Zuniga, Diana
From: Adriana Yazmin Martinez <
Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2025 3:19 PM
To: eComment
Subject: Arts Funding
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
Greetings,
My name is Adriana Martinez and I am an artist who hasparticipated in the city of SantaAna for more than a decade. Bringing programing and free art material to the SA community. I am asking for more funding for the arts. As someonewho is out here doing the work, spendingtime in the community there is a real need for the funding to continue but also expand. The city of SantaAna is greatly underserved, there is only one library that offers programming. As someone who has benefited from the grants and used it to work with the senior population, I cantell you that they are also greatly underserved.
The city of SantaAna needscontinuous funding and opportunities for aspiring artists. As a muralist, we need more funding to restore murals that have greatly addedto the cityscapeof SA. When you invest in the artist we are ableto pay that forward 1OXfold. I askthat you invest in us so that we may servethe community you claim to serve. Thank you for your attention.
Adriana Martinez
i
Zuniga, Diana
From: Yenny Bernal <
Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2025 3:57 PM
To: eComment
Subject: INVESTING IN THE ARTS IN SANTA ANA
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
Dear city council members,
As a local artist, teacher, and small business owner specialized in Arts and Culture events, I am once again, as I do every year voicing the importance about the continued need for arts funding in our city. Art Heals and as the City of the Arts in OC we have madea pledge to continue to spreadcreativity and mental health to our residents and visitors.
But most importantly, it is crucial that oncewe areacceptedasgrantees, renderedour servicespaid from our own pockets that we get paid in time as stipulated on pur Artists Ageements.
Unfortunately, the person in changeof the artists liaison is unwilling/ unable to solve payment issues. In example, I'm still waiting for payment for an event produced in Nov. 2024, invoiced Dec. 16th and still unpaid eventhough they said that all documentation hasbeenreceived. This should be unacceptableaswe dependon the promised funding to keep our businessafloat.
I hope that you will take our commentsand requeststo heart asI know you understandthe impact that arts and culture bring to our city from a monetary perspective aswell.
Thank you for your time.
Best Wishes,
i
Zuniga, Diana
From: Mr John Spiak <
Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2025 4:01 PM
To: eComment
Subject: Support Letter for the Arts
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
John D. Spiak
May 14, 2025
City Council
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Dear Members of the City Council,
I am reaching out to express my enthusiastic support for allocating $ 200,000 in the upcoming budget to strengthen local arts initiatives in Santa Ana. Having long been intertwined with the arts community here, I believe it is vital for us to champion the vibrant arts scene that defines our city.
Government- funded arts initiatives, such as the '' Investing in the Arts'' grants, significantly enhance the quality of life for residents, youth, families, and seniors. Amid rising inflation and cuts to similar programs, these initiatives fortify our local creative economy and attract creatives to our community, unlocking new avenues for tax revenue.
Artists who have benefited from city grants or arts event funding have forged innovative partnerships with local businesses, drawing new visitors to Santa Ana to experience the arts in novel ways. Every First Saturday of the month, the arts attract thousands of visitors to our downtown, who not only enjoy the visual art spaces but also frequent our local restaurants, businesses, bars, and parking garages. This surge brings fresh business and tax revenue, along with positive press generated through art spaces' email invitation campaigns and regional/ national exhibition press reviews, solidifying Santa Ana's reputation for its flourishing arts community. Travel Santa Ana has spotlighted our arts scene, showcasing the distinctive and dynamic environment that sets Santa Ana apart from neighboring cities.
Moreover, Santa Ana boasts numerous historic murals in need of restoration. These murals are a source of pride and elevate our standing as an arts destination, potentially generating additional revenue.
As a city that prides itself on being a hub for the arts, Santa Ana should persistently expand programs and initiatives that celebrate and enhance accessfor residents, visitors, arts enthusiasts, youth, families, and the myriad small businesses that thrive alongside a vibrant arts community. In addition to the proposed $ 200,000, the council should also explore a potential 1% for the Arts policy connected with development projects, a common practice for supporting the arts in many cities nationwide.
