1 David Yakobson
From: Cynthia Rose <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2024 2:19 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Council Mailbox; Gleam Davis; Jesse Zwick; Caroline Torosis; Lana Negrete; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Christine Parra; David White Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Support for Item 16D Bergamot Economic Support Program Attachments: 2024-02 SaMoSSA Support Item 16D.pdf
EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica City Council and City Manager
Please see the attached support letter from the Santa Monica Safe Streets Alliance supporting Council's direction to the City Manger in item 16D to create an economic support program for Bergamot Arts Center. --
Cynthia Rose & Cris Gutierrez
Co-Chairs
Santa Monica Safe Streets Alliance
SaMoSafeStreets.org
Item 16.D.
February 13, 2024
Item 16.D.
February 13, 2024
February 13, 2024
RE: Support Item 16D Support Bergamot Economic Support Program Dear Santa Monica City Council Members:
The Santa Monica Safe Streets Alliance firmly supports the direction to the City Manager in Item 16D to create an economic support program for the vitality of the Bergamot Station Arts Center. Bringing into play innovative means of generating opportunities for additional affordable spaces for new tenants to add funds to this hub and heart of Santa Monica’s art realm is a wonderful commitment.
Bergamot has long proven to be a cultural gem, welcoming artists and audiences to be invigorated, enjoying experiences that stretch open the mind, feed consciousness and engage the community with craft and creativity. An economic support program for Bergamot would catalyze all kinds of possibilities to keep the arts alive in Santa Monica for our community to appreciate and be enriched for today and for future generations.
We trust that the Council will affirm its support of the Bergamot Art complex and its invaluable contribution to our community and the region.
Sincerely,
Cynthia Rose Cris Gutierrez
Co-Chair, Santa Monica Safe Street Alliance Co-Chair, Santa Monica Safe Streets Alliance SaMoSafeStreets.org
Item 16.D.
February 13, 2024
Item 16.D.
February 13, 2024
1 David Yakobson
From: Bruria Finkel <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, February 12, 2024 4:34 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Bergamot Art Center
Attachments: Doc3.docx
Item 16.D.
February 13, 2024
Item 16.D.
February 13, 2024
[email protected]
Santa Monica, CA |
3102514299
Website: bruriafinkel.com
2.12.24 Dear Mayor and council members
About Bergamot Art Center
My name is Bruria Finkel I have lived in Santa Monic more then 65 years.
I have been deeply involved volunteering my time to the city by being one of the founders of the “Arts Commission” in 1982 served for 15 years. Elected to Rent “Control Bord “in 1993 for 7 years and set on the “Downtown Bord” (DTSM) for 8 years until 2022 .
Yes, I support the requests that are being presented to the City Council by the galleries at Bergamot Art Center.
I have been receiving many requests to support this item on your agenda and I would like to inform some of you in a few words and tell you of the early times of Bergamot Art Center.
Bergamot was created for the Arts the business of selling art in this city, at that time we hoped that we could also create Artist’s studios for working artists, but the Gallerists thought that it would be ab unfair competition for their business.
We directed our attention to the Airport and helped to Create the Artists’ studios Spaces that will be Artists’ studios creating art and will not compete with the Gallery business and will allow the artist to be able to do their own programing and business with collectors. This solution has worked for almost 25 years.
The City Council agreed to have 41% of the land in the South side of the Airport
Dedicated to working artist studious, the first was created by Sherry Frumkin/ Yossi Govrin.
Item 16.D.
February 13, 2024
Item 16.D.
February 13, 2024
Who Created the Artists’ studios by transforming a large old Hanger to some of the best studio’s spaces in Los Angeles and functioned for 15 years well and cooperated well for the city event and the artist’s needs.
Three years ago, 18 street received the City contract to run the place and changed the Name to 18 street studios.
In general, we do not necessarily recommend support for private enter- prize in the arts, At the start the galleries were only subsidized by low rents since they all functioned as private enterprises, the spaces were never Ideal there was no heaters or air-condition.
The city engaged itself in a competition among developers to recommend away to create an art center that will also be able to house the Santa Monica Museum.
This is a long story, and I can tell you more about it if you wish.
Bergamot is an essential part of the program of supporting the arts in the city and many of the galleries cannot afford to partake with the Freeze Event or other Art-fairs events since they are very costly and the need for the community around Bergamot was and is still essential to keep as an art center.
Glad you are extending Freeze the contract it will help the city they spend good money here at restaurant hotels etc...
Support the Arts and our artists, to nurture the soul of Santa Monica.
Bruria Finkel
Santa Monica Ca
Item 16.D.
February 13, 2024
Item 16.D.
February 13, 2024