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Staff Report
City Council
Item No. 7.B
Meeting Date: November 29, 2023
From: Anne Ambrose, Assistant City Manager
Title: Approval of PAC Funding Request for Youth Training Orchestras' Chamber Concert Series
City Council
RECOMMENDATION:
The Public Arts Commission recommends that the City Council approve the use of Public Arts Education funds for the Youth Training Orchestras' Chamber Concert Series in the amount of $10,000.
BACKGROUND:
Staff received an email from Mr. Nunzio Sisto, of the Coachella Valley Youth Training Orchestras’ (YTO) organization, a local 501 (c)3. Mr. Sisto is a composer/writer. His compositions include piano works, chamber music, chamber musicals and large symphonic works with an emphasis on ballet. His plays include modernized Roman comedies and original works. The Youth Training Orchestras of America was formed in 2017 by Mr. Sisto as a 501 (c)3 organization to create a youth orchestra method so every town in American may offer a social music experience. Information about the YTO programs is available at https://www.ytooa.org/.
Mr. Sisto made a funding request to the Public Arts Commission to sponsor a chamber music concert series. According to Mr. Sisto, last year they presented a concert series at the Palm Springs Cultural Center under the name CV Philharmonic Society, which included the three -day Modern Plus piano festival. They are desiring to move this concert series to the Mary Pickford Theater this year to provide an opportunity for the public to attend musical performances in downtown Cathedral City. The Mary Pickford also provides an ideal facility for these performances. Their desire is to build a series of 12 concerts annually. Information regarding their prior chamber series can be found at https://www.nunzioasisto.com/chamber-music.
YTO’s primary fund raising to support the series is through the sale of subscriptions.
Subscribers pay monthly (or annual) subscriptions which cover tickets for one concert a month, plus some other bonus concerts. Public ticket sales also contribute to covering the costs of the series. According to Mr. Sisto, the Mary Pickford Theater is open to taking discounted payments for the first few concerts to support the series growing and
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then will negotiate a percentage after costs for their fees. YTO handles the lights and production; as these are acoustic concerts, there is no sound needed. Each concert also includes a short slide presentation and educational lecture.
DISCUSSION:
The request is for $10,000 to sponsor the first five concerts in the series. Mr. Sisto indicated the YTO would charge a ticket price for the concerts, with prices being $42.00, $35.00 and $30.00 depending on how close the seating was to the performers. Mr.
Sisto offered to provide 10-20 free seats to the City, as long as the PAC could develop a plan to get them filled. Dates for the performances have not been confirmed yet, but YTO is looking at the first Sundays of the month at 1:00pm with a target start time of February 2024.
Section 11.45.020 of the Cathedral City Municipal Code defines activities that qualify as art education. Per the Municipal Code:
“Art education” means the public service of providing activities or experiences (“activities”) for the purpose of expanding the awareness, knowledge, understanding, appreciation, or familiarity of members of the public with art in all of its forms. An activity qualifying for expenditure for art education funds must be reasonably available to members of the general public. An activity will be considered reasonably available to members of the general public where the time, date, and description of the activity has been advertised via the city’s website and social media for at least one week prior to the activity, and either the activity is open to the general public or is open to members of the public who timely reserve participation in the activity. Space for participants may be limited, the activity may be provided for only a limited time, and a charge may be imposed for participation in the activity. Activities may be held in the facilities of public entities, non -profit or charitable organizations, and private facilities, provided that attendance of activities must not be limited to members, owners, subscribers or other interest holders in the private facility. Participation in certain activities may be limited to certain members of the general public, such as youths, students, seniors, or other reasonable grouping that does not constitute unlawful discrimination of a protected class.
The Public Arts Commission (PAC) considered this request at their November 14, 2023 meeting. Mr. Sisto made a presentation and answered questions from the Commission.
Mr. Sisto’s desire is to seek one -time financial assistance from the PAC to kick start the concert series as they develop the subscriptions which will provide ongoing funding.
Mr. Sisto also shared information on other projects he is working on with the Mary Pickford Theater, including off -Broadway plays, including performances in Spanish.
The Commission voted in support of the funding request by a vote of 4 -0 with Commissioner Mojica absent.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Art in Public Places Fund would be utilized to support this request. The PAC has the discretion to program up to 30% of total funds available for arts education. There is currently $69,787.41 available. If the item is approved by the City Council, there will be
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$59,787.41 remaining.
FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN:
Goal F: Embracing, Inclusive Community
Objective: Cathedral City is valued and respected as a community that welcomes and embraces diversity, has an abundance of high quality and affordable housing options and vibrant businesses. Our neighborhoods are attractive, well -maintained, and issues surrounding homelessness have been compassionately addressed with thoughtful, coordinated and collaborative programs.
Action F -12: Continue to facilitate the attraction and promotion of community events which celebrate our diversity, builds a cohesive community, and supports local businesses.