3 Staff Report
Public Arts Commission
Cathedral City
Item No. 3
Meeting Date: October 10, 2023
Sponsors: Rick Travis, Commissioner
Title: Funding Request for Old Gays Book Signing and Panel Discussion
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the Public Arts Commission consider this item for funding and if approved, direct the item be brought to the City Council for approval.
SPONSORS:
Commissioner Travis
BACKGROUND:
The Old Gays is a group of Cathedral City residents and LBGT+ activists who range in age from 67-80. The group consists of Robert Reeves, Michael "Mick" Peterson, Bill Lyons and Jessay Martin. The Old Gays are an internet sensation with over 11 million followers on TicTok, over 680,000 thousand followers on Instagram and over 500,000 on Facebook. They have recently published a book titled the "Old Gays Guide to Living," published by Harper Collins.
Public Arts Commissioner Travis is working with Parks and Community Events Commissioner Baciu to propose jointly hosting a book signing and panel discussion at the Mary Pickford Theater on November 30, 2023 at 6:00pm. The book signing will be managed by the Best Book Store of Palm Springs. This item will also be considered at the upcoming PACE Commission meeting.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the Public Arts Commission consider this item for funding and if approved, direct the item be brought to the City Council for approval.
FUNDING SOURCE:
The total budget for the event is $1,600 and is proposed to be split equally between the PAC and PACE budgets.
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The proposed $800 expenditure from the Art in Public Places fund will be used to pay for the use of the theater space, lighting & audio. The Art in Public Places Fund currently has $$70,587.41 available for Arts, Education and Events programming.
The proposed $800 expenditure from the PACE Commission budget includes $200 toward the theater costs and $600 for refreshments.
Packet Pg. 9