5.1. SR 11-19-2007Item # 5_1.
MEMORANDUM
TO: City Council
FROM: Lori Johnson, City Administrator
DATE: November 19, 2007
SUBJECT: Arts Alliance Presentation
Patrick Grace, Executive Director of the Elk River Axea Axts Alliance, has asked to be on
the agenda to submit a request fox funding fox 2008. Attached is a letter from Mr. Grace
outlining the Atts Alliance's request.
As you know, the 2008 General Fund budget includes $10,000 fox a contribution to the Atts
Alliance fox arts programming in Elk Itivex. In 2007 the Axts Alliance requested and the
Council approved an additional $5,000 contribution fox AxtSoup. The Council has typically
budgeted $10,000 fox the Arts Alliance but has authorized additional contributions of $5,000
each year AxtSoup is held.
Additionally, the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) recently acted on a request
from the Axts Alliance to lease the HRA's building on Main Street for two years at $1.00 per
year plus utilities and insurance. The HRr1 directed staff to draft a lease consistent with
those terms.
ELK RIVER
A R E A
ARTS
ALLIANCE
~~-
The Handke Center • 7170 Main Street • Elk River, MN • 55330 • Ah: 7n3.441.4725 • Fax: 763. 241.3521
www.efkriverart.org • elkriverart@sher6teLnet
Nov. 1, 2007
Mayor Stephanie Klinzing and Elk River City Council members
City Administrator Lori Johnson
13065 Orono Parkway
Elk River, MN 55330
Dear Mayor Klinzing, Council members and Ms. Johnson,
We are asking the City of Elk River to consider a request of $15,000 from the
Arts Alliance for assistance in 2008 in helping us meet our mission of providing
access to art exhibits, arts educational opportunities, and arts events and
performances for the citizens of Elk River and the region.
The Arts Alliance thanks the City of Elk River for its past support for the
programming of the Arts Alliance. Your assistance allowed us to once again hold
ArtSoup, our biennial community arts festival at the Handke Stadium. In addition,
your past assistance has helped us offer access to art exhibits, performances of
dance, music, and comedy during our annual series, and access to arts classes
through our collaborative program, ArtScape.
Our membership, over hall of which resides in Elk River supports our
programming through their annual dues, attendance of our programming, and by
volunteering hundreds of hours a year. Their commitment reflects the importance
that the arts and the Arts Alliance has in their lives.
We partner with many area businesses who support our programming through
their direct participation in sponsoring our events and programming but by also
participating on our programming committees and on our Board.
We believe that the City of Elk River, with its revitalized downtown, its future as
a destination on the NorthStar commuter rail, and its growing industrial and
commercial developments recognizes that the arts are an essential element of
community life which adds economic value, creative perspective on shared values,
and opportunities for personal growth of its citizens through participation in arts
events and programming.
The Arts Alliance is recognized as the regional source for the arts. Our history
of developing a Strings for Youth training program, our nationally recognized juried
art exhibition Arts in Harmony, and our continuing performing arts series gives Elk
River and the region exposure and access to high quality, affordable, close to home
art that is not done by any other local group on a regular basis.
The Arts Alliance is very excited about the opportunity the redeveloped
downtown offers for arts programming, from expanded use of the excellent Riverside
Park to working with business owners to create arts based events that draw people to
the downtown district. The Arts Alliance will be a strong partner of making this
potential a reality. Your continued support in helping us assist the citizens of Elk
River is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Patrick Grace
Executive Director
enclosures