Agenda Item: 7
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
DATE: February 25, 2025
SUBJECT: NEWHALL FAMILY THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
AGREEMENT
DEPARTMENT: Economic Development
PRESENTER: Phil Lantis
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council approve and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute a three-year agreement with the Newhall School District for an amount not to exceed $75,000 per year for the Newhall Family Theatre for the Performing Arts, from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2028, subject to City Attorney approval.
BACKGROUND
After the Northridge Earthquake in 1994, staff from the Newhall School District (District) and parents of Newhall Elementary School students toured the campus to determine the damages, along with the school’s auditorium, which had been closed to the public since the 1970s. After seeing the auditorium, interest was expressed in restoring it for use as an arts venue for the community. After almost 24 years of efforts made by multiple individuals and nonprofit organizations, the restoration of the auditorium was completed in late 2017 and was named the Newhall Family Theatre for the Performing Arts (Theatre). The District was able to achieve this through the support of the community, who voted to include the restoration project as part of a bond measure.
In the City of Santa Clarita (City) Arts Master Plan, which was adopted by the City Council in March 2016, Recommendation 2.1 states:
“The City should explore taking management of the renovated Newhall Elementary School auditorium and actively program it.”
In meetings between the City and District staff, it was determined that the District would take the lead in managing the venue. A Theatre Manager was hired to oversee the day-to-day operations.
It was recommended that the City could support this effort and meet the essence of the Arts
Master Plan recommendation by entering into an agreement that offered financial support to the District to augment the Theatre operations. The agreement was modeled after the City’s agreement with the Santa Clarita Community College District for the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center at College of the Canyons.
The following are highlights of the Theatre Agreement:
• The City and District will enter into a three-year agreement, which will begin on July 1, 2025, and terminate on June 30, 2028.
• The District is responsible for coordinating and scheduling the use of the Theatre by community organizations.
• The City's contribution to the District is $75,000 annually for each year of the agreement. • Community organizations will be entitled to the use of 80 days a year, with 40 days on weekdays (Monday to Thursday) and 40 days on weekends (Friday to Sunday). • The City and the District will work together to coordinate cross-marketing efforts, such as coverage of the Theatre in the City's publications, websites, and brochures.
All the above terms are consistent with the existing agreement, which expires on June 30, 2025.
At the Joint Study Session with the City Council and the Arts Commission held on September 10, 2024, an inquiry was made about how much the community is utilizing the Theatre through this agreement. For the 2024-25 school year, 36 of the allotted weekdays have been or are scheduled to be used, and 34 of the allotted weekend days have been or are scheduled to be used.
This leaves four remaining weekdays and six remaining weekend-days available for community use through the end of the agreement. It should be noted that the Olive Branch Theatricals organization has traditionally produced a musical during the summer. This year they used their own facility at the Valencia Town Center, reducing the number of days used at the Theatre.
The City looks forward to continuing to support this historic venue, as it is an essential part of the Old Town Newhall Arts and Entertainment District and contributes to the artistic and cultural landscape of the entire Santa Clarita Valley.
At their meeting on January 9, 2025, the Arts Commission reviewed and recommended approval by the City Council for the Newhall Family Theatre for the Performing Arts agreement.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other actions as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
Adequate funding to implement the recommended action will be available in the Arts and Events Fiscal Year 2025-26 Professional Services Expenditure Account (1003600-516102), contingent upon the appropriations of funds by the City Council in the annual budget. Funding for future fiscal years are contingent upon the appropriations of funds by the City Council in the annual budget for such fiscal year.
ATTACHMENTS
2025-2028 Newhall Family Theatre Agreement 01092025