City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
Meeting Date: 12/10/12 Item Number: C-4
AGENDA ITEM: Allocation of Funds for the 2013 Performing Arts Grant Program as
Recommended by the Cultural Affairs Commission.
Contact Person/Dept.: Susan Obrow/
Parks, Recreation & Community Services
Phone Number: (310) 253-6628
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [] Attachments: [X]
Commission Action Required: Yes [X] No [] Date: 11/13/12
Cultural Affairs Commission
Public Notification: (Email) Meetings and Agendas – City Council (12/07/12), (Email) 2013
Performing Arts Grant Candidates (11/26/12), (Email) Cultural Affairs Commission
(11/26/12), (Email) Sony Pictures Entertainment (11/26/12).
Department Approval:
Dan Hernandez (11/29/12)
City Attorney Approval:
Carol Schwab (by H. Baker) (12/06/12)
Chief Financial Officer Approval:
Jeff Muir (by K. Marsden) (12/06/12)
City Manager Approval:
John M. Nachbar (12/07/12)
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council approve the allocation of funds for the 2013
Performing Arts Grant Program as recommended by the Cultural Affairs Commission
(CAC).
BACKGROUND:
Culver City’s Performing Arts Grant Program was established in 1994. The Culver
City Municipal Code stipulates that 25% of the money deposited into the Art Fund in
the prior fiscal year be appropriated for this program in the current fiscal year.
$40,000 is budgeted for Fiscal Year 2012/2013 and $5,000 is expected to be
allocated from a contribution made in 2012 by Sony Pictures Entertainment.
On July 10, 2012 the CAC considered and approved the 2013 Notice of Funding
Availability (NOFA) during its regularly scheduled meeting.
During the week of July 23, 2012, the NOFA for 2013 was issued. The NOFA
advised applicants that awards would be in the $1,000 - $5,000 range and that grant
requests should be for less than 50% of the applicant’s projected proposal costs.
The 2013 NOFA was posted on the City’s web site, and notices were distributed
electronically to former applicants as well as to networking organizations in the
theatre, dance and music communities. A current list of possible performance
venues in Culver City was posted on the City web site.
On August 8, 2012 staff held a workshop in the Uruapan Room at the Veterans
Memorial Building during which the grant guidelines, the application, and possible City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
performance venues were reviewed in detail. The application deadline was
September 10, 2012 and sixteen applications were submitted by the deadline.
Following review by staff, binders of applications were sent to panelists in advance
of the Peer Review Panel meeting. The panelists were also provided a score sheet
for each applicant. There were three scoring criteria identified in the 2013 NOFA
which are as follows:
• Artistic excellence of proposed project (50 points);
• Realistic budget and diversified funding base (25 points); and,
• Outreach programs to the Culver City community (25 points).
On October 18, 2012, applications were reviewed by a Peer Review Panel. Five
distinguished panelists were joined by Janice Pober, Sony Pictures Entertainment’s
Senior Vice President for Global Corporate Social Responsibility, who observed the
panel process but did not score applicants this year. CAC Chair Gayle Smashey
and Commissioner Regina Klein currently serve on the Ad Hoc Subcommittee. The
Subcommittee members attended as observers and as an additional resource for
questions.
The 2013 Performing Arts Grant Review Panelists were:
• Corbett Barklie – Arts Consultant / Faculty, USC School of Theatre
• Rachel Cohen – Executive Director, Cadence Arts Network
• Megan Kirkpatrick – Community Representative / Senior Manager, Arts for
All: LA County Regional Blueprint for Arts Education, Los Angeles County
Arts Commission
• Meghan Martineau - Artistic Planning Manager, Los Angeles Philharmonic
Association
• Terence McFarland – Chief Executive Officer, Los Angeles Stage Alliance
Staff opened the review panel discussion by providing a brief overview of the grant
program’s history, guideline changes, and discussion of the three review criteria
listed above. After the overview, each application was reviewed with its
corresponding supplemental material in alphabetical order. Staff provided updated
information, and then the panelists rotated in leading the discussion on the
applications. Each panelist had the opportunity to ask questions and then offer
comments to the group. This was followed by panelists providing scores in each of
the three categories, resulting in an overall average score for that applicant. Only
the five panelists provided scores during the peer review session.
