Leesburg Commission on Public Arts (COPA) Meeting - March 9, 2026
Leesburg Commission on Public Arts (COPA) Meeting - March 9, 2026
The Leesburg Commission on Public Arts (COPA) met on March 9, 2026, from approximately 5:31 PM to 6:26 PM. The commission approved the agenda, approved meeting minutes, elected a new chair and secretary, and allocated $10,000 in Creative Communities Grant funding to five local arts organizations. Various ongoing projects were also discussed, including the Arts Parks sculpture program, the Paint Plow initiative, the Heart Project, and potential future exhibitions.
Consent Calendar
- Agenda Approval: Motion to approve the agenda with no changes; passed unanimously by voice vote.
- Electronic Participation: Motion to allow Commissioner Tira to participate electronically; seconded and passed unanimously.
- January 2025 Meeting Minutes: Motion to approve the minutes; passed with 4 in favor (one member absent).
- February 2025 Special Meeting Minutes: Motion to approve the minutes; passed unanimously.
Discussion Items
- Election of Chair and Secretary:
- Jeanette was nominated and seconded for Chair; passed unanimously (Jeanette abstained from voting).
- Wen was nominated and seconded for Secretary after she arrived; passed unanimously.
- Creative Communities Grant Allocations:
- Staff member Rita presented applications for five eligible organizations (one ineligible due to ties to Parks and Rec). Total grant pool is $10,000 ($4,500 from Virginia Commission for the Arts, $5,500 town match).
- Applicants and their requests: Love Ballet ($2,500), A Place to Be ($2,000, new applicant), Friends of Leesburg Public Arts (FULPA, $10,000), Loudoun Community Band ($1,000), Loudoun Coral ($2,250). Total requests: $17,750.
- Commissioners debated various funding formulas. Decision: fund returning applicants at last year's levels ($1,375 for Love Ballet, $750 for Loudoun Community Band, $1,375 for Loudoun Coral), allocate $500 to new applicant A Place to Be, and give remaining $6,000 to FULPA.
- Paint Plow Program:
- Designs approved; delivery to schools pending final snow clearance.
- Correction: school supply reimbursement was mistakenly recorded as $100; should be $125. Motion to amend the November 2025 minutes to reflect correct $125 reimbursement; passed unanimously.
- Arts Parks Sculpture Program:
- Five sculptures need replacement; no applications received yet (expect last-minute submissions).
- Logo submissions missed deadline; COPA will wait for guidance from the Varsity Commission before voting.
- Heart Project:
- Tira reported sponsorship progress: one platinum sponsor (KM) and two $500 sponsorships secured. FULPA will sponsor one remaining unsponsored heart.
- Installation logistics: hearts picked up from artists, prototypes of bases being made, need to coordinate installation at iTopia (private property).
- Marketing materials (map, postcards, stickers) discussed; budget to be determined after spending update from finance.
- Budget and COPA Funding:
- COPA itself is seeking $2,500 in town funding. Commissioners urged to contact council for full funding to support ongoing and new projects.
- Other Updates (Leah):
- Boards and Commissions Networking Event: April 30, 6:00–6:30 PM at Ida Lee (presentations due by April 23, under 3 minutes).
- New art exhibit at airport for Women's History Month; Town Hall exhibit installation scheduled for March 12.
- Mural at airport: conversation initiated with airport commission; sponsorship model provided as example.
- Trolls Exhibition (Good of the Group):
- Commissioner shared experience with Thomas Dambo's troll sculptures in North Carolina, proposing a temporary exhibit in Loudoun County. Discussed potential tourism draw and possible partnership with Visit Loudoun and Leesburg Downtown.
Key Outcomes
- Election Results: Jeanette elected Chair; Wen elected Secretary.
- Grant Funding Approved (unanimous):
- Love Ballet: $1,375
- A Place to Be: $500
- Loudoun Community Band: $750
- Loudoun Coral: $1,375
- Friends of Leesburg Public Arts: $6,000
- Total: $10,000 allocated.
- Paint Plow Reimbursement Amendment: November 2025 minutes corrected to show $125 per school reimbursement; passed unanimously.
- Future Action: Commissioner will contact Visit Loudoun regarding the troll exhibit proposal; staff will provide budget update for Heart Project marketing.
Meeting Transcript
Because there's no shipping fee. Yeah. Yeah. Well, sometimes you find books you can't find any. Especially for like kids that need to like buy books or whatever for like classics or there's always a time. Yeah. Okay, sorry. No, no, no. We'll go ahead and get started. Um somebody needs to take notes until gets here. I got it. All right. So call me in order at 5 31. All right. Um do we have a motion to approve the agenda or any changes? Motion to approve. Okay. I'll second. Yes. Yes. Wasn't looking up. Um okay. Uh all in favor to approve the agenda. Aye. Aye. Yes. Oh, and then forgot. Um, we need a motion to allow Tira to participate electronically. I can go ahead and make that motion. Do I have a second? I'll second. Okay. Jeanette Sandwich. Okay. Uh all in favor? Aye. Aye. Okay. Tira, welcome to the gang. Okay. Thank you. Okay. All right. And then we need to approve the we're gonna do them separately because we had different attendants at both. So I need a motion to approve the January meeting minutes. If you were not in two of the January meeting minutes, okay. Second. Okay, more. All in favor to approve the January meeting minutes. Aye.
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