iI Ce Col 1t I Pi
June 11, 2024
Mayor and City Council:
At the May 7, 2024 City Council meeting, Mayor Light suggested the notion that the Redondo Beach Public Art Commission ( PAC), be changed to the RB Cultural Arts Commission ( CAC). This idea was discussed at the recent Public Art Comm. meeting on May 22, 2024. They voted unanimously NOT to change the status of the Public Art Commission, and a letter will be drafted and submitted to City Council..
As an artist living in Redondo Beach for 44 years, a member of the Public Art Task Force in 2008, and Public Art Commissioner from 2009-2019, I also oppose this idea for the following reasons.
The PAC currently has over $ 1 million in its budget that has been earmarked for public art projects. This money should not be used for any other purpose, i. e, distribution to other Arts. The Public Art Comm. acquires its budget from a 1% deduction of developer funds. Legally, what happens to this 1% if the PAC is changed to the CAC? What is the purpose of this change? Is there a good reason that the PAC needs to now become a CAC? The PAC currently meets every other month, so curbing admin costs, the Mayor's concern, are not a problem. With a CAC, there would be added duties, meeting more often, and who knows what other costs. Isn't this the opposite of saving money. The mayor' s justification for combining commissions was to save money. This isn' t the way.
How would this plan be executed? Who in the City has knowledge of making this change? Redondo Beach has never had a CAC.
When the PAC was formed in 2009, there was a good reason why we chose not to create a CAC: The Arts did not exist in Redondo Beach, so we chose to keep it simple, hoping that the city was more inclined to accept a PAC vs. a CAC. Mayor Mike Gin was a great supporter of the Arts and was happy to do so. 15 years later, nothing has changed to justify the creation of a CAC: The Performing Art Center is a rental facility, and has no affiliation with a symphony, ballet, theatrical production company, choir, or literary function to justify a Poet Laureate. Shakespeare in the Park is its own entity, is doing fine by itself, and probably has no desire to become part of the City of Redondo Beach; was this discussed with them? What advantage would the City acquire from joining forces with them? Wouldn' t this increase City liability and insurance costs?
Up to now, the City of Redondo Beach expressed no desire to support an art center or galleries. Then, in January, 2024, Councilman Obaji proposed a beginning budget of 400,000, up to $1 million, to create an art space in his District 4 on the Artesia BI. corridor, depending on accumulation to future Public Art Funds. This was passed by the City Council.
If the CAC threatens the 1%, how will the Artesia Project be financed? The PAC is totally self-funding, relying on no money from the City budget. If the 1 developer fees are no longer available, is the City willing to fund the PAC? Are they planning on funding additional personnel that might be required? Funds are tight, as has been illustrated at current City Council meetings involving police and fire personnel needing new facilities. In most cases, the Arts are the first to be cut. Does the City no longer want the PAC? This is not the will of the people.
The mayor proposed this change as of October, 2024. As of September, 2024, 4 PAC commissioners will term out. As the June 13 deadline nears, people are being considered now. Since the PAC only meets every other month, these new commissioners will need time to acclimate to their positions. Changing to a CAC will only complicate things. And, if people are applying to serve on the PAC, and if the change is made to a CAC, will applicants no longer want to apply? If there are not enough commissioners to serve on the PAC, will it be cancelled. THEN, what happens to the current $ 1 budget?
Eventually, a CAC might be considered in Redondo - one day, after an Arts District is completed on the Artesia corridor, with a walkable space for art and art galleries, creating a kind of " Riviera Village - North", an upgrade that this part of the city has needed for decades. One day, after the City of Redondo Beach decides to fund an orchestra or band, a ballet, theater. For now, the Performing Arts Center is doing a great job on its own.
Currently, the PAC is working to expedite current projects. They will hire an assistant to direct the Artesia project. 4 new commissioners will provide new enthusiasm and ideas and installation of public art will be expedited.
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Georgette Gantner
Former Public Art Commissioner, 2009- 2018