Upon completing review of the individual applications, the sixteen applicants were
ranked from highest to lowest; averaged total scores for all sixteen ranged from 94.6
to 42. The panel recommended that those applicants with average scores of 94 and
above should receive 100% of their request for funding. The panel recommended
that applicants with scores between 80 and 90.6 should receive 80% of their City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
requested funding, and that those applicants with scores between 70 and 80 should
each receive $1,500 to demonstrate support for their proposals. Applicants receiving
a score below 70 were not recommended for funding this year. The 2013 Grant
Applications, Score Sheet, and sixteen (16) Performing Arts Grant Applications are
provided as Attachment 2.
The panel’s recommendation was reviewed by the Ad Hoc Subcommittee
immediately following the panel meeting. The Ad Hoc Subcommittee recommended
providing the full funding request for The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles noting
the company’s efforts to expand its programming to Culver City. Further, the
subcommittee recommended slightly reducing the amount of funding for Lineage
Dance Company and provided additional comments regarding the limited focus of
the proposed project. The Ad Hoc Subcommittee was satisfied with the remainder of
the scoring for this year’s applicants.
DISCUSSION:
On November 13, 2012, at a regularly scheduled meeting, the CAC confirmed the
proposed grant awards and made a recommendation that they be approved by City
Council. An overview of the requests and a summary of the grant award
recommendations are provided as Attachments 1 and 3, respectively. The overall
quality of the proposals was excellent this year. The total amount recommended for
awards is $44,100. Staff will work closely with the grant recipients on their
promotional plans for their performances.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
The total amount recommended for the 2013 Performing Arts Grant awards is
$44,100. The funding includes Art Fund monies, as allocated pursuant to the
applicable provision of the Culver City Municipal Code and $5,000 from Sony
Pictures Entertainment’s annual contribution to the City.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Overview of 2013 Performing Arts Grant Requests
2. 2013 Grant Applications, Score Sheet and 16 Performing Arts Grant Applications
3. Summary of Recommendations
MOTION:
That the City Council:
Allocate funds for the 2013 Performing Arts Grant Program as recommended by
the Cultural Affairs Commission and as outlined in the staff report.
MEETING DATE: December 10, 2012
AGENDA ITEM: Allocation of Funds for the 2013 Performing Arts Grant Program
as Recommended by the Cultural Affairs Commission.
ATTACHMENTS
Pages
1. Overview of 2013 Grant Requests
1
2. 2013 Grant Application, Score Sheet and 16 completed
2
Performing Arts Grant Applications
3. Summary of Recommendations
3-10 ATTACHMENT 1
Culver City Performing Arts Grant Progam
2013 Grant Applications
Complete Summary
2013 : 2013 2013 2013
•
Grant Amount
Recommended
2013 Panel Grant Amount Grant Amount
Grant Total Recommended Recommended
Applicant Discipline Request Score by Panel By Ad Hoc by CAC
Subcommittee III
The Actors' Gang Theatre 5,000.00 . 94.60 1 5,000.00 5,000.00 5,000.00
94.50
Collage Dance Theatre dba Dance 5,000.00 5,000.00 $ 5,000.00 5,000.00
Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre
$ 1,500.00
Culver City Public Theatre Theatre $ 4,974.00 79.00 $ 1,500.00 1,500.00
CC Symphony Orchestra Music 5,000.00 83.40 $ 3,250.00 3.250.00 3,250.00
Dancessence aka Dance 5,000.00 84.40 3,250.00 $ 3,250.00 3,250.00
Donna Sternberg & Dancers
The Definiens Project Music 2,600.00 69.20 $
Festival of New American Theatre 1 $ 3,500.00 42.00 - $ -
Musicals
Jazz Bakery Performance Space Music 5,000.00 91.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00
Lineage Dance Company Dance , $ 5,000.00 75.40 $ 1,500.00 1,250.00 $ 1,250.00
i
1
LA Doctors Symph. Orch. Music $ 3,700.00 73.60 $ 1,500.00 1,500.00
—h
$ 1,500.00
1
LA Women's Theatre Festival Theatre $ 2,500.00 78.23 1,500.00 1,500.00 $ 1,500.00
Rogue Artists Ensemble Theatre 5,000.00 90.00 4,000.00 $ 4,000.00 $ 4,000.00
The Shakespeare Center of LA Theatre 3,000.00 90.60 2,400.00 3,000.00 $ 3,000.00
Society for the Activation of Music 5,000.00 87.60 3,250.00 3,250.00 3,250.00
Social Space Through Art and
Sound (SASSAS)
Vox Femina Los Angeles Music 5,000.00 90.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00
We Tell Stories Theatre 5,000.00 90.00 3,600.00 3,600.00 3,600.00
70,274.00 43,750.00 44,100.00 4 $ 44,100.00
1 ATTACHMENT 2
Due to the nature of Attachment 2, a binder of completed Performing Arts Grant
applications is available at the City Clerk's office or by contacting Susan Obrow
in Cultural Affairs: (310)253-6628 or susan.obrowAculvercity.ord. ATTACHMENT 3