Thank you for your time and consideration of this letter and the voices of our community in support of the arts. 1 Sincerely,
John D. Spiak
Santa Ana Resident
z
Alcala, Abigail
From: BryanChang <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, May15, 20253:03AM
To: eComment
Subject: SantaAnaArtsfunding
Attention: ThisemailoriginatedfromoutsideofCityofSantaAna. Usecautionwhenopeningattachmentsorlinks.
To whomit mayconcern,
AsanorganizationthathasreceivedSantaAnaartsfunding, wewouldliketo expressoursincerestgratitude andhighlightsomeof thepositivebenefitsthatpubliclyfundedartinitiativesbringto thecommunity. Through thesupportof theInvestingintheArtistgrant, ournonprofithasbeenableto hostfree, weeklyDJlessonsthat areopento thepublic. We'vehadtheprivilegeof servingdozensof establishedandemergingartistsintheir pursuitof artisticmusicmixingandcuration.
In additionto theartseducationthatyouth, families, andseniorshavegainedbyattendingourlessons, our nonprofitisnowableto showappreciationto oursixteachingartistsbyprovidingamodeststipendfor their time, equipment, andexpertise —somethingwe’vebeenunableto dountilnow, despiteofferingthesefree classesfor thepast15years. Ontopof allthat, wearealsogeneratingtaxrevenueandparkingfaresbybringing customersto theSantaAnarestaurantthathostsourclasses.
Weareproudto callSantaAnathehubof ourcommunityprogramming. Thecity'sunwaveringsupport—both communityandfinancial—for theartshasattractedstudentsandartistsfromacrossSouthernCalifornia. We trulybelievethattheartsbreathelifeintoneighborhoods, andit'sheartwarmingto seeSantaAnaprioritize them.
Yoursupportandconsiderationaregreatlyappreciated.
Bryan
BryanChang :: Founder & ExecutiveDirector :: DanceMusicInitiative, a501(c)(3) nonprofit :: EIN 81- 1315116 :: 909-210-3464 :: www.dancemusicinitiative.org 1 Alcala, Abigail
From: suziecsandoval <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, May15,
To: eComment
Subject: CityCouncilSpecialMeeting: fromSantaAnaHealthyNeighborhoodsAlliance, May 15, 2025
Attachments: SupportCypressFireStationServices.docx
Attention: ThisemailoriginatedfromoutsideofCityofSantaAna. Usecautionwhenopeningattachmentsorlinks.
Pleasebesokindasto distribute.
Thankyou.
SusanaSandoval
1 May15, 2025
DearMayorMs. Amezcua, MayorProtemMs. Lopez, andcouncilmembersMr. Bacerra, Mr.
Hernandez, Mr. Penaloza, VietPhan, andMr. Vazquez:
TheSantaAnaHealthyNeighborhoodsAlliance (SAHNA) supportstheCyressFireSta?on servicesforSeniorsandthePAALProgramtomoveforwardassupportedbythecommunityand votedforapprovalbyesteemedmayorValerieAmezcuaandCityCouncilmembers. We endorsecon?nuingthesemuch-neededservicesforthecurrentBudgetnowmovingtothenal stagesforapproval.
TheSAHNAmissionistoimprovethehealth, safetyandeduca?onofchildren, familiesandthe communityatlarge. Asseniorsweareinneedofservicesforourmobility, health, learningand cogni?on, classestargetedforus, andotherresourceswecanaccess. Seniorsareagrowing popula?oninSantaAnaandtherearenotenoughservicesforus. TheCypressFireSta?onis theperfectloca?on, denselypopulatedareaandlackinginSeniorServicesandthePAAL programtomeettheneedsofthechildrenandparentsinthesurroundingneighborhoods. We haveexperiencedthatthePoliceAthle?c & Ac?vityLeague (PAAL) missionandac?vi?es contributetoSAHNA’smissionandtheCity’scommitmenttoSeniorsandthePAALmission.
We werethrilledwhenthe CityCouncilapprovedthePAALProgramto be locatedat CypressFire Station --- and exuberantthatservices/activitieswill be madeavailableto our seniors. We personallywill takeadvantageof thesenioractivitiesandwill promote themwithour peersand communitynetwork.
