Dane County  
Minutes - Final Unless Amended by  
Committee  
Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission Executive Committee  
Consider:  
Who benefits? Who is burdened?  
Who does not have a voice at the table?  
How can policymakers mitigate unintended consequences?  
Friday, May 13, 2022  
8:00 AM  
See top of Agenda for virtual meeting log in details  
A. Call To Order  
Call to order at 8:02 a.m.  
Staff: Mark Fraire, Augusta Brulla  
5 -  
Present  
Chair RODERICK RITCHERSON, MARY KLEHR, STEVEN MORGAN, YOGESH  
CHAWLA, and MARCIA MIQUELON  
B. Consideration of Minutes  
1. 2022  
MIN-034  
[[Minutes from the 04/08/2022 Arts and Cultural Affairs Executive  
Committee Meeting]  
Attachments: 2022 MIN-034  
A motion was made by Commissioner Klehr to approve the minutes from the  
04/08/2022 Arts and Cultural Affairs Executive Committee Meeting, seconded by  
Vice Chair Morgan.  
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.  
2. Approve April commission minutes for recommendation to full commission  
A Motion was made by Vice Chair Morgan to recommend the 04/13/2022  
Commission minutes for approval by the full Commission, seconded by  
Commissioner Klehr.  
Chair Ritcherson requested that the minutes be edited to specify in budget item  
#2 that the budget was $95,400.  
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.  
C. Cycle 1 Grants Review  
1. Recap of cycle 1 grant review process using new mathematical formula  
- Vice Chair Morgan indicated that the Commission seemed comfortable using the new  
mathematical formula and that it was efficient and fair.  
- Vice Chair Morgan stated that it would be helpful if applicants are made aware of the  
grant process stages. The stages were outlined by Chair Ritcherson as follows: initial  
Dane Arts Staff review for eligibility, panel reviews, Executive Committee reviews, review  
and approval by the full Commission.  
- 2022 Cycle 1 panelists met on Thursday, May 12, 2022 to review and revise the current  
application for future consideration.  
- Hosting an informational webinar and posting a recording to the Dane Arts website so  
that applicants are able to review the process was discussed.  
- There have been no comments from applicants about the new formula or grant awards  
during 2022 Cycle 1.  
- Panelist feedback expressed concern about the rubric aligning with the grant questions,  
and requested assigned grant reviews not exceed 15-20 applications.  
- Supervisor Chawla suggested posting a press release with links to FAQ and any  
pertinent information. This would improve applicant diversity and provide a chance to  
promote the Dane Arts Commission and successes of the Commission.  
2. Update of notification to applicants  
- All applicants have been notified of their awards.  
3. Update on funds distribution  
- Grant distribution is in process and applicants have until the end of May, 2022 to  
submit their required paperwork.  
4. Any issues  
- Vice Chair Morgan will review the Commissioner Handbook for any updates prior to  
resigning in June, 2022.  
D. May/June Executive Committee/Commission Discussion Topics  
Prioritize  
- Topics may include: Projects versus operational budget requests, funding free projects  
only for equal accessibility, engaging calendar and poster artists, implementing a  
separate review process for individual artists and organizations, implementing a separate  
cycle for new applications, holding separate reviews for large organizational budgets and  
smaller organizations, establishing a collaborative project with Madison Arts Commission  
to foster synergy between the city and county.  
- Vice Chair Morgan indicated that most of the topics would require a major revision of the  
grant application process, that panelists strive to create a level playing field when scoring  
applications, and that they address these issues when reviewing applications.  
- Chair Ritcherson suggested reviewing these ideas with panelists and organizations for  
feedback prior to taking any action.  
- To clarify, some organizations applying to project grants do not produce projects, but an  
entire season in which Dane Arts funds may go toward partial operational expenses.  
- A discussion around Dane Arts funding free performances took place including  
accessibility and barriers to free performances, as well as financial feasibility for  
organizations. Barriers to accessibility may extend beyond ticket price to promotion and  
community engagement. Concern was expressed that the term “free” undervalues the art.  
- Commissioner Klehr suggested immediately addressing the Calendar and Poster Call  
for Art.  
- It was determined that the May Commission meeting topics will include 2023 Poster and  
Calendar outreach and eligibility, and discussing separation between Individual Artists  
and Organizations.  
- Commissioners are encouraged to send individual artists for Dane Arts Staff to reach  
out to with the Poster and Calendar call.  
E. Commission Vacancies/Prospects  
1. Current/pending  
- Supervisor Chawla has requested to be appointed to the Dane Arts Commission again  
and confirmation should arrive soon.  
- Chair Ritcherson and Executive Director Fraire will meet with a new commissioner  
prospect.  
- Other commissioner prospects with desired expertise include marketing, technical/data,  
literary and philanthropy.  
- Commissioner Cavazos and Vice Chair Morgan will be stepping down from the Dane  
Arts Commission in June, 2022.  
2. Commission policy handbook  
- When a seat is vacated before the term is completed, an incoming Commissioner for  
that seat will fill the remaining term of that seat.  
June Elections  
- Elections for Chair and Vice Chair will be held in June.  
- The commissioner elected to vice chair will automatically fill the Executive Committee  
member position, replacing Vice Chair Morgan.  
Executive Director Report-Silver Lining Award  
- On Thursday, May 12, Dane Arts received a Silver Lining Award from the Friends of the  
Madison Arts Commission.  
F. Develop May Commission Meeting Agenda  
-roll call, establish quorum  
-approve March minutes (action item)  
-No action items  
-presentation group: Mary Cait McManamon  
-recap of cycle 1 grant review process using new mathematical formula  
-Chair/executive committee report-(May discussion topics, introduce June discussion  
topics  
-Areas of Focus reports  
-Executive Director reports  
-May/June Dane arts sponsored activities  
G. Public Comment on Items not on the Agenda  
None.  
H. Such Other Business as Allowed by Law  
None.  
I. Adjourn  
A motion was made by Commissioner Miquelon to adjourn.  
Meeting adjourned at 9:02 a.m.  
Minutes respectfully submitted by Augusta Brulla pending Commissioner approval.  
Dane