2013 PERFORMING ARTS GRANT PROGRAM
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS
The following is an overview of the sixteen applicants (ranked from highest to
lowest) with panel summary comments:
The Actors' Gana
Proposed Project:
Performance Venue:
Proposed Dates:
Panel Score:
Grant Request $5,000
Twelfth Night: The Superhero Edition — free
performances featuring an original adaptation of
Shakespeare's Twelfth Night produced for The
Actors' Gang Family Theater Summer Program
Media Park
Saturdays and Sundays in August 2013
94.6
Recommended Award $5,000
Panelists noted how consistently high the production values were of this Culver
City-based, critically acclaimed theatre company under the artistic direction of
Tim Robbins. The panel remarked on how inventive the re-imaginings of
Shakespeare's plays have been for young audiences. They praised the local
promotion and outreach to Culver City residents and remarked on the benefits of
presenting in Media Park since it could accommodate a large audience.
Collage Dance Theatre / Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre
Proposed Project:
Performance Venue:
Proposed Dates:
Panel Score:
Grant Request $5,000
FEEDBACK a new, free, traveling dance
performance inspired by the West Coast's food
truck phenomenon
Veterans Park
May or June 2013
94.5
Recommended Award $5,000
Members of the panel commented on the continued excitement generated by this
dance company. They praised this proposal in which the company plans to park
an airstream trailer at Veterans Memorial Park and open it to "feed" the audience
dances there. Members of the panel felt that this was an excellent idea for an
enjoyable community gathering. They also complimented the company on its
continued innovation and for its plan to tour the performance throughout the Los
Angeles area.
3 ATTACHMENT 3
Jazz Bakery Performance Space
Proposed Project:
Performance Venue:
Proposed Date:
Panel Score:
Grant Request $5,000
Concert featuring NEA Master and Grammy
winner Hubert Laws, legendary guitarist Larry
Koonse and three-time Grammy nominee Tierney
Sutton.
Kirk Douglas Theatre
June 22, 2013
91
Recommended Award $4,000
The panel commented on how respected the organization is and on its efforts to
open a performance space in Culver City. Panelists remarked on how the
company consistently attracts distinguished artists and how the proposal
provides the opportunity to see these particular artists locally. They were
Impressed with the organization's dynamic effort to maintain a regular
performance schedule, through its Movable Feast series, despite the lack of a
permanent space.
The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles
Proposed Project: Cry Havoc: Will and War Part One — a world
premiere solo performance, featuring
Shakespearean monologues and the personal
stories of veterans, presented as part of the
Veterans in Art Program
Performance Venue: Veterans Memorial Building — Rotunda Room
Proposed Date: May 18-20, 2013
Panel Score: 90.6
Grant Request $3,000 Recommended Award by Panel $2,400
Recommended Award by CAC Ad Hoc Subcommittee $3,000
The panel noted that this was a long-established Los Angeles theatre company
dedicated to presenting contemporary versions of William Shakespeare's plays.
They commended the organization on broadening its vision to develop a
Veterans in Art Program and to present performances in new venues. The panel
remarked on the significance and relevance of the project and that the company
would be offering pay-what-you-can performances. They encouraged the
company to build relationships in Culver City and develop a local promotional
campaign.
Subsequent to the panel meeting, the CAC Ad Hoc Subcommittee recommended
providing the full funding request for The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles
noting the company's efforts to expand its programming to Culver City and
demonstrating support for more performances at Veterans Memorial Building.
4 ATTACHMENT 3
Rogue Artists Ensemble
Proposed Project:
Performance Venue:
Proposed Dates:
Panel Score:
Grant Request $5,000
HYPERBOLE: bard — an original family-friendly
performance recreating Shakespeare's most
famous scenes through clowning, movement,
puppets and original music
Sid Kronenthal Park
Two performances on July 15, 2013
90
Recommended Award $4,000
Panelists commented on the ongoing excitement and energy generated by this
unique theatre company. The organization plans to present a family-friendly
performance in Sid Kronenthal Park which will serve residents on the eastern
side of Culver City. Members of the panel remarked on how engaging the
performance would be, how donations would be accepted in lieu of paid tickets,
and how the performance could be enjoyed by a large audience. Panelists
recommended that the company contact the Culver City Unified School District,
before the school year ends, as part of its local outreach plan.
