Hello, good evening, everyone.

Um, I call this meeting to order.

Um, can I get a motion to approve the agenda?

I can motion.

And can I get a second?

Yep.

All in favor of the agenda say aye.

Aye.

Okay.

So next, can I get a motion to approve the minutes?

By motion.

Oh.

I'll make a motion to approve the minutes.

Thank you.

And a second.

Okay, all in favor of the minutes say.

Okay, so first order.

Do we have any oral communications for this meeting?

Okay, staff is saying no.

Um, so we won't have to read this script.

All right.

So thanks everyone.

So we are going to move to our agenda items.

Monday.

Um this year, um, well, for a little bit of overview, project grants, their yearly grants, um, they provide funding for art, culture, and heritage projects that serve Bellevue residents and visitors.

Um, this year we upped the request amounts.

Um, formerly they were one, two, and three thousand.

Um now applicants can choose three, five, or seven thousand, and those are all or nothing requests.

Um, so the considerations for the grantees were either we fund them at that request or none at all.

Um, this was a change we made several years ago just to set expectations and to make sure artists, organizers who were proposing projects with a specific budget, um, could know that they could expect a certain amount instead of saying, hey, I want 5,000 from a project, and then we give them a thousand.

Seems a bit of a of an ask to scale down your project or expect it to be the same with with smaller amounts.

So that was a change we made.

Um then on top of the project grant, um, if a uh grantee is interested in bringing their project to Bell Red, um, which is we defined as the whole neighborhood um of Bell Red.

Applicants could choose um to apply for this bonus, which was an extra thousand dollars, um, with the aim to incentivize more happenings um and awareness of the arts district.

Um that was too far.

There we go.

So um just a reminder EAP support grants, which is our other program that's on a two-year cycle.

Um so we're not be looking at that.

Nobody applied this year.

Um that was new.

It's all the same applicants, they get the same award in the second year.

I review them all just to make sure they're still a legitimate organization doing business.

Um, and um they will go to council as an FYI.

Um, but no changes to those.

Uh project grants, um, the award recommendations were developed um by the allocations committee, which consisted of um Martinez, McIntyre, and Era of Theater 33, who quite a few of you are familiar with.

Um Era is also part of the Bell Red Arts District Community Alliance.

Um, so lots of helpful knowledge about um Bell Red and the bonus, um, and also having been uh um having applied to many different grants in the area has a lot of grant experience.

Um so it's very helpful uh for I think our deliberations that experience.

Um this year, uh surprise when you uh increase the amount that artists can and businesses and nonprofits can request, uh, you see quite an appetite.

Um this year we had uh 67 eligible applications, um requesting 464,000 in funding requests.

This includes the bonus um requests.

This is a 394% increase from last year.

Um last year we had 26 applicants, um or 26 applications and funded 24 of them uh for a total of 71,000.

Um so very different.

Uh a different um different year.

So the committee recommends allocating 187,000 to 31 project grants.

And 13,000 to 13 Bellworth bonuses because they're each a thousand dollars.

Uh for a total of 200,000.

Um, this would be 43% of the total funding requests.

Um which is pretty in line.

Yeah.

Um it's definitely a lower percentage.

Um I would say this is probably more in line to our EAP grant program.

Um here are some of the proposed results.

Um in the memo I sent you or the um commission packet that I sent you.

Um there was an error.

I said project grants and EAP grants.

Um your agenda packet that I sent actually was only project grants.

Um so I corrected that online.

Uh, but here is both programs, one including EAP grants on the top, and then project grants alone are on the bottom there.

Um yeah.

Um just some other little pieces of information.

I went through all of them and try to put them into buckets while while difficult.

There's a lot of overlap, you know, people are doing festivals that also have workshops and whatnot.

Um there are four in the educational realm.

Um, so that is some kind of art or cultural teaching, uh, seven exhibitions, so maybe it's an art show.

Um seven festivals, so more of those bigger productions, um, 16 performances.

There's a lot of overlap on the festivals and performances, um, and then five workshops.

Um any questions about the process or the grants.

Um, your packet has a uh exhaustive breakdown of all of the project proposals and then the ones that are recommended for funding.

Um happy to answer any questions, and I also want to open up um to our two reviewers if you have anything to say or want to answer any questions that might come up.

I do.

I'd uh first like to say that we appreciate the uh effort it took to apply.

