GALLOWAY — At the first public meeting of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts since Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno criticized its awarding of several contracts for public art projects, council members firmly restated their belief that their staff was not to blame. At a regularly scheduled meeting today in Pomona, council chairwoman Sharon Burton Turner noted that...
Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno (left) greets New Jersey State Council on the Arts members Germaine Trabert and Judith Leone as Executive Director Steve Runk stands alone at far right prior to the start of the meeting in July 2010.GALLOWAY — At the first public meeting of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts since Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno criticized its awarding of several contracts for public art projects, council members firmly restated their belief that their staff was not to blame.
At a regularly scheduled meeting today in Pomona, council chairwoman Sharon Burton Turner noted that since an audit was not yet final the council would not discuss the contracts.
“When the final audit is available we will address any issues,” Turner said.
Appearing last month before the Assembly Budget Committee, Guadagno told lawmakers a routine state audit uncovered "irregularities" in two contracts, including one for services involving the 9/11 Memorial under construction in Liberty State Park in Jersey City. At the hearing, she called on the council to dismiss its executive director, Steve Runk, and asked lawmakers for their help in changing the law creating the arts council to give her office more oversight over it.
Today, the council announced the formation of a search committee to hire a new executive director to replace Runk, who submitted his resignation last month. Vice chairwoman Judith Leone will head the six-member committee, which includes several council members and leaders of arts groups.
Turner said applications have come from around the country since last week, when the position was advertised. She would not comment on whether Guadagno personally suggested any candidates.
Guadagno was not at the meeting, but her chief of staff, Matt McDermott, sat with the council members on the stage of the Campus Center Theatre at Richard Stockton College. He spoke of cooperation when he addressed the board.
“I am looking forward to the opportunity to get to know you and this panel better,” he told the 13 council members present and an audience of about 40 arts leaders. “We look forward to working with you to support the council’s mission and the greater arts community.”
Before the end of the 75-minute meeting, the council voted on spending its remaining 2011 funds. The council awarded $3,000 to improve the marketing and promotion of the Poetry Out Loud Competition, and $37,500 to the Arts-in-Education Consortium for long-term artist residencies for 14 schools next year. The balance of funds, which has yet to be determined, will be used for several arts education programs.
Previous coverage:
• N.J. arts council becomes the object of Lt. Gov. Guadagno's ire
• Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno spars with lawmakers over State Arts Council supervision
• Lt. Gov. Guadagno's own records contradict public criticism of N.J. arts council
• N.J. arts council director resigns after months-long standoff with Lt. Gov. Guadagno
• Lt. Gov. Guadagno blasts Council on the Arts for awarding $300K in no-bid contracts
• N.J. arts council awards $15M to arts groups, $1.2M more than last year