June 21, 2022
Economic Development
DATE: June 21, 2022
TO: Mayor Butt and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Winifred Day, Arts & Culture Manager
Shasa Curl, City Manager
Subject:
Contract with the Richmond Art Center (RAC)
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The funding for this two-year contract will be included in the Arts & Culture General Fund Budget for FY 2022-
2023 and FY 2023-2024 in the amount of $55,000 per
year, using account string 01364065-400201.
FY2022-2023 - $55,000
FY2023-2024 - $55,000
Total - $110,000
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
City staff is seeking approval for a two-year contract for Richmond Art Center to provide visual arts services to
various community partners.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
APPROVE a two-year sole source contract with the
Richmond Art Center to provide visual art services, in the amount of $55,000 per year, for a total contract amount not to exceed $110,000, with a term from July 1, 2022,
through June 30, 2024 - Economic Development, Arts &
Culture (Shasa Curl/Winifred Day 510-620-6512).
AGENDA
REPORT
June 21, 2022
DISCUSSION:
Background:
Richmond Art Center (RAC) has been sharing art and creating with community since 1936. Their programs encompass classes, exhibitions, and events at their facility, as well as off-site activities that bring free, high-quality art making experiences to West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) schools, community centers, and Richmond Public Library.
Over the next two years, some of the activities we can look forward to are art programs with various community partners, community centers, the Richmond Public Library, and WCCUSD. Unless otherwise agreed, these programs will be free to participating children, teens, and adults, and shall be taught by professionally trained teaching artists.
Art Classes
Art classes include art intergenerational, bilingual, and Spanish classes. New classes offered include yoga and DJ’ing for youth. Ceramics classes are offered on-site, while some courses are online. The RAC studio education program will provide scholarships to those students unable to afford fees, while funding is available, and the RAC will continue to offer a 10 percent (10%) discount to Richmond residents and City employees for classes and workshops.
Exhibitions
The RAC will display a variety of exhibitions annually that highlight emerging and well- known artists from the Bay Area and beyond. Examples of events previously hosted include the annual Art of the African Diaspora exhibit which featured 100 Bay Area African American artists, a solo show from Bay Area artist Dewey Crumpler that introduced a new series of large-scale Shipping Container paintings, and the Biennial of Richmond which featured eight Richmond Artists.
Community Partnerships
Community partnerships with key local players (Richmond Police Activities League - RPAL, RYSE, Community Centers, East Bay Center for Performing Arts, Nurturing Independence Through Artistic Development - NIAD, and some schools) will have a goal to offer free art classes at their sites. The RAC will also work to develop a relationship with Peres and Montalvin Manor Schools while continuing to offer scholarships to anyone in need.
The RAC will make available multidisciplinary professional development workshops for WCCUSD teachers to enable them to integrate art into their teachings of other subjects, contingent upon an equitable financial partnership with WCCUSD.
June 21, 2022
The RAC will provide free opportunities for families and the community to come to the Center and do artwork together under the direction of professional artists.
Future Events
RAC is planning a six-week summer camp on-site, positive health conditions prevailing.
The Holiday Arts Festival will be held in December each year, health conditions permitting, where the public can purchase holiday gifts made by local artists and craftspeople who benefit from the opportunity to display and sell their wares.
In order for art non-profits to receive funding from the private sector, it is essential that they can demonstrate that they have the City’s support.
At the end of each fiscal year during the two-year contract term (FY 2022-2023 and FY 2023-2024), the Richmond Art Center will provide a year-end report to the City of Richmond’s City Manager’s Office detailing how the funds were used.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Richmond Art Center Contract
Attachment 2 – Approved Sole Source Form