A communication from Councillor Mallon, transmitting notes of the meeting of the Mayor's Arts Task Force

Members of the public in attendance were: Kristen Wainwright, Rick Harranan, Liz Walker, Rich McKinnon, Melissa LaVita, Tina Snyder, Michelle Lower, and Sal Zinno. Materials related to this meeting are attached. Councillor Mallon called the meeting to order at 5:39PM. She thanked everyone for coming last month and participating in the Discovering Bias training. It’s important to recognize inherent, structural, and institutional biases as we try to support artists.

She stated that the tools we learned from Malia Lazu’s meeting should be brought into all of our meetings when we talk about these comprehensive policies. Councillor Mallon asked that task force members take a few seconds to remember where we were with her when we were at a place of real truth and honesty. The task force also has its goals displayed on the board from last meeting when Ms. Lazu asked each task force member to describe their goals in one word.

Councillor Mallon asked everyone to think about their words and the words of other task force members. Councillor Mallon stated that this is our first policy-focused meeting and this is a good time to talk about funding since the City is preparing for the 2020 fiscal year. We should ask ourselves the following questions: what is our goal around art? What diversity outcomes do we want? What are our values around diversity? She stated that it’s fine to have values but we need the funding behind them.

Councillor Mallon described tonight’s break out groups that task force members could select from: 1) Increasing City investment in the arts via revenue and budget 2) Reimagining the City’s 1% for art program 3) Exploring public/private partnerships, including starting a private percent for art program Councillor Mallon explained that several representatives from development groups were in attendance to observe the conversation in break out group #3, and listen to the arts community’s needs.

She stated that this would be a conversation for developers to connect to the arts community and find out how they can contribute to it. Arts Task Force members split up into break out groups for approximately 45 minutes to discuss their respective topics. Each group chose a member to report back to the entire Task Force. Group #3: Exploring public/private partnerships, including starting a private percent for art program, presented first and Ms. Snyder was the presenter.

The group talking about the following main points: MIT is trying to figure out how to put more money into its commercial developments to support the arts The Cambridge Crossing market is asking what is the best way to collaborate with cities and local artists? How do developers find local artists? Many have been working with the Community Arts Center, but would like ways to expand their network. What are the easy ways to find local artists?

Is there a form of communication where developers can easily find people to collaborate with? Programming: how do sites continue the story after hosting just one event? There is a goal of making art continuous and consistent Mechanisms to acknowledge the fact that zoning mitigation is a vehicle to encourage or require developers to support artists. Ms. Latino added that there is a reality of trying to make things easy for developers, and how do we integrate arts early on?

There is a conflict between short and long term goals. Ms. Snyder added that developers are often thinking about permitting and getting projects going, so how do we get arts in early and in an authentic way? We need to think about the value that art will add to a place and make the process more holistic. Ms. Gallop stated that she wanted MIT to be working towards creating art that is authentic and actually a part of the community. Ms.

Snyder stated that developers seeking artists cannot just rely on personal networks. Mr. DiMuro asked that we expand the definition of art and keep it wider to include mediums besides visual art. He stated that he is paid as a consultant to in communities across the country to help find artists, but is not usually asked to participate in the process in Cambridge. He stated that he is here and artists are developers’ best tool in planning and are eager to help from the outset. Ms.

Snyder stated that we need to think about artists when programming. Mr. De Celis asked if future structured programming around arts and development would be helpful. he stated that a requirement might make the investment in the arts easier for developers, because then they are just required to do it. Mr. De Celis also asked about owner buy-in and what affect this has. Owners of properties need to be brought on to all of these aspects. Ms.

Pradhan stated that constant programming needs to be prioritized, and that visual artists are always present but other mediums take upkeep. Councillor Mallon asked Ms. Lower about the ordinance in San Francisco. Ms. Lower responded that Alexandria has offices in San Francisco, where developers are required to contribute 1% of the hard costs of construction to the arts, and that it’s amazing what they’ve been able to do.

It’s a very formal process that involves a committee that reviews proposals and presentations within the City and development side. She stated that it was an interesting model and seems as though it’s successful. Mr. DiMuro affirmed that many dancers in the City of San Francisco literally live on this money and it’s a game changer for them. Ms. Lower said that for developers in San Francisco there are two options: you can sponsor a physical manifestation of art or you can pay into a fund which is more flexible. Ms.

Gallop stated that commercial properties at MIT are voluntary but they usually opt-in, however they don’t often use local artists. MIT tends to work with the architects to figure out the artist, which may not be the right process. She stated that they want to work on this more. Mr. Zinno stated that real estate is cyclical, so we need to be aware of droughts and how that could impact artist funding. Group #1: Increasing City investment in the arts via revenue and budget presented second and Ms.

Sherman was the presenter. The group talked about the following main points: There are many revenue streams the City has that are not designated yet, such as Air BnB and recreational marijuana taxes There is a fund for developers who don’t meet parking requirements for their projects. What is the relationship between this and the Central Square Improvement Fund that’s mentioned in the Central Square Restoration Petition?

Can we formalize this process to make sure the improvement fund is set up and money is disbursed to artists in the cultural district? A percentage of arts revenue from larger arts organizations should go to local or smaller artists or organizations There are several ways that the City can facilitate indirect support of artists as well Can we create a Find it Cambridge-like platform for art and artists?