Um so we appreciate the 67 people who chose uh groups that chose to apply and appreciate their effort.

Um I can attest that the committee uh performed a thorough and and thoughtful um review of each one and uh and our approach, I think was um uh valid.

And that uh certainly like to thank Manette for for organizing the entire thing.

That's a that's a a large effort um and it was very well organized, I thought, uh, for my first time.

And that um I believe that uh this rep these recipients represent a solid list of of arts-related um activities that um will benefit the city in in the coming year.

Um if you want to comment on the panel.

So if you want to add on to that, I I just have a few questions.

So okay, so yeah, I really I really love the it's on.

It's on.

Oh, wrong one.

Thank you.

Yeah, it's on, yeah.

But this one is closer to me.

Thank you.

So I really really like the activity as Charles says.

Uh it was a really uh thoughtful and really analyzed exercise that we did.

I mean, with the help of Manette and the analysis that you help us also, Lori.

So it was really gratifying to be in this in this um analysis and allocation.

Uh found a lot of interesting projects.

I mean, um I'm amazed about the diversity and all the creative things that people think through.

I love it, individuals organizations really love it.

I will say it'll be surprised that most of the people, a lot of people didn't know what the our district is, sorry to say, but a lot of them do you see that in number of organizations that we analyze with the uh bonus ad on is because some of them even mention an organization or something in that area.

So we talk about it.

We you have been improving the way that is reading, but we have to find a way for people to give me the address or something that made them go and look.

Okay.

So that was something that was uh in a point that was really funny.

And the other thing that I would like to add is um in make a question, what is art?

What is culture, what is entertainment?

So it was uh uh uh a real question that you Charles mentioned, and I think that is something worth to be analyzed.

And also when we talk about the city strategy will be something that we must be, I mean, we must talk about it.

Thank you.

Thanks for your comments on the panel participation.

It sounds like it's a was a very worthwhile experience.

And um, I'm interested in that 346% spike in applications.

I'm wondering, did we do anything additional to the marketing strategy as far as going through different cultural organizations?

Um and also um, you know, there's and that's an overwhelming spike in demand for funding.

So I'm assuming that you know, if we continue this for the next few years, like we can bring this data to, you know, the the greater the count the council and ask, hey, is there a way that we can increase the budget for these project grants?

Um I mean, as I'm sure we'll have to tie it to some like economic benefit for the city, but um yeah, it just sounds like it's uh really uh the start of something um new and also just the start of just more cultural activities um around these parts.

Um I think the spike was purely because of the request amounts.

The fact that we are now offering up to 7,000 was very attractive, and I think that that just attracted things that people were like, oh, I can actually do what I want to do instead of a 3,000, where it's like festival, probably not gonna be able to help my festival.

Um yeah.

I don't know how many, but most of these uh requests were around the 7,000.

Yeah.

I think it shows a it reflects the increased cost of producing arts and culture events.

Our award levels had not changed for a couple decades.

Um and so just being really honest that it's much more expensive to produce an arts and culture event.

If we were giving out a thousand dollar award, it's a night at the main bowers, seven to eight.

Um, so it doesn't it doesn't get you there.

And these made it possible for the awards to actually help substantively on a on a project.

Yeah, I didn't change my marketing strategy.

Um so that that could not mean other than our like uh social media presence grows every year.

So I guess we benefit from that.

But I also have one more question about the application itself, and maybe this is more directed to you, Manette, since I believe it's your first time serving on the um project grants panel, but um have we noticed like an increase in the quality of the applications as far as the content itself?

Um I would say uh I can't quite comment on call quality, but I will say more and more people are using AI to generate their answers, and sometimes it is incredibly obvious.

Um I have no no qualms with people using AI as long as they um use it as a tool and not as an excuse to write for them.

Um so I think I think it's very helpful to get your thoughts going and you know, start your answer, but don't just copy and paste what it's spit out.

Um so I think that's definitely a concern.

Um is maybe the quality dips when people rely too heavily on AI.

Um, but it's it's a world, it's new, it's exciting, and you can't blame people for using a tool that exists.

So yeah.

Yeah, that's a good tip that you know, people are encouraged to utilize it, especially if it helps them get their like mission and their uh vision out there on paper.

But um, yeah, copying is plagiarism essentially.

So I think that's a really good note to call out for like future grants that we do is that you know, we encourage the use of like these artificial intelligence as long as it's authentic to your voice.

Yeah, thank you.

