Minutes of the Shoalhaven Arts Board

Meeting Date:     Thursday, 3 March 2022

Location:            Council Chambers, City Administrative Centre, Bridge Road, Nowra

Time:                   1:00pm

The following members were present:

Clr Tonia Gray

Clr Moo D’Ath – joined remotely at 2:31pm

Clr Patricia White (remotely)

Clr Paul Ell

Ms Alison Chiam

Dr Peter Lavelle

Mr Robert Crow

Ms Jenny Thompson (remotely)

Mr Frank Howarth (remotely)

Mr Stephen Buzacott

Ms Christine Dunstan

Others Present:

Jane Lewis – Director City Lifestyles

Sarah Taylor – Manager - Libraries

Bronwyn Coulston - Manager – Arts & Culture

Karen Patterson – Manager – Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre

Brooke Aldous – Senior Governance Officer

Presentations

AB22.1       City Lifestyles Presentation - Overview of the Shoalhaven Arts Board

HPERM Ref: D22/78533

· Bronwyn Coulston – Manager – Arts & Culture - gave a presentation on the Shoalhaven Galleries and arts programs as well as providing an overview covering the topics listed below. o Overview of the Committee/Board/Taskforce o Terms of Reference o Strategic Plan o Relevant Policies and Procedures o Overview of what is Operational / within the Committees/Boards interest / clarification of appropriate recommendations under the Committees/Boards delegation · Sarah Taylor – Manager – Libraries – gave a presentation on the Shoalhaven Libraries and activities. · Karen Patterson – Manager – Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre – gave a presentation on the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre program and activities.

AB22.2       Presentation - Governance - Brief Induction	HPERM Ref: D22/78550
Brooke Aldous – Senior Governance Officer - made a presentation to the meeting providing an overview of the Shoalhaven Arts Board covering: · Code of Conduct · Code of Meeting Practice · Delegations · Declaration of Interests · External Member Reports

Election of Chairperson

Nominations for Chairperson were received for:

· Christine Dunstan

· Clr Paul Ell

It was noted that Clr Paul Ell is an alternate member of the Shoalhaven Arts Board, and the Board were subsequently advised that a number of Councillors had requested meeting times of Committees and Boards be changed to 5:00pm to allow for more Councillor attendance. It was decided to elect a chair for this meeting.

RESOLVED (Christine Dunstan / Clr White)

That Clr Paul Ell be appointed as the Chairperson for today’s meeting and that the election of the Chairperson of the Shoalhaven Arts Board be further considered at the next meeting.

CARRIED

The position of Chairperson will be resolved at the next meeting of the Shoalhaven Arts Board.

Apologies / Leave of Absence

An apology was received from Lynda Kelly and Clr Wells.

Confirmation of the Minutes

RESOLVED (Alison Chiam / Stephen Buzacott)

That the Minutes of the Shoalhaven Arts Board held on Thursday 21 October 2021 be confirmed.

CARRIED

Declarations of Interest

Nil.

Reports

AB22.3       Notification of Council Resolution - Shoalhaven Arts Board Re-establishment	HPERM Ref: D22/78522
Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority) That the Shoalhaven Arts Board receive the Notification of Council Resolution – Shoalhaven Arts Board Re-establishment report for information.
RESOLVED (Christine Dunstan / Peter Lavelle) That the Shoalhaven Arts Board receive the Notification of Council Resolution – Shoalhaven Arts Board Re-establishment report for information. CARRIED

AB22.12     Update on Actions - March 2022	HPERM Ref: D22/82573
Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority) That the Shoalhaven Arts Board receive the Update on Actions report for information.
RESOLVED (Alison Chiam / Stephen Buzacott) That the Shoalhaven Arts Board receive the Update on Actions report for information. CARRIED

