MAC Strategic Plan 2014-2019
MERIDIAN ARTS COMMISSION STRATEGIC PLAN
2014-2019
2
INTRODUCTION
The mission of the Meridian Arts Commission (MAC) is to develop, advance and nurture all
facets of the arts to enhance the quality of life for Meridian residents and its visitors. We
envision a vibrant arts community that integrates the arts experience into our everyday life and
enhances the spirit of our great city. To that end, MAC drafted this strategic plan, in order to
articulate a vision of the arts in Meridian, and MAC’s role in that vision, between 2014 and
2019. This document focuses on eight core goals that reflect MAC’s priorities for this time
period, and details MAC’s objectives, strategies, action items, and timeline for accomplishing
these goals.
The Mayor appoints members of the community to serve on MAC on a volunteer basis. As of
September 2014, MAC’s appointed members include Stephanie Barnes, Michelle Glaze, Mary
Jensen (chair), Leslie Mauldin (vice chair), Brian Schreiner, and Dwight Williams. A member of the
Meridian City Council also sits on the commission as an ex-officio member; Genesis Milam is
currently serving in this capacity.
CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
As MAC embarks on this five-year period, the challenges facing the commission include the
inherent nature of membership on MAC – each member is appointed to a four-year term. When
a commissioner resigns, retires, or completes his or her term, it can be challenging to orient the
new member to operations within the municipal structure. Turnover, however seldom, can
impact productivity as new members gain a comfort level equivalent to veteran members.
Another challenge facing MAC is a need for increased hours for dedicated, paid administrative
staff. A quarter of a full-time Human Resources Department employee’s time is currently
dedicated to providing administrative support to MAC; often, this is not enough time to provide
clerical support for MAC’s many assignments and initiatives, in addition to preparation for MAC’s
monthly meetings. Educating the public on the importance of art is a third challenge facing MAC
today. Opportunities to experience and participate in visual and performing arts can strengthen
cities, increase, livability, and contribute to a sense of place and community, yet it can sometimes
be difficult to find funding for the arts, particularly for public arts agencies.
MAC is fortunate to face more opportunities than challenges. The Mayor and City Council of the
City of Meridian are supportive of the arts and of MAC. Our commun ity benefits from the high
value that our elected leaders have placed on the arts. This support is invaluable to MAC as we
approach our objectives in the next five years. According to a May 22, 2014 Associated Press
article, Meridian is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. Its population more
than doubled between 2004 and 2014, and the increased number of residents and businesses will
provide opportunities for growth in the arts, in the form of partnerships, patron support, and
offering a larger audience for artists. Meridian’s location is also a plus – located right on
Interstate 84, it is easily accessible, central to the urban corridor within the Treasure Valley, and
offers a new focal point for urban arts opportunities.
MAC’s greatest opportunity is in the community-minded spirit of our volunteers. MAC has a
legacy of bringing together dedicated, hearty individuals who work tirelessly to see that those
who comes to Meridian to live, work, and play can take part in the arts!
3
I. PUBLIC ARTS
Goal:
Meridian’s residents and visitors will have an opportunity to experience art in public arts.
Objective Strategy Action items Timeline
A. Public arts will be
integrated as a
component of
community
development
1. Partner with MDC
and private developers
to create public arts in
the redevelopment
area
a. Meet with MDC to assess
opportunities in redevelopment
area
By FY18
b. Assist with coordination of
public arts project
By FY18
2. Work with Meridian
Parks & Recreation
Department to
incorporate public arts
as part of the park
system
a. Meet with Meridian Parks &
Recreation Department to assess
opportunities
By FY18
b. Facilitate selection of
professional artists and/or youth
organizations for creation of
artwork
By FY18
B. Pursue Percent-for-
Arts ordinance with
the City
1. Collaborate with City
Legal Department to
draft Percent-for-Arts
ordinance
a. Research Percent-for-Arts
programs in other communities
FY14
b. Determine feasibility of
Percent-for-Arts program
FY14
c. Work with Meridian
Development Corporation to
establish program guidelines
FY14
d. Meet with City attorneys to
report findings
FY14
2. Advocate and
educate elected leaders
and public about
benefits of Percent-for-
Arts program
a. Identify specific benefits of
Percent-for-Arts programs
FY15
b. Create presentation for civic,
city organizations
FY15
c. Identify/recruit volunteer
advocates
FY15
d. Identify opposing opinion and
groups
FY15
3. Present Percent-for-
Arts ordinance for
approval
a. Complete and have in place for
approval and present
FY15
C. Invest funds
available through the
Meridian Art in Public
Spaces (MAPS)
ordinance
Install visual art in
public places in
Meridian
a. Install twenty-five (25) traffic box
vinyl wraps (five (5) per year)
By FY19
b. Install two (2) pieces of artwork
in public parks
c. Install one (1) major public art
piece in downtown Meridian
4
II. ARTS EDUCATION FOR YOUTH
Goal:
The youth in Meridian will learn to perform, create, and experience the arts.
