Annual Report to Chapel Hill Town Council

January 1999 – January 2000

Presented by Co-Chairs Linda Cocchetto and Joan Page

In accordance with the By-laws the following is an annual report of the activities of CHPAC during the past year. Eighteen members formed several working committees (see attachment A) in order to meet CHPAC’s goals and objectives. Meetings are routinely held on the 3^rd Wednesday evening of each month at Town Hall.

Mission: Enhance and enliven our community through the display of art in public spaces.

To encourage the development of public art:

· Guidelines and requirements for applying for an art exhibit at Town Hall and the Library were more clearly defined and incorporated into a Call for Artists brochure which was distributed in a mass mailing in order to obtain art for display.

· Plans are progressing in the cooperative venture with the Parks & Recreation Department and UNC-CH to include a sculpture show for Apple Chill 2000 on April 29 and 30, 2000. Area and regional sculptors will be invited to display and sell their works of art on McCorkle Place. CHPAC has received a $900 matching grant for this initiative from the Orange County Arts Commission.

· Jimmie Haynes and Barbara Barnes are representing CHPAC on the Parks and Recreation Department’s Pritchard Park Development Committee. CHPAC supports the development of a sculpture garden on a portion of the site. CHPAC would also like to identify other areas in the park that could be enhanced with sculpture.

· UNC-CH undergraduate students under the supervision of Jim Hirschfield, Director of Graduate Studies, are researching and developing a Master Plan for public art in Chapel Hill. The students attend CHPAC’s monthly meetings. They will present a plan to CHPAC in the spring of 2000.

· The Goals & Objectives Committee is working on updating CHPAC’s operational plans. They will be presenting their report in the spring of 2000.

To provide venues for local artists:

· CHPAC purchased two new display cases with a matching grant ($1500) from the Orange County Arts Commission and positioned them at Town Hall for the display of three dimensional artworks.

· During 1999, six art shows were held at Town Hall featuring 23 artists, and four exhibits were held at the Library featuring 11 artists (see attachment B).

· As a result of the Call for Artists brochure, CHPAC received applications from 28 artists or art groups resulting in 300 slides to review and evaluate in order to select exhibits for 2000.

To promote public appreciation, education, participation and support of the arts:

· For each exhibit at Town Hall and the Library, press releases and photographs of the artists’ works have been sent to the media outlets.

· Postcards announcing the exhibits are mailed prior to each show’s opening.

· Opening receptions are held for each exhibit. The exhibiting artists are available to meet the public and discuss their work.

· Program notes on each exhibit are made available to the public.

· Developed official logo and informational brochure on CHPAC activities.

To continue the viability of CHPAC as an effective, efficient and representative commission:

· The By-laws, Gift and Conflict of Interest policies were revised and updated as of

April 1999.

· Requested and received funding from the town for staff support services ($7000).

· Implemented and completed successful fundraising project through a fundraising letter and personal contact with potential supporters of public art. From this project, $4500 was raised.

· CHPAC is in the process of setting up a separate 501c3, non-profit fundraising organization.

· A grant was submitted in October 1999 to the NC Department of Cultural Resources requesting funds to commission a hanging mobile for the atrium of the Chapel Hill Public Library.

To serve in an advisory capacity to the town on art related issues:

· CHPAC helped the town develop and disseminate a prospectus for a commissioned work of art for the atrium area in Town Hall. CHPAC’s staff person helped guide the process through the various stages. Eighteen applicants responded to the prospectus and three finalists have been selected. The commission will be awarded in February 2000.

· CHPAC acknowledged at a public hearing (October 20, 1999) its strong support for the Comprehensive Plan Work Group’s recommendation to the town to adopt a percent for art program. CHPAC requested that the percent for art program be implemented in the short-term (0-2years).

To ensure that all activities of CHPAC are reflective of the diversity of the Chapel Hill community:

· CHPAC solicited and recommended that several people be appointed to the commission in order to diversify its membership.