Albany Museum of Art Board of Trustees Meeting

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Members in attendance: Kirk Rouse, Banks Margeson, Karen Snyder, Rip Bell, Nealy Stapleton, Beth Lakhanpal, Chazz Williams, Sylvia Berry, Rebecca Dill, Banks Haley, Katie Gatewood, Rosemary Hamburger, Brandi Singleton, Jane Anne Sullivan, Jim Wilcox, Jim Womack.

Members absent: Stephen Dew, Bo Henry, David Lanier, Alyssa McGrath, Rosemarie Mundy-Shepard, John Powell, Al Seely

Staff in attendance: Paula Williams, Cristin Kirbo, David Griffin, Abbey Sinyard

  1. Call to Order and Introductions:

Meeting began at 12:00 pm. Kirk Rouse, President, introduced Paula Williams, new Interim Director at the Museum. Kirk mentioned the Executive Board met earlier in the week and Beth Lakhanpal and Chaz Williams joined as Members at Large to the committee. Kirk recognized Banks Margeson for her work as Past President and presented her with a gift from the Board. Kirk recognized Steve Hinton for his years and service on the Board and his role as Interim Interim Director and presented him with a gift as well. All meetings going forward- material will be emailed to all board members in advance of meeting.

Sylvia Berry mentioned giving complimentary memberships to presidents of colleges

  1. Kirk Rouse Introduced David Griffin, Director of Collections and Exhibitions. David discussed upcoming Menaboni Patron Party. Russ Clayton assisted in putting together show along with several other lenders (16) from around the state. Original Menaboni lithographs for sale- we will also raffle two at the Patron Party. David and Russ appeared on Fox this morning to talk about exhibit, will go on WALB later on in the afternoon. David also discussed Stewart Nachmias: Pulp Icons in East Gallery. Artist might come down October 4 for print making workshop, lecture and variety show.
  1. Kirk called to approve minutes. Jim Wilcox seconded approval.
  1. Directors Report: Paula Williams
  2. Discussed her first couple weeks at the Museum, working with Steve and Staff trying to get on track after resignation of previous director. Brown room will now be utilized as “trustee lounge” to be used for meetings, etc.
  1. Financial Report: Rip Bell, Treasurer
  2. The beginning of September there were 41 patron members, today there are 91 patron members which totals $7,000.
  3. MillerCoors donated $5000 toward the MillerCoors African gallery renovation.
  4. Menaboni donations $12,400 total in painting sponsorships and Al Corriere donation.
  5. There is $12,000 in the bank, all bills paid.
  6. Jim Wilcox asked for updated list of members
  7. Individual patron members who bring guests will pay surcharge. Nealy asked for prices of individual patron and couple patron- $150 individual patron/$250 patron couple.
  8. Rip recognized Katie Gatewood and Cristin Kirbo for Touch a truck fundraiser.
  9. We need to make sure things are coded correctly and brought to the CPA timely.
  1. Kirk discussed Committees and Task Forces. He asked that everyone fill out the Board Commitment Plan today.
  2. Rip mentioned that the Executive Committee decided to cut a lot of the committees and added more task forces.
  3. Cristin Kirbo asked Kirk to add Touch a Truck as a Task Force
  4. Kirk discussed the 2014-2015 calendars: committee meeting dates, important event dates like Family Day, Touch a Truck, and Let’s Make a Bid.
  5. Cristin is sending out weekly updates on what’s going on at the museum.
  1. New Business
  2. Jim Wilcox suggested we take pics of tonight’s event/future events and send them to AMA member prospects to get people excited about the Museum.
  3. Paula discussed getting twitter account up and running. Twitter account was previously headed by past security guard.
  4. Katie Gatewood discussed recent event at AMA: fundraiser for Ryan Duffy- good turnout, made the museum look good for potential future rentals.
  1. Kirk ended meeting at 12:57pm.