More questions overnight.

So um the applicants were already made aware much in advance that this time around we're going to make it all or nothing.

Yeah, it has been for a while now, and it is yeah.

Okay.

Yeah.

Um, I have some uh comments on this.

Um so last year I participated in the committee as well.

I think this year we see a big jump.

Um uh I personally posted on uh so my social media.

So I I saw a lot of names there, uh, but unfortunately, I think most of my friends didn't get the grants.

Well, I will say a lot of first-time applicants.

Yeah, it is very common that it may take a few times um just to get in the groove and um the the comments from the reviewers are made available.

Um so uh any any helpful you know comments may help them put together a better application next year.

Um another thought about AI, I think I did breaks the uh language barrier for a lot of cultural organizations.

Uh I really like that tool to be able to help them with grant writing.

I think this is very helpful because we can see from um the presentations, a lot of organizations, uh especially cultural organizations, they do have language barriers.

Yeah.

I think this is a very helpful tool.

If we can um give them some suggestion or advice how to use that tool properly when they write the grant, that'd be very helpful.

That's great.

Um another point I would like to know is um as you mentioned that uh how you do we define the art and a culture, right?

So if we can have like a like a pivot table or something, that's how many grants we um awarded to different category of like art art perform, like um performance art or visual arts or digital arts and uh or culture.

Well, for example, last year I I I give a lot of priority for the cultural group.

If they present a special cultural group, I think that's value for the city.

So um if we can have that data to share, that would be great.

That would be also kind of guidance for the next year.

So we award this cultural group or this type of um art form, and next year we can probably prioritize to cover more uh broad uh organizations.

I think that's a really good point.

And it's been in the back of my mind.

I hate making an application longer because we've tried so hard to make it as short as possible.

But I think a question where you you know click a button takes you know 10 seconds.

Are you you know proposing a cultural festival, an art festival, a workshop?

You know, all we'll have to think about how many are appropriate and you know, do we want to those buckets can get a little complicated when you're in art and culture, which is such a big amorphous space.

Um, but yeah, we have uh another program um through the uh diversity advantage team, cross-cultural grants.

Um we're seeing a lot of overlap amongst our program.

Um and they do a good job on asking like what are you proposing?

What type of thing is it?

Um, and that's just helpful for them to see.

Like, are we funding a lot of this type or that type, or you know?

So um I think that might be a question we consider adding in the future.

And I artists trust what we had done is like we had uh reported the data of like you know, those categories of how many applications versus how many awarded.

So you see that percentage breakdown, and then you can use that to gauge like uh you know the upcoming years, like award allocations to say, like you're mentioning like we've awarded this much to like performance uh pieces, like what about we focus on like cultural festivals.

So I think that might be a good model to also look at.

I think they report it through the press releases and things like that.

I think that is important to share the information, but I wouldn't like that to be like a limitation for the committee to select the best representation, the best uh project that you see.

So I think that is important that we have like a mix thing, but it could it can be like intentional.

So uh I don't imagine that 30% have to be this kind of thing.

Okay.

So is it worth to have the information because we were thinking through like because we we tried to make the mix, but if it was something that we didn't even really see, like something that will be like, for example, remember that we had three we were directed to have three levels of of qualification the art, uh artistic innovation, the public benefit, and the feasibility.

So if you go through this through, so I mean, I think that the qualification helps us a lot to get to that.

But yeah, my point is like it's not it's good to have the information, but not to limit what we can select.

try to make the mix but if it was something that we didn't even really see like something that will be like for example remember that we had three we were directed to have three levels of of qualification it the art uh artistic innovation the public benefit and the feasibility so if you go through this through so I mean I think that the qualification help us a lot to get to that but yeah my point is like it's not it's good to have the information but not to limit what we can select anyone who can do it next time I don't think we would make a selection criteria based on we must fund this many of this or whatever it's yeah because then you're forcing applications that might you you throw the whole review out the window um if you do that but I think it's uh helpful information yes to know it's like how we I mean I anecdotally know that we form a lot of performance art and that's there's a lot of appetite for that um does that mean then though that we could do a better job getting people more interested in doing workshops or doing other types and then maybe we see a higher application rate in there and then we can fund more um in certain sections.

Who knows?

I have a tracking yeah I was also gonna say do we also actually have access to how many of these events that are funded do we actually get analytics about it like do we know exactly how many people have either it's virtual or how many walked in through the door.