AB22.4       Shoalhaven Libraries - Update	HPERM Ref: D22/60550
Sarah Taylor – Manager – Libraries – provided an update to the meeting · Library situation throughout the Shoalhaven has been running as a hybrid system with online events and digital resources due to closures throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, but is happy to report they have been welcoming back in-person visits since reopening in October 2021. · Focusing on making local heritage collections as accessible as possible (digitised) over the next two years. · New strategic plan is currently being developed by staff. · The new Sanctuary Point library project is progressing very well with the DA being lodged in February. Work is also progressing on the Public Art component of the project.
Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority) That the Shoalhaven Arts Board receive the Shoalhaven Libraries Update report for information.
RESOLVED (Stephen Buzacott / Robert Crow) That the Shoalhaven Arts Board receive the Shoalhaven Libraries Update report for information. CARRIED

Note: Clr D’Ath joined the meeting remotely at 2:31pm.

AB22.5       Subcommittee Membership, Working Groups, Portfolios and Panel of Peers	HPERM Ref: D22/62258
Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority) 1. That the following subcommittees and working groups be established with the membership as detailed [names to be filled in at meeting] 2. Art Acquisition and Collection Subcommittee a. Chair of the SAB b. Manager – Arts and Culture or nominated representative c. Shoalhaven Arts Board member [name to be filled in at meeting] d. Shoalhaven Arts Board member [name to be filled in at meeting] e. Invited Arts Professional 3. Arts Board Grants Working Group a. Shoalhaven Arts Board member [name to be filled in at meeting] b. Shoalhaven Arts Board member [name to be filled in at meeting] c. Shoalhaven Arts Board member [name to be filled in at meeting] d. Appropriate Council officer from the Cultural sector 4. Art Collection Strategic Planning Working Group a. Chair of the SAB b. Manager – Arts and Culture or nominated representative c. Shoalhaven Arts Board member [name to be filled in at meeting] d. Shoalhaven Arts Board member [name to be filled in at meeting] e. Invited Arts Professional f. Invited Arts Professional Aboriginal
RESOLVED (Clr Gray / Alison Chiam) That the following subcommittees and working groups be established with the membership as detailed 1.    Art Acquisition and Collection Subcommittee a.    Chair of the Shoalhaven Arts Board b.    Manager – Arts and Culture or nominated representative c.    Shoalhaven Arts Board member - Stephen Buzacott d.    Shoalhaven Arts Board member - Alison Chiam e.    Shoalhaven Arts Board member – Clr Moo D’Ath f.     Invited Arts Professional – Boe-Lin Bastian 2.    Arts Board Grants Working Group a.    Shoalhaven Arts Board member - Christine Dunstan b.    Shoalhaven Arts Board member - Jenny Thompson c.    Shoalhaven Arts Board member - Peter Lavelle d.    Appropriate Council officer from the Cultural sector e.    Invited Art Professional 3.    Art Collection Strategic Planning Working Group a.    Chair of the Shoalhaven Arts Board b.    Manager – Arts and Culture or nominated representative c.    Shoalhaven Arts Board member Alison Chiam d.    Shoalhaven Arts Board member Clr Moo D’Ath e.    Invited Arts Professional -– Boe-Lin Bastian f.     Invited Arts Professional Aboriginal CARRIED

