Anchorage Assembly: ONLINE ONLY Arts Advisory Commission Meeting 2026-05-04

It's Norm NB. And all, I will put the agenda on the chat, which is not much, just that we—. NB, it's me. Hello. Yes, great.

Okay, so Timalee Visalanoe, for the record, Chair of the Art Advisory Commission. I'm officially starting our meeting at 6:02 PM, May 4th, 2023.

May the 4th be with you and with us as we go through this meeting. So I will ask that Marie Huesa do a roll call just to go over who is in the room with us today. Sounds good. And I will start with— I can probably share my screen, but I will share it after the roll call. Rebecca, are you here?

Rebecca Farlow, not yet.

And Claire is here, she said she's trying to get her headphones to work. Aydan, I am here, is present. Norman, do you hear with us?

Yeah, but I'll be muted because I'm at my shop. Okie dokie. And Kim It's here. Kim, are you still here with us? Yep.

Hello. And Tamalibus, our chair, is present. Young, are you here?

Not yet. And Simonetta is our new one, and she is excused. And 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Yay, we are at quorum. Madam Chair.

All right, and we have made quorum. So can I get— has everybody had a chance to review the agenda? The agenda is right here. I will share with you in the share screen. Oops.

Oh, oh, there's Claire again. Okay, and I will share the agenda.

There we go.

And did somebody still— oh, Claire, admit again. Okay. And am I still sharing my screen?

Yes. See the agenda? Thanks.

It's taking a minute to load for me, but I will take your word for it. And if everyone can review the agenda and if we are not seeing anything that needs to be edited, added or moved up, we can approve the agenda. I will just need a motion from someone. I'll make a motion to approve. All right, we have a motion.

We have a second.

Second. All right, thank you, Norm, and it's been adopted. So those are now our working document. And after we've approved the agenda and then we've done the meeting and now disclosures. So for those who have been able to review the— what is it called— Beyond the Beige, we have about 8 or 9 applicants that we are going to be reviewing today for the Beyond the Beige grant, and this is a time for anybody that has any connection with these organizations to disclose them in the public forum, and that way it's on the record.

So I myself have been previously employed by the Anchorage Museum, so I will I will not be weighing in on their application. And then also for the Polynesian Association, I am a board member, so I will not be weighing on them either. So those are the two organizations that I have direct connections to. So if we could go through, um, Marie, if we could just go through the the list of people so that way everyone has a chance to just disclose whether they have something or not. Sounds good.

Uh, Rebecca is not here. Claire, any conflicts? I don't know if it's conflict or not, but I'm a paying customer of Alaska Dance Theater. Oh, okay. I pay them, they don't pay me.

I know, and probably a lot. I pay enough. Yeah, I bet. Yeah, my kids went there too. Ayden, any conflict?

I have previously done work about 2 years ago for Keys to Life. Okay, thank you. And Ayden. Norman?

No conflicts. Thank you, sir. Kim?

No conflicts. Thank you. And Tamalibus, you're done. And has Young showed up yet?

Nope. Okay, that's it. And, um, Miss Chair, it's up to you now to determine whether any of this disclosed conflict, uh, are reasons to not include them. I guess Claire might be the current conflict, or yeah, so it's— what do you rule? Any objections to her participating?

And, um, I'll just edit mine because I do have a conflict as a board member of PAWA because they're doing it in conjunction with Keys to Life.

Their project, so I won't be able to weigh in on that one because I am a paying board member. And then also with the Anchorage Museum, I was previously employed by them, like within the last past 5 years, so I would say that's a little, it's a little close for comfort if we're on any kind of legal terms. 'Cause it should be at least 7, 7+ years, but they used— I used to work for their education wing, so, and then I also did an internship with them, so they have paid me. I've been on their payroll, so those are the two conflicts that I have. And I think that people can abstain from either weighing in or voting on those applications, and it will be up to the rest of the board to either make a decision or carry the conversation through when we get to those applications.

OK. Any objections to that, or? I don't know, with the small town, everybody has connections to everybody, so I think the 5 years might be a little too much of a standard. I don't know what does everyone think.

Thoughts, concerns from the body? I agree with Marie. Yeah, 5 years ago is, um, probably not a problem. Yeah, I think so too. And yeah, great.

And Miss Chair, how about Claire's involvement with ADT as far as, uh, paying? You must have a child there, Claire. I do have a child who takes dance lessons, and in fact, I am taking some dance lessons. Oh, nice. Yeah, why not?

Exactly. Grown-ups like to move. Exactly. Yeah.

And so that's— they're paying ADT. So what's your ruling on that, Ms. Chair?

I believe that it's not an administrative or like any kind of way they can change anything within the organization. So they're not holding any position of power. It's more of they're just a customer of of the organization, so I believe that is fair in them being able to participate in the organization's programmings because a lot of programming programs are within the art space. We are artists, so obviously some of us will be participating in some of them, but I think it's once it gets to a point where you're like contributing in terms of like how I contribute to the board, like the organization, I feel like that's a little bit of a conflict of interest because I'm funding the program. I'm not going for a service.

