08-30-16 Personnel and Finance - Laserfiche WebLink

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Ms. Visser stated that the museum has been doing public art throughout the community for a while. We did the sculpture at the airport project for many years. We are now doing the sightlines exhibition at the Century Center, so there will be sculptures outside as well as inside. An affordable way to do public art is through loans rather than actually purchasing it. There are a number of different options that can be discussed as this gets closer. Councilmember Jo M. Broden asked about the collaboration with South Bend Community Schools. She asked if there is any participation from the public on boards or within our program with SBCS. Ms. Visser stated there are two (2) representatives from South Bend School Board on the Museum's Board. Councilmember Broden asked if there is anything more and if there are any collaborative arrangements, cross funding, or support from within the schools themselves. Ms. Visser stated we've done a number of teacher workshops. We did a blog specifically for teachers for a long period of time. That blog actually recently died, so the blog is not live at the moment. Primarily, it's the program through which we bring the students onsite, and we offer them not only tours but also hands -on work as well. We're always open to additional programs as well. Councilmember Broden stated Ms. Visser mentioned that $65,000 underwrites occupancy at the Century Center, and that it has been a long standing arrangement. She asked long has that been in existence, and has it increased or decreased. Ms. Visser stated that she is just going into her third (3rd) year with the museum, and it has been in place since before that time. She believes it was around $36,000 when she came in 1999. There is an agreement by which the amount that the City gives to us is equal to the amount that the Century Center charges us for occupancy, so it has fluctuated from time to time. When we were receiving $36,000, Century Center was receiving $36,000. It was Century Center that requested the increase. Aaron Perri, Director of Parks, stated that the amount has been the same for at least the last nine (9) years since he has been here. Ms. Visser stated that it has probably been that way for closer to fifteen (15) years. Councilmember Tim Scott stated it would be interesting to look at the metrics right now going into 2017, looking at street changes, we're all interconnected. The changes at the Century Center, changes with the hotels that will come up in 2017 and 2018 and what that does for the Museum. Councilmember Scott expressed appreciation for where the Museum is as part of our tourism package. It makes a lot of sense for you to be connected to the Century Center. It will be interesting to see how things change as far as exposure to people coming to our town and participation.