Dane County

Minutes - Final Unless Amended by

Committee

Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission Executive Committee

Friday, February 14, 2025

8:30 AM

Hybrid Meeting: Attend in person at the City County

Building in Room 209; attend virtually via Zoom.

A. Call To Order

Present: Chair Ritcherson, Vice Chair Puleo Moyer, Commissioner Miquelon,

Commissioner Klehr

Excused: Supervisor Rose

Call to order at 8:01 a.m.

4 -

Present

Chair RODERICK RITCHERSON, MARY KLEHR, MARCIA MIQUELON, and FRAN

PULEO MOYER

1 - Supervisor RICK ROSE

Excused

B. Consideration of Minutes

[MINUTES FROM THE 11/15/2024 ARTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING]

1. 2024

MIN-424

Attachments: 2024 MIN-424

A motion was made by Commissioner Klehr to approve the November 11th, 2025

Executive Committee minutes, seconded by Puleo Moyer.

The motion was carried unanimously by a voice vote.

2. Approve January 15, 2025, commission minutes for recommendation to full commission

A motion was made by Vice Chair Puleo Moyer to recommend the January 15th

2025 commission minutes for approval by the full commission, seconded by

Klehr.

The motion was carried unanimously by a voice vote.

C. Plans/Priorities for 2025

1. Overall department

Chair Ritcherson would like the Dane Arts staff, Commission, and individual areas of

focus to align with Dane Arts’ overall goals and initiatives.

2. Overall commission

3. Areas of Focus

Dane Arts primary goals will be outlined during the February meeting and discussed in

detail during the March 19h commission meeting.

Individual areas of focus will be outlined during the February meeting and reported in

detail during the March 19th commission meeting.

D. Update on Friends of Dane Arts

- Chair Ritcherson noted that initial board members for Friends of Dane Arts Inc. have

been secured.

- The Friends group will meet twice per year, aligning with the Dane Arts grant application

cycle.

E. Update of Funds Development

- Commissioner Handy is resigning from the Dane Arts commission and Fund

Development area of focus as his term ends in June 2025.

- Commissioners are encouraged to brainstorm contacts for potential commissioners with

fund development leadership skills and experience.

F. Expiring Commissioner Terms

Commissioner Garrett and Commissioner Yudice both have terms expiring in 2025. Both

commissioners agreed to renew their terms for another three years.

G. Grant Decision Making Philosophy Discussion

- Commissioner McKinney is leading an initiative to reach out to various municipalities in

Dane County with the goal of building an awareness of Dane Arts and garnering support

for an employee giving program.

- Commissioner Miquelon offered to champion Mazomanie for this initiative.

- Initially, three County supervisors around Dane County will be contacted for initial

outreach coordination: Mazomanie, Waunakee and Sun Prairie. (Rick)

- A list of arts organizations will be compiled for focus group sessions to learn about the

current impact of Dane Arts as well as recommendations for future directions.

- Vice Chair Puleo Moyer and Director Fraire will compile a presentation as part of the

Dane Arts awareness campaign.

- The concept of implementing a “Dane Arts Roadshow” was discussed pending future

additional funding.

H. 2025 First Quarter Dane Arts Sponsored Events

- Upcoming Dane Arts supported events will be discussed during the February 19th

commission meeting.

- Commissioner Klehr would like to offer a short survey during the February commission

meeting to learn more about what inhibits/facilitates commissioner event attendance. A

discussion about the current event sign-up process will also be discussed.

- After feedback is gathered, the Executive Committee will consider instituting a

minimum event attendance requirement.

- Other Dane Arts supported events (outside of the grant cycle) or relevant networking

events will be added to the commissioner event calendar.

- Commissioner Klehr suggested engaging Dane Arts ambassadors beyond

commissioners to conduct site visits to awarded organizations.

I. Executive Director’s Repoprt

1. 2025 cycle one grants pool update, preliminary budget.

- 80 eligible project grant applications were received in 2025 cycle 1

- 2025 Cycle 1 marks the implementation of a new application form.

- Six review panels have been scheduled and applications will be divided based on

project budget size.

- The 2025 grant budget remains the same as previous years and will be outlined during

the next commission meeting.

2. Budget request update

Director Fraire will engage in a budget request in May when the next county budget cycle

process begins.

3. 2025+ budget challenges

- In 2027, Dane arts plans to increase fundraising activities during the office’s 50th

anniversary.

- Director Fraire is focused on conserving remaining Lussier funds to last beyond 2028.

4. Other

- 2025 Forward Madison posters are to be determined as artist payment is still in

negotiation for an increased honorarium.

- Dana Maya has been selected as the next StartingBlock Madison Artist in Residence.

- Dane Arts is working with StartingBlock Madison and Arts & Literature Laboratory to

develop a yearlong business development opportunity for a cohort of 25 artists.

- In 2025, Dane Arts will engage in more activities related to other county departments,

starting with the Parks Department

J. Future Meeting Items and Dates

1. Develop February 2025, Commission Agenda:

-Roll call, establish quorum

-Approve January 15, 2025 meeting minutes (action item)

-Presentation group: Bolz Center for Arts Administration

-Overall, 2025 goals/initiatives (department, commission)

-Area of Focus Goals

-Discussion Overview of Grant Decision Making Philosophy

-2025 Dane Arts Calendar of Events

2. Other

Commissioners are asked to attend the Dane Arts Business of Art Conference April 24 –

26, with a focus on self-care as well as business.

K. Public Comment on Items not on the Agenda

None.

L. Such Other Business as Allowed by Law

None.

M. Adjourn

A motion was made by Vice Chair Puleo Moyer.

Meeting adjourned at 9:27 a.m.