Cultural
Commission
Presentation by Cultural
Commission on Upcoming Special
Events, Projects the “Surviving
COVID” Pocket Exhibition Winner
RTC: 22-688
June 7, 2022
Cultural Commission
2021-22 Work Plan Goals
• Host and enhance multicultural events
• Develop and encourage interactive art
opportunities to provide temporary,
performing, cultural, and public art in
the City
• Raise visibility of commemorative
months
• Enhance communication and social
media strategies
• Prepare for Citywide Arts Master Plan 2
Debra von Huene
Chair
Candida Diaz
Vice-Chair
Louis Samara
Chair, 2019--2021
Jennifer Garcia
Vega
Jonathan Marinaro Paul McNamara Siddarth Sundaram
Live Summer Concert Series
returns!
3 • Kicks off with North Side concert on
July 22 at Live Oak Park (behind the
North Side library)
• Concerts at Central Park:
– July 29th
– August 12th
– October 7th
AND Franklin Street Dance
returns to Downtown!
4 • August 5th at Franklin Square Mall,
Franklin & Jackson Streets
• Featuring the band Pop Fiction
– From Bruno Mars, to Frank Sinatra, to
Journey, to Rhianna, and everything in
between, Pop Fiction plays non-stop
dance hits!
• Music, food & beverage booths,
activities and more!
Utility Box Program
• Artists painted 5 new boxes in
2021/2022 on the theme
“Solidarity, Resilience and
Hope”
- Saratoga/Pruneridge
- Monroe St/Nobili Ave
- Benton St/Moraga St
- Bowers Ave/Mead Ave
- Agnew Rd/Harrigan Dr
• New for 2022/2023:
One box per district
5 Solidarity, Resilience & Hope
Angelo Lopez
Together
Helen Kong
Unity & Diversity
Khushi Kolte
“Stick-er Together”
Manasa Sundaram
Cycles of Mythical Survival
Betty Nguyen
City Art Map
• New! Updated and available in
Google Map format - map is updated
with new utility boxes when they are
painted
• Dynamic, enables self-guided
walking or driving tours
• Custom icons indicate mural, statue,
utility box, fountain
6 • New! Halloween and Holiday
Home Decorating Contests by
District
– Entries/voting done virtually
• Launch of Commemorative
Month Celebrations Coloring
Book - new page for each
month – found on the website
7 Communication and
Social Media
2022 Pocket Exhibition
• Co-sponsored with The Triton Museum
• Categories: 17 years and under, and
18 and over
• Eligible artists from Bay Area counties
• Artwork in a range of expressions
• Semi-finalists selected in April
• Video to be shared on social media
• TBD display @ The Triton Museum
8 Theme: “Surviving COVID”
2022 Pocket Exhibition
• First Place:
Paul Ransohoff
“EDR & JDR”
The loving gaze and reach of a new mother
and infant under pandemic conditions
9 Theme: “Surviving COVID”
2022 Pocket Exhibition
• First Place Youth Category Winner:
Khushi Kolti
“We Are All In This Together”
My artwork shows that to survive COVID-19
and find a vaccine that will help all of us, we
need to work together: the doctors, government,
and scientists trying to solve the issue, while
people like us staying at home & staying safe.
10 Theme: “Surviving COVID”
2022 Pocket Exhibition
• Second Place:
Mythili Kattapalli
“Trapped”
This art reflects my feelings and emotions in
2020. I felt trapped by Covid-19, lightning, gusty
winds, wildfires, evacuation orders and multiple
earthquakes. Life was uncertain with all these
around and I was disturbed emotionally. Nature
is always beautiful, but we cannot stand against
its wrath. In spite of the dangers around I felt
safe and comfortable at home with my family.
11 Theme: “Surviving COVID”
2022 Pocket Exhibition
• Honorable Mention:
Bennett Roth-Newell
“When The Party Goes Away”
(spoken word/mp3)
12 Theme: “Surviving COVID”
Are we really that excited to go back to
packed malls?
Are we really still craving to be out ‘til last
call?
It might have been your jump-off back in the
day
But that vibe ain’t lit when the party goes
away…
Board meetings on Zoom
Kickin’ it via Google
If these are the only options, then resistance
would be futile
Since any social gatherings met with
disapproval
If you’re not falling in line that might call for
your removal…
All my 1099 folks wondering when the gigs
will come back
It’s looking like we’ll have to pivot and revamp
Since the ways we were used to ain’t
returning in a hurry…
Will Seek Authorization to
Apply for NEA Funding
• Intended Use: Build a citywide Arts Master Plan
• Lay the groundwork for systemic changes that sustain
the integration of arts, culture, and design into local strategies (e.g. inclusion in Specific Plans for
development of new projects such as the new
Downtown, Patrick Henry and Related)
• Requires partnership between a local government entity (City of Santa Clara) & nonprofit organization
• Identified SCU as potential partner, but now waiting for new SCU President to review and commit resources to
draft the grant application
13 "Our Town" Grant – New target: Aug 2023
Thank you!
Visit us @ www.santaclaraca.gov/cultural-commission
Find us on Facebook or
email us @ [email protected]
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