I'm funding the organization itself to make decisions that influence the programming. So I think that's my only conflict of interest, but I don't feel like ADT is a conflict of interest for Claire as a customer or as somebody who is receiving services. Any objections, thoughts, concerns from the body? No, but just so you know what we do from a city perspective for conflict of interest, because we're such a small community and a lot of the people who would have the ability to grade and have interest in grading things obviously have connections with people within that community. I just make them state for the record that they have the ability to be unbiased in their decision making.

So I think that that's always a really good policy to have, because even having kids there, being there yourself, you know, if you can just state, I have the ability to remain unbiased, I think that that goes a long way.

Claire, do you feel comfortable making that statement? You can feel free, or—. I do. I feel totally able to be unbiased. I don't feel like I'm in any deep connection to this particular organization that would influence my decisions.

I'm going to sustain mine for Polynesian Association of Alaska and their, um, the application that they have with Keys to Life, just because again, board member, and it's— I've been helping with that organization for a long time and I'm very public-facing with that organization. I've helped with a lot of their programming. I've helped with a lot of, of their finances and trying to coordinate things with them. So I feel like the community at large would find it a conflict of interest if I were to vote on anything having to do with that application. So I'll just abstain from voting on that one particularly, but I will, I will give— I feel comfortable giving my Unbiased.

I forgot the exact verbiage, but for the Anchorage Museum's applications.

Right. Any, any further dialogue? Any other concerns before we move to the next item on the agenda? I, I feel like Eden might want to also state non-bias. Yeah, let's see.

For me, I did contract work for Keys to Life 2 years ago. It was like a one-time contract that has, you know, and I have not had further involvement with them for about 2 years now. And so I'd say I do feel comfortable being unbiased in this process.

Great. And I just want to thank Kim. I was looking for that statement or guidelines on that. So thank you, Kim, for bringing that up.

Great. And then hearing and seeing no further discussion, we'll be moving on to number 5— number 6, unfinished business. Seeing no unfinished business listed on the agenda, we will now be moving to new business, which will be going over— let's just start with the new members. They can give a little brief introduction about themselves so that way everyone can get acquainted, and we'll go on from there.

Yeah, Claire, do you want to go first and go alphabetically? Sure, I have been alphabetically first my whole life. Um, um, hello, thank you for having me here. I'm excited to join your group. Uh, I I'm a lifelong Anchorage resident.

I live here in Midtown. I have a couple of kids. My husband is doing dishes, and I, you know, have loved growing up in Anchorage and seeing all that Anchorage's arts community has to offer and have participated in activities over the many years with lots of organizations that have received these kinds of grants. And so I definitely have seen the impact on the community and just would like to be a part of making sure that continues, and we have the sort of administrative functions to make it, make it go. So happy to be here and learn how this all functions.

And I'm eating my supper, so that's why I'm— yeah, healthy Japanese. Great. Hi everyone, my name is Aiden Postfischl. Let's see, I grew up here in Anchorage. And I, let's see, I left for college and a little bit of life after that.

I'm also an active musician in Alaska. And let's see, I also work at the Alaska Humanities Forum. And, you know, I care a lot about our community. And I think the arts provide a really unique opportunity for residents to say, you know, this is who we are, or this is This is what we stand for. This is what's important to us.

And so, yeah, I'm excited to be here and excited to engage in this process.

Yes. And if I can just add, glad to have both of them and join it. And Claire, this is now your group as well, so welcome. And Aidan too, being a musician, I thought we didn't have a musician in our group, I don't think, after John left. He plays piano and everything.

So Now we have another instrument player, so.

I think we can also, for the commission members that have been on for— that aren't new, that we can also introduce ourselves because this is our first time meeting our new members. My name is Tamaliva Senghasalanowa. I am currently in Juneau, but I live in Anchorage, Muldoon. And then I have a degree in digital art and design. I've worked with the Anchorage Museum.

I've done about 3 murals in town, some on the Seed Lab across from the Anchorage Museum, and then one that is in the correctional facility for youth. I forgot what you called it. McLaughlin. Yeah, McLaughlin. So in one of their hallways, I helped with that mural where it has a bunch of animals in it.

And then I've also just been doing a lot of painting, but my full-time job is that I work as a legislative aide for Representative Genevieve Mena. So that is something that I don't know how that happened, but life has a funny way of being like, yeah, you would do good in politics. So arts to politics funnel, crazy. But there, that's me, and I'm going to pass it over to Kim.

Hi, I'm Kim. Um, I am also a lifelong Alaskan. I was born and raised here, went to West High School, left for college just like Eden, um, and a little bit of life, and then came back. I have 3 kids that I'm raising here. I am, um, an artist.