Objective Strategy Action items Timeline
A. Develop and offer
extracurricular arts
opportunities to youth
1. Participate in
Meridian Symphony
Orchestra young artist
award program
a. Provide funding and judges Annually
2. Participate in West
Ada School District art
show
a. Provide funding and judges Annually
3. Identify art programs a. Involve and inform artists and
public
As
opportunities
arise
4.Collaborate with arts
activities providers to
promote artistic
activities
a. Promote via
newspaper/magazine advertising,
social media, cross-promotion
with other activities
Annually,
and as
opportunities
arise
5. Hire youth theater
provider
a. Cultivate relationship with local
youth theater provider(s)
Annually
5
III. PERFORMING ARTS
Goal:
The residents and visitors of Meridian will have the opportunity to experience performing arts
Objective Strategy Action items Timeline
A. Provide musical
arts opportunities
in Meridian
1. Produce free
“Concerts on
Broadway” series
at City Hall
amphitheater
a. Reserve City Hall plaza, obtain
permits, book performers, rent
chairs and sound system, advertise
event, provide stage management
at event.
Four times
per summer
B. MAC will sponsor
performing arts in
partnership with
community
organizations
1. Promote and
endorse area
performing arts
opportunities
a. Promote via City News, City
website
As
opportunities
arise
2. Connect local
performing artists
with community
presenting
organizations
a. Create database of performing
artists, presenting organizations
and make available upon request
FY18
6
IV. ARTS AWARENESS
Goal:
Meridian residents will gain understanding of the arts.
Objective Strategy Action items Timeline
A. MAC will partner
with other community
organizations to
support and
encourage adult arts
education programs
1. Develop arts
education program
within Parks &
Recreation Department
a. Identify arts educators and
collaborate on curriculum
development for arts education
program
As needed
2. MAC facilitates
connection between
teachers and activity
program providers
a. Create database of local arts
educators and make available upon
request
FY18
B. Raise awareness
and promote existing
arts offerings and
artwork within the
community
1. Inventory existing
community artworks
and arts organizations
a. Establish an inventory
committee
FY15
b. Complete inventory FY16
c. Provide information on MAC
webpage
FY17
d. Develop print version of
inventory
FY17
e. Create print brochure FY16
C. Cultivate base of
arts support and
patrons in the
community
1. Make presentations
to civic organizations
a. Prepare list of community civic
groups with dates and times
Annually
b. Chair appoints representative(s)
to attend meetings
Annually
c. Prepare talking points and items
of interest/importance about the
arts and MAC
Annually
d. Attend meetings and present Six times
annually
2. Issue press release
about MAC activities
a. Work with City to complete
press releases
As needed
3. Maintain good
relationship with local
media by welcoming
them to meetings
a. Work with Communications
Manager to compile list of local
media
Ongoing
b. Work with Communications
Manager to send agenda
information to local media
Ongoing
7
4. Represent MAC by
attending area events
a. Discuss and appoint commission
representative to attend events
and report to MAC
As needed
5. Encourage public
attendance at MAC
meetings
a. Post meetings on community
calendars
As needed
6. Publicize MAC
goals/visions
a. Share at community events and
civic group meetings
Quarterly
b. Prepare printed version of
Strategic Plan to use for advertising
and fund raising
As needed
c. Establish marketing budget of
$500
Annually
7. Work with City’s
communications
director to maintain
web presence by
updating quarterly
a. Assign commissioner to be
responsible for by quarterly
contact with City’s communication
director
Quarterly
b. Review web site information to
insure updates are timely and
correct
Annually
D. Pursue public input
into MAC’s program
and goals
1. Form public
committees for
selection of public
artworks
a. Identify committee members
appropriate to project
As needed
2. Conduct written and
web surveys
a. Prepare survey Annually
b. Distribute survey at area civic
meeting and at public events in the
community
Annually
c. Use City website and Chamber
website for web surveys
Annually
d. Tally results for Strategic
planning use
Annually
8
V. VISUAL ARTS EXHIBITIONS
Goal:
Meridian residents and visitors will have the opportunity to experience the visual arts.
