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ACCEPT THE STOCKTON ARTS COMMISSION 2019-2021 ANNUAL REPORT
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council accept by Motion the Stockton Arts Commission 2019-2021 Annual Report.
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Summary
Pursuant to Stockton Municipal Code 2.94.130, on an annual basis, the Stockton Arts Commission prepares and submits a report to the City Council describing the Commission’s completed activities for the prior year and setting forth goals for the coming year. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Commission did not present a report last year. This report is inclusive of the two most recent fiscal years, 2019-20 and 2020-21
During this period, the Commission continued its work in pursuit of Strategic Plan goals despite the limitations of the pandemic. The Commission extended the deadline for the Stockton Arts Endowment Grants through December 2021 and also worked with staff to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a public art project in Victory Park.
The Commission remains committed to the key priorities defined in the 2019-2022 Strategic Plan. These priorities were developed with community input from local artists and arts organizations. The resulting plan creates a roadmap to guide the Commission in meeting Council priorities and championing the arts in the City of Stockton. The Commission is seeking Council acceptance of the 2019-2021 Annual Report (Attachment A).
DISCUSSION
Background
The Stockton Arts Commission is an advisory body to the City Council responsible for promoting and encouraging programs to further the development and public awareness of the fine and performing arts and create expanded opportunities to experience public art. The Commission administers three main programs. The Stockton Arts Endowment Grants awards $50,000 in funds annually to local artists and arts organizations through a competitive process. The General Fund provides funding for this program. The second program, the Local Public Art Grants, awards up to $50,000 annually to local public artists to complete projects at selected City property locations. The program is designed to allow local artists to gain experience with smaller projects and contribute to their community. The third program is for large-scale public art projects, typically solicited through an RFP process on a state or national level. Funds for the two public art programs are appropriated from the City’s Public Art Fund balance. In 2015 the City Council approved eliminating the funding mechanism for the public art program as funds were no longer available with the dissolution of Redevelopment Agencies and reductions of Capital Improvement Project funding. The Commission is currently spending down the Public Art Fund balance to pay for public art programs. Once these funds are exhausted, or until another funding source is established, the Commission will make General Fund requests for new public art projects during the City budget process.
SAC received additional one-time funds for three initiatives. In 2017, the City Council approved a one-time appropriation of $50,000 from the Strong Communities Initiative for youth-related arts initiatives. In 2019, the City was awarded a two-year grant totaling $60,000 from the California Arts Council to enhance the Collide Arts Festival and Stockton Arts Week programs. Below is a summary of current arts funding sources and programs:
|
Source |
Amount |
Frquency |
Program |
|
General Fund |
$50,000 |
Annual |
Arts Endoment Grants |
|
Public Art Fund |
$461,642 |
One-Time |
Public Arts Programs |
|
Strong Communities |
$50,000 |
One-Time |
Youth Art Programs |
|
California Arts Council |
$60,000 |
One-Time |
Collide and Stockton Arts Week |
City Council approved the 2019-2022 Strategic Plan on January 14, 2020, which guides key goals and actions moving forward. The COVID pandemic impacted the work of the Commission over the two years, but SAC made progress on several goals and projects:
• As part of Stockton Arts Week, SAC supported the Collide event in Fall 2019, showcasing local artists. Funding for two years of programming was provided, in part, by a California Arts Council grant. An extension of the grant performance period was approved.
• SAC extended the performance period for the Stockton Arts Endowment Grants (renamed Stockton Arts Grants) through December 31, 2021.
• Staff issued a Request for Proposals for a public art project in Victory Park.
Present Situation
Annually, the Stockton Arts Commission reviews and revises the Strategic Plan to ensure goals are realistic, viable, and aligned with the changing municipal environment. Of interest, the Strategic Plan will combine the Advocacy and Resources Subcommittees for focused outreach and engagement.
The Stockton Arts Commission will focus on three areas of action for Strategic Action Plan Year3: 2021-2022:
• The Youth Performance and Arts Program will provide funding for new youth performance and art opportunities through a competitive process that will open for youth applications in the fall, with the project awarded in 2022. This project is funded by Strong Communities.
• The Stockton Arts Endowment Grants will be renamed Stockton Arts Grants. This annual competitive program will award up to $50,000 in 2022. This project will use one time funding appropriated in FY 2019-20.
• There will be no new Local Public Art Grants or Public Art actions identified in 2021-2022 for the following reasons:
o The Commission wants to focus on the continuation of the Victory Park Public Art selection and installation.
o The Commission approved the potential future funding of $25,000 (in-kind donation) for a mural in Van Buskirk as part of the Prop 68 Grant application. An increase of $10,000 is under consideration, and the final amount will be brought forward for City Council approval in a future plan.
o The Commission is facilitating a basketball mural project at Dentoni Park, funded through discretionary monies allocated from Council member Jobrack.
The Stockton Arts Commission is seeking City Council acceptance of the Annual Plan.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
With the acceptance of this report, there is no new or additional funding request or direct financial impact to the General Fund, Strong Communities Fund, or the Public Art Fund.
Attachment A - Stockton Arts Commission 2019-2021 Annual Report