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CC - (1) Approval of Final Allocation of Funds in the Aggregate Amount of $64,730, for the 2018 Performing Arts Grant Program as Recommended by the Cultural Affairs Commission; and (2) Approval of Related Grantee Contracts.
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Meeting Date: December 11, 2017
Contact Person/Dept: Susan Obrow - PRCS/Administrative Services
Phone Number: (310)253-6628
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [] Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Commission Action Required: Yes [X] No [] Date: 11/21/17
Commission Name: Cultural Affairs Commission
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - Cultural Affairs Commission (12/06/17); Sony Pictures Entertainment (11/22/17), 2018 Performing Arts Grant Program Candidates (11/22/17).
Department Approval: Serena Wright-Black, Director of Administrative Services (11/27/17)
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RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council (1) approve the final allocation of funds in the aggregate amount of $64,730 for the 2018 Culver City Performing Arts Grant Program as recommended by the Cultural Affairs Commission (CAC); and (2) approve the related Grantee contracts.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
Culver City’s Performing Arts Grant Program (Program) was established in 1994. The Culver City Municipal Code (CCMC) stipulates that no more than 25% of the money deposited into the Cultural Trust Fund in the prior fiscal year be allocated for performing arts in the subsequent year. $50,000 has been allocated in Fiscal Year 2017/2018 and $15,000 has been received from a contribution made by Sony Pictures Entertainment in 2017 (for a total available of $65,000 for the 2018 Program).
Staff issued the 2018 notice of funding availability to the public during the week of July 20, 2017. The application stated that awards would be in the $1,000 - $5,000 range, and grant requests should be for less than 50% of the applicant’s projected proposal costs. The application was posted on the City’s web site, and notices were distributed electronically to Culver City-based performing arts organizations as well as through the Los Angeles Culture Net arts forum. A current list of possible performance venues in Culver City was also posted on the City’s web site. On August 9, 2017 staff held a workshop at Veterans Memorial Building during which the grant guidelines, the application, the electronic submittal process, and the possible performance venues were reviewed in detail.
Twenty performing arts organizations submitted applications electronically by the deadline of September 13, 2017. On October 12, 2017, the applications were evaluated by a peer review panel. CAC Commissioners Tania Fleischer and Jeannine Wisnosky Stehlin, who sit on the CAC Ad Hoc 2018 Culver City Performing Arts Grant Program Subcommittee, observed the panel process and concurred with the recommendations. On November 21, 2017, the CAC confirmed the proposed grant awards and made a recommendation that they be approved by City Council.
Sixteen music, dance, and theatre applicants are recommended for grants. Four companies were not recommended for awards. Staff provided those organizations with the panel comments and offered them assistance for the next grant cycle. The total amount recommended for awards is $64,730. Should the City Council award the grants, staff will work closely with the grant recipients on the promotional plans for their performances as well as any changes to their grant proposals.
The November 21, 2017 staff report for the Cultural Affairs Commission is attached as well as a brief overview of the applicants (ranked from highest to lowest) and a summary of panel recommendations.
Binders of completed Performing Arts Grant applications are available to review in the City Clerk’s Office during regular City Hall business hours.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
The total amount available for the 2018 Culver City Performing Arts Grant Program awards is $65,000. The funding includes monies from the Fiscal Year 2017/2018 Art in Public Places Program (Cultural Trust Fund - 41322400.619800 PZ614) budget in the amount of $50,000, as allocated pursuant to the CCMC, and $15,000 from the 2017 contribution from Sony Pictures Entertainment (42080000.619800.PZ614).
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 2017-12-11_ATT_CAC Overview of 2018 PAG Request Amounts
2. 2017-12-11_ATT_2018 PAG Summary of Recommendations
3. 2017-12-11_ATT_CAC PAG Staff Report
MOTION:
That the City Council:
1. Approve the final allocation of funds for the 2018 Performing Arts Grant Program as recommended by the Cultural Affairs Commission and as outlined in the staff report; and,
2. Approve the related grantee contracts; and,
3. Authorize the City Attorney to review/prepare the necessary documents; and,
4. Authorize the City Manager to execute such contracts on behalf of the City.