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CC - (1) Approval of Final Allocation of Funds in the Aggregate Amount of $175,196, for the 2019 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 10, 2018
Contact Person/Dept: Susan Obrow/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: 11/20/18
Commission Name: Cultural Affairs Commission
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (12/05/18), Cultural Affairs Commission (11/20/18); Sony Pictures Entertainment (11/29/18), 2019 Performing Arts Grant Program Candidates (11/29/18).
Department Approval: Serena Wright-Black, Assistant City Manager (11/28/18)
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RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council (1) approve the final allocation of funds in the aggregate amount of $175,196 for the 2019 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 and 2019 marks the 25th anniversary of the program. 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. $207,500 has been allocated in Fiscal Year 2018/2019 and $15,000 has been received from a contribution made by Sony Pictures Entertainment in 2018 (for a total available of $222,500 for the 2019 Program).
Staff issued the 2019 notice of funding availability to the public during the week of July 19, 2018. The application was posted on the City’s website, 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 website. On August 9, 2018 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 eight performing arts organizations submitted applications electronically by the deadline of September 7, 2018. On October 15, 2018 and October 19, 2019, the applications were evaluated by two separate peer review panels. CAC Commissioners Tania Fleischer and Jeannine Wisnosky Stehlin, who sit on the CAC Ad Hoc 2019 Culver City Performing Arts Grant Program Subcommittee (Subcommittee), observed the panel process. On October 26, 2018, the Subcommittee convened and reviewed the total panel scores and the requested grant amounts for all 28 applications and recommended funding for 23 organizations. On November 20, 2018, the CAC confirmed the proposed grant awards and made a recommendation that they be approved by City Council.
Twenty three music, dance, and theatre applicants are recommended for grants. Five 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 $175,196. 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. Staff will engage the graphic designer responsible for the logo celebrating the City’s 30th Anniversary of the Art in Public Places Program, to design a logo for the 25th Anniversary of the Program.
The November 20, 2018 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 2019 Culver City Performing Arts Grant Program awards is $222,500. The funding includes monies from the Fiscal Year 2018/2019 Art in Public Places Program (Cultural Trust Fund - 41322400.619800 PZ614) budget in the amount of $207,500, as allocated pursuant to the CCMC, and $15,000 from the 2018 contribution from Sony Pictures Entertainment (42080000.619800.PZ614).
The Subcommittee recommended that only $175,196 be allocated in this grant cycle and the remainder of the funding be carried over in the next fiscal year to support the 2020 Program.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 18-12-10_ATT_CAC Overview of PAG Request Amounts
2. 18-12-10_ATT_PAG Summary of Recommendations
3. 18-12-10_ATT_CAC PAG Staff Report
MOTION:
That the City Council:
1. Approve the final allocation of funds for the 2019 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.