Mason Arts Board Minutes - May 2024

Open pdf version of the minutes

Center for the Arts

Attendees:

Annie Bolger, Gardner Gillespie, Jonathan Goldman, Steven Golsch, Molly Grimsley, Charniele Herring, Willy Meaux, Bob Purks, Victoria Salmon, Mark Shugoll, Jay Speer, Rose Mary Flores Troche, Janice Sutera Wolfe, Jennifer Disano, Rick Davis, Whitman Brown, Djola Branner, James Casey, Zoe Charlton, Cynthia Fuchs, Susan Graziano, Rachel Ingle, Setarra Kennedy, Mary Lechter, Linda Monson, Sang Nam, Emily Rusch, Julie Thompson, Lauren Wagner

Zoom attendees:

Mike Brown, Robert Golden, Linda Harber, Kelly Harms, Laila Abdul-Hadi Jadallah, Colette Loll, Kimberly Macedo, Ida Portland, Anika Tené, Isaac W.K. Thweatt, Mary Zigo, Kirstin Franko,p Don Russell

Regrets:

Jolanda N. Janczewski, Nancy Jean-Louis, So Lim, Val McWhorter, Edward Weiner, Karen Reedy

Welcome – Steven Golsch, Chair

Chair Steven Golsch opened the meeting by noting that the first half of the meeting would be business followed by presentations by students from each academic discipline.

Emily Rusch noted that the meeting slide deck includes the university’s new visual brand that was launched on April 26. The new visual identity unifies the university’s brand, where previously there were separate logos for Athletics and the rest of the university.

Learn more about the university’s brand: https://brand.gmu.edu/

Committee Reports

Finance – Annie Bolger, Treasurer

Annie Bolger presented the third quarter dashboard. Mason’s fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30.

CVPA’s incoming freshman deposits are slightly down from this time last year with 212 deposits compared to 231 in 2023. The same is true of the university as a whole but CVPA’s drop is half of what the university is experiencing. It is tied to a bumpy rollout of the federal financial aid system (FAFSA). Mason has issued a 2-week deadline extension for admitted freshmen students to submit an enrollment deposit.

Ticket sales remain strong at the end of the performing art centers’ seasons. The CFA and the Hylton Center are $220,000 above this point last year. The Hylton has exceeded sales goals for the and the Center for the Arts will likely complete its season at or near goal.

It has been a strong rental year. Rental revenue is at $640,000, which is up 35% from last year and an improvement over performance last reported in in the second quarter.

Summer programs are expected to have high enrollment. Mason Game and Technology Academy has 286 students enrolled in their summer programs to date and growing. Mason Community Arts Academy is at 1,446 students enrolled for this summer.

Lauren Wagner, CVPA’s Assistant Dean for Student Academic Affairs, provided context for the incoming freshman deposit numbers. She noted that most universities have extended their deposit deadlines.

Virginia’s largest universities (UVA, William and Mary, Virginia Tech, and George Mason) have all extended their deadlines to May 15, giving incoming freshman a chance to make informed decisions regarding their financial aid packages from multiple institutions.

Annie Bolger asked how these issues affect students on the university’s waitlist. Lauren stated that students on the waitlist will get a second look, but it will indeed be later than usual. Also, current students won’t experience a delay on their aid packages

Jonathan Goldman asked how the new FAFSA affects award amounts. Lauren explained that the assessment for awards is now more nuanced and it will increase the number of students to who qualify for Pell Grants. However the FAFSA no longer asks how many other children in the family are in college, which will affect aid awards for many. Mason will do a deeper dive into students’ need and will factor in the number of students in college per family.

Vicki Salmon asked how this affects CVPA’s scholarship awards. Lauren answered that while financial aid packages are delayed, merit money is awarded at the point of acceptance. Unit awards also have gone to students.

Arts by George! – Steven Golsch and Annie Bolger, Co-Chairs

Steven Golsch highlighted the ARTS by George headliner, Lea Salonga. Ms. Salonga has starred in Miss Saigon, Les Misérables, and many more Broadway hits. She was also the singing voice of Princess Jasmine in Aladdin and Fa Mulan in Mulan and Mulan I. As of the meeting date, ARTS by George had

$114,000 in sponsorship commitments out of a $250,000 goal. Board members were encouraged to sponsor ARTS by George. These sponsorships meet the Board giving expectation.

Development – Victoria Salmon

Vicki Salmon reported that the Seeley Foundation made a gift a $40,000 for the Mason Community Arts Academy. A retired faculty member made a gift to create the Music for Well-Being Fund for scholarships and program support. The Mason Dance Fête, held on March 23, raised nearly $65,000 for crucial scholarships to attract and retain top dancers to the program. The Hylton Gala held was on April 27. The event honored Dr. Sam and Mrs. Lillian Hill and the Cecil and Irene Hylton Foundation for their loyal support of the Hylton Center and the arts in the region at its Annual Gala. The Gala raises funds that benefit the Hylton Center’s many artistic programs, Veterans and the Arts Initiative, educational outreach, and the Hylton Center’s endowment. The Center for the Arts Season Announcement is May 1^st. A Taste of ARTS by George! will be on May 8 at the home of Carolyn Peterson. Sponsors of ARTS by George! will be recognized at this event.

There was an alumni committee for Mason Vision Day, which was held on April 4. Isaac Thweatt and Vicki Salmon led the committee with Amanda Snellings’s help. $17,165 was raised from 105 donors, including 18 first-time donors. One first-time donor contributed $1,000. The Development office will continue to engage the committee members and donors in an effort to build a culture of giving among CVPA alumni.

Vicki Salmon spoke briefly about Mark Shugoll and his 23 years of service to the Mason Arts Board. She thanked him for his many years of support of the college and the Center for the Arts.

Mark Shugoll said that being on the Board has been a joy, primarily because of his colleagues on the Board.

Center for the Arts Report – Mark Shugoll

Mark Shugoll asked that all Board members commit to making a gift to the Center for the Arts renovation campaign before June 30. He emphasized the importance of having 100% Board participation. A list of naming opportunities was enclosed in the meeting packet.

One recent gift to the campaign includes a contribution from a longtime usher named two orchestra seats. Staff continue to meet with prospective donors.

Governance – Steven Golsch

The Governance Committee is recruiting new members as well as members for the Board and other committees. Please contact Susan Graziano if you would like to join a committee.

Around CVPA –Please see Program Directors’ written reports in the meeting packet.

Dean’s Report – Dean Rick Davis reports on Mason/CVPA Rick Davis had four announcements:

Mark Shugoll will be the first ever volunteer to receive the Mason Arts Award at Degree Celebration on May 9.

Susan Graziano has been promoted to Senior Director of Development for the College of Visual and Performing Arts.

On May 8, A Taste of ARTS by George will feature a very important announcement. This announcement is now public: https://www.gmu.edu/news/2024-05/5-million-gift-peterson-family-foundation-will-support-center-arts-transformation

Rick Davis will join President Washington on the Mason Nation tour in Southern California where they will meet with a group of CVPA alumni. This will promote more alumni engagement with the college and university.

The business portion of the meeting adjourned at 10:20.