MEMORANDUM
DATE: January 16, 2024
TO: Honorable Mayor McMorrin and Members of the City Council of the City of Culver City
FROM: Cultural Affairs Commission [Chair Brenda Williams ; Vice Chair Leora O’Carroll; Members Tania Fleischer, Ehsaan Mesghali, and Jeannine Wisnosky Stehlin] SUBJECT: 2023 Accomplishments and 2024 Proposed Activity and Upcoming Agenda Items for the Next Six Months
CC: John Nachbar, City Manager
Jesse Mays, Assistant City Manager
On January 16, 2024, the Cultural Affairs Commissio n (CAC) approved the transmittal of the following information to the City Council:
Cultural Affairs Commission Accomplishments (July 1 – December 31, 2023 ):
Art in Public Places Program: Public Art Subcommittee and CAC reviewed applications for new permanent artworks:
o 10301-10395 Jefferson Blvd. – Approval of a concept for a permanent art installation by Yoskay Yamamoto. The proposed conce pt will be in a sculpture sited within a newly built public space that is facing Ballona Creek. CAC discussed the plans for the placement and features of the art work and made suggestions to ensure public accessibility and safety.
APPP Ordinance Update:
o CAC Subcommittees (Public Art and Performing Arts) met multiple time to review CCMC language pertaining to the Art in Public Place s Program (APPP) and identify potential updates, to ensure that Culver City’s program will be aligned with best practices and will fulfill the current needs of the community. o CAC received a report from Christine Byers, Cultur al Affairs Manager, and posed relevant questions to Deputy City Attorney Christina Burrows, regarding the history of the APPP Ordinance, risk assessments, recent leg al guidance, prior court opinions, and similar programs within Los Angeles County.
Artist Laureate Program:
o “Dear Culver City…”: Ceramics artist and educator Katy Krantz is implementing an ambitious community-wide participatory art project named “Dear Culver City...” The CAC Subcommittee met with Ms. Krantz to assist with planning for the art project. CAC received updates about the project, wh ich included free ceramics-
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making workshops and participation opportunities at many locations throughout the city.
o Temporary Art Project at 11029 Washington Blvd: CA C considered a proposal by Katy Krantz, and made a recommendation to City Coun cil, for a temporary art project/mural at 11029 Washington Blvd.
Commission Business : CAC recommended to City Council Municipal Code updates re CAC powers and duties .
Cultural Affairs Division: CAC received a report from retiring Cultural Affair s Manager, Christine Byers, regarding historical challenges, u pcoming opportunities, staffing, budgets, community needs, and recommendations.
Culver City Arts Foundation (Culver Arts) : Culver City Arts Foundation Liaison Subcommittee attended monthly Board meetings. Commi ssioners attended community events hosted by Culver Arts, received updates, and provided feedback about activities and proposed projects.
Feasibility Study for Veterans Memorial Park and Bi ll Botts Fields: CAC received two reports/presentations by Johnson Favaro, regard ing the future of the facilities and provided feedback regarding a wide variety of arts and cultural uses. CAC made recommendations for community needs, necessary faci lities, and limitations of current options. CAC’s input was included in the report that was sent to City Council.
Outreach and Community Engagement: As appropriate, CAC participates in targeted outreach and attends cultural activities, museum ex hibitions, panel presentations, and sponsored performances in Culver City. Commissioner s O'Carroll and Fleischer along with Cultural Affairs Manager Christine Byers atten ded the 5-year countdown to the Olympics event on July 22, 2023. They met with comm unity members to hear input on cultural ideas and events during the Olympics.
Performing Arts Grant Program:
o Subcommittee provided support for drafting of guid elines, reviewed eligibility criteria, and analyzed materials for 32 incoming ap plications. Subcommittee provided support for the independent evaluation of grant applications, monitored an 8-hour panel review and scoring meeting, determi ned appropriate levels of grant funding based on panel scores, and made recom mendations to the CAC.
