Minutes 10-15-2019 Regular Meeting

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20 Commissioner Dorosin said this is exciting, and asked if it is understood how this will work operationally. He said part of the goal is to create space for artists who may not have resources, and asked if there will be any special type of targeting for artists with low financial resources. Katie Murray said the County would be renting the space from Hedgehog, and the Arts Commission will put out a call for space, and give a deadline. She said the Arts Commission will look at the need, where the artists are in their career, the type of art, and will select. She said there is a desire to target younger artists who do not have home studios or financial resources. Commissioner Dorosin asked if the Arts Commission will rent the space from the owner, and if the County will collect rents. Katie Murray said yes. She said an artist/manager will possibly serve as an onsite point person and receive reduced rent, but this is not fully worked out. Commissioner Dorosin asked if the criteria will be publicly available. Katie Murray said yes, just like any other call. Commissioner Dorosin asked if some spaces will be shared by multiple artists. Katie Murray said they could be. She said the larger spaces would be $500 a month, that could be shared, and there is a maximum of 13 artist spaces available. Commissioner Price asked about the outlay for County, and if the County has to pay the rent and then get reimbursed by the artists. She asked if there is a timeline in place for when this will be available. Katie Murray said this is still being worked out. She said the space is move-in ready, with the exception of a bathroom that needs to be installed, which Hedgehog will do. She said it may be a question of timing, and the Arts Commission has the means to pay upfront if needed. Commissioner Price asked if it is known when Hedgehog needs be paid for the first month. Katie Murray said a firm start date is not yet set, as commitments are needed from at least 10 artists before the County will lease the space. Bonnie Hammersley said the lease will not be signed until there are 10 artists ready to sublet from the County. She said from an accounting perspective, it will have an expenditure line and a revenue line. She said the timing could be slightly off, but it will work out. Katie Murray said it will take about 60 days to install the plumbing, and she expects there will be more people interested than there is space. Commissioner Price asked if the lease would be for one year. Katie Murray said that the County’s lease will be for 5 years, and the artist’s lease will be for one year. Commissioner Greene applauded the work that has been put into this project, and said it is really exciting for artists to engage with the public. She said it is essential to how they practice, and it is significant that the gap can be filled by Article 46 funds, as this is an economic development effort. Commissioner Bedford asked if the 30% commission is standard. Katie Murray said yes, it is a common standard for sold artwork, but can vary a bit. She said artists realize that the property manager offers the space to sell their work, so some of the cost needs to go back to them to continue the ability to service the space. Commissioner Bedford said this is a great opportunity, but she can see where the County might have to chase rental monies. She said the arrangement needs someone to oversee cash management and funds control, and it may be necessary to recruit some accounting talent to protect these dollars. She said in the big picture, this project is helping the artists and their development, and they are getting low market rents. She said Eno Mill will definitely benefit from a rental arrangement, but 20 years from now, the County will still be