It is our hope, and we believeyou will not throwus underthe bus, andwe areincluded in the final budgetapproval.
MostSincerely,
SusanaSandoval, Co-Chair
SantaAnaHealthyNeighborhoodsAlliance
ProudResidentof SantaAnafor 35 plusyears
Alcala, Abigail
From: IrmaJauregui <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, May
To: eComment
Subject: Specialmeetingandbudgetitems
Attention: ThisemailoriginatedfromoutsideofCityofSantaAna. Usecautionwhenopeningattachmentsorlinks.
DearMayorandhonorablecouncilmembers,
Iknowtheworkthatisbeforeyouforthecomingbudgetisoneoftheissuesofhighimportanceforoursenior communityandit’swell-being, istocontinueascommittedfortheCypressfirestationtosupportthePAALprogram bothforourchildrenandourseniors.
Weareindireneedof moreseniorcentersandprogramsasourpopulationagesandmoreservicesandtheefficient andhighutilizationofthefirestationforbothourchildren, andourseniorsisofhighestimportanceandmostneeded! Thisisoneofthemostdensestneighborhoodsinourcity, andthislocationisidealforeveryoneintheSouthcorridor.
Thankyouagainforkeepingyourpromisesasoriginallycommitted, andwelookforwardtothegrandopeningand hopefullythenearfuture.
Mostsincerely,
IrmaPJauregui
WilshireSquareresidentandSAHNAcofounder
1 Alcala, Abigail
From: PICOLOWELL <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, May15, 202511:53AM
To: eComment
Subject: LetterofSupportforFullFundingoftheTolliver-BristolCorridorParkProject Attachments: LetterofSupportforBristol-TolliverPark.pdf Attention: ThisemailoriginatedfromoutsideofCityofSantaAna. Usecautionwhenopeningattachmentsorlinks.
DearMayorandHonorableCityCouncilMembers,
AsCo-Presidentsof thePicoLowellNeighborhoodAssociation, wearewritingto expressourstrongsupport for theTolliver-BristolCorridorParkProjectandto respectfullyurgetheCityto allocatefull fundingfor its completion. Thismuch-neededgreenspacewill provideessentialrecreationalopportunitiesfor familiesand residentsin ourcommunity.
WebelievethisprojectalignswiththeCity’scommitmentto equitableaccessto parksandopenspaces. We alsoencouragecontinuedprioritizationof greenspacedevelopmentontheremainingvacantlotsalongBristol Street.
Pleasefindourformalletterof supportattached.
Thankyoufor yourleadershipandcontinueddedicationto ourneighborhoods.
BestRegards,
LizethFuentesandValerieMagdaleno
Co-Presidents
PicoLowellNeighborhoodAssociation
1 Alcala, Abigail
From: DebraRussell <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, May
To: Lopez, Jessie; eComment
Subject: AdvocatingforArtsFundinginour2025CityBudget
Attachments: 1. CA_CityOfSantaAna_AEP6_OnePageSummaryOfFindings (1).pdf Attention: ThisemailoriginatedfromoutsideofCityofSantaAna. Usecautionwhenopeningattachmentsorlinks.
DearMayorAmezcuaandCityCouncilmembers,
I recentlyperusedtheTravelSantaAnawebsite—intendedto enticevisitorsto comeandseewhatourcity hasto offer—andwasremindedthat whenothersthink of us, they think of the arts. Theirwebsite featuresmanyof thebrightandvibrantmuralspaintedbylocalartistsacrossourdowntown, with recommendationsto checkoutourmonthlyArtwalkamongotherarts-orientedopportunities. Ourreputation for beingauniqueandcreativeplacehasalsobeenechoedin numerousconversationswithcolleaguesin my field acrossthestateof California. It isa reputationfor usall to beproudof—andto continueto grow throughdedicatedartsfunding.
ThemostrecentArts & EconomicProsperityreport (summaryisattached), commissionedbytheCityof SantaAna, to gaugetheimpactof theartsonourlocaleconomysupportsthiscallfor dedicatedfunding.
