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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNB 3 CULTURAL ARTS 12-01-80NEW BUSINESS DATE: TO: FROM: SUBJECT:  ~ No. 3 November 25, 1980 inter-Com Mayor and City Council Honorable Royleen A. White, Director of Community Servic,es ~,/~' CULTURAL ARTS COMMITTEE PROPOSAL BACKGROUND: The Cultural Arts Committee wrote a letter to the City Council, City Administrator, and myself, requesting that the Council authorize a part-time Cultural Arts Coordinator in the Community Services Department. (See attached letter.) At its meeting of November 17, the Council directed staff to review the proposal and make an appropriate recommendation. Before proceeding, it might be helpful to review this Committee's history. From the written record, it appears that in 1977 the City Council requested the Parks and Recreation Commission to direct more attention to the area of Cultural Arts. (Council minutes of 1/3/77.) At its next meeting, the Parks and Recreation Commission appointed a subcommittee on cultural arts. This subcommittee of the Commission was the beginning of the current Cultural Arts Committee. After the Parks and Recreation Commission was discontinued, the Cultural Arts Committee continued to function. This may be the reason for some of the confusion that exists regarding the Committee's official status' with the City. I have heard several versions, varying from the concept that the Committee is an official advisory group of the Council to the opinion that they have no ties with the City whatsoever. The current status seems to be that while the group started as a subcommittee of a City Commission and thus has had some past official status, today they do function somewhat independently, although City staff provides assistance to the group. Over the years the Cultural Arts Committee has sponsored, worked jointly with other groups in promoting, or participated in many worthwhile programs, such as those listed on the attached letter. The group is comprised of dedicated volunteers. DISCUSSION: I met with several members of the Committee November 20, and spoke to others by telephone in order to clarify the Committee's proposal as expressed in the attached letter. The group feels that cultural arts programming and activities requires a leader; to quote their letter: "in spite of our enthusiasm and talents, the job of organizing, motivating, and coordinating these activities successfully requires the leadership of a person who can devote his or her time specifically to these programs. Of our membership, no one can take on such responsibilities on a volunteer basis, although many are willing to assist." The letter then goes on to request that the City Council fund a part-time Cultural Arts Coordinator, whose goal would be to make the position self-supporting at the end of one year. CULTURAL ARTS COMMITTEE PROPOSAL Page Two November 25, 1980 After reviewing this request, my opinion is that we can get the job done without adding even a part-time person to the staff. In my proposed reorganization, which is now before the Council, I envision diversifying a current position. This position (currently vacant and authorized in the budget) would devote 25% to 50% of the time to cultural arts programs. (At present, for example, the high-quality Youth Arts Carousel program already is administered and managed by the Community Services Department, with assistance from the Cultural Arts Committee.) With the proposed reorganization, the current cultural arts programs will be continued, and the possibilities for expansion can be explored. Regarding fundraising, many programs can be handled on a self-sustaining contractual basis. The future of the Cultural Arts Committee could also include incorporating as a nonprofit organization, in order to give donors a tax advantage. In summary, I do not recommend an additional part-time position, as I do not feel it's justifiable within the framework of the proposed reorganization. In general, the Cultural Arts Committee has been positive to this concept. Their main concern is that current programs continue and the possibility of new programs be explored. The members of the Committee will still be available for support of cultural arts programs. The Community Services Staff member will be responsible for the leadership role in these areas. RECOMMENDATION: Direct staff to communicate with Cultural Arts Committee, confirming that the proposed reorganization will handle their request. Should Council choose not to approve the proposed reorganization, staff feels that cultural arts activities could still be handled by a specialist position. It would just be more difficult to attract a multidimensional, high-quality candidate at that job level. RAW:ss Attachment October 20, 1980 Members of the Tusttn City Council Royleen White Dan Bla.~enshtp In Janu~r~y 19?7,seres-al ~embers of the Tustin co~,unity who were involved in v~rious aspects of the arts were invited by the city to participate on a Tustin Cultural Arts Advisory Committee. The volunteer efforts by this committee resulted in the initiation and ex~nsion of the following programs: Cultum-~l Arts Show (four years) Crafts Show (~wo years) Judging of School District Art Show (four years) Youth Arts Carousel (S~mer A~ts Day Camp: two years) High School Dance Program (one year) These programs now have gre~t growth potential if support continues. The problem facing us today is that, in spite of our enthusiasm and talents, the job of organizing, moti'~ating and coordinating these activities successfully requires the leadership of a person who can devote his or her time specifically to these progz~ms. Of our membership, no one can take on such resp6nsibilities on a volunteer basis, although ~ny are willing to assist. We propose, therefore, tb--~t the Council open a position for a part-time Cultural Arts Coordirztor in the Co~.uunity Services office, and that the position be fu.uded for one year.' The goal of the Cultural Arts Coordinator would then be to make the position self-supporting by the end o£ the first year th_rough the raising of funds or acquisition of grants. We Dave amongst our membership at this time a person who is willing to take on such a position. The volunteers on this cor.~ittee'have served enthusiastically for almost four years. The appointment of a Cultural Arts Coordinator would ensure the continued support by the committee for those projects already es+~blished and for additional and ex~nded programs, ~s the City of Tustin itself expands. Thanl< you for your consideration, Cultural Arts Committee Gelia Dolcimascolo Eligia ~icolai Audray S~irck Vivien Owen Sarah Coleman Marcy Greene Linda Andrews Gloria Alm Audrey Heredia CarolAnn Witten Vera Crawford Maggie Meline Loraine Bradley Betsy Preble Thaxton k'Ov ~ 1980