in order to formulate ways the Trust can collaborate and connect through this initiative and beyond with members of the Collaborative and the wider Rochester community.  A first priority is to ensure an open and inclusive process in crafting this Public Art Master Plan, a plan which has implications for the entire city of Rochester as it grows in size and vitality. Further details and opportunities for input coming in a follow-up post.

• When the news hit of the potential purchase of the Chateau Theater, the Spaces team, because of work already done, was prepared with a document to share with interested parties, including DMC and the City Council – a document that pulled together visions of creative uses for the space. A similar document is well underway for proposed uses of the current Senior Center (aka the Armory) as an Arts and Cultural Center.

• The Public Art/Programming team hit the ground running last fall with an idea for activating the bike trails with art, and it has brought together a group of  collaborators including We Bike Rochester, the RDA, and the organizers of ArtBlitz.  The team is still hopeful this will be unveiled the summer of 2016.

• The Communication team and the Finance team are also going about their business of assaying needs and developing processes that artists and arts and culture organizations can access to their advantage.

The constant refrain of  “the arts community doesn’t get along” was the impetus for Audrey Betcher to call people together last summer to brainstorm how to dispel that myth and also to facilitate communication. From that quickly grew a dedicated cohort and since then many passionate and committed people have come forward to join in what has become the Rochester Arts and Culture Collaborative.  All are welcome and encouraged to be a part of this journey. Connect with RACC through Facebook, Twitter, or email and add your voice to the conversation!

Rochester Arts and Culture Collaborative March 2015

Team updates:

Spaces (Steve Troutman/Debi Neville):

The spaces needs inventory, while ongoing, is transitioning to talking to artists and arts and culture organizations in a preliminary fashion specifically about how they may see themselves in the proposed arts and culture center as a future use of the Senior Center.  The city council has initiated a new process for individual and organizations to indicate interest in using city owned buildings such as the Silver Lake fire station, the Armory/Senior Center (to be vacated in 2016) and the new addition of the Chateau Theatre (assuming the purchase is approved on April 6).  The spaces team has a goal of being prepared to participate in that process as soon as it officially opens. 

In advance of the Post Bulletin Dialogue event about the Chateau Theatre on March 19, Steve Troutman sent Jay Furst Spaces brainstorming ideas about the Chateau and members of RACC also were present and spoke about the positive implications for arts and culture in town that could come from this historic purchase.  Members of the collaborative were also quoted in a Star Tribune article published Sunday, March 22.  

Public Art/Programming team:

Mary Ellen Landwehr reported on the status of Art4Trails. After the most recent meetings, the team has changed their approach to a smaller concept. Joined by Kelly Corbin of Bikes for Rochester, spaces along the bike trails will be selected to be filled with various installations of local art. Goals include activating these spaces with this art and, when/where appropriate, with special programming, at the same time encouraging area residents to get out and use the bike trails.  Possible future collaboration in this with the Rochester Art Center is being investigated.  This team's next meeting is April 13.

Public Policy:

Policy team is meeting the week of March 22; One upcoming focus will be on the Minnesota Citizens for the Arts CreativeMN.org report on the economic impact of the arts locally and statewide.

Dave Beal also encourages all artists and organizations to attend the April 6 City Council meeting to thank the council and offer support for their foresight in going ahead with the Chateau purchase. Artists and orgs coming together with this one message will help demonstrate the need and excitement for city support for arts and culture.

As always, please reach out if you want to be involved with any of these teams. All are open to any one interested.

Chateau Theatre and Spaces team presentation

With the proposed city purchase of the Chateau Theater, conversations about its future use have exploded! RACC started this discussion earlier this winter and here is a summary of the Spaces team work thus far:

Spaces Committee
Chateau Brainstorm Report

Prepared for the Spaces Committee by:
Stephen Troutman
March 18, 2014

Rochester Arts & Cultural Collaborative:

Aspirational Statement
Rochester Arts and Cultural Collaborative acronym is RACC.
• RACC was formed, as a grass roots effort, from a confluence of community initiatives and events.
• Our aspirational statement clarifies our vision of a unified arts and cultural community.
RACC Aspirational Statement:
"Rochester will be a vibrant, active, diverse, and inclusive arts and cultural community for all. Local artists and arts and cultural organizations will be supported by each other and the broader
community as a vital resource for the community's health and growth."

