VARLEY
MCKAY
ART
FOUNDATION OF
TOWN OF
Monday, May 17, 2010
MINUTES
|
Attendance: Members Present: Mahesh Chokshi Drew Gerrard, Treasurer Anna Hudson Paul Keeling Patty Loveland Robert McCulloch Stan Neal Elizabeth Plashkes,
Vice-Chair Terrence Pochmurski,
Secretary Beverly Schaeffer Ernestine Tahedl |
Regrets: Alan Bryce Patrick Carr Sammy Lee Edward Mariani Regional Councillor Joe
Virgilio Staff: John Ryerson, Director, Culture Francine
Perinet, Director, Varley Art Gallery Francesca
Amato-Gauci, Development Officer Judy Kee, Committee Clerk |
The meeting of the Varley-McKay Art Foundation of Markham
Board convened at 1:50 pm in the York Room at the Markham Civic Centre with Howard
Back presiding as Chair.
1. CALL
TO ORDER
The Chair welcomed everyone to the
meeting and thanked those who had been able to attend the 2010 Annual General
Meeting. He advised that Council had
extended its congratulations to the Board regarding its success in the past
year, and expressed its appreciation to Ms. Francine Perinet, Director of the
Gallery and her staff.
Mr. Paul Keeling was welcomed as a new
member of the Board. The Chair advised
that Mr. Keeling has been a major contributor to the Gallery and thanked him
for his work relating to the recent Art Auction.
The Chair expressed appreciation to
Mr. Stan Neal, out-going Member of the Board, for his great contribution to the
Gallery since its inception, and noted that Mr. Neal will continue as a member
of the Art Acquisition Committee.
Details regarding a dinner being planned in his honour will be provided
shortly.
The Chair reported that the Annual Art
Auction held on May 6th had been a very successful event raising
approximately $80,000. Congratulations
were extended to Mr. Patrick Carr and members of the Committee and to Gallery
staff for their great effort and teamwork.
2. ADDITIONS/CHANGES TO AGENDA
The Chair advised that more
information will be presented by Francesca
Amato-Gauci, Development Officer, regarding the Art Auction and the
Volunteer Committee, later in the meeting.
3. MINUTES OF THE VARLEY-MCKAY
The Board requested that Item 4 of the
April 19th, 2010 Board minutes respecting the “Leduc Painting” be
amended to read as follows:
“Leduc
Painting –
The Chair advised that the Director had made a conditional offer from the
Foundation to purchase the Fernand Leduc Sans
titre, 1947, oil on canvas at a total cost of $85,000. The condition was that a repatriation grant
from Heritage
Moved by Patty Loveland
Seconded by Beverly Schaeffer
That the Minutes of the Varley-McKay
Art Foundation of Markham Board Meeting held on April 19, 2010 be adopted, as amended.
CARRIED
4. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
The Chair advised that the matter
relating to the strategic planning process would be discussed later in the meeting
under Item #6.
5. APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS
Moved by Bob McCulloch
Seconded by Anna Hudson
That the following Members of the
Board be appointed as Officers of the Varley-McKay Art Foundation of Markham
Board for the term expiring May 31, 2011:
Chair
- Mr. Howard Back
Vice-Chair - Ms.
Elizabeth Plashkes
Treasurer - Mr.
Drew Gerrard
Secretary - Mr.
Terry Pochmurski
CARRIED
6. STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS
The Chair reported that four (4)
proposals have been received and reviewed by the Executive Committee for the
provision of services of a facilitator for the Varley Board’s Strategic
Planning Process, and it is the Committee’s recommendation that Janis A. Barlow
& Associates be appointed. The
organization is one of the most respected arts consulting firms and has an
impressive record in the cultural and non-profit sectors. The cost for the facilitator services is
$24,000, plus taxes.
Members were advised that the
application submitted to the Ontario Arts Council (OAC) for a grant in the amount
of $6,100 was denied. However, the
Director has been directed by OAC to re-submit the application prior to June
1st. In addition, a grant application
will also be made to the Canada Council.
It was noted that assistance has been requested from the Town of Markham
since the strategic planning process will involve the Varley Gallery
The Director of the Galley advised
that conditions of the OAC grant state in part that the project cannot begin
prior to June 1st and cannot conclude prior to October 1st.
Moved by Drew Gerrard
Seconded by Patty Loveland
That funding in the amount of $24,000,
plus applicable taxes, be approved for the engagement
of Janis A. Barlow & Associates as facilitator for the strategic planning process
for the Foundation and the Varley Gallery;
And that such funding also be subject to the terms and conditions of a separate
engagement letter prepared by the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Board.
CARRIED
7.
a) Building and
The Chair provided an
update on the status of the
Preliminary project
schedule dates were also provided, and the Chair advised that construction could
begin in September of 2010, with completion approximately July 2011.
b) Art Acquisition Committee
Ms. Anna Hudson advised
that the following Varley work is being presented at auction in June and
suggested that the Board may wish to consider adding it to the Gallery’s
collection:
-
Frederick
Horsman Varley (1881- 1969)
-
Canadian
– “Eskimos on the Nascopie #1
-
Mixed
media, signed and dated 1938
-
8
¾ x 11 7/8 inches
Copies of the catalogue
item detailing the work were distributed.
