Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission hears updates on Phoenix Awards, grants, murals and art walk

The Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission met Oct. 8 and heard staff and committee updates on awards, grant programs and public-art projects. Daniel B. Smith, chair of the Cultural Arts Commission, opened the meeting and noted a lack of quorum, so the commission postponed approval of minutes and proceeded with informational items that did not require a vote.

Commissioners reported the Phoenix Awards Committee met Oct. 1 and set the awards ceremony for Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. The committee is working with the Lehi Center to hold the ceremony on that facility’s stage as part of an inclusive holiday market; Monique is coordinating logistics with the Lehi Center. Commissioners praised the physical awards that committee member Brian fabricated and said the committee will handle responsibilities such as presentations and packaging. Commissioners said four nominations had been received as of the extended deadline and that outreach continues.

The commission confirmed the "Unmistakable" public art exhibition application is open and publicized; staff notified prior-year recipients and said a local paper carried a short article about the call. The application deadline is Nov. 10. Commissioners clarified that the event’s broad sports/football theme is intentionally flexible; artists may interpret the prompt in a variety of ways.

Members reviewed the 2026 community arts grant guidelines and timeline. Staff advised the commission to reuse last year’s application window to avoid the holiday period, proposing a Dec. 30–Feb. 3 schedule similar to the prior cycle. Eligibility language read during the meeting states that state-registered for-profit and nonprofit businesses may apply and that awards start at $600 and are limited to $15,000 per event under the current guidelines. Commissioners discussed whether a recent change in the city hotel tax (noted in discussion as an increase from 6% to 8%) might increase available revenue and therefore the grant ceiling; staff said the effect and timing are not yet determined and that coordination with departing staff (Luis) is pending.

The commission said the Vermont Street mural RFQ is ready after review with Brad in parking and that a web submission form is set up. Staff described the project as a mural on an 18-by-10-foot wall inside the garage opposite the elevators with a $5,500 budget; selection will involve library staff as it did for a prior mural project.

Commissioners noted an upcoming mural dedication at The Crossings: a mural commissioned for “Dylan’s” and painted by Kat Smith, with a dedication scheduled for 8 a.m. on Oct. 17 and family activities Oct. 18. They also praised a recently completed Shabbat mural and reported strong public engagement with multi-year installations in a historical neighborhood.

Members debriefed a busy art walk held on a Friday evening that coincided with parents’ weekend. While commissioners said the event felt more festive and attracted passersby who paused to engage with the artwork, several operational improvements were proposed: portable amplification (a cordless speaker/microphone) to improve audibility in crowded conditions; an identifiable group leader (for example, a volunteer wearing a bright hat or holding a small flag) to keep tour groups cohesive; and clearer route signage.

On scheduling, commissioners discussed holding an annual retreat in January but agreed to revisit specific dates at the commission’s November meeting when a quorum is expected. The chair said a proclamation for National Arts Month is likely to be placed on the next city meeting agenda and reminded commissioners of an artist opening at Landmark Bank (artist Teresa Martin) and the next regular commission meeting on Nov. 12.

No formal votes were taken at the Oct. 8 meeting because the commission lacked a quorum; approval of prior minutes and any items requiring a roll-call vote were deferred to the next meeting.