Arts & Culture Committee - October 2025
Update from Karen Kilgore, Mason Arts Council
The Mason Arts Council has hired a firm to assist them with fundraising for the new arts center. Board members raised the required $60,000 deposit among themselves and the board has those funds in a bank account now.
They are fundraising in phases. Phase 1 focuses on raising the funds needed to fully develop the center’s master plan and prepare the type of plans needed to get bids for construction.
The Arts & Culture committee requested quarterly updates on their progress and discussed sharing those updates in committee reports. At certain times, we’ll recommend a presentation to the full council (and public).
Mason Symphony Orchestra
Mayor Nelson asked how the city can assist in promoting general awareness of the MSO and of their events.
Staff described the various channels they use: social media, email newsletters, Center Point magazine
The committee discussed the banner over Main Street and learned that the space is booked a full year ahead. We asked about the street light banners and the concern about setting precedent if we promote one organization over all the others.
We discussed the reality that the MSO is an independent entity. The city doesn’t own the symphony - we’re a partner.
Community event planning guide
I asked about the status. Assistant Manager Jennifer Heft reported that they are still working on a draft. They are including some of the costs of various things. We discussed adding example costs for things so people can ballpark it. I asked City Manager Eric Hansen about what the city spends on the Friday Music in Mason series to get some rough estimates.
Each Friday Music In Mason event costs roughly $9,000 (give or take $1,000ish)
Entertainment $5200 - 2 bands, 90 min and 2 hrs
Staffing - $3200 for setup and teardown (Barb and Dan’s time)
Plaza tent rental - put up once, take down once (the cost is in the setup so they leave it up for the summer)
Kids activities (inflatables)
Sound - $13,000 for a season (7-8 events depending on the year/calendar, so divide this by the number of events in a given year)
Police are asked to stop by frequently and be visible, unless the city expects an extra large crowd and requests an officer be assigned to the event.
Downtown Plaza Tent
Council member Haake thinks the plaza tent is ugly. Staff report it is wildly popular. Mayor Nelson shared that she remembers a permanent shade installation is very expensive.
Gould Park
Gould Park LOI for phased concept design - staff selected Bayer Becker.
Current status - staff are working on the contract. Bayer Becker is getting their cost estimates together. City staff needs these for the contract to complete this negotiation. Since the negotiation isn’t yet complete, staff was unable to prepare legislation for the October agenda to approve the contract/expense. Mayor Nelson pushed hard for this to be ready for the November meeting.
Wetland delineation needs to be done (it’s a state and EPA requirement) - City Manager Hansen approved this as a separate action so it can be completed before winter. (We didn’t need to vote on this as the total cost fell within his authority to approve.)