Yes we get in yeah so uh these are all reimbursable grants and enables for them to get their award they must report on how the event went or the workshop or whatever it is um and we asked numbers also one more question so these completed forms that applicants given is that publicly available can anybody pull up to see who applied and what did they write about their organization so the whole packet is public um and then it it is doubly public because it comes to you all so it's online and then it goes to city council and they get basically the same amount of information um so all that is public their whole application uh is not a completed application is what I mean I mean it is it is a public record um so technically if someone did a public records request it would go through our public records office they would to see if anything is personal um and need to be redracted but yes the whole application would technically be open I guess what I was actually trying to understand was if anybody who's a first time applicant um they're interested to see what sort of uh answers will help me put my case forward like if I'm a first time applicant yeah um do do do applicants get any guidance um so this year we had uh I had office hours I think I had four or three um that was a suggestion I think by one of you maybe that's um and so uh free for all anybody could ask any kind of questions um I think there was maybe about across of all of them maybe 20 to 30 people attended um so that was pretty gratifying that people showed up and asked a lot of questions and um uh so that was one way and that some people ended up sending me their whole application afterwards and be like hey can you take a look at this and see if I'm on the right track um and so obviously I can't say like this is great but it's like yes you're on the right track direction like the legitimate application you're answering the right questions um in terms of after everything is reviewed they can get comments from the reviewers um you are familiar you know yeah um I'm happy to sit down with people and talk things through um we don't record the meetings where the the determinations are made so those specific comments are not uh but they get the comments yes we make these um that are put into the applications are public um yeah it's not perfect no that's but I I would love I would love to have huge written long like this is exactly how you can improve but that's a lot of work any other questions from the commission or joy deep I see you're on the call do you have any questions comments about this two places at once one had a comment that advertising was excellent I made every effort to tell everybody that I knew please apply and uh somebody that has been an artist for about 10 12 years never applied his whole life he got it and I'm happy that I was not a part of the ones we chose because this is really awesome.

We're like ours.

Don't take us, I guess, because of our tag background.

We are human beings here.

Nice.

We have the lady with red hair.

We are awesome people.

No, this has been an amazing turnout.

I'm super happy with that.

Sorry for being late.

I forgot how to draw my daughter there.

All right.

Uh so thanks everyone.

Um, so it looks like we have two options for a motion.

Option one is move to recommend the approval of the two any 26 project grants as recommended by the allocations committee.

Option two is move to not recommend the approval of the 2026 project grants as recommended by the allocations committee.

So can I get a motion to approve, which would be option one?

I would motion to approve.

I second.

Kenny, okay.

Chonky seconds.

Thank you so much.

Okay.

All in favor.

Oh in favor say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

All right.

Um, so we have a motion to approve.

Um, so thank you, everybody.

Um, next on the agenda is confirm committee assignments.

Yes.

Um, so it should be pretty straightforward.

Um nothing has changed since uh September when we all had you sign up for committees.

Um, I just wanted to bring this back as a little reminder, and so you have this in your packet um to refer to in the future when we call upon you.

Um, these will be the committees for the new year.

Um yeah, that's it.

Any questions or concerns?

Okay.

Next on the agenda, art and culture, capital facility grant program update.

Um, so coming to a close the first year of our capital.

It's this is very grant heavy night.

Um, our art and cultural capital facility grant program.

Uh, this is the newest of our grants.

Um we had a budget of 1.8 uh for the next two years.

1.8 million, yes.

Um uh we had 22 million seven hundred and three thousand four hundred and ninety-eight in funding requests through this program.

Um, and the allocations committee uh recommendations, which were approved by the Arts Commission and City Council through a whole lovely process.

Um awarded to five applicants.

Um, and I will go through where we're kind of sitting um with these grants.

Um first off, uh, there has been an update since the packet was published.

Um the two remaining contracts uh that were waiting to be processed have uh either been completely signed or in or in process of being signed.

Um so that is exciting because that took a year.

Um, a little bit less than a year because we had to to write the contracts, but um that was kind of my goal to get that all wrapped up, get everybody under contract uh by the end of this year, and I think we're able to meet that goal.

Um Kids Quest, uh, who we awarded 400,000 to um finished up super quick.

Uh they completed their renovations of the water room.

Um in opened in August.

Um, so their grant fully closed out.

Um I went and checked it out.

There is a uh a little sign that says City above you.