Rochester Arts and Cultural Collaborative: Spaces Committee

The RACC Spaces Committee is quite literally interested in all types of “spaces” for any arts, arts related, or cultural activity:

 The focus on facilities includes:
• Art making, rehearsal, studio, practice, etc.
• Performance, exhibition, gallery, etc.
• Events, fundraisers, ceremonies, etc.
• Cultural gathering, celebration, sharing, etc.
• Office, meeting, administration, storage, etc.

 The Spaces team is currently focused on:
• The Senior Center/Armory
• The Chateau Theater
• Performing Arts and More
• Spaces NOW

RACC Spaces Survey Results: Space Needs

Across all respondents over 40% stating a need for:
Meeting spaces
Performance spaces
Rehearsal spaces
Event/rental spaces

A commercial kitchen, a very specific need, was listed by 8% of the respondents

8% mentioned a storage space need, which was not in the survey options, but showed up in write-in comments.

Status: Chateau Building

The Chateau building is vacant
 The DMCC Board members have made it clear:

• The Chateau as an important arts asset for Rochester.

The RACC Spaces Committee has already started a project:

•  “to investigate and propose uses for the Chateau.”

The City of Rochester has declared their intention to buy the Chateau, with additional funding from the Mayo Clinic

Spaces Committee: Chateau Sub-Committee Brainstorm

The Spaces Committee solicited members to form a Chateau Sub-Committee.
The sub-committee was formed and a meeting held on February
20th, 2015.  The purpose of this meeting was to:
• Brainstorm potential uses for the Chateau.
• Identify issues and concerns.
• Lead to developing a proposal for the Chateau.
• This meeting was scheduled and held long before any
announcements regarding the Chateau building.
• This early start was in accordance with the RACC’s goal to
be proactive in our approach.

Usage: Mixed use theater / gathering place
• Films - Independent and international films
• Music – individuals, bands, orchestras, chorales, etc.
• Performance – dance, poetry, etc.
• Theater – live plays
• Education – patient & adult enrichment
• Presentations – business & arts
• Events - Community and cultural

Usage: Commercial destination
• Snack bar / coffee shop
• Activate seating outside the theater
• Retail space
• Rochester unique merchandise

Usage: Information center
• Visitor kiosks
• Calendar of daily events
• Videos
• Visitor center
• Mayo visitor info
• Rochester visitor info
• Mayo museum (satellite)
• Changing displays

Our Concept: Always something going on
 “Round-the-clock” programming ;
• Continuous activities all day long
• Rapid reconfiguration between events
• Modular infrastructure
 Multi-use gathering place ;
• Information
• Entertainment from film to performance to education and more
• Food and shopping
 Targeted at multiple audiences:
• Mayo patients
• Mayo employees
• Rochester residents
• Rochester visitors

Spaces Chateau Sub-Committee: Brainstorm Thinking Big!

Include the Chateau as part of a larger performing arts complex

Chateau as adjunct:
• Could operate as part of the larger complex
• or standalone

Performing Arts Center:
• Much larger footprint
• Performance hall
• State of the art acoustics
• Rehearsal rooms
• Practice rooms
• Admin spaces

Complex location ;
• On Wells Fargo site
• Or over the river

Spaces Chateau Sub-Committee: Chateau Partnership Ideas

Partnerships to be investigated:

Performing Arts (local)
• Theater
• Music
• Film
• Dance

Educational orgs
• UMR
• RCTC
• Mayo Clinic
• RSD
• etc.

Cultural groups
• Indigenous people
• Ethnic communities

Others seeking space
• McPhail
• Children’s Museum
• Veteran’s Museum

Business & Community
• RDA
• RAEDI

Spaces Chateau Sub-Committee: Chateau Issues to be Considered

Issues to be considered:
• Who will manage the Chateau?
• How will operations be funded?
• How will remodeling be funded?
• What about parking and accessibility?

One major concern, during the Brainstorm, “Who will buy and own the Chateau?” has been resolved.  The recent announcements from the City of Rochester and the Mayo Clinic have eliminated this  issue.

RACC Community Forum March 2 Recap

There was a great community meeting this past Monday. Thank you for coming out for it! We were especially pleased to see so many new people interested in what is happening with arts and culture in Rochester through the facilitation of members of the Collaborative.  If you were not able to be there, here is the team activity presentation that was shared with those present.

