Board Minutes Oct 2023

Board Meeting – October 16, 2023, 9:30 am – Kristi Kuder Studio   
Our Mission is to develop, promote, and encourage an interest in the arts.
Board members present included Kristi Kuder,  Shari Priggi, Mary Jo Wentz, Judi Celaschi and ex-officio member Shanna Cramer.  Absent were Donna, Debbie, David, Sue, Ann Smith and Ann Hermes.  

The Agenda was approved with the addition of a committee update regarding the finding of a director.

The Minutes from September 13 were approved by Shari and seconded by Mary Jo.   Motion passed.

The Financial Report was presented by Kristi Kuder.  Judi moved to approve the financial report, seconded by Mary Jo.   Motion passed.
Statement of Activity
Statement of Financial Position

Administration Report:  no update

Committee Updates 

• Art & Craft Affair:  no update
• Building:  The front door was refinished by Cliff.
• CAC:  
  • Ann H submitted the MN Legacy grant proposal for the theatre events.  
  • A Project Grant has been submitted by Kristi for the creative writing initiative.
  • The Midwest Arts Association grant request will focus on having an encaustic artist who uses beeswax in their art and will also be an introduction to beekeeping, and culinary initiatives using honey.
• Gallery: 
  • The holiday market starts November 3.  The gallery will close for the season on December 16.  The Thimgans’ have donated gift wrapping for the event.
• Marketing: 
  • Upcoming workshops are being marketed via social media, Ottertail magazine, Elevate OTC and Battle Review.   Recommend contacting Ryan Severson at Battle Lake High School to request that the AOTL workshop flyer be sent home with students. Additionally, establish a printed version of all events from the AOTL website be available.  Shanna will also create table tents to promote the October workshops.  Need to determine who will distribute the materials.  
• Membership:  no update
• Plein Air:  
  • The date for 2024 will be August 23/24, with workshops and social events starting August 17 through the 24. These dates will not conflict with the large Grand Marias event and the Board felt that it would gain more artist participation and community attention. Shanna has a commitment for a Judge and workshop instructors for the 2024 event and be communicating it to past participants.   Shari moved to accept the date and Mary Jo seconded the motion.  
  • Mary Jo moved to make PLPA funding of awards as part of the AOTL budget, Shari seconded. Kristi will be put out to the entire Board for a vote.  
• Studio Tour:  no action
• Workshops: The planning committee has met regularly to schedule workshops and special events for the fall and winter seasons.  
  • The Jewelry Lab workshops will be AOTL participation in the Battle Lake community initiative “The Hunt is On.”
  • Discussion evolved around the “Story Telling” event which had not generated ticket sales.  It was suggested that the event be moved to Good Sam and possibly involved the Senior Citizen Center.  Kristi will discuss this with Ann H.

Old Business 

• Mission Statement & By-Laws:  no update
• MN Give to the Max (platform for non-profit organizations to promote themselves online and secure donations)  scheduled for November 16.  
• Lease Proposal:  It has been recommended that AOTL offer Bruce Fuhrman a rental agreement of $4K /month for one year beginning December 1 using the Blandin Grant funds.  It would give AOTL a year to develop a community-focused program that is financially doable for the organization.  Additionally, the committee will meet again with LACC to see if there is a potential alliance.   Judi made a motion for Ann S to present this proposal to Bruce Fuhrman; Mary Jo seconded.  Kristi will send out an email to the board for full approval.  
• Harvest Festival: Annie Capistrant and Jammie Niemeyer will conduct the kid's activity.

New Business 

• The Committee to find a director for CAC/AOTL has advised that they want a job description.   Kristi will send out what has been drafted to the Board for review and edits,  before sending it to the Committee.

The Next Board Meeting will be Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at 9:30 CST.
Judi moved to adjourn the meeting.