Um it seems to imply that the whole bottom floor is funded by us.

So we'll take it.

Yeah, first floor exhibit gallery, city above you.

That's what officially what the sign says.

Um, so that's exciting.

I also wanted to note um kids quest has been in the media recently.

Um, I don't know if you've all uh um so we will get more of an update there.

Um, but I don't want you to see this and be like, wait, but they're moving.

Why did we put money into this?

Um it'll take them a long time to move.

Um their potential new facility will take a bunch of upgrades.

It's a whole nother thing.

Um, they're gonna get a lot of love and use out of this room.

Um, it's still an asset to them.

Um this facility will be in operation for quite a while.

Um, and that was uh, I think something that we talked about in their award was to make sure in case they did move, um grantees would need to certify that whatever we are helping them with would get at least I think three to five years of use.

And it's definitely going to take three plus years to move to a new facility for them.

So that wasn't a concern for us, but I just wanted to bring that up.

A capital project grant of 462,000 500.

This was for the construction of their theater space, which completed actually before they applied for this grant.

This grant covers two years looking into the future, two years looking back.

So they are able to submit invoices for work that happened in 2023 and 2024.

So I'm in the process of getting that all wrapped up for them.

The maintenance was for installing a proper HVAC system, not just heat bumps, but also air conditioning, which was imperative in a metal box, which essentially they're in.

We don't want people doing improvements on their facility that should be within the landlord's responsibilities, and providing AC is not um covered.

So they installed that themselves.

No, not that really I went there in the summer and they gave you how do you call.

So do you have to enter in watch of the uh the play, and you were like it got really hot.

Yeah, it was needed, yeah.

Yeah.

Um so the last two um grantees are American Asian performing arts theater, APAT for short.

Um, that was a $600,000 grant for the construction of their new dance studio.

Um I received an update, I think late last week that uh they are continuing through the process of our um permitting, which is really fun.

Um, but they are making progress.

Um, so I think the permitting office got back with them um recently, and they are now sending over some more information, and they hope to break break ground um early next year.

Um so they're they're on on schedule.

Um I will be speaking to them very soon about that schedule and how you know we only have one more year um of this program to make sure that they they get stuff going and can invoice us in time.

Um, but it's all looking very hopeful.

Um, there's no concerns that they know of from our permitting office.

So that's good.

Um the last one is Carlson Theater at Bellevue College.

Um that one too.

I also got an update um after I did this packet.

Um they've completed their upgrades to lighting.

Um I think it's like uh the higher tech LED system or um a reminder that this theater had not seen upgrades since it was built in the 60s, 80s.

70s.

Yeah, yeah.

So um much needed updates, and then they've also updated their seats.

Um so uh they have been making progress.

And as a part of this grant, we were very adamant that they must um get their act together and make it available to the community.

Um, and I'm happy to report that there is um an actual process that people can follow now.

There is a person dedicated to looking at rental requests.

Um, they're making a huge effort to make this available to the community.

Um, so if you got friends that need a theater, um, let them know.

And then if they have issues, let me know.

Um but brand new seats, it should be a great audience experience.

Um, so that's the end of uh that.

Any questions about the facility grants?

Um what we've funded so far.

Uh is uh deadline that they have to finish in a project.

Yeah, so the the program, all the contracts end at the end of 2026.

Um so whether or not, you know, they all their work has to happen within 2026, and then they must invoice the city by the end of the year.

Um in some very, very rare cases, we can do contract amendments.

Um, but that would have to be, you know, circumstantial.

It's not an automatic.

Oh, well, you didn't, you know, complete, we just automatically renew your contract.

That's not how we do um procuring at the city.

So um for APAP, though, it should know they don't have to complete their entire construction by the end of next year.

They just have to complete enough to have enough to submit for reimbursement.

And their studio is way more than $600,000.

It's gonna be a couple million.

So I don't know what their current budget is, but it's definitely gonna be expensive.

Um, so if they have eligible expenses, which they will by the end of the next year, we can more than uh yeah, fill out that 600,000.

Can I ask when the next round of this program would come?

Um so we'll cover the next two years.

It's a little tricky um with our internal budgeting process.

I think there's gonna be a lot of moving pieces that will have to fall into place.

Um, but Lori and I are sitting down early next year to talk about timelines, when we would want this program to open again.

Um, how do we ensure that we have funds to cover?

What is our budget?

Um no sooner than first of 2027.