If you didn't indicate it on the sign-in sheet, or you were not at the meeting, we would very much like to know what team you would like to work with. If you did indicate on the sign-up sheet, your information has been passed on the team leaders and you should be hearing from them soon. Right now, the main teams are

• Programming and Public Art
•  current focus: Art4Trails 2016

• Spaces, 
• current focus: potential Arts and Culture Center proposal for the Senior Center/Armory building; arts/culture needs inventory; Chateau Theatre possibilities

• Policy, 
• current focus: learning about existing and future policies both from the City and DMCC/EDA.  

Teams are not limited to these three. If you have a passion and vision for other projects, let us know! Use the email address raccnews@gmail.com and you will be connected.

And if you didn't see it in the Post Bulletin the next day, there was a nice article about the meeting. We want to keep the community informed about the activities of the Collaborative because all are welcome to participate. Keep sharing and spreading the word!

Save the Date! Community Update on RACC March 2

Please mark your calendars and spread the word about  the next community  meeting to share the latest news about RACC projects with the general public. It will be Monday, March 2, 6:30- 7:30 pm in the auditorium of the Rochester public library. See you there!

Rochester Arts and Culture Collaborative January 2015

Happy new year! Here is the latest RACC team update. This is news for you and you are invited to participate and share as much or as little as you choose. If you are interested in joining a team and working with other like-minded volunteers, email raccnews@gmail.com and you will get connected. 

Committee reports:

Spaces - Debi Neville and Stephen Troutman co-leads

            Debi Neville’s sub-team working on the repurposing of the Senior Center into an Arts and Culture Community Center (or whatever the best use turns out to be) is focusing primarily on these four steps:

1. complete the space needs inventory that’s been sent out – if you haven’t yet had the opportunity to complete this survey, please do so! This is the surveymonkey link.
2. complete the financial picture as far as possible, both for the facility as a whole and also for potential users – what their costs to be in the space may be
3. connect by phone or face-to-face with cultural groups and associations – find out needs and update them on this project. Debi needs assistance with this large task, so please contact her  if you have would like to help make these connections.  There is no art without culture!
4. Develop a timeline for a proposal, which should be contain a comprehensive vision and business plan, although it would not be necessary to have every detail finalized.

At least one other group in town has put together quite a comprehensive proposal that they intend to put forward to the city council and so this is a very important next step. John Hunziker has agreed to help with the Senior Center project, especially as we start to navigate the city’s political process. 

         

           The other Spaces sub-team, led by Stephen Troutman and primarily tasked with the bigger picture on Spaces, both existing and conceptual, met with Heidi Mestad recently to get more information about the status of the Chateau. There is no solid news except that space has been carved out in the DMC plan “Heart of the City” for the Chateau so we (or any group) are encouraged to bring something forward.  Similar to the Senior Center, ideas must be brought to the city from interested parties if the Chateau is to be preserved.

Supporting Systems - Anne Black-Sinak and Dave Beal co-leads

            The Supporting Systems team is splitting into two separate teams: Public Policy (co-lead Dave Beal) and Communications (co-lead Anne Black-Sinak).  This is a natural outcome from the first large public forum where participants concerns fell roughly under one of those two headings. Please contact Anne or Dave if you are interested in joining one of these two new teams.

Public policy team will focus on policy proposals for and from DMCC, holding the City Council responsible for adhering to current policies and helping develop new ones, and also will work on making connections with incoming developers, vis a vis arts and culture policies related to their projects and the overall city and DMC master plans.

Communication team will focus on communication within the arts and culture community – connect artists and orgs with each other, with projects, with information, with funding sources, etc.

Programming and Public Art –  Mary Ellen Landwehr and Tom Erickson co-leads.

            At the team’s last meeting they were joined by Jenna Bowman, Executive Director of RDA, who shared with them information about RDA’s upcoming Sculpture Tour (of public art in the downtown zone), starting in April.  She thinks RDA could be a potential partner for this team’s Art4Trails project (in 2016), possibly helping with marketing.  Bobby Marines indicated that he would be very interested in tying this event into his 2016 Artz Blitz – either as a kickoff to the tour, or the finale, or in some other way yet to be thought of.

            As the team goes deeper into their planning for their Arts4Trails project, they are researching various ways to handle logistics: transportation, installation, and protection of the art pieces are all major tasks with accompanying costs.

            This team’s next meeting is Feb 2, 6 pm, at the library. 

