CITY OF COMMERCE AGENDA REPORT
Item No.
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT: Approving a Resolution Designating an Arts District in the City of Commerce MEETING DATE: September 26, 2023
RECOMMENDATION
The Art in Public Places Committee comprised of Vice Mayor Ivan Altamirano and Councilwoman Mireya Garcia recommend that the City Council consider designating an Arts District in the City of Commerce.
ANALYSIS
The City Council approved the creation of an Art in Public Places Committee (“Committee”) on May 9, 2023. Since that time, the Committee which is comprised of Vice Mayor Altamirano and Councilwoman Mireya Garcia has been working diligently on ways to foster the arts and creative expression in the City of Commerce and to enhance the City’s arts offerings. One such initiative is the designation of an Arts District for the City of Commerce. The proposed boundaries for the district are depicted on Attachment A.
Establishing a new designation for an Arts District will support and enhance arts and culture in the City by contributing to a new revitalization of the City’s existing and future infrastructure. The Arts District will build upon the history and the vibrant culture of the City and dedicate space to the arts. It will also allow for existing arts organizations, cultural groups, and local artists to thrive, connect, and grow while promoting economic activity and attracting visitors and new businesses to the region.
Creating awareness and appreciation of the value of arts and culture in the community would help foster a community that emphasizes diversity in artworks, performances, organizations, and businesses. An Arts District would help expand and enhance existing partnerships and nurture new ones to take a multi-faceted approach in developing and supporting an Arts District in the City of Commerce.
The City’s proximity to local artists and a booming economic sector make the City uniquely poised to shine a light on the arts and culture and to compete regionally for artists, creative businesses, and future cultural organizations. Many thriving cities have a strong arts and cultural community that attracts businesses, residents, and visitors. The City of Commerce has begun to establish itself as a community to foster creative expression, but it could grow stronger and more visible with an infusion of public displays of artwork. The Commerce Arts District will give a vibrant and very visible face to the City’s creative community and offer a space to attract businesses and organizations to join in uplifting and beautifying the City.
National research emphasizes that successful cultural arts districts have well-defined, well-marked boundaries to establish and convey a cohesive geographical identity. The proposed Arts District will connect three prominent intersections in the City, Telegraph Road, Washington Boulevard, and Atlantic Boulevard. Within the perimeters, the City Council has already previously approved five existing artworks that are publicly displayed to support future Arts District activity.
As staff understands it, an Arts District is a delineated mixed-use area usually within or on the periphery of a center city intended to create a critical mass of places of cultural consumption, such as walkable art galleries, theaters, music venues, and public squares. A focus on arts and culture acts as an economic driver for the revitalization of the City. Building on the strength of existing art in the City of Commerce would help grow new activity in future art projects for a revitalization of the City’s downtown area.
The proposed map features the density, attractions, and pedestrian foot traffic to offer high visibility for artworks to be displayed. Through the AIPP ordinance, as previously approved by the City Council, additional potential funding from the ordinance can contribute to the cultural experience with the City’s existing public art pieces. Treating all public spaces as a “canvas” for public art to refreshen and renew a future powerful legacy of cultural and artistic expression amongst community residents and visitors.
It has been shown that establishing an Arts District will attract a regional audience of residents, visitors, and businesses and encourage a vibrant mix of uses, spaces, and activities. By celebrating and enhancing the unique identity of the City, it will continue to protect and grow the arts and culture of the City of Commerce for years to come. This Arts District will create the space to activate and engage the entire community to have a vibrant place to live, work, and grow in the City of Commerce.
BACKGROUND
On September 20, 2016, City Council adopted an Art in Public Places (AIPP) Ordinance an effort that was spearheaded by Vice Mayor Altamirano. The purpose of the AIPP program is to ensure the incorporation of public art into the community and into development projects within the City. In its decision, the City Council determined that public art is a critical element of providing a diverse and culturally rich environment to residents and visitors and enriches the community with aesthetic qualities. The cost of the artwork or in-lieu fee must be equal to one percent of the project’s valuation and approved prior to installation.
Since the approval of the AIPP Ordinance, the Council has approved artworks meant to showcase original artworks in areas that are easily accessible to the general public, such as business centers and public spaces.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the Resolution to designate a new Arts District in the City of Commerce and/or make any other motions related to the Arts District, Art in Public Places, and/or the Art in Public Places Committee.
Prepared by: Gisselle S. Delgado
Recommend by: Edgar P. Cisneros, City Manager
Approved as to form by: Noel Tapia, City Attorney
Attachments:
Attachment A: Resolution
Attachment B: Proposed Arts District Map