Meeting Minutes - 6/24/09

Sonoma County Arts Education Alliance Advocacy Network
Notes from Meeting June 24, 2009

Attending: Cheryl Scholar, Mary McDougal, Fred Vedder, Bonnie Raines, Gaye LeBarron, Karin Demarest


1. Review of Proposed Action Steps compiled from past several meetings

Karin presented a list of action steps, arranged in 3 categories: Broad-based Effort, Targeted to Diverse Stakeholders, and Targeted to Education System. A discussion followed about how these efforts fall on a continuum, and if we were to choose action steps from each of these categories, we would maximize reach.

Additions were suggested for the potential action steps list, including:

Collect anecdotal support data from local schools, develop strategy to send our message via social art projects such as ArtStart, design a card for distribution, develop an interactive web presence, seek out existing venues for distributing our message (ex. Hand Cart Regatta), compile resources of what already exists, have schools post shows, performances, etc. for the public, encourage schools to “bundle” their arts (music performances, art displays at plays, etc.), seek out a Latino advocate, find ways of getting teachers/parents to value the arts, establish a membership structure to our efforts.


2. Development of Collateral Material:

We reviewed the overview document that Karin put together for Cheryl to share with Oscar Chavez. Group agreed to review in greater depth and share feedback with Karin.
Additionally, we discussed the possibility of creating a postcard. Ideas included:
• An identifying phrase, such as: Be Smart. Do Art.
• Might also include actions such as: 5 Things You Can Do to Support Arts Education:
o Talk about Arts Education
o Attend Student Arts Events
o Display Student Art Work
o Donate money, time and/or materials to local schools
o Visit our website

The postcard is in the preliminary stages of development. Cheryl offered to bring the ideas to her design team.

3. Report on meeting with Oscar Chavez, Innovation Council:

Cheryl spoke with Oscar, and he shared that the Innovation Council has already defined actions for achieving their stated goals. He is interested in our efforts. We agreed there’s value in finding out what actions they have set forth, to determine if we can provide any support.

Next Meeting: We will skip the July meeting, and reconvene in August (date TBD)