Forinstance, in 2022, over700jobsweretied directlyto thecreativeeconomyin ourcity. Whenpeople cometo exploreSantaAna, theyalsospend: $30 per person, per event, onaveragewhenengagedin arts-relatedactivities. Researchersfoundthat in 2022alonetherewas $9.6 millionspentonartsand cultureeventsherebylocalsandvisitors. Andthereisroomto expandthiseconomyevenfurtherwith dedicatedinvestmentin artistgrantsto ensuretherearemorereasonsfor folksto visit—andspend—inthe future.
Investingin ourartistsandin artsexperiencesalsoraisesthe qualityof life andattractivenessof our city.
Astheparentto twoschool-agedchildren, I appreciatethatSantaAnaishometo somanyregularandfree gatherings, performances, workshops, andinnovativewaysthat myfamilycanengagein thearts. It isa reasonthat otherfamiliesandfriendsin ourcircletravelhere, spendtheirmoney, andleavewiththe impressionthat SantaAnahasathrivingartssceneworthcomingbackfor. Havingdedicatedfundingfor grantopportunitiesspecificallyfor artistswholive andworkin SantaAnaisanotherwayweensurethatthe artsarenotonlywhatattractsothersbut iswhatweareknownfor acrosstheSouthland.
Asyoumakeyourbudgetdecisionsfor ourcity thisyear, I urgeyouto continueourinvestmentin dedicatedartsfunding. It makessensefromafinancialperspectiveto helpgrowourowncreative economy. It makessensefor all theresidents—children, families, seniors—whohaveaccessto arts experiencesthat enrichtheirconnectionto ourcity, to eachother, andto futureworkforceopportunities that prioritizecreativethinking. It alsocommunicatesto thosewhocallthiscity homeor decideto visitthat SantaAnaisanexcitingandvibranthubwheretheartsandartiststhrive.
Thankyoufor yourserviceto ourcity andyourleadershipto ensurethat SantaAnacontinuesto beknown as “acity of thearts” to all.
Respectfully,
DebraRussell
ProudResident, Parent, Educator, BoardMember, & Commissioner 1 2
PLACEYOUR
LOGOHERE
TheEconomicand Social Impactof
NonprofitArts andCultureOrganizationsandTheirAudiencesin Cityof SantaAna
Direct Economic ActivityOrganizationsAudiencesTotal Expenditures Total Industry Expenditures(FY2022)$ 54,025,69944,460,618$ 9,565,081 EconomicImpactof Spendingby Arts and CultureOrganizationsand Their Audiences Total Economic Impacts OrganizationsAudiencesTotalImpactsincludes direct, indirect, and induced impacts) 859Employment (Jobs) 744115
44,005,614PersonalIncomePaid to Residents$ 39,097,579$ 4,908,035 1,164,146Local Tax Revenue (city and county)$ 873, 021$ 291,125 2,461,189State Tax Revenue$ 2,000,136$ 461,053
8,988,242Federal Tax Revenue$ 8,055,953$ 932,289
Event-RelatedSpendingby Arts and CultureAudiencesTotaled $9.6 million 1 1Local NonlocalAll
Attendance to Arts and Culture EventsAttendeesAttendeesAttendees 315,162TotalAttendanceto In-Person Events261, 90053, 262 Percentage of Total Attendance83. 1% 16.9% 100.0%
AveragePer Person, Per EventExpenditure$ 27. 35$ 45. 10$ 30.34 Total Event-Related Expenditures$ 7,162,965$ 2,402,116$ 9,565,081 Nonprofit Arts and CultureAudiencesSpendan Averageof $30.34PerPerson, Per Event 1 1Local NonlocalAll
Categoryof Event-Related ExpenditureAttendeesAttendeesAttendees Food and Drink$ 9. 48$ 15. 43$ 10.49
Retail Shopping$ 5. 99$ 10. 92$ 6.82
OvernightLodging (one night only)$ 0. 96$ 3. 61$ 1.40
LocalTransportation$ 3. 32$ 7. 95$ 4.10
Clothing and Accessories$ 2. 47$ 2. 23$ 2.43
Groceries and Supplies$ 3. 01$ 2. 39$ 2.91
Childcare$ 0. 64$ 0. 87$ 0.68
Other/Miscellaneous$ 1. 48$ 1. 70$ 1.51
Overall AveragePer Person, Per Event$ 27. 35$ 45. 10$ 30.34 Source: Arts & EconomicProsperity6: TheEconomicandSocialImpactStudyof NonprofitArtsandCulture OrganizationsandTheirAudiencesin theCityof SantaAna. Formoreinformationaboutthis studyor aboutothercultural initiativesin theCityof SantaAna, contacttheCityof SantaAna.
