Arts Commission, 09 Jul 2026: Planning Multiple Upcoming Community Arts Events
The Northbrook Arts Commission will meet July 9 to review a recent flower arranging workshop and map out logistics for a packed slate of upcoming community arts events, including a plein air photo competition and a 48-hour film competition.
Key items
- Upcoming Event Planning — Residents interested in the Plein Air Photo Competition, Chalk Up Northbrook, or the 48-Hour Film Competition will get a look at how those events are being organized and when to expect them.
- 125th Anniversary Commission Event — The commission will discuss its role in Northbrook's 125th anniversary celebration, which could shape a major community-wide event.
- Artist Estate Planning Program — The commission is planning an educational program on artist estate planning, a resource that could benefit local working artists.
- Flower Arranging Workshop Post-Event Review — The commission's debrief on the June 14 workshop may inform how future hands-on arts programs are structured and funded.
Full agenda — click any item to expand
Minutes Approval
The commission will consider approving the minutes from its June 4, 2026 meeting.
Village Staff Update
Staff will brief commissioners on items of interest from the Village. The agenda does not specify the subject matter of the update.
Post-Event Review: Flower Arranging Workshop
Commissioners will look back at the June 14, 2026 flower arranging workshop. The review is expected to cover how the event went, though no supporting documents detailing attendance, costs, or outcomes are listed in the agenda materials.
Event Planning: Upcoming Arts Commission Events
The commission will discuss logistics, expenses, marketing, and staff assignments for a series of upcoming events. The agenda identifies six events under consideration: the Plein Air Photo Competition, Chalk Up Northbrook, a 48-Hour Film Competition, an Artist Estate Planning program, upcoming Library Art Displays, and events related to the Village's 125th anniversary. This is likely the most time-intensive item on the agenda.
Announcements and Discussion
Commissioners may raise and discuss miscellaneous items not covered elsewhere on the agenda.
What actually happened
Arts Commission, 09 Jul 2026: 48-Hour Film Competition Takes Shape
The Northbrook Arts Commission met July 9 to review its event calendar and spending plan, with notable progress on a 48-Hour Film Competition and plans for a curated art display tied to the village's 125th anniversary.
Village Staff Update
Staff Liaison Emilia Talar briefed commissioners on a newly adopted Strategic Plan and Board Protocols. As of July 9, the Commission has spent $442 of its $10,000 annual spending plan. A new shared email address — arts.commission@northbrook.il.us — is now active, with village staff able to forward messages to commissioners.
Flower Arranging Workshop Recap
Commissioner Paul reported that 12 of 15 registered attendees showed up for the workshop, held at the Village Green Gazebo, against a capacity of 20. Petal + Petal, the vendor, was described as pleased with the event and providing strong instruction.
Plein Air Photo Competition
The competition is set to begin August 10, 2026, with Chair Bondy coordinating advertising with Commissioner Paul. The Commission voted 11-0 to amend the spending plan by moving $100 from Marketing in the Artist in Residence line item to Marketing for Plein Air Photography.
Chalk Up Northbrook
Commissioner Schwartz confirmed the chalk art event will run from 12:30–2 p.m. The Commission noted that kneeling pads and yard signs will need to be purchased. The event time was found to be missing from the Shermerfest flyer, and Commissioner Schwartz will follow up with the Northbrook History Museum.
48-Hour Film Competition
Commissioner Sarandos updated the Commission on the upcoming film competition, which will include an added theme of "Dreams or Nightmares." Chair Bondy and Commissioner Fera are coordinating three judges. Glenbrook North High School's media teacher was contacted about student participation, and the school expressed interest in incorporating the competition into its curriculum the following year. Registration opens August 18, 2026, and Staff Liaison Talar will build a landing page on the village website.
Artist Estate Planning Event
Chair Bondy expressed interest in hosting an Artist Estate Planning event at the library. The Commission reached consensus to move forward, though no date was set.
Upcoming Library Art Displays
Library Representative Carla Lasky provided an updated list of planned exhibits at the library. Commissioner Wolf noted that additional display space is available across from the second-floor reference desk.
Northbrook 125th Anniversary Art Display
Chair Bondy reported that the Northbrook History Museum has agreed to include art in the village's 125th Anniversary display, planned for October–November. The Commission reached consensus to feature purchased artwork from previous Plein Air Photo and Painting Competitions depicting Northbrook scenes. The display will be a curated show at the library, and the Commission will need to communicate plans to the broader Northbrook community.
Read the official documents
{
"card_hook": "Northbrook Arts Commission approves $100 budget shift to fund Plein Air Photo Competition marketing starting Aug. 10.",
"key_items": [
{
"title": "Plein Air Photo Competition launch",
"why_matters": "The competition begins August 10 and the Commission reallocated $100 in marketing funds to promote it."
},
{
"title": "48-Hour Film Competition",
"why_matters": "Registration opens August 18 for a village-wide film contest that may also become part of Glenbrook North's curriculum."
},
{
"title": "Northbrook 125th Anniversary Art Display",
"why_matters": "A curated show of previously purchased local artwork will be displayed at the library in October–November as part of the village's anniversary celebration."
},
{
"title": "Commission spending plan status",
"why_matters": "Only $442 of the $10,000 annual arts budget has been spent so far, signaling significant funds still available for programming."
},
{
"title": "Chalk Up Northbrook event",
"why_matters": "The public chalk art event tied to Shermerfest still lacks a confirmed time listing on the festival flyer, which organizers are working to fix."
}
]
}