Subcommittee monitored grantee activities and discu ssed questions of eligibility or compliance. Subcommittee met with staff in Decem ber to review proposed program/process improvements for the future.
o CAC considered a recommendation from the 2024 Perf orming Arts Grant Program Subcommittee pertaining to the 2024 grant awards. C AC received comments (written and verbal) from individual grant applican ts and reviewed the proposed Cultural Affairs Commission 2023 Accomplishments and 2023 Activities Plan Page 3 of 4
projects. CAC made a recommendation to the City Cou ncil to award $244,960 to thirty performing arts organizations for music, the atre, and dance events in 2024.
CAC regularly attends and supports grant-funded performances.
Summer Sunset Concert Series: CAC Subcommittee (Performing Arts Grant Program) met with Special Events Manager to prepare for the return of the popular concert series at The Culver Steps. Commissioners provided referra ls, made suggestions for performers, assisted with marketing, and shared community feedback.
Cultural Affairs Commission Activities Plan (January 1 – June 30, 2024):
Art in Public Places Program: Continue review of applications for new artworks i n conjunction with private development. Public Art Su bcommittee will continue work on art component of Farragut Connector, Washington/Nationa l TOD project, The Culver Steps project, and other art projects and concept proposa ls in connection with development throughout the city.
APPP Ordinance Update: CAC will continue to consider revisions to the Art in Public Places Program Ordinance to align with current comm unity needs. CAC will receive answers from Deputy City Attorney Christina Burrows to questions previously posed and will propose ordinance revisions. These suggestions will be sent to the City Attorney, for future recommendation to the City Council.
Artist Laureate Program: Receive updates and provide continuing support for Artist Laureate Katy Krantz. Participate in public exhibit ion of ceramics project, “Dear Culver City…” scheduled for display at City Hall during 2024. Continue to support Phase 1 (words and signage) of Katy Krantz’s temporary mural at 11 029 Washington Blvd. and begin considering a potential second phase. Commence planning and recruitment of new Artist Laureate for 2025-2026.
Commission Business : CAC’s new Ad Hoc Olympics 2028 Subcommittee will participate in planning and activities as determine d by the City Council Olympics Subcommittee. As requested by City Council, CAC will form a new Ad-Hoc Subcommittee to serve in an advisory capacity for entertainment at Fiesta La Ballona. The Subcommittee will meet with PRCS staff to begin planning for event.
Community Cultural Plan Update: CAC will work with staff to update the Community Cultural Plan.
Creative Economy and Cultural Plan : Subcommittee will continue to work with Cultural Affairs and Economic Development staff on stakeholder activities and events and development of a new Cultural Plan to include a Public Art Master Plan.
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Cultural Affairs Division: CAC will provide support for the hiring and onboard ing of a new Cultural Affairs Manager. Provide comments and recommendations to Assistant City Manager as appropriate. CAC will receive report and presentation regarding status updates for the FY 2023-24 Cultural Affairs Work Pl an, and Work Plan priorities for FY 2024-25. CAC will provide comments to staff regarding the Work Plans.
Culver City Arts Foundation: Continue to liaise and support Culver Arts. Provide input on MOU amendment, receive updates/report, and attend Board meetings.
Economic Vitality Task Force (EVTF): CAC members continue to support EVTF meetings with a focus on the launch of an art in empty storefronts/businesses program.
Feasibility Study for Bill Botts Fields and Veteran s Memorial Building and Park:
CAC will continue to participate in the study process to ensure the preservation of cultural assets and identify opportunities for enhanced or new cultural/performance venues.
Historic Preservation Program Update: CAC will work with staff to update program as included in the CCMC.
Outreach and Community Engagement: As appropriate, CAC participates in outreach about various programs and attends cultural activities in Culver City.
Performing Arts Grant Program : CAC regularly attends and supports grant-funded performances. CAC will monitor grants and provide g uidance on eligibility and compliance.
Summer Sunset Concert Series: CAC Subcommittee will participate in planning for the 2024 performances at The Culver Steps.