Meeting of the
UPACA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Thursday October 19, 2023, 9:00am
O.C. Tanner Lounge- Eccles Theater
w/Cisco WebEx option
Attendees: Darrin Casper, Angela Vanderwell, Thomas Steffey, Jacquelynn Jones, Matt Castillo, Jenn Niedfeldt, Jennifer Bruno, Robin Chalhoub, Cate Kizerian, Dave Hallock, Lisa Zamora, Katie Hansen, Dee-Dee Darby-Duffin, Helen Langen
Roll call and Introductions: Mr. Casper called the meeting to order at 9:02am.
We don't have a quorum today and the agenda wasn't posted on time on the Public Website, we will defer our action items to the next meeting.
Welcome: Mr. Casper welcomed all in attendance and asked for a roll call.
Review public comments: No public comments.
Approval of minutes: August 17,2023. Approval of minutes will be done in the next meeting.
Welcome new UPACA Board Member Helen Langen - Jennifer Bruno
Ms. Bruno introduced Helen Langen to the Board, she was Mayor Ralph Becker's representative in the negotiations and instrumental in helping shape the partnership. A citizen who loves the Arts.
Arts & Culture: Eccles Theater Site Fee Waiver Policy - Matt Castillo
Mr. Castillo had the draft of the policy emailed out to the Board members before this meeting. He went over the purpose and procedure. Mr. Castillo explained the procedures and review criteria outlined in the document. He gave a brief explanation of how this came about and emphasized the points below from the document.
Fee waiver requests need to be submitted to the designated Arts & Culture event manager by using the 'application for fee waiver' form, with required attachments. These are outlined in SL county countywide policy 1200. There are two items that must be meet:
Applying organizations must be a nonprofit organization with tax-exempt status.
Associated event should be open to the public either free or at an affordable admission cost.
Once final approval is obtained, a fee waiver will be incorporated into the associated event file, contracts, and settlements.
The review process for the Board was also presented, and what criteria they will follow.
He invited the Board to take time to review the criteria and would take any questions now or at the next meeting before the vote. Or please reach out at any time to him.
Eccles Theater Food & Beverage Restaurant Recommendation - F & B Subcommittee, Angela Vanderwell
Ms. Vanderwell and the subcommittee spent time together reviewing Tin Angel. The subcommittee members are Ms. Jennifer Bruno, Ms. Katie Hansen and Ms. Dee-Dee Darby-Duffin. They met with Tin Angel general manager, looked at History, discovered what is/not working, etc. This information was gathered to determine if we wanted to renew their upcoming renewal contract in April 2024.
Ms. Darby-Duffin said after several meetings/discussions they came up with the best recommendations for the next five years. These were based on the subcommittee's review.
1.
Move forward and exercise option to renew for the additional five years.
2.
Would like to formulize an annual review which would include, subcommittee, Tin Angel, and Ms. Vanderwell to meet at the end of each season to discuss and review operations and guidance.
3.
Memorialize in writing the updates, day to day operations, expectations, hours of operations and guidance based on current environment.
Ms. Darby-Duffin asked for questions/concerns. None were expressed. Ms. Bruno reinforced what Ms. Darby-Duffin had said and stated as the City's representative is hoping that will be an activation space as much as possible. Feels the one year check in will be very important for this moving forward. Ms. Bruno and Ms. Hansen recommend renewal for Tin Angel.
Ms. Hansen emphasized that it is important the subcommittee stay involved in helping with marketing and this sort of thing. This will help meet the hope of the City and keep the reality part in place.
Eccles Theater Technical Outreach - Cate Kizerian, Dave Hallock
Ms. Kizerian and Mr. Hallock shared the details of this program that was launched before the Pandemic, it has now been re-launched. It is referred to as ETTO: Eccles Theater Technical Outreach. Ms. Kizerian said they are looking to broaden the program. Focus on four pillars providing backstage tours, master classes, panel discussions and in the future show shadowing. Mission: create mentorship, provide support, and educational opportunities. We want to make sure that these are available for the next generation of technicians.
Mr. Hallock explained how these events worked. The first event was with RAIN. 11 high school/college students attended. 4-hour open house; students observed load-in, review tech rider, tour of venue and speak with tour members. Had a Q&A Session with RAIN's tour manager, assistant tour manager, lighting designer and head audio. The second event was a sound board master class with the University of Utah's audio engineering class. 14 students
attended, real life experience how a digital console works, opportunity to hear advice from a leader in the industry and advised of additional educational opportunities.
