Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Outreach topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission discusses business outreach, banners installed and lamppost art proposal
Summary
Commissioners reported private funding and installation of new downtown banners, outlined plans for roundtable outreach to business districts and said a lamppost-art proposal will be presented next month for partner and funding discussion.
Commissioners reported that donor-funded banners were picked up and installed along Lockwood and that the donor-funded set cost just over $1,800.
The commission discussed strategies to engage business districts and trade associations to broaden philanthropic and programming support. Commissioners said they have begun outreach to the Old Webster Business District, the trade association and the business development commission; they discussed meeting constraints imposed by Missouri’s open-meetings rules (the “sunshine” rule) and suggested using the trade association as an informal forum to solicit feedback.
Commissioners suggested using the Chamber of Commerce and the Webster Groves Community Connection to amplify invitations and to run brief surveys when convening business leaders. Staff will seek meeting slots on business development agendas and circulate a five-question survey concept to collect feedback about how arts programming could better support local businesses.
Separately, commissioner Zach reported he is building a proposal with artist Steven for a lamppost refurbishment/distribution project that would repurpose or customize lamppost elements for local businesses; commissioners expect to see a formal draft (timeline and partner list) at the next meeting to support external fundraising or partner outreach.
Earlier in the meeting commissioners confirmed that banners were installed the same morning, and they thanked the private donor who funded the effort. No formal commission action was taken on the outreach or lamppost proposals; both were assigned follow-up actions to staff and the commissioners who volunteered to pursue partners and draft materials.
