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Historical Society criticizes rush planning of holiday stroll; Soul Session and cultural-district updates announced
Summary
A Historical Society board member told the commission the holiday stroll was planned too late and poorly advertised; commissioners invited collaboration for future events. The commission also heard an update on Soul Session (Jan. 17) and learned Connecticut cultural districts will receive $1,100 stipends.
During public participation, Andrew Collins, who identified himself as a board member of the Bristol Historical Society, told the commission the Historical Society’s participation in a recent holiday stroll was ineffective because the event was planned on short notice and lacked advertising; the museum stayed open extra hours and saw no visitors.
"We just felt that it did not go as well as it could have...it seems that it was planned in a very short period of time...there wasn't much advertising," Collins said. Commissioners and staff acknowledged the concern, explaining that the Cultural District/Economic & Community Development team had asked the commission to present the event at short notice. Staff invited the Historical Society and other downtown organizations to submit ideas and collaborate on future events or to tie the stroll to Small Business Saturday.
The commission then heard an update on Soul Session from Speaker 8 (Maxine), who said the program has city funding, will support about 15 artists this year, and will include dancers and a live podcast component. Maxine said doors open at 5 p.m. on Jan. 17; commissioners discussed volunteer support and targeted advertising to schools and parents to boost attendance. "Soul Session is live and kicking and we hope that everyone can make it out this year," Maxine said.
Speaker 2 also announced the commission had been notified by the Connecticut Office of the Arts of a $1,100 stipend for each designated cultural district (to be used by June 30); the commission agreed to keep the funds in a revolving account for cultural-district activities.
Next steps: staff will coordinate outreach for future holiday programming, consider better advance notice and school-targeted promotion for family-oriented events, and allocate the $1,100 stipend to cultural-district programming by the stated deadline.