I draw, I paint, and I do a lot of tattoo design. Um, and then I, which is my favorite because people get to keep those forever, right? Um, and, uh, my business is, um, Ocean Love AK, and I also work for the muni in the purchasing department and do contracts and grants and, um, nothing really that exciting. I went to college to get a business degree so I could be a buyer. I thought I'd be a buyer in fashion and makeup and at Macy's or Nordstrom and And I got older and I decided that perhaps doing something that was involving my city had a little bit more value for me long term.

So that's how I kind of ended up at the city level. So I like seeing what I do making a big difference. And I also really like that when I drive down the street and I see a project going on, I already knew it was coming because I helped get that contract in place. So. Mm-hmm.

I think Norman should go next.

Norman, you still here? I see you, or you're still logged in.

Well, while we wait for Norman, I'll go, uh, all know me, Marie Hughes. Again, thank you for Claire and Aydan for jumping in there when we needed quick applicants to make a quorum for our recommendations. So thank you. And also, you know, I think I've been— we've had a few meetings in the mayor's office where the idea is to beautify Anchorage. And after your evaluation of the grants, I see a lot of work there where we could use your input.

On how we can beautify Anchorage, not just in print and art or wall art or anything, but in other, some community building ideas, activities around the arts. So I hope to kind of, I hope that you add that to your agenda and think about that as we head to the summer. So, and that's me, and I am your contact. I provide staff support for the commission, so if you need anything, that'll be me. And Ayden and Claire, I will send to the official conflict of interest form that you need to fill out, and it needs to go to the ethics office.

So, and thank you. And I'll take it to Bob. Bob?

One sec, one more click here. Okay. I've just been kind of listening in because of, you know, the public art curator is now aligned under community economic development, learning all about what you do so that what we do with the 1% for Art projects as they go across Anchorage will be in harmony with the efforts of you all, and hopefully, well, there will be a synergistic effect between them. So I'm just here really learning and keeping up with what you all are doing.

And yeah, and Bob is— and I didn't talk of his whole director title at the What is community and economic development for the Municipality of Anchorage? Yes, and his office is in charge of making sure that we have buildings that we need, buildings we don't need are gone, and making space to have room for our 10— for the mayor's priority of 10,000 homes in 10 years. So Bob's— Bob jumped in there and doing a lot already. So great. And one more time for Norman.

Are you still there? And Chair, I will bring it back to you. Yeah. Oh, Norm, we were just doing introductions.

Oh yeah, just art student, was trying to get further into the art community by joining the commission about a year and a half ago now, I guess. Um, it's been pretty fun. Love it. Great cruise. Uh, it's been terrific.

My background is sculptural welding, uh, foundry, and blacksmithing. So pretty much just metal and hotness all day. And, uh, I own my own auto detail repair shop, and I just kind of just kept on with it. Uh, I don't have anything publicly displayed in the city. Maybe later on, but right now, not at the moment.

But I keep it pretty, pretty colorful. I like having fun and love drawing, so.

Cool. Wonderful. Thank you, Norman, for rounding us out. And now we'll be moving on to our second part of the, the, that section where we will be going over the different applications for the Beyond the Basics.

Page. Has everyone had a chance to review Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace?

Yeah, thumbs up from Claire. See, Norman, yes, I read a lot of it, but I don't feel like I have all the information, so I feel like the dialogue will help me. Okay, and then I have also read over it. I was mostly looking at the amounts I'm gonna be honest, that's what I was looking at and seeing how much people are projecting their project is going to be worth and how much they're actually asking for. And I thought it was really interesting, especially with the different types of projects.

I like the variety of projects that we— because, um, we haven't gotten a lot of— what is it— fabric, um, textile, textile arts. So I thought that was a really good like an application that stuck out because I was just like, oh, I have— I myself am not tech savvy, or I am tech savvy but not textile savvy. So that's not really my medium or my art. My mom is more of a seamstress or in that vein with fabrics. So that's why I was really, I was really interested when I saw that one pop up.

But I did see a few murals and I did see the Alaska Dance Theater. Also put in an application. And Marie, can you confirm whether it's 8 or 9 preferably applications?

So, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. Okay, GK, maybe I was just seeing things when I was looking through it.

But does any— do you Marie, is there any like visuals that anybody submitted? Because I know the file, the Excel file that we all received, it's mostly just text, but is there any pictures that go along with it? No. Yeah, that was something that we've been wanting to have, like a mock-up or something. And the idea was that, uh, or I think it was this commission too, um, we tried to request that, but sometimes it's expensive to get an artist to even render that.

So yeah, there's no— that's what we've got, but I understand that has come up last year. Okay, I'll just open it up for discussion. Was anybody wanting to talk about an application, like bring it forth for discussion that they thought was interesting or would like other insight on?

Um, I just wanted to echo, I had—. Go ahead.

I wanted to echo, I had questions also about like sketches or renderings because I know that's really helpful, um, in previous experience with these kinds of things. The other question I had was, um, and some of these pointed out the information and some didn't sort of how quickly they could be executed. So some of them seem like they have a lot more lead time and potential bureaucratic issues to get through, whereas some, I think I recall, indicated they could be executed on a specific timeline. I was interested to see, or would be interested to know, if there were, um, some that could be executed right away, right this summer, you know, get them out on the street, versus others that may take longer, just to demonstrate just activity is going on, right? Like, people know that it's happening.

