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TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: JEREMY BUBNICK , DIRECTOR OF PARKS &
COMMUNITY SERVICES
CLAUDIA TORRES, SPECIAL EVENTS & FACILITIES
DIVISION MANAGER
COUNCIL LIAISON ULISES CABRERA, MAYOR
AGENDA DAT
E: August 19, 2025
TITLE: PUBLIC ARTS COMMISSION 2024-2025 FISCAL YEAR
ANNUAL REPORT
TITLE SUMMARY: PUBLIC ARTS COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT
SUMM
ARY
The Pu
blic Arts C ommission shall act in an advisory capacity to the C ity Council to encourage, stimulate, promote, and foster programs for the cultural enrichment of the city and thereby contribute to the quality of life in Moreno Valley and develop an awareness of the value of the arts in Moreno Valley in the business community, in local government, and in the general public. In addition, the commission shall advise the city council with respect to the following:
• Planning for the arts in Moreno Valley;
• Facilitating
interaction among artists;
• Promoting arts activities and education;
• Recognizing achievement i
n arts;
• Providing a mechanism for public participation in the arts; • Serving as an advisory group on the arts to the City Council; • Advising the City council on the involvement of arts in economic development; • Supporting a
nd assisting existing organizations involved in arts and/or culture in Moreno Valley;
• Reinforcing
the city's identity and civic pride through arts and culture; • Recognizing the importance of arts to the city's quality of life; ID: [
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• Researching grants for ar ts and culture and making recommendations to the C
ity council;
• Encouraging service
organizations and/or other gov ernmental agencies to
propose, finance, and give public arts projects to the city; • Reviewing and considering proposed gifts as to their artistic quality, authenticity, appropriate site,
and maintenance and installation costs; and
• Performing any other functions that may be designated by resolution or motion of the city
council.
The commission shall research and provide reports and recommendations to the C ity Council of possible sources of funding, in addition to public funds for potential city public art projects, recognizing that any proposed annual public art plan may well include a variety of funding strategies including, but not limited to:
• Private contributions;
• Grants;
• Corporate sponsorships;
• Matching gifts;
• Development fees (if allowable and adequate);
• Outright gifts of actual public art.
COM
POSITION
The f
ollowing persons serve as voting members:
1. Sam
antha Contreras, Chairperson, Term Ending 6/30/2025
2. Evangelina Weiss, Vice-Chairperson, Term Ending 6/30/2026
3. Nia Des Verney, Commissioner, Term Ending 6/30/2025
4. Lizbeth Orellana, Commissioner, Term Ending 6/30/2025
5. Andrea Austin, Commissioner, Term Ending 6/30/2025
6. Arzill Beason, Commissioner, Term Ending 6/30/2027
The current C hair i s Samant ha Contreras, and the current V ice Chair i s Evangelina Weiss.
RECOMMENDATIONS SUBMITTED TO COUNCIL/DISPOSITION
EL
Potrero Park Mural – On September 20, 2024, the City Council approved Chris Poupore’s Public Art Application which was placed on hold on May 2024. The project included a two-day community workshop, coloring book with explanation of artwork, and was completed June 21, 2025.
Arts in California Parks Grant – The Public Arts Commission assisted in the call to artis t and entertainment for the Multicultural and Art Festival which was held on March 8, 2025.
With the support of the Public Art s Commission 24 artists showcased their talent and celebrated diversity though their mediums.
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OT
HER ACTIVITIES
Call to Artists Utility Box Program - The Public Arts Commission approved a budget of $500.00 for each box artwork and $1,200.00 to the utility box wrap vendor. The funds will be allocated from the Public Arts Program budget. Staff presented a map of the 32 utility boxes that are available for artist submission for the Utility Box Wrap program.
Call to Artists will begin August 2025 and will remain open until filled.
Public Art Program Budget - The Public Arts Commission recommended a $250,000.00 budget to be approved by City Council that will be in effect 7/1/25.
Immersive Museum – The Public Arts Commission shared input on way s to create a space for the community to be par t of the immersive Mus eum. Due to this recommendation, a space where local artists and/or classes c an take place has been added to the museum’s plans.
Chairperson Contreras, Vic e-Chairperson Weiss, and Commission Austin volunteered to serve as judges for the Moreno Valley Unified School District Art Show on May 16th.
FUTURE ITEMS
Demonstration Garden Sculpture – The Public Arts Commissi on recommends that the Council review and consider the Art Commission’s approval of the Public Art Program Request for Funding Application for Silly Sunflower at the Community Demonstration Garden. The amount of funding being requested by the applicant is $7,670.00. The Staff Report is scheduled for September 2, 2025, Council meeting.
ATTENDANCE
The attendance sheet is attached with this staff report.
The Commission held 6 regular meetings and 3 special meetings.
Nam
e Regular Meeting Absences Special Meeting Absences Percent Absent Beas
on 2/6 1/3 33%
Des Verney 3/6 1/3 44%
Weiss 0/6 0/3 0%
Orellana 0/6 0/3 0%
Contreras 0/6 0/3 0%
Austin 1/6 1/3 22%
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PRE
PARATION OF STAFF REPORT
Prepared by:
Claudia Torres
Special Events & Facilities Division Manager
Rev
iewed and Approved by:
Jeremy Bubnick
Director of Parks & Community Services
ARTS COMMISSION – ATTENDANCE FOR FY 2024/2025
Commission
Member/Council
Participants
DATE OF MEETING
7/24 8/28 9/25 10/23 11/20
(SM)
12/18
(SM)
12/23
(SM)
1/22 2/26 3/26 4/23 5/28 6/25
Arzill Beason C C C X X X E L X NQ X A A
Hermie Natividad C C C
Nia Des Verney C C C X L X A X A NQ X A A
Evangelina Weiss C C C X X X X X X NQ X X X
Lizbeth Orellana C C C X X X X X X NQ X X X
Samantha Contreras C C C X X X X X X NQ X X X
Andrea Austin C C C X X E X X X NQ A X X
Genevieve Aleman C C C X E A A E A NQ A
Rosana Anguiano
Cortez
C C C X X X X X X NQ X
Ulises Cabrera-Mayor C C C A X X X A L NQ A A A
Cheylynda Barnard-
Council Member
C C C A A A A A A NQ A A A
X – Present E – Excused A – Absent L – Late C - Cancelled NQ – No Quorum SM – Special Meeting NM – No Meeting * - Joint Meeting -NA/Resigned