Finance –Bobby Marines, co-lead

            Bobby Marines has agreed to serve as co-lead of the Finance team. He is hoping to get to all the team meetings and learn about what their financial needs are and how the Finance team and RACC in general can assist. For example, RACC or the Finance team could host a session with staff from SEMAC about regional and state art grants.

RACC steering committee - Audrey Betcher and Annie Henderson, co-leads

          The monthly meeting, facilitated by Elaine Case, was held on Tuesday, Jan 20, 2015 for team leads to update each other about these various projects (information then presented in this newsletter). Minutes are also available upon request. 

All team meetings are open to any and all interested persons, so please contact raccnews@gmail.com (or a co-lead) for information on time and place. Also, find us on facebook at www.facebook.com/rochesterartsandculturecollaborative and on twitter @RACCMN Help us help others learn about RACC to get informed and involved.

Rochester Arts and Culture Collaborative December 2014

It's been a busy fall for the various communities within RACC and much exciting work is going on. This is news for you and you are invited to participate and share as much or as little as you choose.  If you are interested in joining a team and working with other like-minded volunteers, email raccnews@gmail.com and you will get connected!

Supporting Systems Team  - co-leads Anne Black-Sinak and Dave Beal

• Nate Langworthy is working on the Creative Directory on ReVerb.MN website with the goal of including all area “creatives”  - artists and arts organizations (so be sure to check it out!)

• Dave noted that the city budget just voted on does include funding for the arts but with still a shortfall, he is not sure what that funding will entail completely

• Next meeting is Thursday, 12/18

Spaces Team - co-leads Stephen Troutman and Debi Neville

• The team has had two meetings and set an initial goal of completing a complete needs survey (as far as spaces go) of arts and arts orgs.  There is some good representation there, but they are hoping to get better representation of cultural  groups as well.

• Debi Neville is heading up the sub-team working on developing a proposal for the Armory/Senior Center. She has toured the Armory herself and with a group of 6 other team members and has been researching the finances and current uses of the building. Debi has widely distributed a needs survey as a Word document, and has received almost 2 dozen reponses. The survey will also be created in Survey Monkey form for even wider dissemination. 

• There are other entities who may be interested in the space so it is important that a unified arts and culture voice is presented to the public.  Stephen Troutman is working on putting together a Spaces vision document that can be used when team members speak to City Council and other policy makers and influencers. The hope is that these conversations can begin soon

• The Spaces team will meet again after the first of the year.

Programming and Public Art Team - co-leads Mary Ellen Landwehr, Jon Allen, Tom Erickson

• The committee has been meeting regularly and has come up with rough draft of a public art experience. This would be a 3-4 month sculpture tour/exhibit spread out along all of Rochester’s bike trails so that trail users of all types can encounter art any- and every-where along the trail. To highlight the tour and give exposure to the various locations, the team hopes to program different performance experiences around the sculptures, including some one-day multi-media “spectacles”. Jon has begun talking with the Parks and Rec department and the initial response was positive.        

• The team is focusing now on the timeline for having the event in place by summer of 2016, contacting potential collaborators, and lining up funding sources, whether corporate sponsorship or grants through SEMAC and the Legacy funding. They are looking at developing a mobile app that could accompany the tour, and Anthony Rostvold is designing a graphic element that would be the brand or identifier of the event.

• They plan to keep meeting about every other week and welcome any interested parties to be a part of the team.

Finance Team - co-leads Marv Mitchell and Bobby Marines

• This team's emphasis from a financial perspective is that teams need to always be ready to tell potential partners and funders what value their project will add – economically, especially, but also in terms of attracting more people, more interest, more activity.

RACC Steering Committee updates - co-leads Audrey Betcher and Annie Henderson; Elaine Case, facilitator

• Elaine Case, Audrey Betcher and Annie Henderson will be developing a plan of communication/cooperation with the Greater Rochester Arts and Cultural Trust board. Ellen Huston, a member of the Spaces team as well as a Trust board member, has agreed to be liaison between the two organizations.

•  Audrey Betcher has been meeting with city/county planners about the city Master Plan, which will soon be shared with the community in ways they can offer feedback to the city planners. She was asked to tweak the Arts category of feedback, so she’ll be bringing a recommendation that the two Arts bullet points for their process be  a) build arts/cultural spaces and b) invest in public art.

•  As the DMC master plan is now public, team members  and all interested arts and culture advocates are requested to look at it carefully and report any red flags to Audrey so she can make that a part of her feedback.