I think we have what we have. So, um, I was particularly interested in the Cooking Land Housing Authority proposal. I thought, um, caught for value, um, and for a clear explanation and execution. It seemed like a good investment in terms of, you know, their demonstration that they have a plan and also that they can cover a significant portion of the cost. I mean, we could start there.

I don't know. Yeah, I also really like this proposal. It also brought up a couple of questions for me, particularly kind of, kind of to your point, Claire, about that timeline question. Just looking through all of these, kind of, we have some variation in the answer to the question about do they have permission from the owner of the, the surface of the area. And to me, that feels like a big question mark when it comes to timeline.

Um, so just something I, I think we might wanna pay attention to as we're considering all of these. But, um, but I, I agree, Claire. I also really like the, the Cook Inlet housing one. Yeah.

I felt like that was kind of the downside to the Keys to Life is not having that permission. I really like that one just like on first glance, but seeing that gives me immediate like concern, right? Like, is this even a viable project? And then also I feel like, I don't know, the Alaska Dance Theater one just took me by surprise in a pleasant way. So I just wanted to highlight that like I guess it just feels like maybe not the most obvious of all of the different ones that we had, so I just wanted to highlight that.

I also agree that as much as we artists, it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission, it really, like, from this body's perspective, it would be really important to have permission prior to asking for funding. So I think that's a really good point that everyone has brought up and that we should really consider when looking at these. And then also, we all know how— well, also, correct me if I'm wrong from anyone in the commission, but are these all Anchorage-based? From what I was reading, I don't think I saw any for the Valley or any for—. Yeah.

Yeah, so not a lot of variety in that aspect of— so most of it is Anchorage-based, which I've learned in the working for the legislature, 40% of our state lives in Anchorage. So that's crazy. But, um, still, I wish I would have seen one from the valley, but it's okay. Yeah, um, well, it is an Anchorage grant, so it's our— So yeah, so, and if I can just answer, Miss Chair, some of the questions. For— please go ahead.

So for permissions, what we had communicated to applicants was that, you know, they can submit it, and sometimes if their proposal is awarded, some— since this is a partnership with ACDA, that may be between ACDA and the municipality, we can do something.

And so that's— they know that applying, unless we can help make it happen, like if it's a municipal property, like last year we had an applicant who wants to put some bike racks at a park, and so Parks and Rec still needs to review the plan, make sure it's safe. We have to talk about ownership of it and maintenance. And so those are pending. So in the application they were told these things are pending, you know, that this all has to be approved if your application is considered, you know, if it's like a top runner, top scoring project. If this permissions and other eligibility issues doesn't pan out, then, then you're out, but we'll still consider your application, will help you make it happen if it's something that's we have the ability to do.

So I would say at this point, uh, you know, just I would recommend that you come out today at 6:32 with maybe a ranking of who— of your choices. And so we will submit that since there's only 8 of them, you know, so that if one is eliminated because of permissions, then you still have #2 and #3 recommendations. As far as timeline, there is— they are allowed— this is different again. Our partnership with ACDA has more flexibility with the timeline compared to your regular arts grants and the community grants as well. They must complete the scope of work by the end of the calendar, calendar year.

With this one, they have until the summer. Since these are supposedly bigger projects, they are given more time to finish it. So some of the Beyond the Beige awards from last year, they are supposed to be completing it this year, or maybe even starting it since these are big projects. And so they are given that time as long as they communicate. ACDA administers these grants, and so they work with ACDA on timeline, um, and completion of the scope of work.

And last thing is funding. I would say don't, uh, let the requested amount stop you. Again, just make recommendations on what you think will be best for Anchorage. Uh, and again, there are some considerations of how doable you think it is. But for funding, we had an award last year, Beyond the Beige Award, for Crystal Worrell to make— she did the painting on City Hall, that wall there by City Hall parking lot.

And so she— there was an award to put a mural on the McKinley Building, and so we awarded just a portion of that grant, and so last week or so she had a fundraiser along with the building owner to complete the funding for— to make the Beyond the Beige project happen. So we are hoping, and we include that in kind of the decision as the mayor's office and ACDA considers them, their ability to fundraise to complete the project.

So back to you, Ms. Chair. Thank you.

Can we get a sense of like how many mural projects there are? I think there's, there's quite a few. I think there's like 3 I'm reading right now. And then there was one where it was the textile one. With the like elders and the youth and making that blanket, that was one.

And the Peratovich mural on that building.

I can— and then Cook Inlet is also a A mural, correct? Yeah, yeah, uh, it looks like the Huffman and O'Malley Community Council, uh, one is also a mural.

Wow, a lot of murals. I know, a lot of murals this year.