Members discussed various related issues, including: potential
expenditure; the importance of the work; the condition of the painting; and the
requirement that Council approval is necessary if cost exceeds $100,000. Some concern was expressed that the purchase
of this painting and the purchase of the Leduc Painting would considerably
reduce the funds in the art acquisition fund.
Members discussed the
importance of this work and the Director of the Gallery noted that this work is
exceptional, and the development of the Gallery’s collection is a priority.
Moved by Anna Hudson
Seconded by Ernestine Tahedl
That the
Board approve the expenditure of up to $85,000 for the purchase of the Varley
painting “Eskimos on the Nascopie #1”.
CARRIED
c) Art Auction Committee
Ms. Francesca Amato-Gauci, Development Officer, provided details of the
2010 Art Auction held on May 6th.
Members were advised that two hundred tickets had been sold and the estimated
net revenue is in the amount of $80,740.
Mr. Patrick Carr, Chair of the Art Auction Committee, will make a full
report to the Board at the next Board Meeting.
The Board
requested that the full report include comparison costs with the 2009 Art Auction.
d) Volunteer Committee
Ms. Francesca Amato-Gauci,
Development Officer, distributed a hand-out giving details of volunteer events
held during March and April, the 2010 Summer Camp, and the 2010 Homes for the
Holidays event. She advised that the
Varley website is continuously being updated to reflect activities, programs
and exhibitions, and requested Members to mark their calendars for Tuesday,
June 1st at 5:30 p.m. to attend the Volunteer Appreciation
Party. Ms. Amato-Gauci also noted the
upcoming Unionville Festival - June 5-6; and the Blue Bridge Festival being
held on June 6th.
Members discussed e-commerce
business options for on-line donations, receipts, membership generation, and
raising general awareness about the Gallery, such as PayPal and Charity
e) Development Committee
Ms. Elizabeth Plashkes
noted that the Gallery needs to develop sponsor and donor management and the
upcoming strategic planning process should provide the required direction.
8. FINANCIAL REPORT
Mr. Drew Gerrard, Treasurer advised
that he would not be in attendance at the next Board Meeting. He hoped that financial statements for the
first quarter of 2010 would be available for presentation to the Board in his
absence.
9. DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Ms. Francine Perinet, Director, Art
Gallery, distributed copies of her Director’s Report dated May 17, 2010,
providing updates on items, including: fundraising; grants; recent visit to
Quebec City; formation of new committee to evaluate candidates for the
Educational Coordinator position; sustainability; upcoming exhibitions; public
programs; green print events at Markham Civic Centre; and Gallery renovation,
including new outside benches. Ms.
Perinet advised that the new Berczy was just professionally restored and is
exquisite. Gallery attendance, including
visitors, and programs approximated 11,900.
Members raised the matter of signage
at the Gallery, and following a brief discussion, staff advised that the
Manager, Heritage Planning at the Town will be requested to place the matter on
the next Agenda of the Heritage Markham Committee for consideration.
The Board queried the revenue yet to
be received for Les Automatiste Exhibition, and the Director of the Gallery
advised that $18,000 is expected as part of the touring fee. If any further funds were received, the
Treasurer would be advised.
The Treasurer requested that in future
staff forward all grant applications to Mr. Terrence Pochmurski, Secretary,
prior to submission, to ensure that correct signing authorities are being
provided.
10.
***OAC Grant
Application - The Director of the Gallery requested the approval of the Board to
proceed with the preparation of an application for the Ontario Arts Council
Annual Operating grant for the Gallery for 2011 in the amount of ***$35,000***
and that the deadline is June 1, 2010.
***Amended at
the June 28, 2010 Varley-McKay Art Foundation Meeting to read: “$65,000”.
The Chair
asked that the application be forwarded to the Secretary of the Board for
review. He undertook to obtain approval
of the application from the Board by email with individual members pending
results of the review by the Secretary, such approval to be ratified at the
next Board meeting.
Varley
Expansion Ground-Breaking Ceremony – The Chair reminded Members and staff of the
Ground-Breaking Ceremony scheduled for Tuesday, June 8th at 12:30
p.m. at the Gallery in honour of the very generous donation of Mr. Wally Joyce,
who has been invited to attend, along with the Mayor and Members of Council.
11. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the
Varley Board is scheduled for:
Monday, June 28, 2010 at
4:00 p.m. at the Gallery
Ms. Beverly Schaeffer extended an
invitation for dinner to Members of the Board following the meeting. The Director of the Gallery will confirm
attendance one week prior to the event.
12. DATES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
A list of suggested dates
for future meetings of the Varley Board was presented, and after some
discussion, the following meeting dates to be held at the Varley Gallery at
4:00 p.m., unless otherwise advised, were approved:
September 13, 2010
November 1, 2010
December 13, 2010
January 24, 2011
February 28, 2011
April 4, 2011
May 16, 2011
The Board asked that a formal request
be made to Council to have the Varley AGM held on the May 16, 2011 date, if
possible.
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Elizabeth Plashkes
Seconded by Beverly Schaeffer
That the meeting adjourn. (3:30 pm.)
CARRIED