Vox Femina Los Angeles
Proposed Project:
Performance Venue:
Proposed Date:
Panel Score:
Grant Request $5,000
Celebrating Women...Celebrating Music - a free
women's choral performance featuring
compositions and songs for and by women
Culver City Presbyterian Church
April 28, 2013
90
Recommended Award $4,000
The excellent and unique quality of this all-women's choral group was praised by
the panel. They found the proposal to be thoughtful and well organized. Panelists
remarked on the benefits of this approach to the music and they noted that this
company is a cultural gem in the Culver City community. They recommended that
the organization focus on audience outreach and continue to develop
relationships in the community to build audiences.
5 ATTACHMENT 3
We Tell Stories
Proposed Project:
Performance Venue:
Proposed Dates:
Panel Score:
Grant Request $5,000
Free performances of seven 45-minute story-plays
for the Library's free Summer Reading Program
Reading is so Delicious
Culver City Julian Dixon Library
Wednesdays in June, July and August 2013
90
Recommended Award $3,600
The panel remarked on how this well-regarded company customizes shows from
its repertoire each summer to serve the library's summer reading theme. The
interactive performances attract young and diverse audiences and members of
the panel complimented the founder on his deft ability to work with children. It
was also noted that the Wednesday afternoon performances would provide mid-
week cultural programming for families. The request was for more than fifty per
cent of the total costs of the production; however, the grant recommendation was
based on exactly fifty percent of the total request.
Society for the Activation of Social Space Through Art and Sound
Proposed Project:
Performance Venue:
Proposed Dates:
Panel Score:
Grant Request $5,000
A free concert by internationally recognized trio
MURAL and Los Angeles and Culver City area
musicians
Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook
May 2013
87.60
Recommended Award $3,250
This organization proposed a performance of a new composition by the trio
MURAL, featuring Australian and Norwegian musicians, as well as fifteen local
musicians. Panelists commended the organization on its efforts to develop new
audiences for experimental music, Members of the panel observed that
audiences enjoy performances at the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook and that this
concert should be a wild and entertaining aural experience. Panelists encouraged
the organization to contact the Culver City Unified School District as part of its
local publicity campaign,
6 ATTACHMENT 3
Donna Sternberg & Dancers (Dancessence)
Proposed Project:
Performance Venue:
Proposed Dates:
Panel Score:
Grant Request $5,000
In the Dark — the premiere of a free dance
performance exploring dark energy
Veterans Memorial Building - Rotunda Room and
Plaza
November 3, 2013
84.4
Recommended Award $3,250
Panelists remarked on the company's creative use of Veterans Memorial Building
by using the Rotunda Room and outside front plaza. Members of the panel
observed that the founder's choreography is often inspired by science and
adeptly translated into stimulating visual experiences. Questions arose on how
the idea of dark energy would be translated in this performance and the panel
recommended that the company provide some detail in its promotional materials.
Panelists praised the idea of an open rehearsal to build community interest.
Culver City Symphony Orchestra
Proposed Project:
Performance Venue:
Proposed Date:
Panel Score:
Grant Request $5,000
A concert exploring the African musical influence
on American composers — part of the orchestra's
American Beat series
Veterans Memorial Auditorium
June 8,2013
83.4
Recommended Award $3,250
Panelists expressed interest in the proposed program and noted the orchestra's
commitment to paying its musicians. They encouraged the organization to seek
professional assistance for its outreach efforts and to plan specific outreach to
the African American community. Also, the panel noted that the organization's
official name is The Westchester Symphony Society but that it uses various
names, including the Culver City Symphony Orchestra, throughout the year. The
panel suggested that using only the official name may stimulate better branding
of the orchestra which may result in more crossover audiences.
7 ATTACHMENT 3
Culver City Public Theatre
Proposed Project:
Performance Venue:
Proposed Dates:
Panel Score:
Annual summer season of 3 free theatre
productions for children and adults
Dr. Paul Carlson Memorial Park
Saturdays and Sundays in July and August, 2013
79.