That's just in my mind, the ranking is just a little different because then it really does come down to like the feasibility and then the permissions. Because if we have so many murals, that's the whole point. Beyond the Beige, colorful, wonderful, beautiful. But it's also like feasibility and visibility and access to wherever these murals are going to be. Hmm.

Any thoughts, concerns from the Commission?

Um, I just, I wondered if there was any specific guidance given around the format of the program, that there has to be any particular variety level of like mediums and contexts, or if it's really just the mission is to replace boring, bland beige colors with colorful things that please the eye, um, and as many public places as possible where everybody can access them and they're not hindered by like weather or being inside or, you know, like that kind of thing. Um, and to me, I wouldn't be concerned about selecting all murals if they meet the brief, right? So it's just a matter of what is the rubric say. And, um, I don't know if others have had a chance to like or by the rubric, but that kind of, for me, just looking at the scoring I did, it makes it pretty obvious, you know, just like how I would rank the projects. But I don't know if, if we have a collated version of that, or maybe that would guide us.

Yeah, I agree. I think it's like, particularly if the goal is kind of a long-term beautification effort, of Anchorage, right? Like murals to me kind of tie into that well, whereas just for example, looking at the Anchorage Museum one where it's like a temporary exhibit, like wonderful exhibit, awesome program, but like kind of the long-term element in my mind isn't quite there.

I agree with that. I feel like, um, we should be looking I think one of the weighing factors should be longevity, how long this is going to be with us. I think that, um, I like when I read through it and I can almost visualize their intention. Um, yeah, I just want to agree. And actually, what Marie said made me feel a little bit better about some of the ones that say no.

Um, It doesn't feel like no, it feels like not yet. And so I'm, I'm not as against those as I was initially feeling. So just throwing that out there.

My idea with the murals is also the location, because if I don't— I want to be fair in the sense that like, if they're like, because we know that Spaniard has a lot of like visually like there's a lot of art in that area, like the raven with the Spam can. There's like a lot, there's like the, there's an art business there already with like the different, they have like those, they have classes, they have like that kind of already established in that area. And I'm just trying to think of like, the one that I like is the Huffman and O'Malley Community Council. One. That one's sticking out to me because I'm trying to think, like, what's in Huffman?

Is there— I'm trying to think of any art that's in Huffman or in that area. O'Malley. I just know there's gyms. I know there's— I'm trying to think, but I'm like, is anyone getting that vibe or is it just me?

I do feel like this— yeah, this one for me scored highly because it was in a part of town that I don't see as much talk about like placemaking and art. I had a little— I'm not going to say like major concern, but yeah, just the issue of how hard it can be to get permission from DOT to do anything. But it sounds like they have run some tracks. It is a high-cost project. You know, I sort of gave everybody that ranking like you get on a restaurant ranking where you have $1 sign, $2 sign, $3 signs.

That one was definitely the $3 signs dinner. So it would limit, you know, if we have a total budget, what else, what else we can do. And I think there's a lot of like car traffic through that area, but I'm not as familiar with like pedestrian or transit traffic in that area. So for me, that is, it did rank a little lower just because of a combination of the very high cost, which would eat up total budget, and you know, that slowdown concern. Like, I want to see execution on these.

I want the city to benefit from these, you know, as soon as possible. So, but I thought that was a cool, um, different part of town. Mm-hmm. Yeah, because I feel like a lot of people invest in downtown, especially with the— is it called the Wild Birch? That new hotel that also has a lot of nice art in it around it.

Yes. And then especially Snow City on their, um, their side of their building has really nice art. So I feel like— and then also the Anchorage Museum is located downtown, and they have sculptures right in front of their, their building. So I feel like they get a lot of art. And then the City Hall has art.

They have art inside. They have art on the walls right across from the, um, Denaina Civic Center, that big facade. So I'm just like, like, that area I feel has like really good visuals and art in it. So I'm trying to— like, I do feel for like different parts of the city that don't have that much beautification, but I'm just like, hmm. I think that's a really good point.

Just something to keep in mind. I don't know that this is necessarily the answer, but I do think that it's not necessarily balanced. And I don't— I'm trying to think really clearly in my mind about South Anchorage specifically. I can't really think of anything.

Yeah.

So if I can say something about that application, Miss Chair. So since this is the Federation of Community Councils who proposed this, they have done research. To see how they've connected with the Department of Transportation to see what kind of permissions they would need to do this art. And they found out that the state really doesn't have rules on how to do it, and they are welcome to just working out a memorandum of understanding or agreement with the municipality to do this. And so depending— so they are open to it.

Just a matter of whether how fast, like you all said, you know, they— this can take forever. So if it's something that we think can happen and we have someone working on that with DOT and Federation of Community Councils is willing to help with that too, and the municipality has the interest to see if we can come up with that because it seems fairly easy to do an agreement with them depending on, you know, whether we can basically agree.

And so that may be able to happen. It seems like both parties, state and the municipality, are open to discussing it and making it happen. So, well, that may, you know, if it's good enough that it's passed, that everyone recommends it, there might be a path forward for it. And originally, really, I think the intent of Beyond the Beige was more downtown businesses, as that's, you know, the busier part of Anchorage. But I think expanding it kind of opens it up for more community building and really including every part of town, like even Girdwood.

