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1 ARTS AND CULTURE COMMISSION 2015 WORK PLAN AND RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS Current Members: Chair Ruth Cazden, Vice Chair Christopher Sterba, Deb Danziger, George Gager, Mollie Hazen (Appointed 1/6/2015) and Heidi Rand. Agenda Item No. 4(A) ---PAGE BREAK--- 2 MISSION STATEMENT: In 2003, the City Council established the Arts & Culture Commission (ECMC 2.04.310) and charged the Commission with the following duties 1. To act in an advisory capacity to the city council in all matters pertaining to arts in the community; 2. Make recommendations to the city council concerning the resources and needs of the community on the subject of the arts, opportunities for participation of artists and performers in city-sponsored activities, and ways to encourage community involvement in the arts; 3. Work cooperatively with city boards and commissions and other public and private organizations in creating and promoting art and cultural programs and activities within the city; 4. Coordinate and strengthen existing organizations in the arts and develop cooperation with regional organizations; 5. Make recommendations to the city council regarding the funding of community art projects, including the search for private and public grants, and regarding the disbursement of revenues consistent with the needs of the community; 6. Review and make recommendations to the city council upon all works of art to be acquired by the city, either by purchase, gift or otherwise and exterior works of art installed in the city on public property; 7. Recommend to the City Council the adoption of such ordinances or policies as it may deem necessary for the administration and preservation of the arts and cultural development of the city. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: The Arts & Culture Commission (“ACC”) consists of seven members who demonstrate a commitment to various arts disciplines, including but not limited to fine arts, visual arts, performing arts, literary arts, art history, and arts education. The ACC is responsible for acquisition, funding, and placement of public art in the City on public property. The ACC meets at City Hall and meetings are open to the public. Since the ACC was created in 2003, it has taken on a number of additional responsibilities: • In 2005 when the Council adopted the Art in Public Places ordinance (ECMC 13.50), the ACC began oversight of the Arts in Public Places Program, which requires certain development projects to contribute 1% of construction costs to public art. • Additionally, since the new City Hall building opened in 2008, the ACC juries the City Hall Gallery Space, located on the second floor of City Hall. ---PAGE BREAK--- 3 In 2013, the ACC adopted a Master Plan including the following Mission Statement: It is the mission of the Arts and Culture Commission to advise the City Council of the needs of the artistic and cultural community; encourage and promote arts programs and events that engage community members and local businesses to build a flourishing and vibrant arts and cultural environment; provide advice to artists and arts/cultural organizations by sponsoring forums, programs, and events; carry out the Arts in Public Places program, and upon request, advise the City with respect to possible sources of funding. The ACC’s Master Plan is intended to shape a vision for arts and culture in the City of El Cerrito and guide commissioners on decisions regarding public art. ---PAGE BREAK--- 4 2015 WORK PLAN GOAL/OBJECTIVE (not in any order) PROPOSED ACTIVITIES TIMELINE FOR COMPLETION 1. Increase access to public art in community • Develop and adopt policies and procedures for utilization of 1% for Public Art monies; Prioritize how to spend Public Art Fund • Explore and identify potential sites for public art • Place visual art in public places throughout the community • Promote and participate in Arts & Humanities Month during October of each year • Identify ways to utilize the arts to enhance existing City resources towards enriching the lives of all people in our community • Host 2015 Music Performance Series • Consider co-sponsorship of Music for Madera (Fall 2015) & El Cerrito Free Folk Festival (Fall 2015) Goal is to commission work(s) in 2015. Staff anticipates the ACC will participate in Arts Month (Oct 2015) Co-sponsoring performance by Lucas Valley Chamber Orchestra on May 9, 2015; Discussion in spring to sponsor other concerts. ---PAGE BREAK--- 5 GOAL/OBJECTIVE (not in any order) PROPOSED ACTIVITIES TIMELINE FOR COMPLETION 2. Support the local artistic and cultural community • Consider development of an Artist-In-Residency Program at the Recycling + Environmental Resource Center • Consider development of Poet Laureate Program • Host local screening of “Domino: Caught in the Crisis” at Rialto Cinemas Cerrito If Artist-In-Residency Program is established, goal is to select first artist by 10/15. Poet Laureate to be discussed in March. “Domino”screening on Jan 28, 2015. 3. Promote excellence in the arts • Administer the Public Art Fund and utilize the Public Art Fund to commission professional quality art. ONGOING PROJECTS PROJECT ACTIVITIES Jury the City Hall Gallery Space Issue a call for proposals; review proposals 2-3 times per year; select artists to show in the Gallery Space. Typically, there are about 7 shows per year. Hold regular meetings open to the public Regular meetings are held on the fourth Monday of each month in the Council Chambers at City Hall. ---PAGE BREAK--- 6 RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS GOAL/OBJECTIVE ACTIVITIES SUPPORTING GOAL STATUS 1. Adopt an “Arts & Culture Master Plan” • Adopted November 2013 Adopted 2. Support music events • Co-sponsored LVCO performance in April 2014 and Nov 14 • Co-sponsored Music for Madera event in October 2014 • Co-sponsored El Cerrito Free Folk Festival in October 2014 Completed 3. Celebrate Arts Month – Oct 2014 • 2014: Developed and distributed flyer; Judged ECAA Art Show and awarded a ribbon; Co-sponsored music events • 2013: Developed and distributed flyer; Judged ECAA Art Show and awarded a ribbon; Co-sponsored film events Completed 4. Promote “12 Wind Sculptures” (1st City Commissioned public art using the 1% for Public Art Fund) • Developed and promoted self-guided tour of “12 Wind Sculptures” along San Pablo Avenue Completed 5. Support film events • Co-sponsored screening of “Coast Modern” at Rialto Cinemas Cerrito (Oct 2013) • Co-sponsored screening of “Sundar Shadi’s Gifts” at Rialto Cinemas Cerrito (Oct 2013) • Co-sponsored screening of “Nani” at El Cerrito High School (March 2013) Completed 6. Community Outreach • Informational table at City’s July 4th Festival (2013, 2014) • Sponsored art activity at City’s Earth Day celebration (April 2013 & 2014) Completed ---PAGE BREAK--- 7 GOAL/OBJECTIVE ACTIVITIES SUPPORTING GOAL STATUS 7. Consider developing Artist-In- Residency Program at the Recycling + Environmental Resource Center Discussed possible program and researched similar programs in other communities Prioritized as goal for 2015