Copyright2023byAmericansfor theArts. To learnmore,visitwww.AEP6.AmericansForTheArts.org.
Past studieshave focusedprimarily on the financial, economic, and tourism contributionsof the nonprofit arts and cultureindustry. AEP6expandsbeyondthosetopics to includemeasuresof social impact. Surveys completed by individualattendeesin the the City of Santa Anademonstrateanappreciationfor how the arts and culture impacts the developmentand well-beingof the communityand its residents.
AudiencesDemonstrateAppreciationfor the Impactof Arts and Culture Level of Agreementwith Social Impact Statements Audiences
81.1%
84.4% of lossif thisactivityor venuewerenolongeravailable.
This activityor venueis inspiringa senseof pridein this neighborhoodor community. 89.9% or venue is preservedfor future 87.1%
About This Study
Americansfor the Arts conductedAEP6
and culture industry. The study was conductedin 373 diversecommunitiesand regionsacross the country, representingall 50 states and PuertoRico. The City of Santa Ana joined the study on behalf of the City of Santa Ana. For additionalinformation includingthe national report, summariesfor the 373 communities, an online calculator, and a descriptionof the projectmethodology, visit www.AEP6.AmericansForTheArts.org.
Surveys of Nonprofit Arts and Culture Organizations
Nationally, detailedinformationwas collectedfrom 16,399 nonprofitarts and cultureorganizations about their FY2022expenditures (e.g., labor, local and non-local artists, operations, materials, facilities, and asset acquisition), as well as their eventattendance, in-kind contributions, and volunteerism. Surveyswere collectedfrom February throughJuly 2023. Someorganizationsonly provided total expendituresand attendance (they are included in the study). Respondingorganizationshad budgetsranging from a low of $0 to a high of $375 million. Responserates for the 373 communitiesaveraged43.9% and rangedfrom 5% to 100%. In the City of Santa Ana, 21 of the 56 total eligible nonprofit arts and culture organizations identified by the City of Santa Ana provided the financial and attendance information required for the study analysisan overall participation rate of 37.5%. less-than-100 percentresponserates suggestan understatementof the economicimpact findings.
Surveys of Nonprofit Arts and Culture Audiences
Audience-interceptsurveying, a commonand acceptedresearchmethod, was conductedto measureevent-related spendingby audiences. Attendeeswereasked to complete a short survey while attendingan event. Nationally, a total of 224,677 attendeescompletedthe survey. The randomly selectedrespondentsprovideditemized expendituredata on attendance-relatedactivities such as meals, souvenirs, transportation, and lodging, as well as socioeconomicinformation, ZIP codeof primary residence, and four social impact questions. Data was collected from May 2022throughJune2023 at a broadrangeof both paid and free events. In the City of Santa Ana, a total of 859 valid audience-intercept surveys were collected from attendees to nonprofit arts and culture performances, events, exhibits, and special events during the period from May 2022 through June 2023.
Studying Economic Impact Using Input-Output Analysis
Americansfor the Arts uses the IMPLANplatform to createthe customizedmodelsfor eachof the 373 study regions. Input-output models calculate the interdependenciesbetweenvarious sectors or industrieswithin a region.
This analysistraces how many times a dollar is respentwithin the local economybeforeit leaks out, and it quantifiesthe economicimpact of each round of spending. This form of economicanalysisis well suited for AEP studiesbecauseit can be customizedspecificallyto eachparticipatingcommunity, region, or state. To complete this analysis for the City of Santa Ana, the researchers used the IMPLAN platform to build a customized input-output model based on the unique economic and industrial characteristics of Orange County.
Research Notes:
1 For the purposeof this study, local attendeeslive withinOrangeCounty; nonlocalslive elsewhere.