Board Minutes Dec 2023

December 19, 2023    
Art of the Lakes Gallery
Present:  Kristi Kuder, Sue Kalseim, Ann Smith.    Zoom/Call in: Judi Celaschi, Shari Prigge, Mary Jo Wentz
Other ex-officio members present: Shanna Cramer, Debbie Ness, Donna Westerling.   Absent:  Ann Hermes, ex-officio member. 

Agenda Reviewed 
Minutes reviewed and motion to approve by Ann S; seconded by Sue.  Motion carried.

Financial report was given by Debbie. Motion to accept the financial report by Judi; seconded by Sue.  Motion carried.
Statement of Activity
Statement of Financial Position
    
Administrative Report - Debbie informed the board that we have another employee that is a high school student named Luciana.  She is hired through the MN CEP program.  Wages paid through them.  Donna & Debbie are identifying things to keep her busy.  She will work mostly evenings and weekends,  about 8 hours per week.

• Debbie talked about the stained glass pieces. Sue will ask her husband to look at them and possibly build a box to hang them.  

Old Business -

• Mission Statement & By-Laws (tabled).
• CAC Lease:   Ann S and Kristi are waiting for Bruce to provide a lease.  Discussion was had that there is a possibility to lease space to bring in income.  Bruce would like space for his use as well.  The Blandin Grant of $43,000 will be used.  AOTL financial responsibility is still projected at $3,400/month which includes $2,200 for the lease.  An escrow account for monthly expenses will be set up.  Ann S will continue discussions with Bruce and will email the lease for approval when received.
• Exhibitions:   Kristi talked about the exhibitions that will be in the gallery, in an effort to bring people to the gallery during the winter hours;
  • Jan 12 - Feb 13 - Regional Makers Showcase
  • Feb - mid March - Quilt Show
  • March - April - Student showcase

New Business 

• Executive Director: Kristi talked about the task force who will be looking at the executive director position and identifying candidates.  Task force is Tom Kuder, Michael Burgraff and Ann Hermes.  The executive committee will interview candidates.  There was discussion on funding the position and a timeline.  Motion to approve timeline for the executive director as distributed by Kristi with the addition of funding identified by March 1 by Ann; seconded by Sue.  Motion carried.
• Board Bio Request: Debbie asked for board members to submit a short bio for her grant application.

 Committee Updates 

• Art & Craft Affair: DN - no update
• Building: DN (Steve & Cliff) - No update
• CAC: Anne Hermes working on the ‘Creamed Corn Queen’  in addition to other productions for the upcoming months.   Fundraising-Grants:  Kristi/Ann H 
  • Kristi received an individual grant to work with High school students ($3,000).
  • LRAC project grant approved and will cover performances ($10,000).
  • The fully-funded $30,000 MSAB grant will be used to bring 3-5th grade Battle Lake students  (approximately 100) to the CAC for art instruction for a week in April.  There will be a celebration and exhibition at the  CAC at the end of the session. 
  • LRAC has a project grant (Kristi) and an operating support grant (Debbie) coming up
• Gallery: Sue Kalseim - Bin art needs to come up and be reorganized.  The tree will come down in January.  Cards need to be gone through as well.  
• Marketing: Shanna Cramer - The marketing group is meeting today to go over upcoming events and what to focus on.
• Membership:  Donna Westerling reported that the structure was completed for individuals and family memberships.  Sue suggested having a discussion to increase membership fees.  
• Plein Air: Shanna Cramer - The board needs to identify more funds to cover awards and expenses.  Promotions and plans are in motion.
• Studio Tour: Judi Celaschi - Timeline established and committee will meet January 16. Agenda will include discussing how we can engage merchants in the community such as the  “I Buy Art Campaign, use of CAC for demos and potential space for displaying artists.
• Workshops:- Kristi Kuder- planning has started for Feb, March and April as well as summer.

 

• Kristi is interested in purchasing a kiln, materials, ventilation, etc. for a ceramics studio in the CAC as soon as the space becomes available with the $6,000 from the Blandin Grant.  Motion made to procure items necessary to set up a ceramics area by Ann S; seconded by  Judi Seconded.  Motion carried.  Kathrine McDowell is very interested in overseeing this area when completed

Motion to adjourn

Next Board Meeting - January 9 , 2024 

Submitted by Debbie Ness on behalf of Judi Celaschi