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CC - CONSENT ITEM: (1) Authorization to Award $213,043 to 29 Organizations for the 2023 Performing Arts Grant Program, and Designation of Related Performances as City-Sponsored, as Recommended by the Cultural Affairs Commission; and (2) Approval of Related Grant Contracts.
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Meeting Date: December 5, 2022
Contact Person/Dept.: Lee Lawlor / Office of Economic and Cultural Development
B. Christine Byers / Office of Economic and Cultural Development
Phone Number: (310) 253-5772
(310) 253-6003
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Commission Action Required: Yes [X] No [] Date: November 15, 2022
Commission Name: Cultural Affairs Commission
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (11/30/2022); (E-Mail) Cultural Affairs Commission (11/30/2022); (E-Mail) 2023 Performing Arts Grant Program Applicants (11/10/22)
Department Approval: Jesse Mays, Assistant City Manager (11/17/22)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) authorize the award of $213,043 to 29 organizations for the 2023 Performing Arts Grant Program, and designate related performances as City-sponsored, as recommended by the Cultural Affairs Commission (CAC); and (2) approve the related grant contracts.
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
Arts grant programs are considered a central component to programs and services provided by local arts agencies throughout the United States and also provide cultural services to the community. They help subsidize free or reduced ticket prices, encourage public participation, and are an investment in the community and in the quality-of-life for residents, workforce, and visitors.
The Cultural Affairs Commission and staff have implemented Culver City’s Performing Arts Grant Program (Program) since its inception in 1994. Culver City Municipal Code (CCMC) Section 15.06.160 stipulates that no more than 25% of the money deposited into the Cultural Trust Fund (CTF) in the prior fiscal year be allocated for performing arts in the subsequent year. $112,500 has been appropriated from the CTF for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 and is supplemented with $256,959 in carryover money from prior fiscal year CTF allocations. Additional payments and pledged contributions from Sony Pictures Entertainment and Culver City Arts Foundation have been made in support of the 2023 Program.
Staff issued the 2023 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) to the public during the week of August 8, 2022. A copy of the NOFA and application guidelines is attached to this staff report. The electronic application and detailed instructions were posted on the City’s website, and notices were distributed by email, social media, email message groups, and other appropriate third-party sites, including the Los Angeles County Department of Arts & Culture. A list of potential performance venues in Culver City was also posted on the City’s website, and staff provided workshops and consultations with potential applicants.
Thirty (30) performing arts organizations submitted signed applications electronically on the City’s website by the published deadline of September 16, 2022. Six of the applicants were applying for the first time, and five of those met the eligibility criteria. On October 14, 2022, the twenty-nine (29) eligible applications were evaluated by a Peer Review Panel (Panel) of six individuals with professional performing arts expertise and non-profit arts experience. The Panel determined total scores for each application based on four scoring criteria. CAC Chair Tania Fleischer and Commissioner Jeannine Wisnosky Stehlin, who sit on the CAC Ad Hoc 2023 Culver City Performing Arts Grant Subcommittee (Subcommittee), observed the Panel process. Details of the Panel members and the scoring criteria are included in the attached November 15, 2022, staff report for the Cultural Affairs Commission.
On October 26, 2022, the Subcommittee convened and reviewed the total panel scores and the requested grant amounts for all applicants and recommended funding for twenty-nine (29) organizations. At its regular meeting on November 15, 2022, the CAC supported the proposed grant awards and recommended that they be approved by City Council.
Due to the recent pandemic, many arts organizations have suffered financially. In an effort to promote recovery and sustainability, the CAC recommends a total of $213,043 in total grant awards for performing arts events during 2023. Staff also made significant efforts to recruit a larger and more diverse pool of applicants. Therefore, the total number of applications, the total amount of requested grants, and the total recommended award, is significantly higher than in prior years.
These proposed events meet the criteria for City sponsorship. To be categorized as “City-sponsored,” an event or activity must meet the criteria set forth in Culver City Municipal Code (CCMC) Section 17.330.040.B.7.b.ii confirming that the City is (a) participating in an official capacity in the planning, preparation or promotion of the event or activity; and (b) contributing 25% of the total estimated costs of the civic event or activity or at least $1,000, whichever is less. City Council Policy requires that in order for an event to be considered City-sponsored, the City Council determine, by specific action, that the above criteria have been met.
As a requirement of the grant contract, the performing arts organizations must identify the City of Culver City as a sponsor of the event in all promotional materials. The City will promote the sponsored performances throughout 2023 via its website, email and social media.
Attached is a chart of the twenty-nine (29) eligible applications, Panel scores, recommended grant awards and a brief description of each proposed performance. The November 15, 2022, staff report for the Cultural Affairs Commission is also attached.
The completed Performing Arts Grant Program electronic applications are available for public review by sending a written request by email to cultural.affairs@culvercity.org <mailto:cultural.affairs@culvercity.org>.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
The Cultural Affairs Commission recommends a total amount of $213,043 be awarded for the 2023 Culver City Performing Arts Grant Program. The funding includes monies included in the Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 in Art in Public Places Program (Cultural Trust Fund - 41311200.619800 PZ614) as allocated pursuant to the CCMC. Sony Pictures Entertainment has made a 2022 contribution in the amount of $25,000, and a pledge is anticipated from the Culver City Arts Foundation (amount pending). The balance of funding for the program will come from the CTF.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 22-12-05_ATT No. 1_2023 Performing Arts Grant Program Guidelines and Notice of Funding Availability
2. 22-12-05_ATT No. 2_Overview of 2023 Performing Arts Grant Program Applications and Scores
3. 22-12-05_ATT No. 3_Cultural Affairs Commission Staff Report
MOTIONS
That the City Council:
1. Authorize the award of $213,043 to 29 organizations for the 2023 Performing Arts Grant Program, and designate related performances as City-sponsored, as recommended by the Cultural Affairs Commission, and as outlined in the staff report; and
2. Approve the related grant contracts; and
3. Authorize the City Attorney to review/prepare the necessary documents; and
4. Authorize the City Manager to execute such documents on behalf of the City.