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CAC ACTION ITEM - (1) Discussion of Potential Partnership Framework for the continuation of the Music in the Chambers program with the Music Guild of Los Angeles; (2) Provide Comments as Appropriate; and (3) Provide Recommendation to Staff.
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Meeting Date: February 17, 2026
Contact Person/Dept: Sally Unsworth / City Manager - Office of Economic and Cultural Development
Phone Number: (310) 253-6003
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: []
Public Notification: Meetings and Agendas - Cultural Affairs Commission (02/13/25)
Department Approval: Jesse Mays, Assistant City Manager (02/12/25)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Cultural Affairs Commission (CAC):
1. Discuss a proposed partnership framework with Music Guild of Los Angeles for the Music in the Chambers program; and
2. Provide comments as appropriate; and
3. Provide a recommendation to staff regarding use of the Cultural Trust Fund for the proposed program and partnership framework.
BACKGROUND AND PILOT PROGRAM OUTCOMES:
The City of Culver City Cultural Affairs Division relaunched the Music in the Chambers concert series as a pilot initiative to activate Council Chambers as an intimate civic performance venue while expanding access to high-quality live music programming. The program operates under the guidance of the Culver City Cultural Affairs Commission, with support from its Performing Arts Subcommittee.
Audience feedback from the September pilot concert demonstrates strong community support and provides a foundation for evolving the series into a more formally curated program model.
Key Survey Findings (n=26 responses):
• 100% of respondents rated overall satisfaction at the highest level (5/5).
• 85% reported the program exceeded expectations, with the remainder indicating expectations were met.
• 92% indicated they were extremely likely to attend again (10/10 rating).
• 92% were extremely likely to recommend the event to others, reflecting strong audience enthusiasm.
• Qualitative comments highlighted:
o High caliber musicianship
o Positive acoustics and intimate setting
o Interest in continued and diverse programming.
These results support the Cultural Affairs Commission’s interest in advancing a curated seasonal program supported by professional artistic expertise.
Proposed Partnership Overview
Following discussions initiated by Cultural Affairs Commission Vice Chair Tania Fleischer, who met with Martin Glicklich of the Music Guild of Los Angeles, the City is exploring a potential partnership in which the Music Guild would serve as a curatorial partner for a limited number of Music in the Chambers performances annually.
Under this proposed framework:
• The Music Guild would provide artistic curation and ensemble recommendations.
• The Performing Arts Subcommittee of the Cultural Affairs Commission would review curatorial recommendations and provide advisory input.
• The Cultural Affairs Division would retain overall program administration, contracting oversight, and coordination with City departments.
The goal is to maintain the Cultural Affairs Commission’s policy and advisory role while elevating artistic excellence through an experienced curatorial partner.
Proposed Scope of Work - Music Guild of Los Angeles
The Music Guild’s services would focus on artistic curation and select production coordination for approximately 2-3 concerts annually.
A. Curatorial Services
• Identify and recommend ensembles aligned with the goals of the Cultural Affairs Commission and the Council Chambers venue.
• Provide artistic rationale and program context for proposed performers.
• Present recommendations to the Cultural Affairs Commission Performing Arts Subcommittee in early July for review and feedback, aligned with predetermined concert dates (anticipated Fall and Winter Sunday afternoons).
B. Artist Coordination and Payments
• Coordinate communications with selected ensembles.
• Facilitate contracting and payment to artists, subject to City contracting requirements.
• Coordinate instrument rentals or specialized equipment, if applicable.
C. Production Coordination
• Provide input on performance layout, staging, and technical specifications.
• Liaise with the City-selected sound and lighting vendor to align technical needs with artistic requirements.
Note: A key implementation detail remains under review - whether the City will contract directly with the sound and lighting vendor, or whether this responsibility will be incorporated into the Music Guild’s scope and budget. Final contract value will be adjusted once this determination is made.
D. Event Support
• Coordinate volunteer support on performance dates in collaboration with Cultural Affairs staff.
• Assist with artist hospitality coordination as needed.
E. Marketing and Cross-Promotion
• Cross-promote concerts through Music Guild channels, including website listings and eblasts.
Coordinate messaging with the Cultural Affairs Division for aligned promotion across City platforms.
Proposed City of Culver City Responsibilities
The Cultural Affairs Division, working under the policy guidance of the Cultural Affairs Commission, would remain the lead entity for municipal coordination and program administration, including:
• Contract development and compliance oversight.
• Coordination with City departments and Special Events processes.
• Marketing through City communication channels.
• Ongoing production support, with the Special Events Manager providing additional day-of-event coordination.
• Audience services, accessibility compliance, and civic engagement goals.
The City would separately secure special event insurance coverage for individual concert dates, with musicians listed as additionally insured where required.
Optional Future Program Elements (Subject to Further Review)
• Potential collaboration with the AVPA program within Culver City Unified School District.
• Clarification of ticketing options pending legal review.
• Exploration of expanded partnerships aligned with Cultural Affairs Commission priorities.
Proposed Timeline
• Early July: Music Guild presents curatorial recommendations to the Cultural Affairs Commission Performing Arts Subcommittee.
• Late Summer: Final artist selection and contracting.
• Fall/Winter: Concerts presented in Council Chambers on Sunday afternoons, aligned with City scheduling availability.
Program Intent
This partnership framework supports the Cultural Affairs Commission’s vision to:
• Elevate artistic quality through professional curation.
• Maintain strong civic oversight and public accessibility.
• Expand Culver City’s regional cultural profile.
• Establish a sustainable, Commission-supported chamber music series rooted in civic space.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
Funding for the partnership is anticipated to be drawn from the Cultural Trust (Fund 413) under CIP Project No PZ614 (Performing Arts). The program is consistent with Cultural Affairs Commission priorities to support high-quality performing arts programming. Additional fundraising support may be pursued through the Culver City Arts Foundation and other external partners to help offset program costs and expand long-term sustainability.
Preliminary annual budget assumptions include:
• Artist Fees: $8,000-$12,000 (estimated total across performances)
• Curatorial Fee (Music Guild): approximately $1,500 annually
• Instrument Rentals and Production Elements: approximately $2,000
Total contract value will be adjusted pending confirmation of whether sound and lighting vendor costs are included within the Music Guild’s scope or contracted separately by the City.
No General Fund impact is anticipated.
Under CCMC §15.06.160 Section E (ARTWORK ON PUBLIC PROPERTY, PERFORMING ARTS AND PURCHASE OF REAL PROPERTY FOR PUBLIC ART):
No more than 25% of deposits made in any one year into the Cultural Trust Fund may be allocated from the Cultural Trust Fund for performing arts in the subsequent year unless this amount is less than $25,000, in which case a minimum of $25,000 may be allocated. Eligible activities include City-produced performing arts events and grants to performing arts organizations as subject to the release of a Notice of Funding Availability (“NOFA”) and review of applications by the Cultural Affairs Commission and approval by the City Council.
ATTACHMENTS:
None
MOTION:
That the Cultural Affairs Commission:
1. Discuss the proposed Music in the Chambers partnership with Music Guild of Los Angeles; and
2. Provide comments as appropriate; and
3. Provide a recommendation to staff regarding use of the Cultural Trust Fund for the proposed program and partnership framework.