So I, I'm glad they also applied.

So, and it's 6:44, Ms. Chair. So how would you like to kind of just see? I have a spreadsheet if everybody wants to just give me their ranking and we'll see how we compare. If there's one that really is a standout as far as where you all agree should be first, second, or third choice.

I have Claire, so thank you, Claire.

Yeah, the only thing I would note about mine is I, um, just by score, my— the two, the two projects that are affiliated with the museum both scored highly because I think they frankly seemed like they were competent to execute, right? But I don't think it would be wise, obviously, to try to fund both of these expensive projects hosted by the museum. So, you know, I ranked Cook Inlet Housing Authority first because I think it was good value for money. I do think— I believe in the vision of using this money downtown to some extent, because it is an area that just needs a little extra vitality and love. And I do think that's kind of the vision for the mayor, is to help downtown as well.

So I think that mural downtown is a great idea. And I— after that, the Huffman O'Malley. So I wondered if the body is open to short funding these a little bit and helping and encouraging the applicants to make up the difference. We might be able to fit in a little more. I think that's just my comment.

Yeah. My top 3 were Huffman, Cook Inlet Housing, and then actually ADT.

And I think my— if I were to add in my 4th, it was actually Girdwood. And that was because of the cost element. It is a lower-cost project. But that's kind of where my, my ranking has landed. Okay, so Hoffman, you said, is number 1.

What is your 2 and 3, Aidan? Cook Inlet Housing and then ADT. So 1 is Hoffman O'Malley, 2 is Cook Inlet. That correct? Yes, and then the 3rd was the Alaska Dance Theater.

Oh, okay, gotcha. Do you have a fourth? Um, my fourth was, uh, uh, yeah, Girdwood. Sounds good.

And Claire, let me just get back to you. So you did, you said Anchorage, Mississimi, and both, uh, you had 80. So which one would be your first for that one if you have to rank them? Yeah, I would say, I would actually, I would sort of, I would eliminate the Anchorage Museum temporary mobility, motility, getting around entirely from the running, just based on budget. Is that at Sea Lab or not?

No, the one with Sea Lab and Jeff Schultz and Art Tech Live celebrating the Iditarod, I actually liked a lot. I think it's great use of downtown's branding. And it sounds very ready to go and ready to execute, which I thought was a really good idea. So I would say Creek Inlet Housing, then the Seed Lab, my Gitterod mural, followed by Huffman O'Malley because I would cut out the cars and trucks one. I would go to Huffman O'Malley and then Girdwood was my next one down the list because I agree, value for money, it seems like a good community building project.

Sounds good, thank you.

Who wants to go next? I see Norm put his in the chat. Oh, thank you. I can't see both on my thing if I'm on the worksheet and— oh, let me see. Oops.

We can read it out. Oh, did you find it? Okay. Oh, go ahead. Yes, please.

Yeah, so Girdwood was the number 1. With the community mural, then the Cook Inlet Housing Authority in Spenard, followed by Hoffman O'Malley's mural, the community council. Oh, I see a trend here. Okay, great. Who wants to go next?

I have completely changed my mind since we've been sitting here, so go ahead. I'm the kind of person that I have to wait for everyone else to order before I order my food because I get food envy. Um, so people talking about their opinions has really helped me. Um, I think I'm leaning more towards the Huffman for number 1. Or number 1.

Okay. Yeah, I started out thinking Keys to Life was my number 1, but it's dropped down the list quite a bit. Um, I think my number 2 is probably the Anchorage Museum Seed Lab.

Mm-hmm. My 3 would be Cook and Let.

Okay.

And 4, I don't know, I think I'm torn between Keys to Life and the Anchorage Dance Theater. Okay. So, okay. Okay. Think about who you want to edge out for your 4 and 5, and we'll come back to you.

Sound good?

Yes, sounds good. Tamalevis, how about you? I also just want to throw a wrench in everything because I'm just like also rereading everything and I'm just like, you know, the Anchorage Music— like a lot of these organizations will and can apply for other funding, especially museums, because there are grants that are out there specifically for museums. So that's why I was like a little iffy for them on that. But, you know, everybody's still trying to bounce back from COVID So I'm just like, okay, like, but then I also love that they're pairing the Seed Lab with Jeff because they're also well-known.

Are a photographer, and I'm just like, I understand, cool. And then also Cook Inlet Housing, I'm just like, they also have opportunities to have monies, you know, they could access monies easily, whereas like for the, like, community councils, they do their own fundraising, so it's like they don't get really a lot of money on their own unless they raise it themselves. Through like picnics or like things like that, block parties. That's kind of how I've observed the Northeast Community Council get their monies. So I was just like, that's why O'Malley is a little bit up there for me.