No, so most likely we'll have an application period next year.

So in 26, because the next grant period would cover 27 and 28.

Gotcha.

Perfect.

I think it is available now.

Um, whether or not they're finished with other upgrades, there could be areas of time that they're not available for rentals because they have something planned.

Um, also any programming directly through the the college gets priority.

Um so I it I think we're at at their behest in terms of their timelines, but it is open.

So is the link is available the public now?

Um I think they're so they have a rental facility guide online of all of their things.

Um, and I think there's an email address, or you can always email me and say, hey, how do I get shared back because I know there everyone's asking where do we go?

Yeah, yeah.

So like this.

So I can definitely, and then they have a really helpful guide on like how many seats, what are the what what does it offer?

There's there is the theater itself, and there's also the um outside what's you the lobby area, and those are separate.

Um or you can rent them separately if you want.

Um, and it's also quite affordable, I will say.

And they have a nonprofit rate.

Yeah, if you have the link, you can just show you the link and also who to contact.

Um, and I'll share that with all of you just because I know you're well tapped into your community and um that information is helpful to have.

Um, I do have one comment.

Um, so there are other um funding available for HVAC system.

So if you get uh request for upgrade the uh install hip hop or edge vac um uh energy some side and also the state uh department of commerce and they have a lot of grants uh allocated uh in the community.

Yeah, yeah, for HVAC.

Yeah, so we're looking at everybody else's schedules too for next year, and how do we fit in with the other grant programs?

Um, do we go simultaneously?

Do we go before?

Um because sometimes it's helpful to have money secured to get additional grants and it's uh it's a fun puzzle.

All right, thanks, Manette, for those updates.

So um next is commission quick business.

So our next meeting date.

Does the first um Wednesday in December work for you all?

That would be um what would that be December third?

Yeah, okay.

That seems to be a majority.

Um so we'll have our next meeting on December 3rd.

Additionally, um parliamentary procedures training.

So I didn't email you all about this.

I just want to differentiate this from the other training that was already um already happened live and now is available through uh recordings.

Um if you did attend that live, please let Karin Roberts know there should be um her contact information in an email.

Um if not and you're confused, always just let me know.

We'll work it out.

So yeah, if you attended that live or if you watch the recording, we need to have that information recorded because it is a requirement.

Every four years they receive this training.

That is not to be confused with parliamentary procedures, which is coming up on December 8th.

I heard from some of you.

Let me pull up my list so I make sure.

Charles, Sandra, Erica, and Lydia.

Anyone else that I didn't mention that wants to come?

This is a training that talks about how do you pass motions.

How do you have discussions?

How do you digest Robert's rules of orders, which is a manual that is very dry?

Um, but sets out it's really the only manual that sets out how to have public meetings of this nature.

Um there's a lovely host um who uses dinosaur stuffed animals to it is in person.

Um it's not recorded to my knowledge.

Um, it's more of a helpful to know information.

Um I'd be happy to join a kitten still live in the case.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Um if you can't come, not a requirement.

We don't need to record your attendance or anything.

They would just like to know who is interested in coming.

All right, off now.

I'll add you.

Just I'm assuming it's going to be here and it is in person.

Um, so dinner provided.

Dinner starts at 5 30.

The training starts at 6, and it's 6 to 8 30.

It's very long.

Um, but I promise you it's actually kind of interesting.

Um yeah.

I was good.

Looking forward to it.

Uh, which date?

It's December 8th.

It's a Monday.

So it'd be the Monday after our meeting.

Um, technically 5 30 to 8 30, but there's a half hour for dinner before.

Yeah, please send me the information.

Thank you.

Um, do you want me to?

I can mark you down as you want to attend.

Yeah, me did.

Uh cool.

Thank you.

Uh that's all I have.

Cool.

Project updates from staff.

All right.

Continuing on our evening's theme of grants, just an update on the 2025 grants.

Those uh reports, those funding reports they've completed their projects for 25.

They now have to submit the reports to get their payment.

Those are due November 30th, and then the program closes out.

If somebody's program goes beyond the 30th, they can submit a report now to get themselves paid because we have to get it in the payment window.

And then they update the report after their grant completes or their project completes.

Um, in our planning projects in the Bell Red Arts District on October 25th, the Art District Community Alliance had an open house for their brand new studio space.

The uh Alliance is hosting 11 artists in the studio as a pilot program.