Grant Request $4,974 Recommended Award
$1,500
This Culver City community theatre garnered praise from the panelists for its
enduring summer series. Members of the panel commented on how impressed
they were with how much the company could produce with so little funding. The
panel noted that the season had not been set yet. They recommended that the
company prepare a detailed, targeted outreach plan for the upcoming summer,
research new grant opportunities and creative partnerships, and explore the
possibility of deepening its arts education component.
Los Angeles Women's Theatre Festival
Proposed Project:
Performance Venue:
Proposed Dates:
Panel Score:
Grant Request $2,500
Celebration! The 20th Anniversary Los Angeles
Women's Theatre Festival — performances of
select solo performers from their annual Theatre
Festival.
Ivy Substation
March 28, 2013
78.20
Recommended Award $1,500
This company, which is celebrating a milestone anniversary, presents solo
dance, music and theatre performances by women. Panelists were supportive of
the application and noted that the vision was broad and original. The
performance would occur mid-week at the Ivy Substation and panelists
recommended that the company develop a focused, outreach plan to attract an
audience from Culver City.
8 ATTACHMENT 3
Lineage Dance Company
Proposed Project: Ceiling in the Floor - A multimedia dance concert
focusing on the issue of suicide designed to
increase public awareness
Performance Venue: Ivy Substation
Proposed Dates: August 10, 2013
Panel Score: 75.4
Grant Request $5,000 Recommended Award $1,500
Recommended Award by Ad Hoc Subcommittee $1,250
The panel noted that this performance was designed to facilitate an open
conversation on the topic of suicide. The panel praised the efforts of the company
to develop artistic work based on this social issue; however, they felt that the
application lacked a viable publicity plan to engage the Culver City community
beyond the participation of the Didi Hirsch Suicide Prevention Center. Panelists
urged the company to develop a broader promotional plan to attract audiences to
this performance including outreach to Culver City High School.
The CAC Ad Hoc Subcommittee reviewed the panel comments and
recommended slightly reducing the amount of funding for Lineage Dance
Company noting the limited focus of the proposed project and the challenge of
attracting an audience from the Culver City community with the proposed
publicity plan.
Los Angeles Doctors Symphony Orchestra
Proposed Project:
Performance Venue:
Proposed Dates:
Panel Score:
Grant Request $3,700
A concert version of an opera or another opera-
related program
Veterans Memorial Auditorium
November 17, 2013
73.6
Recommended Award $1,500
This community orchestra proposes to produce a concert version of a
contemporary opera or an opera-related concert featuring vocal soloists.
Members of the panel expressed interest in the proposal but noted that
performance rights had not been secured yet. Panelists commented that there
are opera audiences interested in such concerts and that this performance may
be appealing to the Culver City community. They recommended that the
orchestra develop a targeted promotional campaign and urged them to consider
partnering with other cultural organizations for mutual benefit.
9 ATTACHMENT 3
The Definiens Project
Proposed Project:
Performance Venue:
Proposed Dates:
Panel Score:
Grant Request $2,600
Four Musical Adventures - interactive, musical stories
for children
Culver City Julian Dixon Library
April, May, October, November, 2013
69.20
Recommended Award $0
Panelists commended the organization on its goal of making chamber music
more interactive, exciting and accessible. They recommended that the group
submit a DVD rather than a CD as the artistic sample in future applications so
that panels could better review the performance elements. They felt that the
submitted CD focused more on storytelling and less on music and encouraged
the company to consider increasing the musical elements of the program.
Further, they recommended that the organization continue to develop the arts
education elements of the program. The panel found the proposal vague, with
insufficient information regarding the participating artists or the craft-making
project and its collaborator. They noted that there was ho mention of contacting
the Culver City Unified School District to attract pre-school and Kindergarten
audiences from the Culver City community.
Festival of New American Musicals
Proposed Project:
Performance Venue:
Proposed Dates:
Panel Score:
Grant Request $3,500
FutureFest — a production featuring high school
and college students performing songs from new
American musicals
Kirk Douglas Theatre
June 18, 2013
42
Recommended Award $0
The panel noted that one of the company's missions is to foster and cultivate the
next generation of artists in the musical theatre. The panel felt that this
application did not sufficiently provide information regarding the artists involved,
the selection of the material or the selection of the students. Further, the panel
noted that the Culver City High School Academy of the Visual and Performing
Arts had not been contacted at the time of the application's submission and it
was unknown whether AVPA could or would participate in the production. The
panel expressed concern that without the involvement of local students, the
performance may not be able to adequately attract the Culver City community to
the production.
10