Objective Strategy Action items Timeline
A. Present visual arts
exhibits for the
community to enjoy
1. Coordinate rotating
exhibits in the Initial
Point Gallery at City Hall
a. Issue call to artists, vet applying
artists, work with selected artists
before, during and at the end of
each exhibit.
Annually
b. Establish volunteer group to
handle installation and removal
responsibilities
Annually
B. Support visual arts
opportunities
presented by other
community groups
1. Promote other
exhibits by posting on
MAC web page, City
calendar, Chamber
newsletter and calendar
a. Prepare list of groups to be
included
As needed
b. Notify groups of our interest in
them
As needed
9
VI. SUPPORTING LOCAL ARTISTS
Goal:
Local artists will have opportunities to showcase their work.
Objective Strategy Action items Timeline
A. Visual artists will be
provided exhibition
opportunities
1. Coordinate rotating
exhibits in the Initial
Point Gallery at City Hall
every month
a. Form committee to
review/select featured artists
Annually
b. Assist artist with move-in,
installation & take-down
Monthly
c. Provide display space for artist’s
information
Monthly
d. Promote artist (Opening night
event, website, etc)
Monthly
B. MAC will partner
with other community
organizations to
support and
encourage
performing/visual arts
opportunities
1. Identify local
performing and visual
artists and
opportunities
a. Create database of performing
and visual artists and opportunities
and make available upon request
FY18
10
VII. PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Goal:
Meridian residents, visitors and artists will have a place to experience and participate in the arts.
Objective Strategy Action items Timeline
A. Convene partners to
develop a design
concept,
implementation
strategy
1. Work with partners
to conduct feasibility
study to assess size,
location, elements and
sustainability of a
performing arts center
a. Establish Performing Arts Center
MAC subcommittee
FY14
b. Research how other cities similar
to Meridian implemented their
performing arts centers
FY15
c. Identify and convene community
stakeholders
FY15
11
VIII. SUSTAINABILITY
Goal:
MAC will build the human and financial resources needed to fulfill its vision.
Objective Strategy Action items Timeline
A. Establish paid City
staff arts administrator
1. Work with the City
to develop a
permanent paid arts
administrator position
to provide professional
support and expertise
when needed
a. Create job description for public
arts administrator and contract
work, grant writing, event
planning, etc.
FY15
b. Gain approval from City to add
full-time employee
FY15
c. Include professional services in
City budget
FY15
d. Educate elected officials on the
importance of paid staff
FY15
B. Develop Commission
to its fullest capacity
1. Develop formal
process for board
orientation
a. Research other boards and
commissions
FY15
2. Identify needed skills a. Write job descriptions for
commissioners, committee
members
FY15
3. Provide professional
development training
at annual retreat
a. Plan annual commission retreat FY15
C. Create and develop
a core volunteer group
1. Identify MAC’s
volunteer needs
a. Create volunteer job
descriptions
FY15
b. Develop recruitment strategy FY15
c. Volunteer recognition program FY15
D. Seek and obtain
public/private financial
resources needed to
fulfill MAC’s
goals/objectives
1. Research grant
opportunities
a. Contact professional arts
organizations
As needed
b. Research opportunities through
internet sources
As needed
2. Apply for grants as
they fit program needs
a. Appoint grant writing chair or
recruit grant-writing volunteer
As needed
b. Seek professional services as
project requires
As needed
3. Continue to identify
individual/business
contributors
a. Find, accept opportunities to
promote arts
Ongoing
12
4. Formalize donor
recognition
a. Send thank you letters Ongoing
b. Establish levels of giving FY14
c. Public acknowledgement at
MAC/City events
Ongoing
d. Invite donors to events Ongoing
5. Continue to foster
positive relationships
with elected officials
a. Invite officials to MAC meetings Monthly
b. Meet with city officials to discuss
MAC vision
Quarterly
meetings
with Mayor
Take Part in the Arts!