Dakota County arts briefs: Hastings setting up public-art task force

The Hastings City Council recently approved plans for a grant to support public art that is free and accessible to everyone. To further that effort, the city is seeking up to seven people with diverse personal and professional backgrounds to help shape the pilot project.

The task force will be given a basic framework and be asked to help determine the best way to use grants to benefit the entire community. The initial wave of events and funding will run through December 2016.

The goals of the task force will be to expand the framework for the pilot program, solicit requests for and award grants, and prepare a report for the City Council. The council will review and make recommendations on the process, the impact of the art projects, the quality of the proposals submitted and future considerations about public art.

The task force is expected to hold three to five meetings in 2015 with the objective of recommending grant awards by January 2016. Currently, $10,000 is allocated for awards.

To apply to be part of the task force, download the form at http://tinyurl.com/k9w9g4k. The completed form should be e-mailed to Melanie Mesko Lee at mmesko_lee@hastingsmn.gov. For questions, call 651-480-2326.

Apple Valley will launch a season of free Friday night concerts at Kelley Park on June 5 with the funk band PHO. On June 12, the David Gonzalez Band will perform. June 19 will bring J.D. Steele and the MacPhail Center for Music, and June 26 will be Circle of Heat. The series will resume on July 10 and go until Aug. 7.

All concerts will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. at the park at 6855 Fortino St. Food and beverages will be available to purchase.

Now in their 17th year, Family Fun Tuesdays are a weekly performance and education series for children and their caregivers from June through August.

The programs will begin at 10 a.m. at Caponi Art Park's Sculpture Garden, 1220 Diffley Road.

Children can take part in singing, dancing, telling stories and exploring different cultures and new ideas.

A $4-per-person donation is requested. There is a small fee for organized groups such as child-care centers, schools, Scout troops and service groups.

The first program in the series, scheduled for June 2, will be "MacPhail Center for Music: Discovering the Natural World Through Music."

For the full schedule go to www.caponiartpark.org/programs/familyfuntuesdays/index.html

Spring gardens is the theme of the Lakeville Area Arts Center's Wine & Design program from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday.

Instructors will walk participants step by step through painting the evening's featured painting.

The event is for those 21 and older. The cost is $35, which includes supplies and two glasses of wine.

The Arts Center is at 20965 Holyoke Av. in Lakeville. Register at http://tinyurl.com/lnhnfbw