And then it will be making those studios available at a very discounted rate to artists who want to work in the arts district.

So very exciting.

I saw several there.

Very nice.

Um, our economic development plan.

Council received an update on the report in September of this year.

Um, and then the few days later, they were here for the art commission.

We will probably be a little delayed getting the economic development plan fully um executed through council.

It's probably looking at going at Q1 in 2026, but still overall on track.

That will be a six-year economic development plan that does include creative economy um uh initiatives as well.

So things like our arts district work live in our uh economic development plan because we are a cultural and economic development team.

All right.

On public art, we have some great um updates for you all tonight.

Yonder Sky by Po Shu Wang on 130th and Spring Boulevard in the Arts District is fully installed and operational now.

We did have a couple hiccups on the technological elements and the sound components.

But if you go out now to the arts district and wave your hands in front of the center, the artwork will come to life and sing to you.

It is very lovely.

You can compose with your hands.

Um, do go out.

One of the joys, there's not many, but one of the joys of the darker days is that all of our light art comes back out on full display and is well shines well.

On your way out the door today, make sure you check out read um Longboat Read Rookery by Dan Corson outside City Hall.

It lights up in a color-changing show that you don't get to see during the the light months, but is spectacular this time of year.

Um Yonder Sky also has a light element that is hard to see in the summer, but as it gets darker um is much more apparent.

So go check that out.

Uh rooted by Jill Anholt.

This is our that large tree form.

The piece is fabricated, and we do have it in our procession, but it is waiting for installation because we will move forward in conjunction with our transportation department.

They are making a trail between Spring Boulevard and East Rail, East Rail Trail.

And as that project moves forward, we'll move forward together to do the foundation work as they're doing the trail work there.

So uh just holding for our partners, but we're not too concerned.

We think they're going to be starting their construction in the spring.

Um Crossroads Public Art by Anamelaski is called River.

Thank you.

And it is fully installed, got in there last week in October.

A lot of a lot of credit goes to the install team, both from the artist and Scott McDonald on our side.

Um, it remember that big windstorm pouring rain for four days.

They were installing up on top of light poles, glass art during a rain and windstorm.

Not a damaged piece to be had.

Go check that out on a nice sunny day, and then go check it out again on a cloudy day.

It's dichronic glass.

So the colors of the glass showcase changes depending on the light that is coming through it.

It will also, since it's on a light pole, there's a light above it.

The glass will cast beautiful shadows down on the sidewalk in colorful rainbow fabulousness during the daylight hours, and then a whole other rainbow during the evening hours.

So really playing with light.

There are three of those that are out.

Uh towards the Peapatch Garden, and you'll see all three.

Um, our Grand Connection artist, Matthew Mazzoda has come through for several for a study session here in town.

He met with a wide range of community stakeholders, where is he starting to learn?

You know, what is Bellevue?

What is the Grand Connection?

What does artwork along here mean?

And where are the opportunities for it?

Um, his first deliverable is a public art plan.

So it's not necessarily an artwork, but it is a plan for art along the connect or along the Grand Connection crossing.

So the Grand Connection spans from Main Bower Bay Park all the way over to East Rail Trail.

The section that this plan will focus on is the crossing from basically City Hall Plaza to East Rail Trail.

Um, so uh Matthew Mazzotto will look at locations not only for a piece of work that he may develop in the future, but where are opportunities for other artists along that whole crossing?

Um he will be coming to the art commission for a presentation later on in his work as well.

So you will get further updates as what that one goes.

In temporary public art projects, you see these lovely pieces here.

These panels, remember, are there 12 of them or nine of them?

Nine.

Nine of them are installed along 124th Avenue Northeast.

It's kind of right on the edge between the Spring District and the Arts District.

So in the right in the middle of Bell Red.

Um, lovely pieces by our artist here, Bethany Freckle.

Great opening in conjunction with the Bell Red Artist or Community Alliance.

We had some wonderful singing from a great performer and uh poetry reading.

And then we went down along this path, and community members could cut the ribbons as we went.

So it was very nice.

Several of you were there as well.

Um we have some artifacts uh over in the corner on the table there.

Um, you might recognize the little tadpoles from this artwork.

Um, it's a little grainy, but yeah, um, you're welcome to take them.

They're extra uh stickers from from like to scale.

This is how big the things are.

Um kind of fun.

And then uh last public art update, we did have quite a bit of maintenance plan for 2025.

All of that has been completed.

