Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
March 18, 2024
1 CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
MINUTES OF THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION
March 18, 2024
Hybrid format: by teleconference (Zoom) and in person in accordance with procedures on agenda 1400 Highland Avenue
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
A. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Spackman called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
B. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
C. ROLL CALL
Present:, Dohner, Erlich-Fein, Karger, Patterson, Vice Chair Tokashiki, Chair Spackman
Absent: None
Staff present: Parks and Recreation Director Mark Leyman, Cultural Arts Manager (CAM) Eilen Stewart, Ceramics Supervisor Eric Brinkman, Recording Secretary Rosemary Lackow
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – February 21, 2024
It was moved and seconded (Tokashiki/Karger) to approve the February minutes with three corrections:
• Pg. 2, in d. New Art Initiatives; Downtown Art Walk: first line correct spelling of Jill Lampkin to read “Jill Lamkin”
• Pg. 2, same paragraph, last line, strike “Huntington Beach” and replace with “Hermosa Beach” • Pg. 2, last line, re vise sentence to read : “….feels this could be about putting together a printed brochure or a digital document (e.g. on the city’s website) promoting the City’s……a high priority.”
The motion passed by voice vote: 5-1 (Dohner abstention)
E. CEREMONIAL - None
F. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (3-Minute Limit) - None
G. GENERAL BUSINESS
CAM Stewart made the following anouncements:
• She will be resigning from her position as Cultural Arts Manager; to night is her final meeting with the Commission as her last day will be Friday, March 29 th. She will b ring projects to the City Council tomorrow and seeing that all are set on a good pathway forward. Commissioner Karger expressed her appreciation to CAM Stewart, with assent from all.
Director Leyman expressed his appreciation and recognized CAM Stewart for her accomplishements with
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
March 18, 2024
2 the City, noting that during her term the arts through a multitude of Work Plan p rograms has been significantly elevated. A recruitment will be undertaken to fill the position and, on a temporary basis, be taking on the role of Cultural Arts Manager ; he wi ll be in touch further with the Commission . He cautioned that it will be necessary to pause a number of programs.
• Projects: Tomorrow (3/19) a number of CAC projects will be brought to the City Council for approval, however some will need to be paused such as the Utility Box Beautification (will hold back RFP). Murals: all approved will continue to be installed per an established schedule and CAM Stewart noted one is completed, another is almost complete and others that will be started soon; there should be no delay in completing the current program. T wo additional murals that will be considered tomorrow by council (shark and LA v. Hate proposal) could be added to the program.
1. Work Plan Item Discussion
a. Utility Box Beautification (Phase III):
See bullet 2 above regarding Projects—per CAM Stewart, RFP to be paused.
b. Murals
See bullet 2 above regarding Projects. Regarding the shark mural, CAM Stewart noted that tomorrow the City Council will consider a location including the Commission’s recommendation for either of the two west facing walls of the new Fire Station on Manhattan Beach Boulevard. She has discussed the status with the artist and he is amenable with both these locations and the budget. If approved, this mural will be added to the list of those to be installed. If the LA vs. Hate is approved it also will be added to the list of installation murals, however this project takes much more work as a location has not been agreed on and integration/engagement with the school district is required.
c. Sculpture Garden
See bullet 2 above—per CAM Stewart, the CAC recommendation of 15 artists will be considered by the City Coucnil tomorrow. Staff will see what the council approves but will likely need to be paused.
d. New Art Initiatives. CAM Stewart noted that the new initiatives will need to be paused.
Downtown Art Walk : Commissioner Karger updated with aid of a PowerPoint (“MB Downtown Artwalk 20025”), reflecting input she has received from Jesssica, President/CEO, Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce. Initially the Hermosa Beach project, featuring 50 artists in 50 stores, was a Leadership Hermosa Beach project but now in its third year, it is being done by Indivisible Arts (nonprofit that fosters creativity) and the city’s Historical Society. They handle student submittals separately. Jessica recommends: 1) limit the number of artists to 15-20 as it takes 1-2 weeks to install with follow-up; 2) have a point person who could be the CAC committee chair working with Jill Lamkin, Downtown MB Business and Professional Association (DTMBB&PA) ; 3) can sell the art online (their online site is “State of the Art” with profits going towards Indivisable Arts and the Historical Society) to provide a pathway for giving to nonprofits; 4) have a map. They also had two additional events: “Art and Coffee Walk” and a scavenger hunt coordinated with the stores. Commissioner Karger noted that she thinks MB may not want to do the scavenger hunt, but this could be a related event handled entirely by DTMBB&PA.
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
March 18, 2024
3 Hermosa had a number of challenges, some advice to meet these includes: 1) staff resources: estimate 200-200 hours were needed; 2) insurance is needed as liability is incurred for within the stores; 3) to promote the artists, get their bios and have available and 4) if selling the art, work out details of how this is done.
CAM Stewart will email a pdf of Commissioner Karger’s PowerPoint to the Commission.
Discussion followed; Commissioner Karger will continue to gather information and inform Jill Lamkin as to the status until staff resources are available to proceed to develop a re commendation that can be presented to council. Commissioner Karger welcomes assistance from other Commissioners however she does not feel at this time that a formal subcommittee is needed. CAM Stewart suggested some research that can be done with Hermosa might include looking at their submittal applications. It was further clarified that the Hermosa Beach project was not handled by the city but rather was handled completely by the Chamber and the non-profits. It was suggested that, if successful the event could be expanded to east Manhattan. It was also suggested that in Manhattan Beach, “Young at Art” or a 501c3 could be involved.
Commissioner Patterson suggested that Young at Art might be a good resource if it were decided that they would handle student submittals separately as in Hermosa Beach.
H. STAFF ITEMS
Cultural Arts Division updates – Ceramics Supervisor Brinkman reported:
• Utility box beautification: repairs have been made to all already installed that have had problems – looks good, but please report any problems if you see anything.
• Exhibitions: “Return to Form” is closing 3/31 and the next opening for “Plus One” will be on Friday, April 19 (5 pm to 7 pm). T his exhibit is the community pottery showcase, scheduled every two years and features 25 artists, thematically look ing at the mentor/mentee dynamic inherent in pottery making that strengthens the pottery culture.
• Ceramics classes/other instruction programs: The installation of the new ceramics kiln has begun and staff is, working with the construction/engineering team, attempting to minimize impacts to programming. However, on April 9th the ceramics studio will need to be closed for the spring session, and remain so until the new kiln is installed. Although a short session was hoped to be offered, the entire spring session has been cancelled. Summer programming is in the works, to include full schedule of ceramics, as well as Concerts in the Park, many workshops at the Art Center, and Shakespeare by the Sea.
• Arts Assessment: in a couple of months the consultant is expected to finalize and submit a report to the City which will in a few months, come before the Cultural Arts Commission.
PATF (Public Art Trust Fund) - no report.
City Council update (see prior discussion).
I. COMMISSION ITEMS
Manhattan Beach Cultural Arts Commission
March 18, 2024
4 Commissioner Dohner mentioned that on the morning Channel 5 news, Mira Costa was highlighted including VAPA (Visual and Performing Arts) and its subparts (dance, drama, music, etc.) CAM Stewart noted that in the past the Mira Costa jazz band was a lead in at the Concerts in the Park but this was discontinued as it was too complex.
Chair Spackman expressed appreciation and good wishes to CAM Stewart, who noted her pleasure in working with the city and this group.
J. ADJOURNMENT
At 4:38 p.m. Chair Spackman without opposition and further ado/adieu, adjourned the meeting to 4:00 pm, April 15th.