Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes.WHLR.20230614.Regular1 Wheeler Advisory Board Meeting Minutes June 14, 2023, | 3:00 p.m. In Attendance: Wheeler Opera House Advisory Board Members: Chip Fuller, Chair; Amy Mountjoy, Vice-Chair; Dr. Tom Kurt, Secretary, Richard Stettner*, Ziska Childs; Jennifer White (ex-officio, MAA); and Lauren Foreman (alternate) * Attended via Zoom Wheeler Opera House/City of Aspen Staff: Lisa Rigsby Peterson, Executive Director; Alixandra Feeley, Business Manager; and Karen McConnell, Administrative & Artistic Specialist. Absent: Daniel Benavent. Nina Gabianelli Meeting Recorder: Karen McConnell ________________________________________________________________________ Chair, Chip Fuller, called the meeting to order at 3:05 p.m. and observed presence of a quorum. Public Comment Chair Fuller requested public comment. None was offered. Chair Fuller mentioned that May revised minutes had been presented to the Board and there were no further edits. Amy Mountjoy moved to approve revised minutes from May 10, 2023 board meeting, Chip Fuller seconded, and Board members unanimously approved adoption of same. Comment and praise for first Board-Staff luncheon organized by Daniel Benavent and held June 6, 2023. Execution was perfect and it provided a wonderful time for board and staff members. The Board would like this event to continue semi-annually in spring and fall off-seasons. Wheeler Updates, Lisa Rigsby Peterson Ms. Rigsby Peterson shared the following updates with the board: Recent successes of the Psychedelics symposium and Aspen Fringe Festival with upcoming Food and Wine events as well as Jazz Aspen’s June Jazz concerts, followed by the summer residency of the Aspen Music Festival and School’s Opera and Vocal Arts program. There will also be one or two public events in the Wheeler bar lobby, including Consensual Improv in August. The Wheeler 2023-24 season plans to date were provided. Upcoming Wheeler programming offers a diverse range of events to appeal to a variety of audiences. Ms Rigsby Peterson asked to keep ideas and leads coming and added that she’s happy to pursue. 2 Sunday, June 25th, there will be a Public Art Pavement Project in which the public is invited to help paint a mural on pavement outside the Wheeler (weather permitting.) Ms. Rigsby Peterson provided updates on Capital projects. We’re waiting on council approval on LED lighting fixtures and CORE will provide rebate upon acquisition. Near the end of June, we expect final design, analysis and determination of best steps for the rigging system which will be shared later in summer. Our new ticketing RFP has had great responses. Our marketing and box office teams are actively involved and we look forward to a new, improved system. Regarding tenant space, around the end of June an RFP will be presented which will be open for a couple of months to receive all options, including any with food & beverage. Mia Valley’s current lease will be extended through March 2024 and she intends to enter bid for RFP. Amy Mountjoy volunteered to join the committee Ziska Childs has volunteered to join the Cultural Vibrancy Artist Fellowship review committee. Board discussion included internships - especially for greatest needs for theatrical systems, lights and stagehands for small productions throughout the valley. Encouragement was voiced for teaching opportunities in the future. Ms. Rigsby Peterson acknowledged the interest and pledged to discuss with the Wheeler team to assess capacity to take these projects on. The Historical Preservation Commission award from City Council for the masonry project was recently accepted by Ms. Rigsby Peterson and during the presentation she shared the Wheeler’s vision statement. Ms. Rigsby Peterson will send out a link the Nancy Lesley documentary regarding the masonry project to board members. Ms. Rigsby Peterson asked for any information or topics the board would like scheduled for upcoming meetings. Signage and lighting, comments on upcoming Food & Wine proceedings, and making the Wheeler grounds more attractive were noted. The nearby picnic table has been updated to conform with ADA requirements. Financials currently include labor and incidentals. Going forward, the board would like to see each program with labor separated from other expenses. Board Discussion The board expressed interest in learning more about Wheeler marketing as well as rigging and lighting. Ms. Rigsby Peterson will invite Nicole Levesque and Craig Moxon, of marketing and production respectively, to appear at future board meeting(s.) Chairman Fuller urged board members to attend meetings in person whenever possible and encouraged board members to read minutes if they’re unable to attend and invited board members to reach out to him if there are any issues regarding the day and time of meetings. He also noted that rather than cancel August’s meeting, the July meeting of the Wheeler Board will be cancelled instead. Chair Fuller asked if there were any other topics to be discussed by the Board. None was offered. Dr. Tom Kurt moved to adjourn the meeting, Amy Mountjoy seconded the motion and Board members unanimously approved. The meeting concluded at 4:03 p.m. Future Meetings Schedule July 12, 2023 NO MEETING August 9, 2023, 3:00 p.m. September 9, 2023, 3:00 p.m.