And then I'm just like, but I feel so bad for Grootwood. And I'm just like, and then I don't know, 'cause I like Cook Inlet 'cause a lot of the housing authorities, like there's a lot of low-income families that are impacted by, you know, housing insecurity and that's like, like one of the big things with the, the mayor as well. That's one of her initiatives is like, you know, housing. So I'm just like, ooh, like, and I've also worked for a housing authority as well in the past, not this one in particular, but I'm just like, you know, it's really important and I feel it can be really impactful for families trying to like get back on their feet in Anchorage because they do have a lot of facilities. A lot of their facilities are located schools, so it's really like in the community and not really downtown, most of them.

So that's why I was like, um, like my brain is like looking at these, like, who has access to money, who doesn't have access to money, who if we gave them some could raise more funds. Like, that's why I'm like, the Anchorage Museum, but you know feasibility. Like, the Anchorage Museum, we know they can do it. We know they have a team. We know that they have like a fabrication studio.

Like, they could— they can make things happen. And that's why I'm like, oh, like, yeah, Cook Inlet doesn't really have like artists on tap like that. So I'm just like, it might take a little coordinating on their end, but I'm like, okay, my ranking As of right now, in this moment, as of 6:53. Yes. I want to say Huffman, Suleyman O'Malley Community Council, one, and then the Seed Lab, the Anchorage Seed Lab, and then the third one would be the Cook Inlet Housing Authority, and then the fourth one would be the Girdwood.

Okay.

Locking in my answer. All right. And Kim, any insights on your foreign, or at least a fourth vote? I think I'm gonna go with Girdwood for number 4. I went back and read it.

I wanted to know why everyone was excited about it.

Why do you share this, this excitement? So, just to share what you all picked. So tell me when you see that, what does it tell you?

And excuse me.

So if we can eliminate Anchorage Museum, the hospice. Uh, I think you all picked the same, just different ranking. And Keys to Life, uh, ADT, uh, Kim, did you also pick ADT because you were torn in that? So that was going to be your number 5, I think.

Yeah, give me number 5 for that one. Yeah, okay, so at least 2 of you ranked it at least. So yeah, uh most number ones for Hafman Omali.

And also with Girdwood, with Tamaleave, is what you were saying, you know, they, I think they also applied. We also have a Girdwood application for arts grants. It may not be the same, but at least, you know, we're sharing the love with the Girdwood community, so hopefully they can have some from there.

So looks like most of them are possible to short fund one. I mean, we— I think we could do 4 of them here if we don't fully fund a couple. Yeah, like the—. This—. The Jeff Schultz one, they asked for 40, but it says they're— they think it's going to cost 32.

I don't know why they asked for 40. So I mean, it seems like we could give 10 to Cook Inlet, 32 to the Jeff Schultz project downtown. We could give the $4,000 for the Girdwood folks. It would still give, um, not quite $50,000 to Huffman Amali, but $44,000 is still a lot of money for a mural. Um, like maybe they could fundraise part of it.

It almost seems like they just shot for the moon and asked for as much as they could ask for if I look at the budget. I think so, and that's what we saw this year. Last year we didn't put a cap on for an application, but this year we did say cap is $50,000 for an application and we had a lot of them put in $50,000, which is not going to be possible. So what I would recommend— oh, go ahead, Claire. I was gonna say it may also indicate a lack of knowledge about what the budget requires to do a project like this sometimes.

Yeah, yeah. And so what I would recommend for the Commission to do is maybe just put your ranking regardless of funding, and let ACDA decide on the feasibility and also, you know, depending on who might have kind of issues, barriers for putting it up in case the Huffman doesn't push through. But it's just basically what you want to see happen regardless of the cost, but that you'd like to help them out, assuming that ACDA would decide on how much funding may be available, and they'll work it out with, uh, the organization on if they can make it happen and raise the rest of the funds.

So in your remaining 3 minutes, I would say, do you agree, Miss Chair, like there's 3 number ones for Huffman? So would that be the number one choice for the Commission. So how would you want to rank that, Ms. Chair, for the Commission recommendation? I would still look to Young and Rebecca's just to like, as a completionist, I just want to have theirs on the record just so that theirs can be there.

But it looks like an overwhelming majority has picked the Huffman and O'Malley as number 1, so I feel comfortable with ranking that number 1 as the commission's number 1 as it stands right now until Rebecca and Young were able to submit theirs. I will put that in, but it seems like— can we do for number 2, Cook Inlet Housing kind of has an even number 2 votes and number 3 votes, uh, and with the Anchorage Museum having 2 2 number 2s, so I don't know what that means. Does anyone know how to interpret that? So which one would be your 2 or 3 just right now without, without Young's and Rebecca's yet? Mathematically, Cook and Lipp, because you would have—.

Okay, that would be second. You would have to give a 0 for the other 3 members. Okay, so 2 here— oops— 2 here, and third would be museum.

Well, everybody.

