Fargo-Moorhead Visual Artists – 2011 Annual Meeting
Saturday, October 15, 2010 – 10:15 am
NDSU Renaissance Building, Fargo, North Dakota
President Eric Syvertson opened the meeting.
President’s Summary of the Year/State of the FMVA: We are an organization that is run by volunteers and we need your help to continue and to grow. Please volunteer for any committees/activities that interest you on the yellow volunteer sheets and return them to us.
1. FMVA membership has doubled since last year going from 77 members to 144.
2. Eric attended the studio crawl this year reporting it being a great experience. He was impressed with the quality of the studios and the work presented.
3. Talk to any board member if you have any questions.
4. Email any questions about FMVA to info@fmva.us.
Member of the Year Award presented by Jon Offutt and Eric Syvertson to Robert Kurkowski.
Programming: Presented by Kilee Kadrie Weiler and Sarah Dotzenrod. This committee is always looking for volunteers. Board members tend to do most of the work, but involvement of non-board members is critical.
1. “Little Show”, Essentia Atrium – South University Dr., Fargo had 30 participants this year-up from last year. (Show is scheduled to run Mar.1 –April 29, 2012)
2. “BIG Show”, Hjemkomst – Moorhead. Fifty artists participated and over 120 people attended the reception. Excellent growth. (Show is scheduled for April 7-June 20, 2012)
3. Summer 2011 – “Big Country Show” – Plains Art Museum, Fargo; 13 artists participated.
4. Constraint show at the Spirit Room, Fargo, “It’s All in the Game” had 29 participants up from last year’s 18. “Political Animal” is the theme for 2012 constraint show.
5. Mailloux Gallery, North High School, Fargo; 9 artists participated
6. Critiques-first Monday of each month at 7pm at Usher’s House in Moorhead. Average attendance is about 12. Appetizers served.
7. Art Burn: 30 people participated. Very successful.
Treasurer’s Report
Jackie Anderson reported a current checking account balance of $5508.94. The Studio Crawl income is $14,850 with $3,100 of that yet to be collected from donors. Studio Crawl expenses were $12,761.66. In-kind donations came to $18,500. Jackie said Jon Offutt is very resourceful at getting the in-kind donations. The t-shirts sold at this annual meeting were sold at cost.
Committee Reports
Membership Committee:
1. Membership increased from 77 last year to 144 this year.
2. Please check contact information to make sure it is correct for the 2012 directory.
3. FMVA prefers payment online rather than check.
4. FMVA membership brochures are new this year.
5. Look for membership directories in the mail early 2012
Education/Student Outreach/Mentorship Committee:
1. Asking NDSU students and young people in art community what educational activities they would like to see offered by the FMVA.
2. Art Cinema at NDSU Monday nights on the NDSU campus.
3. FMVA will coordinate events with community when guest artists, educators, etc. are visiting.
Studio Crawl: Jon Offutt reported this was the 8th year for the Studio Crawl. Feedback from the artists is important. The economy had a great effect on the amount of contributions. Sponsors have dropped out and a lower level of donations per sponsor was collected. Next year individuals will be approached along with businesses. The average number of participating studios involved falls between 36-40. About 50 artists participated this year as there were some studios with more than one artist.
Professional Practices: Eric Syvertson said this is a weak area for FMVA. There will be a new opportunity to learn and join in a dialogue—“Things to Consider” where members can give their opinion on topics issued through the website and email.
Communications Committee: Kris Kerzman gave credit for the overall communications activities and architect of the website and social media to Cas Johnson. Communications basically focuses on the website and social media.
Comprehensive Communication Plan:
1. Delegate duties away from Cas so she doesn’t have to carry the whole burden.
2. Update emails/website
3. Develop a calendar of events
4. Provide a “quick reference” of board officer duties
5. Get better coverage in media markets
6. Organize promotional images showing what FMVA does
Speak to Kris if you have any suggestions. This past year had big strides in media coverage. There were TV interviews, radio coverage, article in The Arts Pulse, and the newspaper. Eric mentioned that good communication allows us to reach members, gain new members, and get show and event information out to the public.
Board Nominations: Eric Syvertson explained expectations/guidelines of the board.
• 2011 Board Members: Eric Syvertson, Brenda Luthi, Mackenzie Kouba, Kris Kerzman, Kilee Kadrie Weiler, Sarah Dotzenrod Jackie Anderson, Eric Johnson and Emily Williams-Wheeler.
• Retiring Board Members: Brenda Luthi, Jackie Anderson and Eric Johnson
• Seeking Re-election: Eric Syvertson (1 year only) and Emily Williams-Wheeler
• Nominations- Gia Rassier of Concordia College nominated by Kilee, Will Buchanan nominated by Eric S., Patrick Tupa ,self-nominated, and Catie Miller, self-nominated.
Jon Offutt moved the nominations close. Jackie Anderson seconded. Motion passed. Meg Peldo made the motion that candidates be elected. Brad Bachmeier seconded. All members present agreed.
Eric thanked everyone for attending the meeting. He stressed that if members have questions, they need to talk to the board members. He again asked that everyone make certain their contact information was current and that they turned in their volunteer sheets. Meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Emily Williams-Wheeler, Secretary
Participate in the FMVA's Big Art Show (and others) for FREE! Click for more info
The FMVA website is Proudly Powered by