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CC - CONSENT ITEM: (1) Authorization to Award $202,223 to 21 Organizations for the 2025 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: January 13, 2025
Contact Person/Dept.: Lee Lawlor and Sally Unsworth / City Manager - Office of Economic and Cultural Development
Phone Number: (310) 253-5772 and (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 19, 2024
Commission Name: Cultural Affairs Commission
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (01/08/2025); (E-Mail) Cultural Affairs Commission (01/08/2025)
Department Approval: Jesse Mays, Assistant City Manager (11/22/2024)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) authorize the award of $202,223 to 21 organizations for the 2025 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
Local arts agencies provide programs and services across the United States, and cultural grants play a significant role within an ecosystem of creative workers, residents, visitors, arts and cultural organizations, local municipalities, and other partners. Municipal arts agencies encourage relevant and accessible programming, subsidize free or reduced ticket prices, encourage public cultural participation, and are an investment in the overall well-being of a community.
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. $100,000 has been appropriated from the CTF for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 and is supplemented with anticipated carryover money from prior fiscal year CTF allocations. Sony Pictures Entertainment donated $30,000 to support the 2025 Program.
Commissioners Tania Fleischer and Damon Willick, who sit on the CAC 2025 Performing Arts Grant Program Ad Hoc Subcommittee (Subcommittee), met on August 1, 2024 to discuss recommendations for process improvements, application procedures, scoring criteria, schedules, and determined that the grant request limit should be $12,000.
Staff published and promoted the 2025 Performing Arts Grant Program Application and Notice of Funding Availability (Attachment No. 1) during the week of August 9, 2024. At that time, the City’s Arts & Culture Website pages (www.culvercity.org/Explore/Arts-Culture/PAG) included up-to-date information about the grant guidelines, eligibility, requirements, instructions, samples, schedule, deadlines, and a partial list of performance venues. During the following weeks staff continually invited applications by email, social media, affinity groups, and colleagues, including the Los Angeles County Department of Arts & Culture. Staff provided multiple grant workshops, consultations with potential applicants, and technical assistance.
Thirty-three performing arts organizations submitted signed applications electronically via the City’s website by the published deadline of September 12, 2024. One additional application was submitted by a non-profit; it was reviewed, determined to be ineligible, and the primary contact was notified by email.
On October 23, 2024 and October 24, 2024, the eligible applications were evaluated by members of a Peer Review Panel (Panel) consisting of seven independent individuals with professional performing arts expertise and non-profit arts experience. In advance of the meetings, panelists viewed electronic copies of the applications, as well as artistic video samples, financial reports, and other artistic materials that were provided by the applicants. Panelists were given scoring criteria and a scoring guide. The Panel determined total scores for each application based on pre-determined scoring criteria. Commissioners Tania Fleischer and Damon Willick observed portions of the Panel process.
On October 28, 2024, the Subcommittee met and recommended that the applications, total panel scores, and award allocations be considered separately within each of the artistic disciplines: Music, Theatre, and Dance. The Subcommittee recommended funding for 21 organizations. At its regular meeting on November 19, 2024, the CAC supported the Subcommittee’s proposed grant awards and recommended that they be approved by City Council.
The CAC recommends a total of $202,223 in grant awards for music, theater, and dance events as outlined in the attached chart of applications (Attachment No. 2). The chart includes Panel scores, recommended grant awards, and a brief description of each proposed performance.
The November 19, 2024 staff report for the Cultural Affairs Commission is attached and contains detailed information of the Peer Review Panel members, scoring criteria, and procedures for application, evaluation, and recommendation (Attachment No. 3).
City Sponsorship: 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 and Council Policy 2502 (Special Events Grant Program) 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 also 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. The City will promote the sponsored performances throughout 2025 via its website, email, and social media.
The completed 2025 Performing Arts Grant Program electronic applications are available for public review by sending a written request by email to cultural.affairs@culvercity.org.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
The Cultural Affairs Commission recommends a total amount of $202,223 be awarded for the 2025 Culver City Performing Arts Grant Program. The Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-205 includes sufficient funding for the grant awards in CIP Account No. 41380000.730100 PZ614 (Performing Arts) which can be found in the Capital Improvements section of the budget book under Cultural Arts Fund (Fund 413) on page 477. An additional $30,000 contribution from Sony Pictures Entertainment is also designated towards these grants.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 25-01-13_ATT No. 1_2025 Performing Arts Grant Notice of Funding Availability
2. 25-01-13_ATT No. 2_Applications 2025 Performing Arts Grant Program
3. 25-01-13_ATT No. 3_Cultural Affairs Commission Staff Report
MOTIONS
That the City Council:
1. Authorize the award of $202,223 to 21 organizations for the 2025 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.