Yeah, I mean, we would just have to mathematically figure out how that really works. OK, is everyone comfortable if this is what we include with the meeting? I think end of May is when ACDA and the mayor's office is, um, is planning— is when they're planning to meet, and this is what I will submit as your recommendation, Miss Chair? How are you? Are we able to sit on, on that meeting, or is it a closed meeting?

Yeah, no, actually last year I think John was invited, so the chair, or if you're not available, your designee can attend. I'll send you the invite. Sounds so good. And I think we're gonna have to have a motion on this to make it an official recommendation, but it's pending Youngs and Rebecca, so So can we do a motion pending on that just in case? Because you have a— I move to pending, uh, make these the recommendations.

Thank you. We have a motion and we have a second. I done second. Thank you. Therefore, this is the, um, Commission's pending rankings of the Beyond the Beige applications going forward to the Mayor's Office for their upcoming meeting with ACDA.

Okay, and you want to ask for a vote? Is that no objection?

Is it a unanimous vote?

Hearing and seeing no objection or dialogue, we will take it as a full approval. Question mark? Yes, yes, I think so. Um, great. So next on your agenda, Ms.

Chair, is a plan. What instructions at 7:01? What quick instructions would you like to give for how to best prepare for the next meeting for the arts grants? Do we have public participation or no? Oh, we could.

I don't know if I included that, but yes, we should have that.

Do we have a public?

No. Nope. Hearing and seeing none, moving on. Yes. And then do any members have a quick comment or anything upcoming in the community they would like to share?

You have 1 minute to popcorn around, and I will start with No updates on my end. Just a clarification question. Are we only able to recommend 3? Oh, we can rank more if you'd like. Yeah.

Okay. I'm happy with where we landed. Just something to keep in mind for myself going forward.

Yeah. Okay. Cool.

Yeah, no, I— oh, and are you talking about the arts grants too? Yeah. Oh, the arts grants, I think you should score them and we'll take an average if that's where we want to go, and I'll leave it to the chair how you want to decide. But if you could write, Miss Chair, our agreement— I don't know if I included that in the instructions— where if you could give it to me like the Friday, I guess this Friday because you're meeting Monday. Your even just your scores, and so I can put that in one spreadsheet and maybe average out how you scored each one and start your discussion there.

Maybe, Miss Chair, is that still what you'd want to do? Yes, so we can have further communications on that after this meeting, but thank you. And then we could popcorn it. I didn't Who do you want to pass it to?

Um, I will pass it to Norm.

What? Sorry, I was working on a car. What I'm getting called into?

Oh, just ending comments, announcements. Uh, nope, I was pretty solid, but everybody was able to keep it all together. Thank you.

Yes. And then Claire, if you want to go next. I just want to say thanks for having me. I agreed with Ayden's question. We might— we may want to consider next time adding a backup project to that list of 3, just in case, so they know our feelings.

But yeah, looking forward to the next meeting. Thank you, guys.

Great, thank you.

And Kim, you're next.

I got nothing. All right, glad you're here, Kim. See my dog in the background? That's my contribution. All right, yes, much appreciated.

I'm glad he was there.

Um, no further comments for me, but, um, I just wanted to revisit that our meeting meetings are on Monday because with the legislature, unfortunately, our floors are starting to go into the nighttime. So because we're starting to get to the last week, last weeks of session, so every bill is starting to get, you know, heard and having their time in the sun, which means for staff that we're going to have to be pulling all-nighters or late into the night. And thank God I have a great team team, so they were willing to, uh, take the bullet for me because I was supposed to get back at 6, but I was like, oh, I have something to do at 6, and they were like, oh, okay, we can cover for you this time. And I was just like, so if any— if it is the will of the committee, are we able to move to Tuesdays if possible? Like, it's just Mondays are when we have house floor, and that's when I should be in the building.

And are you thinking for next week to the next two meetings? Because we have next two Mondays, so for Tuesdays. So make it next two Tuesdays. Okay. Yes.

Is that okay with the committee? Anyone have—. I can do Tuesday. It's better for me. Oh, yay, Kim!

Yeah, I know you're, uh, I got PTA, so I won't go to Okay, and so we'll, we'll check with Rebecca too and see, uh, Rebecca and Young. And so that's pending, Miss Chair, if you're okay with that. And we'll just take a count on how many we'll miss. So, okay, as long as everybody can bring in their recommendations to me and as long as we meet quorum so we can make it official, at least on the third meeting. So let's It's pending, so keep your Tuesdays open for next week in case we need to change it.

And then for the final meeting, we need to make quorum one more meeting so that it can be an official recommendation. So, okay. And yes, so for next week, please have your scores to me by Friday. I mean, even if you do it Friday at midnight, I'll do it this, you know, the weekend, so it'll be ready for your meeting maybe Monday or Tuesday. So we'll try and determine that right away.

I will contact Young and Rebecca. All right, sounds good. And we will be concluding this meeting officially at 7:07. Thank you all for the commissioners that were able to attend. Your time and your service is much appreciated, and thank you all and have a wonderful evening.

Wonderful week. Bye, thanks. Bye, thank you all, great job. Yeah.