Panicking on Gaming Grant

My stomach is just in knots over the Direct Access Grant application.  I still haven't seen the gallery's name on the BC Gaming website as having been received.  We mailed it May 19 via Express Post. Oh, the stress...  I'm sure that they just haven't been able to add all the names of people who sent their grant application in last minute, right?  Still, one always wonders if something went wrong, or maybe I missed something.  Oh I can't stand it, I wish they would just send the same amount of money every year so we don't have to go through this each time.  I just want some continuity.  This constant angst over deadlines and budgets and "demonstrated need."  We're running an Arts Centre!  Of course we have needs!  In fact, we have far more needs than funding, but I'm willing to get along at our current level if I could avoid these annual application processes.

Ross Street Plaza Water Fountain

I'm so pleased with the fountain at Ross Street Plaza.  It looks so beautiful with all the little pebble mosaic fish swimming happily.  We put blue stones in the corners to soften the diamond-shaped tiles (designed initially to fit the original 3-tiered waterfall plan of 2005).  Now I think it would look even better if the entire bottom were filled with these lovely blue stones.  It would pull the whole thing together.  However, I understand from the City crew that they need channels of flat surface so that they can clean out all the soap when some yahoo soaps the fountain - which apparently happens once a week on average.  Why don't they install web-cams on either side of the plaza?  They could have it on the City's website (like Silver Star) and people can check in to see what's going on at the plaza, ie. concerts, etc.  Also of use to police when someone soaps the fountain.  

OCP Review Committee!

Wheee!  Yesterday I received my Letter of Appointment from the City of Salmon Arm that I have been appointed to the Official Community Plan Review Committee!  I recognized a few of the names on the list, all excellent people.  I'm very excited.  First meeting in mid-June.  Yay.

Bathrooms and Art

Just realized that I better get to work on the grant application to the Shuswap Community Foundation for our bathroom renovations.  There isn't anything romantic or even artistic about fixing old toilets and replacing 60's plumbing.  We have to install a durable floor, and we're keeping the hideous yellow wall tile (just because it's so retro).  It's tough to be practical. Perhaps a mosaic backsplash for the sinks, or a bulletin board to look at while you're... well, I'm sure we'll think of something.

Art is everywhere in the city

Just back from Vancouver and cannot believe how people survive in that sea of moving bodies and hot concrete.  However, it rejuvenated me, made me think differently about our place, our purpose. Art is everywhere in the city.  Riding the bus made my neck hurt, I was always craning to get a look at some sculpture or creative water feature.  I have to focus more on public art for Salmon Arm.  Today City Council chooses the OCP Review committee members - I applied for one of the ten positions.  If I get on, public art is at the top of my agenda.  Making it part of the Official Community Plan is a priority, then getting continual funding - like the 1% of development budget idea that works in other communities.  If I don't get selected, City Council will be seeing a lot of me anyway, as I am on a mission!

Fresh Ideas about Publishing from RM of Kelowna

Just back from the Assembly of BC Arts Council's conference in Kelowna, and brimming with ideas to renovate the Umbrella newsletter - thanks to Robert MacDonald and an excellent workshop on publishing.  All this time our little newsletter has been full of boosterism, and not educating the public.  I'm thinking and planning big changes to add challenging articles to this monthly item.  Mainly about artistic process, as Chris Tyrrell says "to help the visual artists in your community you need to create more art buyers, and one way to do that is to educate them in the artistic process."