DATE:
May 16, 2023
TO:
Paul Buddenhagen, City Manager
FROM:
Rebecca Sermeno, Community Services Director
SUBJECT:
Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Emeryville Adopting The Community Grant Sub Committee Recommendations To Select Big Daddy’s Community Garden, Friends Of The Golden Gate Library, Head Over Heels Athletic Arts, Kala Art Institute, New Arts Foundation, Scientific Adventures For Girls, Stagebridge, The Compound Gallery LLC, The Emeryville Historical Society, And WePerform As The Recipients For The Emeryville Community Grant Program Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the attached resolution adopting the Community Grant Sub Committee recommendations to select Big Daddy’s Community Garden, Friends of the Golden Gate Library, Head Over Heels Athletic Arts, Kala Art Institute, New Arts Foundation, Scientific Adventures for Girls, Stagebridge, The Compound Gallery LLC, The Emeryville Historical Society, and WePerform as the recipients for the Emeryville Community Grant Program.
Background
The Community Grant Program (CGP) was established over twenty years ago as a means of “promoting the cultural and artistic aspects of the community and to provide for a high-quality living and working environment in the City of Emeryville”. Under these guidelines, the grant program mostly funded artists and art organizations to conduct free public performances, arts education, or activities that increased public access to local artists, such as open studio tours and temporary art exhibitions. Over time, the CGP began providing funds for social services, such as low-income legal assistance and nutrition programs.
Prior to FY 2012-13, virtually all the community grant funding was drawn from the City’s former Redevelopment Agency (RDA). In FY 2012-13, due to the dissolution of the RDA, funding totaling $58,450 for the grant program was drawn from the City’s General Fund and the funding process was non-competitive, with requests for funding limited to a set number of community organizations that received the same level of funding each year. Staff were directed by the City Council to notify all of the FY 2013-14 grantees that the program was under review, and to revisit the program under the Community Services Department upon completion of the Emeryville Center of Community Life.
Staff presented an application process and program guidelines report to City Council on December 6, 2016 and Council accepted the report. The goal of the Community Grants Program is to fund eligible arts and culture organizations and individuals to provide diverse programs and activities that benefit the greater Emeryville community. The grant guidelines are as follows:
Grant Guidelines:
Submit a completed application by the deadline
Provide proof of non-profit status or a fiscal agent
Program or activity must be completed in Emeryville
Grant cap of $10,000
Applicant to complete closing documents upon completion of the project Discussion
On January 23, 2023, the City released a call for applications on the City website, through social media, and by contacting former recipients. By February 28, 2023, the City had received qualified 13 applications.
The selection panel included: 1. Harley Jensen, PAC Member; 2. Andrea Brewer, Parks and Recreation Member; and 3. Nicholas Robert, Parks and Recreation Member. The meeting was facilitated by Rebecca Sermeno, Community Services Director.
The Selection Panel met on April 26, 2023, to recommend the applications that best fit the grant’s guidelines and goal. The Panel discussed the merits of each program or activity, and then made the following recommendations:
Berkeley FILM Foundation $0
Big Daddy’s Community Garden:
Fishnets & Film Queer Film Festival $4,000
ProArts: EmoChART $0
Friends of Golden Gate Library: Jazz on Sunday $3,000
Head Over Heels Athletic Arts $4,500
Kala ART Institute: Emeryville Create with Nature $4,500 Kala ART Institute: Kala Youth Art Programs $10,000
New Arts Foundation: Nancy Karp + Dancers $10,000
Scientific Adventures for Girls $10,000
Stagebridge: Seniors Reaching Out $10,000
The Compound Gallery LLC: Community Printing in the Park $4,500 The Emeryville Historical Society: Park Ave Dist Walking Tour $3,000 WePerform: Youth Music Classes $10,000
Total $73,500
Fiscal Impact
The current approved budget includes $73,500.
Staff Communication with the Public
No staff communication with the public.
PREPARED BY: Rebecca Sermeno, Community Services Director Approved and Forwarded to the
City Council of the City of Emeryville:
Paul Buddenhagen, City Manager
Attachments
Grant Application Packets
Grant Application Spreadsheet
Draft Resolution
Community Grant Program
City Council Meeting | May 16, 2023
City of Emeryville
CALIFORNIA
MEMORANDUM