VARLEY MCKAY
ART FOUNDATION OF
TOWN OF
MINUTES
|
Attendance: Members Present: Drew Gerrard Anna Hudson Patty Loveland Edward Mariani Robert McCulloch Stan Neal Elizabeth Plashkes Beverly Schaeffer Ernestine Tahedl Councillor Non-Members: Bill Pickering Staff: John Ryerson,
Director Francesca
Amato-Gauci, Volunteer Coordinator Kitty |
Absent: Patrick Carr Lana Champion Mahesh Chokshi Sammy Lee Terrence
Pochmurksi |
The meeting
of the Varley-McKay Art Foundation of Markham Board convened at
1.
OPENING REMARKS
The Chair, Howard Back, brought the Board up
to date on the search for a new Curator. The Executive Committee has met a
couple times on this matter, and has had discussions with the Town on possible
restructuring of the Department of Culture, which will affect the hiring
process. Progress updates will be provided.
Howard Back advised that Council has appointed Patrick Carr
to the Board for the term ending in June, 2009, pending reappointment at that
time. Mr. Carr is currently travelling and unable to attend today’s meeting.
The Chair offered appreciation to Patty Loveland for
arranging the dinner for Nancy Coxford, in recognition of her involvement with
the Gallery.
2. ADOPTION OF MINUTES OF THE VARLEY-McKAY
ART FOUNDATION OF
The Board noted a spelling
correction for “Thomson”.
MOVED BY:
Beverly Schaeffer
SECONDED BY: Patty Loveland
THAT the minutes of
the Varley McKay Foundation of
CARRIED
3. ADOPTION OF NOTES OF THE VARLEY-McKAY ART
FOUNDATION OF
The Board noted a spelling
correction for “Thomson”.
MOVED BY:
Elizabeth Plashkes
SECONDED BY: Patty Loveland
THAT the notes of the
Varley McKay Foundation of
CARRIED
4. BUSINESS
ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
Drew Gerrard brought forward a motion to update the
resolution from the
MOVED BY: Drew
Gerrard
SECONDED BY:
Elizabeth Plashkes
THAT, in addition to
the resolution of the Board on
CARRIED
5. SUB-COMMITTEE
REPORTS
a) Art
Acquisition Committee
There was nothing new to report.
b) Auction
Committee
Francesca Amato-Gauci provided an update on the 2009 Auction
event, “Unmask Your Passion for Art”:
- One major sponsorship is confirmed, Gold
Sponsorship by IBM Canada; we are
still looking for more sponsorships;
-
Acquisitions
have been confirmed;
-
Silent
Auction, 20% of the items have been secured;
- Food and beverages – 50% of the required
number of restaurants are secured
(Appetizers and More, The
Duchess, Harvest, Blacksmith’s Bistro); still in
negotiation for Wine and Martini
bar sponsors;
-
“Save
the Date” postcards are being mailed out February 9 and February 22;
-
Entertainment
has been confirmed as Josué Cabrera, Cuban pianist;
Francesca advised that the benefits of sponsorship include
promotion in all of the printed materials, and complementary tickets to the
event.
c) Nominations
Committee
Howard Back advised that nominations are required for at
least one replacement Board member, and he welcomed any suggestions.
d) Development
Committee
Elizabeth Plashkes reported on the website proposal that
will be discussed at the Executive meeting. Due to the cost involved, the
project will start out with basic functions at an initial cost of $7500, and it
will grow over several years. It is anticipated to be active in approximately
three months. A more detailed proposal will be presented at the next meeting.
e) Building and
Bill Pickering advised that the project is underway, and the
Architect has been hired. The feasibility study is being completed, and the
preliminary design is being prepared. The Foundation Building Committee is
continuing to oversee the project and the Town’s Building Committee, consisting
of Bill Pickering, John Ryerson, Ronji Borooah (Town Architect) and Michael
Shatil (Asset Management) are also involved. A project Manager has yet to be appointed.
Mr. Pickering presented a model of the proposal, and
outlined potential adjustments to the design, relating to pulling back the bank
wall. Concern was expressed for the impacts that the adjustments may have on
the adjacent church wall, due to its proximity. The proposal includes
underpinning the corner of the church, for this reason.
A Public Meeting for the feasibility study met with support.
The preliminary design will have to be approved by Council, but a second Public
Meeting may not be required.
The Committee discussed the timing for completion, and John
Ryerson noted that exhibition planning is being negatively impacted at this
time until the logistics and timing have been confirmed, i.e. contracts can’t
be signed.
The Committee questioned if the costs incurred by the
Gallery to date will be credited towards their $1.56 million share of the
costs. Management was to get clarification on this issue.
f) Volunteer Committee
Francesca Amato-Gauci provided a package detailing volunteer
events.
The Art on Ice weekend was a great success at over 2500
visitors, exceeding last year’s attendance.
The Homes for the Holidays tour may not be able to include
the Gallery as a stop, due to the Automatiste Revolution exhibit scheduled to
be held in the Gallery at the same time. The Board had lengthy discussions on
alternatives that would keep the Gallery profile high for the event. John
Ryerson noted that staff workload will be a factor in the decision. The
concerns that were discussed will be conveyed to the Volunteer Committee for
further consideration.
Francesca described other ongoing and upcoming events, and
emphasised the importance of the inventory/records project.
The Committee commended Francesca on her successful work
with the volunteers.
6. FINANCIAL
REPORT – Drew
Gerrard, Treasurer
No financial report was presented.
7. DIRECTOR’S
REPORT – John
Ryerson, Director
John
Ryerson, Director, reported on the successful Public Meeting that had recently
been held, and the useful feedback received. Staff have been responding to
suggestions made regarding the need to improve acoustics in the community room,
the audio system, lighting, and the possible relocation of the gift shop. The Board
suggested the committee investigate the use of volunteers to operate the gift
shop, or to have an outreach gift shop, or to use e-commerce through a website
to sell merchandise.
The Town is
undertaking a project to restore Stiver Mills, and the Gallery has been
advising on the development of the
project.
Homes for
the Holidays is still looking for sponsorships and donations. Scotiabank has
renewed their support.
The
Director discussed upcoming events. He provided a copy of “Directors Forward”
for the Automatiste Revolution, and a flyer on the Hospital project. John
Ryerson advised that the Lt. Governor and the Mayor will be attending the opening
of the Legally Deafblind exhibit at
The
Canadian Museum Association (CMA) Conference will be held on the weekend of
March 27. Board members were encouraged to attend and participate as the
conference only comes to
The Director invited
anyone interested to accompany on the Friends of Canadian Art tour, or joining
the group. To let him know. Anna Hudson and Beverly Schaeffer explained the
group’s history.
The Director
reported that Council has identified the Leisure Services (Culture and
Recreation Master Plan) as once of its six priorities. A series of workshops
will be occurring. Elizabeth Plashkes has volunteered to be a speaker on
cultural issues, on Monday, March 2 at
The farewell gathering
for Katerina Atanassova, Curator, will be held on March 11 at
MOVED BY: Drew
Gerrard
SECONDED BY:
Elizabeth Plashkes
That a gift be purchased for
Katerina Atanassova, Curator, at an approximate value of $500.00.
CARRIED
8. NEW
BUSINESS
The AGM
will be scheduled between May 19 and 26. Confirmation will be forthcoming.
9. NEXT
MEETING
The next
meeting of the Varley McKay Art Foundation of Markham Board will be held on
10. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting
of the Board of the Varley McKay Art Foundation of