AB22.6       Shoalhaven Arts Board 2021 / 2022 Grants Program - Awarding of Grants	HPERM Ref: D22/62262
Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority) That 1.    The Shoalhaven Arts Board grants be allocated as follows: a.    Professional Development Grants i.     Brooke Boland – Advanced Creative Non-Fiction course - $420 ii.     Joanna Thomas – Colour Pencils in Contemporary Botanical Art - $1,900 iii.    Damien Lane and Johnny Leahy – Attendance at the Australian International Documentary Conference 2022 - $3,000 b.    Sense of Place Grants i.     Connect Sanctuary Point – Outdoor Art Space - $2,500 ii.     Shoalhaven Youth Orchestra – South Coast Sketches - $10,000 iii.    Headspace Nowra – Vincentia High School Pride Mural - $10,000 iv.   Nowra Public School – Connecting Community to School - $10,000 2.    The remaining funding from the Grants Program ($1,180) and the remaining budget in the 2020 Schools Art Project ($3,100) are combined providing funding of $4,280. 3.    Funding of $4,280 is allocated to Headspace Nowra to support the documentation of their Sense of Place project contingent on Headspace providing evidence to of their ability to fund any shortfall in the project budget.
RESOLVED (Clr Gray / Frank Howarth) That 1.    The Shoalhaven Arts Board grants be allocated as follows: a.    Professional Development Grants i.     Brooke Boland – Advanced Creative Non-Fiction course - $420 ii.     Joanna Thomas – Colour Pencils in Contemporary Botanical Art - $1,900 iii.    Damien Lane and Johnny Leahy – Attendance at the Australian International Documentary Conference 2022 - $3,000 b.    Sense of Place Grants i.     Connect Sanctuary Point – Outdoor Art Space - $2,500 ii.     Shoalhaven Youth Orchestra – South Coast Sketches - $10,000 iii.    Headspace Nowra – Vincentia High School Pride Mural - $10,000 iv.   Nowra Public School – Connecting Community to School - $10,000 2.    The remaining funding from the Grants Program ($1,180) and the remaining budget in the 2020 Schools Art Project ($3,100) are combined providing funding of $4,280. 3.    Funding of $4,280 is allocated to Headspace Nowra to support the documentation of their Sense of Place project contingent on Headspace providing evidence to of their ability to fund any shortfall in the project budget. CARRIED

AB22.7       Public Art - Opportunities and Requirements	HPERM Ref: D22/62263
Recommendation That Council consider allocating funds of $100,000 in the 2022/23 budget process to contract an arts specialist to: 1.    Undertake a full review of the current Public Art Policy and make recommendations for a new policy that supports innovative and best practice approach to public art in the Shoalhaven. 2.    Develop suitable internal procedures and documentation that ensures that consistent approach and standards are applied to Public Art projects, supporting excellence in commissioning standard, safety and community engagement 3.    Document all existing public art across the Shoalhaven, it’s current condition, conservation / maintenance needs and status for recording in the City Collection Management system
Recommendation (Christine Dunstan / Robert Crow) That Council consider allocating funds of $100,000 in the 2022/23 budget process to contract an arts specialist to: 1.    Undertake a full review of the current Public Art Policy and make recommendations for a new policy that supports innovative and best practice approach to public art in the Shoalhaven. 2.    Develop suitable internal procedures and documentation that ensures that consistent approach and standards are applied to Public Art projects, supporting excellence in commissioning standard, safety and community engagement 3.    Document all existing public art across the Shoalhaven, it’s current condition, conservation / maintenance needs and status for recording in the City Collection Management system CARRIED

AB22.8       Shoalhaven Regional Gallery - Update - November, December, January 2021/2022	HPERM Ref: D22/63964
Bronwyn Coulston – Manager - Arts & Culture - provided an update on recent activities across the Shoalhaven Regional Gallery since reopening in mid-October 2021: · Archibald Prize 2020 touring exhibition as well as a very small event hosting the prize winners of the Shoalhaven “Young Archies” competition held in courtyard. · Summer period featured two exhibitions - a photographic exhibition featuring surfing identities alongside the playing the recording of “The Reef”. · School holiday activity and art activation activity held at Stocklands Nowra throughout the holiday period. · Images of Regenerate Exhibition are being installed this week. · HSC Art Exhibition “New Horizons” opens this Saturday.
Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority) That the Shoalhaven Arts Board receive the Regional Gallery report for information.
RESOLVED (Christine Dunstan / Alison Chiam) That the Shoalhaven Arts Board receive the Regional Gallery report for information. CARRIED