To grow the program in the future would like to develop a technical theater collaborative professional training program in partnership with local 99, Broadway Across America and Eccles Theatre.
Board members made several positive comments about this program.
Site Space Community Engagement and Eccles Marketing Update - Jenn Niedfeldt
Ms. Niedfeldt gave a PowerPoint presentation. Reported on the summer results of the 2023 Community Engagement events. The results are listed below.
Steppin' On Main. Partnership with Blocks and Tin Angel. We learned what connects best with Tin Angel. Had 3,341 attendees, 11 unique and consecutive events, nana-wall was open and open concessions Tin Angel Caf .
Salt Lake Speaks: Slam Poetry Exhibition. 10 slam poets, 290 attendees 81% increase from last year, taped by KUEN for educational special.
Salt Lake Beats: 4 local indie bands, 1 local DJ, 20 individual artists, 350 attendees 133% increase from last year, partnership with Jurrasic Tacos food truck.
Salt Lake Speaks. Love in all Languages on August 25th. 506 attendees, 8 earned media stories, including 4 Spanish language outlets. Poetry in 6 languages, 15 diverse poets.
Last event for this year: Lights on at the Eccles. Nov. 20th 5:30-7:30pm. This Free event includes art installation by local artist Karl Hale. Tasty holiday treats, Food drive with Utah food bank. Performance by SL Men's choir. Ms. Vanderwell will send out email to the Board.
Eccles Theater Q3 Budget and Activity Reports - Thomas Steffey, Angela Vanderwell
Mr. Steffey gave an overview of the Budget and Activity reports. Presented a few slides with all the statics, these were included in the email that went out to the Board ahead of time.
For 2023 we knew this was our down year for Broadway shows, we were conservative with our budget estimate. We are exceeding our expectations for 2023. We have met our threshold for the capitol reserve project. Doing very well on the expense side, even with the increase in utilities, especially in gas. Ms. Vanderwell is doing well in managing the cost of the building. This year the revenue we estimated is lower, because of the number of Broadway shows. Next year we are expecting the revenue to increase. We could capture the holiday spending with tickets coming up to go on sale for our longer engagement productions. Year of end sales. A discussion ensued about the budget.
Site revenue is now improving, and with Ms. Zamora coming on board a few months ago, efforts to increase site revenue is taking place. Utilization has jumped to 42% in the last 2 months; we would like it to be at 72%. We are moving in the right direction.
Arts for All: we are projecting a minimal use of fund balance because it took us a while to get our Arts for All Coordinator. Savings came from salary and benefits.
Director Updates - Angela Vanderwell
Open streets event is still active, it will run through the fall to Oct. 28th.
Oct. 23rd at 2pm is a press event with Mayor Mendenhall & Mayor Wilson, to celebrate the 7th year anniversary of Eccles Theater. Salt Lake City is currently conducting a Main Street pedestrian model conceptual design study, it's not funded yet. Working with all stakeholders downtown to receive feedback on their conceptual design, refining the designs based on feedback with stakeholders. Ms. Vanderwell will be sending surveys to the Board and encouraging the Board to answer them. Oct. 24th Broadway immersion day.
Just about to open 2023-2024 season, with My Fair Lady.
On Dec. 7th, we are doing a Board appreciation day for all our Boards and their members at the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art. Thank you.
Meeting adjourned at 10:00am.
Next Meeting: Dec. 14, 2023
2023 Meeting Schedule
All meetings start at 9:00am and are held in the O.C. Tanner Lounge at the Eccles Theater with a Web-Ex option.
(Dates, times, locations subject to change. Additional meetings may be added)
a. February 16
b. April 20
c. June 15
d. August 17
e. October 19
f. December 14
Proposed 2024 Meeting Schedule
g. February 22
h. April 25
i. June 20
j. August 22
k. October 24
l. December 12
Notice of Special Accommodations (ADA)
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals needing special accommodations (including auxiliary communicative aids and services) during this meeting should notify Angela Vanderwell at avanderwell@slco.org.
Notice of Electronic or Telephone Participation
Electronic telephonic participation is available for this Body upon request.