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CAC - Receive Information from Staff Pertaining to the 2017 Americans for the Arts (AFTA) Preconferences and Convention and the Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 Report, and Provide Direction to Staff as Appropriate.
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Meeting Date: July 18, 2017
Contact Person/Dept: B. Christine Byers / Administrative Services - Cultural Affairs
Phone Number: (310) 253-6003
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: []
Public Notification: Meetings and Agendas - City Council and Cultural Affairs Commission (07/13/17)
Department Approval: Serena Wright-Black, Administrative Services Director (07/13/17)
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RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the Cultural Affairs Commission receive an information from staff pertaining to the June 2017 Americans for the Arts (AFTA) Convention and Preconferences, consider how this may apply to Culver City Cultural Affairs programs and projects, and provide direction to staff as appropriate.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
Americans for the Arts (AFTA) is a national organization based in Washington, DC that serves, advances, and leads the network of organizations and individuals who cultivate, promote, sustain, and support art in America. Founded in 1960, AFTA is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education.
Culver City Cultural Affairs has been a member of AFTA for over 15 years and most cities in California that have a Cultural Affairs Division or staff dedicated to promoting the arts are members. The Los Angeles County Arts Commission is also a member of AFTA.
In June 2017, AFTA’s annual Convention and Preconferences were held in San Francisco, CA. Cultural Affairs staff (Susan Obrow, Special Events Coordinator) and Christine Byers (Cultural Affairs Coordinator) attended two of the convention’s preconferences as well as some of the main conference sessions. Ms. Obrow focused on the preconference titled, “Pursuing Racial Equity: Inside Your Organization” and Ms. Byers on the Public Art Preconference, “Expanding the Ecosystem”. At the conclusion of the Public Art Preconference, there was an all-California Public Art Coordinators meeting. (While there is a Southern California Public Art Coordinators group that meets 1-2 times per year and a similar group in Northern California, this was the first time that members of both groups met together.)
In preparation for this agenda item, staff suggests that Commissioners take time to peruse the AFTA website (<http://www.americansforthearts.org/>) to orient themselves to the areas this organization focuses on with regard to advocacy and resources.
June 2017 is also when AFTA released its fifth study of the nonprofit arts and culture industry’s impact on the economy titled, “Arts & Economic Prosperity 5”. The report documents the economic contributions of the arts in 341 diverse communities and regions across the country, representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Nationally, the nonprofit arts and culture industry generated $166.3 billion of economic activity during 2015-$63.8 billion in spending by arts and cultural organizations and an additional $102.5 billion in event-related expenditures by their audiences. This activity supported 4.6 million jobs and generated $27.5 billion in revenue to local, state, and federal governments (a yield well beyond their collective $5 billion in arts allocations). To view a summary of the report’s findings or view the entire report, please use the link below:
<http://www.americansforthearts.org/by-program/reports-and-data/research-studies-publications/arts-economic-prosperity-5>
In light of Culver City’s recent report on the Creative Economy, it is important to look to other organizations working to quantify the economic impact of the arts as an opportunity for partnership or assisting with our work to develop short- and long-term goals as a result of the Culver City Creative Economy Report’s findings.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with this agenda item at this time.
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
MOTION:
That the Cultural Affairs Commission:
1. Receive information from staff pertaining to the June 2017 Americans for the Arts (AFTA) Convention and Preconferences, consider how this may apply to Culver City Cultural Affairs programs and projects, and provide direction to staff as appropriate.