CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS
455 North Rexford Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Telephonic / Video Conference Meeting
ARTS AND CULTURE COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING SYNOPSIS
Tuesday, November 9, 2021
10:00am
Recordings of the Arts and Culture Commission’s meetings are available online at www.beverlyhills.org
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
Date/Time: November 9, 2021 / 10:00 am
CIVILITY STATEMENT
The Civility Statement was read to initiate the meeting.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Commissioners Gordy Bristol, Beck and Vahn, Vice Chair Filipovic, Chair Frank
Commissioners Absent: None
Staff Present: Jenny Rogers, Patty Acuña, Paul Paolone, Adriné Ovasapyan, Aida Thau, Stephanie Harris, Debby Figoni, Jessica Barragan
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE
Members of the public may address the Commission regarding any items not on the Agenda that are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Commission. By State law, the Commission may not discuss or vote on items not on the Agenda.
There were no public comments.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
With the concurrence of the Commission, the Chair may choose to amend the order of the items on the agenda.
By order of Chair Frank, the agenda was approved as presented.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Consideration of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 12, 2021.
Motion: MOVED by Chair Frank, SECONDED by Commissioner Vahn to approve the minutes (5-0).
AYES: Commissioners Gordy Bristol, Beck and Vahn, Vice Chair Filipovic, and Chair Frank
NOES: None
G-1
Arts and Culture Commission Regular Meeting Synopsis
November 9, 2021
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
CARRIED
2. A Resolution of the Arts and Culture Commission of City of Beverly Hills Authorizing Public Meetings to be Held Via Teleconferencing Pursuant to Government Code Section 54953(e) and Making Findings and Determinations Regarding the Same State Law requires that each Commission adopt a resolution to continue conducting public meetings via teleconferencing and to allow for telephone public comment. The resolution must be adopted every month hereafter. It will be placed under Consent Calendar beginning November 2021.
Motion: MOVED by Commissioner Vahn, SECONDED by Commissioner Beck to adopt the resolution (5-0).
AYES: Commissioners Gordy Bristol, Beck and Vahn, Vice Chair Filipovic, and Chair Frank
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
CARRIED
REPORTS FROM PRIORITY AGENCIES
3. Drought Update Report
Water Conservation Administrator Debby Figoni presented an update on the drought including California water history, water conservation tips, watering efficiently, finding & avoiding leaks, and tips on what can be done to improve water efficiency. .
PRESENTATIONS
4. Frieze Week in Beverly Hills
Frieze Curator Christine Messineo gave a brief presentation on the various components of Frieze Week in Beverly Hills including Frieze Sculpture Beverly Hills and Performances @ Greystone Beverly Hills. The sculptures will be installed at Beverly Gardens Park for three months. Promotional street banners will placed throughout the City to market the event and the City’s trolley will be used for transporting fair attendees. Frieze will be promoting Beverly Hills hotels and restaurants on their website and encourage attendance to City public events and publications. The Frieze impact includes recognition of the City, provides an opportunity for community engagement, and boosting tourism from long term engagement of Frieze Sculpture Beverly Hills.
NEW BUSINESS
5. Holiday Arts & Culture Programming
Paul Paolone, Interim Arts and Culture Manager, provided an overview of this year’s holiday arts & culture programming. This year will offer a smaller scale celebration named Greystone Holiday Garden. The Community Services Department will be hosting this event on December Arts and Culture Commission Regular Meeting Synopsis
November 9, 2021
11th at Greystone Mansion and Gardens. The family-friendly holiday event will feature outdoor holiday décor, hands-on arts and crafts activities and holiday themed games, and special Winter Wonderland photo opportunities for children and their families.
CONTINUED BUSINESS
6. Financial Update
Paul Paolone, Interim Arts and Culture Manager, reported on the Fine Art Fund and informed on pending permits and fees. An additional $0 was transferred as of November 2021 for a total of $64,385 in In-Lieu Fee Revenue in FY 21/22.
PROJECT UPDATES
Beverly Hills Art Show Review Update
Brooke Putich, Interim Senior Recreation Supervisor, provided a review of the Fall 2021 Art Show that took place on October 16th and 17th. This year’s show was a scaled down show that traversed two blocks of Beverly Gardens Park. The show consisted of roughly 125 artists, four food trucks, and one dessert truck. Overall weekend attendance is estimated at 10,000 people.
Beyond 2021 Exhibition with UTA Update
Due to timing, UTA shared that the curator and the artist have scheduling conflicts therefore the exhibition with UTA will not take place during the 2021 holiday season. Staff is working with Hudson Bay, property management company of the former Barney’s buildings on the possibility of using the space for a separate activation. Fine Art Collection Maintenance Program Update
The eight artworks at Beverly Gardens Park received regular cleaning and maintaining prior to the Beverly Hills Art Show. The artworks along Burton Way Median were covered due to the Burton Way Median Project. Staff is working with the City’s art conservationist RLA to coordinate the cleaning and restoration of Mr. Brainwash located on North Camden Dr. And South Santa Monica Blvd.
Commissioner Beck exited the meeting at 11:28 a.m.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE COMMISSION
Chair’s report
a) Mayor’s Cabinet Meeting Highlights
b) Ad Hoc Committees
- Fine Art / Public Art (Frank, Vahn – Rogers, Acuna, Paolone, Thau) The art consultants continue to work on the Arts & Culture Plan and administrative policy. Funding and programming strategies will be presented to the Commission in the near future.
The priority exercise will take place in summer or fall of 2022. This process prioritizes which artworks the Commission would like to acquire in the future.
- Music and Community Outreach (Filipovic, Gordy Bristol – Harris, Ovasapyan, Thau)
The Ad Hoc is brainstorming a musical performance event that focuses on the youth population and getting kids involved with the Performing Arts.
The event would be inclusive of art making and dance performance. - Cultural Events (Frank, Vahn – Rogers, Ovasapyan, Thau) Arts and Culture Commission Regular Meeting Synopsis
November 9, 2021
The Ad Hoc members attended the first Sing for Hope Dedication Ceremony at Champs Charter High School, a recipient of the donated pianos. The piano artist also attended and engaged with the students.
Additionally, another installation of Visions of the Future, as part of the Embrace & Celebrate Culture Initiative which is a collaboration between the ACC, HRC and Next BH. This special Visions of the Future exhibition will showcase artworks by Kevin Hees displayed at the City-owned space at 445 North Canon Drive next to Wally’s Beverly Hills. - Art Maintenance (Beck, Filipovic - Paolone)
There will be increased maintenance of artworks
c) Other items brief announcements, request for information, and brief reports on activities
COMMUNICATIONS FROM STAFF
Director’s Report
Director Jenny Rogers made a couple of announcements:
- A reminder to Commissioners to use their City email accounts when conducting City business
- The department had a successful site visit with the Arts & Culture Manager candidate including a second panel interview. Staff is grateful for the Commission’s support on this recruitment effort. The Graphic Designer recruitment will be posted in the near future.
Information only items
a) Arts and Culture Commission Upcoming Meetings
ADJOURNMENT
Date / Time: November 9, 2021 / 12:08 pm