In total, we uh maintained 30 of our 57 permanent outdoor artworks, our big sculptures, and we will maintain the rest in 2027.

There are a couple of exceptions for what um in the collection, particularly the route out here in front of City Hall, our big upturn tree form.

It's gonna take a little bit of extra looking on maintenance.

Our estimates that came back on that were were quite expensive.

So we're gonna take some time and rethink our approach uh to maintenance on the route.

Um, but overall, our collection is getting a lot of maintenance and love, keeping it in good nick.

It's one thing to create and buy new art, but it's another thing to make sure that we are preserving that public investment.

So something I'm very proud that we do quite well here.

Um then uh last update is a community update.

As we referenced earlier in the committee, many of you have probably heard in the news that the Kids Quest Children's Museum has uh put in an offer to purchase the Bellevue Art Museum.

That has been accepted.

They are now in a due diligence period.

We expect that to move forward and that Kids Quest and the Bellevue Art Museum will close on that sale, likely in Q1 of 2026.

Um that will take some time then.

So uh one of the questions that we get is does that mean QuidsQuest is going to move right in?

No, Kidswist will still need to do exhibit design, engage the community.

They will maintain their current location and operations at their current location as they start to do some work on the Stephen Hole building that Bellevue Art Museum used to occupy.

That building will need some upgrades to get it up to code and some address some deferred maintenance.

Kids quest will need to take on some of that work.

We um are in continuous communication with both the Bellevue Art Museum leadership and Kids Quest.

Um we have heard the Art Museum commit to the Art Fair moving forward.

That is still their primary program.

We're excited for Art Fair 2026 to take place, and it is something that we will continue to monitor as it goes forward.

And that is all for our updates for you guys today.

Um KidsQu will kind of repair everything that's being not done for the last few years.

I I don't want to get too out over my skis.

My understanding is that they will come they will commence the upgrade and maintenance work that needs to happen to make sure the building is up to code and is ready for them to start building in their exhibits.

They want to make sure that that building is in good nick before they invite their guests in.

I'll try to find the name of the last person who's in the maintenance.

I was part of that last maintenance schedule when I was in the BAM in famous trustees.

So they did a really amazing job in matching CapEx and Optics.

There are 40 things that need to be taken care of.

Let me see if I can pull them out.

Uh, then you can share with them.

If it's part of BAM's records, I will say they've been incredibly transparent in the process too.

This is completely a different set.

Love to have anything you're building.

All the side jobs that it did not share.

Yes.

So I have a question about you you talk about the data analysis and community report.

Um in the in the updates, the report that you send.

The economic development plan, yes.

So I have a question about it.

And I was really, I mean, happy to see that one of the strategic priorities is art, culture, and entertainment.

I mean, one of the five one is this.

So great.

We are there in the five.

But and it goes, Charles, to your question the other day.

Uh, when we're talking about the grants and is the main question that they are posing there in the analysis is what is gonna be the main focus for Bellevue.

What are we going to go like?

They were saying that what do we want to be recognized for?

Sports, outdoor music.

They were talking more like in a way like that.

What kind of entertainment?

So I wonder to ask you what is your what do you think about it?

It's a solid question.

And and I will note this is an economic development plan.

So some of the questions are in that phrasing of economic development.

What will what will bring those dollars?

Our work as a commission here, your guys' work also includes cultural planning.

So the economic development plan is a great plan.

We also have cultural planning to do as well.

So there are many plans within the city, all of them work in conjunction with our comprehensive plan.

That's our our big plan.

But we are also looking at starting that cultural planning process, probably in 27.

It's been a while since the art commission has done that work.

Our last cultural plan was Cultural Compass in 2004.

It is a fully retired plan at this point, but it is probably time to pick up cultural planning again.

That is not an easy plan or an easy lift that'll take organization and work to get us going there.

We want to make sure, since we are in the same division of cultural and economic planning, we want to make sure the economic development plan is finished out first before our staff help take up the work of the cultural plan as well.

So, yeah, we approach arts in the economic development plan.

I would say a bit more from a creative economy standpoint.

Um, but I think that there is another part of that conversation, which you just might not be seeing fully in that plan because it's an economic development plan.

Thank you.

Cool.

Um, all right.

So any other comments before we end tonight's meeting.

Cool.

So it is currently 5 25 p.m.

and I adjourn this meeting.

Thank you everyone for your participation.

Thank you.