AB22.9       Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre Update	HPERM Ref: D22/70229
Karen Patterson – Manager – Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre advised that the staff are very much looking forward to the Centre reopening in April after being closed for essential maintenance works since December. It is going to be a very busy and exciting period as the Centre is essentially programming three years of events into a nine month period. Karen apologised to the Arts Board members who didn’t receive an invite to the Season Launch due to an administrative oversight.
Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority) That Shoalhaven Arts Board receives the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre report for information.
RESOLVED (Clr Gray / Alison Chiam) That Shoalhaven Arts Board receives the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre report for information. CARRIED

AB22.10     Shoalhaven City Art Collection - Acquisitions	HPERM Ref: D22/71349
Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority) That 1.    The offer of donation through the Cultural Gifts program of the work Bleak Milestones by Glenn Barkley is accepted 2.    That the offer of donation through the Cultural Gifts program of the work A Chorus Line: Neville by Michelle Cawthorn is accepted 3.    That the offer of donation through the Cultural Gifts program of the works Road Hazard, Conjola and Arthur’s Rocks, Bundanon by Peter Sharp is accepted 4.    That the offer of donation through the Cultural Gifts program of the work Three Sisters by Geoff La Gerche is declined 5.    That the offer of donation of the untitled work by Fred Leist is accepted 6.    That the offer of donation through the Cultural Gifts program of the work Apparition of the Mythmaker by Graham Blondel is accepted.
RESOLVED (Stephen Buzacott / Christine Dunstan) That 1.    The offer of donation through the Cultural Gifts program of the work Bleak Milestones by Glenn Barkley is accepted 2.    The offer of donation through the Cultural Gifts program of the work A Chorus Line: Neville by Michelle Cawthorn is accepted 3.    The offer of donation through the Cultural Gifts program of the works Road Hazard, Conjola and Arthur’s Rocks, Bundanon by Peter Sharp is accepted 4.    The offer of donation through the Cultural Gifts program of the work Three Sisters by Geoff La Gerche is declined 5.    The offer of donation of the untitled work by Fred Leist is accepted 6.    The offer of donation through the Cultural Gifts program of the work Apparition of the Mythmaker by Graham Blondel is accepted. CARRIED

AB22.11     Lake Tabourie Museum - Collection Care and Management	HPERM Ref: D22/71354
Recommendation That Council 1.    Receive the report for information. 2.    Consider an operational budget bid of $40,000 as part of the 2022/23 budget process to ensure critical conservation work can be undertaken at Lake Tabourie Museum
RECOMMENDATION (Alison Chiam / Clr Gray) That Council 1.    Receive the report for information. 2.    Consider an operational budget bid of $40,000 and a recurrent funding of $10,000 per annum as part of the 2022/23 budget process to ensure critical conservation work can be undertaken at Lake Tabourie Museum CARRIED

GENERAL BUSINESS:

AB22.13     Additional Item - Public Art Piece - Berry

Clr Gray – as Berry turns 200 this year – asked if the Arts Board or Council could do anything artistic to recognise the Indigenous heritage of Berry considering we have visual representation of Alexander and David Berry at the Northern entry to Berry. The Open Fields Arts Centre (due in 2023) have previously presented to the Shoalhaven Arts Board to recognise the Indigenous heritage of Berry by way of a public art piece in Berry, which was supported by the Shoalhaven Arts Board and will be welcomed back once further information requested is at hand. Clr Gray was encouraged to raise a Notice of Motion as a timelier manner of dealing with this.

AB22.14     Additional Item - Action for Agriculture & Kreative Koalas

Clr Gray advised that Lynne Strong who is the founder of the “Action for Agriculture” and “Kreative Koalas” wants to embark in the Shoalhaven and asked if this is something that could be coordinated through the Arts Board or Council.  Jane Lewis – Director City Lifestyles recommended this be brought up at the Shoalhaven Tourism Advisory Group and Rob Crow – Tourism Advisory Group Representative also supported this being brought up at the Shoalhaven Tourism Advisory Group.

There being no further business, the meeting concluded, the time being 3:28pm.

Clr Paul Ell

CHAIRPERSON