City of Columbia, Missouri  
Meeting Minutes  
Commission on Cultural Affairs  
City Hall  
Monday, March 11, 2024  
4:15 PM  
Regular  
701 E Broadway  
Council Chambers  
I. CALL TO ORDER  
Chair Spear called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.  
Staff present: Sarah Dresser  
7 -  
Present:  
James Melton, Lee Ann Garrison, David Spear, Cameron Dorth, Linda Helmick,  
Diana Moxon and Kathleen Murphy  
4 - Kristin Gadsden, Jim Little, Molly Froidl and Stacey Thompson  
Excused:  
1 - Keondre Harrison  
Unexcused:  
II. INTRODUCTIONS  
None.  
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA  
Motion to approve the agenda made by Moxon, seconded by Murphy; motion  
carried.  
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES  
Minutes from February 12, 2024  
Attachments: 2.12.24 Draft Minutes  
Motion to approve the minutes from February 12, 2024 made by Murphy,  
seconded by Garrison; motion carried.  
V. OLD BUSINESS  
VI. NEW BUSINESS  
None.  
Small Request Funding Applications  
Dresser reported that OCA received two small requests from Odyssey Chamber Music  
Series and another from “We Always Swing” Jazz Series. Organizations can have two  
requests funded per year. Our current balance is $2,000.  
Odyssey Chamber Music Series is requesting $500 in funds for its concert on April 20  
titled “Quartets with Scott Yoo and Friends” at First Baptist Church. This concert was not  
included in the schedule and annual funding request for FY24 because the organization  
did not know if the musician would be able to travel this year to perform. OCA funds  
would be used to help cover costs of marketing the event.  
“We Always Swing” Jazz Series is requesting $500 in funds for a project titled “The  
Perfect (Artistic) Storm.” In conjunction with MU College of Arts and Science’s 2024  
Symposium “Afro-Cuban Legacies” (April 10-12), the Jazz Series is planning its annual  
Dr. Carlos Perez-Mesa Memorial Concert to feature the Arturo O’Farrill quintet. There is  
an opportunity for the artist Arturo O’Farrill and his son Zack O’Farrill to participate in a  
panel discussion on April 11, which is part of the symposium, in the early afternoon on  
the day of the concert. This requires the artist to travel a day earlier than originally  
planned, and the funds would assist in paying for this extra night of accommodations.  
The funds will also be used to split the artist fee (absorbed by the Jazz Series) to ensure  
the group’s participation in the Symposium.  
Motion to recommend both small funding requests at $500 each made by Murphy,  
seconded by Garrison; motion carried.  
Proposal for Accepting Gifts of Works of Art  
Dresser shared with the Commission the second part of the proposal for sculptures for  
Clary-Shy Community Park. The group previously recommended the praying mantis  
sculpture at its January meeting. There are three new additions - a series of five  
ladybugs, a bee and a butterfly for consideration. All created by artist Stephen Feilbach.  
City staff and the Center for Urban Agriculture staff have meet to determine the best  
locations for these installations. The artist is in the process of getting final  
sponsors/owners for each of the sculptures. Once those individuals (or businesses) are  
determined, agreements for display will be taken to City Council. Today, the Commission  
should make a recommendation on accepting these additional sculptures for the park.  
Melton had a question about the maintenance on the sculptures to be installed on the  
wood pergola. Murphy stated that the sculptures will add interest to the park. Dorth  
commented that she had spoken about this with the director of the Farmer's Market who  
shared that she had not been looped into the progress of the project; staff stated they  
would make sure that organization is aware of this project going forward.  
Motion to recommend these sculptures move forward with agreements for  
display to City Council made by Garrison, seconded by Helmick; motion carried.  
Artist Nick Cave recognition or program discussion  
Moxon discussed an idea she shared at a previous meeting about finding a way to  
recognize renowned contemporary visual artist Nick Cave, who moved to Columbia at age  
12 and graduated from Hickman High School. She suggested the first step would be to  
get buy-in from the City management and Mayor. Diana suggested putting together a  
letter with background and a request to pursue the idea further.  
Others commented on possibilities for a program that could involve local partners such as  
Columbia Public Schools, the University's School of Visual Studies, and possibly other  
collaborators. Nick Cave also recently presented a lecture at Westminster College in  
Fulton; Dorth stated she could inquiry to the costs associated with bringing him in for that  
event.  
Melton also asked if there are any other protocols that the City currently has for  
recognizing individuals (both local or non-local). Dresser said she would look into this.  
Motion for Diana to draft a letter made by Melton, seconded by Murphy; motion  
carried.  
VII. REPORTS  
Commission  
Secretary's Report  
Gadsden, who could not be in attendance today, drafted letters to Dr. Taylor Sirois and  
artist Stephen Feilbach for their contributions to the public art to go in Clary-Shy  
Community Park. Dresser passed the letters for Commissioner signatures.  
Staff  
Columbia Arts Fund Update  
Dresser reported that the current balance in the fund is $348,767.67.  
FY25 Grant Funding Applications  
Dresser reported that OCA has opened applications for FY25 grant funding. There were a  
few changes made based on the recommendations of the Funding Process  
Subcommittee.  
Public Art License Program  
Dresser stated that after restructuring the changes for the Traffic Box Art program, there  
has also been a slight rebrand to now call it the “Public Art License Program.” Since we  
would license the artwork received to be installed on the traffic box, there was a decision  
to rebrand for a broader use - so that artwork could potentially be installed on other public  
surfaces such as bus shelters, doors, barricades, etc. The top priority will be to address  
the traffic boxes, and information on potential other uses is listed in the application form.  
The current call for artists has opened this week with an initial deadline of April 19, 2024.  
Moxon asked a question about how long the term would be for licensing the work.  
Dresser stated she would look back at the drafted license agreement created by the Law  
Department.  
Celebration of the Arts  
Dresser stated that Andrea has been working to recruit committee members for this  
year’s Celebration of the Arts event. The first meeting will be held in early April. Please let  
us know if you are interested in serving on the event planning committee.  
Agency Assistance  
Dresser reported that no events are currently planned. Staff is available should any  
organization need consultation on its FY25 grant application.  
Status of FY24 Funding  
Dresser reported that there are currently no final reports due. We did receive notice from  
the Missouri Dance Organization that they are putting a pause on all events and not  
planning to hold its funded program this summer. OCA staff has given them instructions  
on how they can return the funding to the City.  
VIII. GENERAL COMMENTS BY PUBLIC, MEMBERS AND STAFF  
None.  
IX. NEXT MEETING DATE  
April 8, 2024.  
X. ADJOURNMENT  
Motion to adjourn at 5:17 p.m. made by Melton, seconded by Moxon; motion  
carried.