Form Name:
Unique ID:
Boards and Commissions Appl ication
1403890690
App licant Information
Name
Are you a Sunnyvale resident?
How long have you lived in
Sunnyvale?
Sara Salinaro
Yes
9 months
""'"""""" 11/17/25
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Sara Salinaro
Description Area Residence Not ice:Unless otherwise noted , your princ ipal place of res idence must be in Sunnyva le. You must live in Sunnyvale at the time of appo intment and at all times du rin g serv ice on a board or comm ission.
Current Main Residence
Email
Phone
Are you currently a registered No
voter in Sunnyvale?
Have you ever served on a City of No
Sunnyvale board or commission?
Have you attended a meeting of No
the City Council, or a board or
commission?
Have you attended meetings of No
the board{s) or commission(s) for
which you are applying?
Board or Commission Selection
First Choice Arts Commission
Applicant Qualifications
What motivated you to apply for
this board or commission?
I'm a first generation immigrat from Italy. I come from a land that has had the honor to birth and witness the greatness of some of the most incredible artists in the whole world. Art is a core element in my culture, we breath and feel art everywhere and in every point in our life. When I moved to the US months ago it was hard to adjust at first because of cultural differences, but art is a universal mean that brings people together, creates rapport and makes everone feel connected, even if they speak different languages and have a different culture. Us Italians are very community oriented, we care about the people around us and we strive to do our best to create an abuntant community and I want to do my part in contribuiting to this cause. Art unifies people and I want to be part of the group of people that makes this possible.
What skills or attributes can you
bring to this board or
commission?
Throught my life in Italy I did volunteer work for cultural and art associations as well as working for some one of the greatest art exhibition institution in the world, you'll find a detailed description in another field three questions below this one.
Both volunteer work and actual work, taught me the importance of celebrating art and culture with people. They taught me how to move comfortably in cultural spaces of all kinds, how to work with people from completely different backgrounds, and how to throw myself into different projects. They showed me the joy of opening doors, sometimes literally, to stories that the general public might not know, to places, and artists that deserve to be seen.
I learnt how to work with local institutions and cultural institutions, how to coordinate events and spaces with care, and how to communicate clearly with the public. I learned how to organize teams, guide visitors, support artists' needs, and adapt quickly when plans changed. Most of all, they strengthened my ability to bring people together around art, history, and community projects.
Sara Salinaro
The primary role of a board or
commission member is to provide
advice to City Council on policy
issues that are within the scope
of the board or commission. What
steps would you take to
effectively exercise this specific
board or commission role?
Well, first thing first, I would need to start by understandanding the issues, background materials, and any relevant policies before each meeting. I'd start by reviewing the past meetings reports and relevant Sunnyvale policies before each meeting so I can come prepared.
I would actively collaborate with my collegues on the board in understanding their own views and prospective on the issue/topic and keep an open ear and heart to their prospetive knowing that despite we might have differences of opinion, we're all in this for the people of Sunnyvale.
I would listen carefully to community input, the perspectives of residents who are directly affected by the topics we're addressing, and make sure their concerns are reflected in the board's conversations.
The solutions we will bring forth as a team will have to be rooted in community needs, long-term goals, actionable, measurable and respectful of the City's values. When offering advice or recommendations to City Council, I would aim to be clear, grounded in facts and data, and transparent about the reasoning behind my perspective.
I will take part in the meeting itself with the City Council members with active listening, understanding what they need from us, how we can work together so we can make our beautiful city of Sunnyvale shine.
Sara Salinaro
Education – List college degrees,
majors and any relevant training
or experience that demonstrates
your ability to effectively serve
on this board or commission.
I have a bachelor degree in Languages and Cultures of East Asia, with a focus on Japanese and Korean culture (art, philosophy, religion etc.) and languages.
I've been an active FAI member for almost 10 years and during my college years I had the great honor of workin at the Biennale di Venezia.
While I was working at the latter institution I met great artist namely Gil Kuno, Illampu Aguilar, Caleb Rodriguez, Aia Lepekhina, Fidan Akhundova and many others. They all ended up being great friends of mine and I helped them organize in Venice their own workshops, events or labs. I was a model for Gil Kuno and Caleb Rodriguez's photography series, I helped Fidan Akhundova managing the shipment from her homeland to Venice of one of her art pieces.
I learnt how to speak with people and engage in art discourse which came from curiosity or simple interpretation of an art piece.
I learned that art is not some sort of elitarian, exclusive and segregated field that's only accessible to well versed and profient in the topic people. Art is for everyone that open up their heart and mind to it. Art is meant to be shared, celebrated and appreciated with everyone.
Sara Salinaro
Describe your involvement in
community activities, volunteer
and civic organizations.
When I was living in Italy I did a lot of volunteer work for the arts.
I'm an active member of the FAI which is a non lucrative association that aims at highlighting and protecting italian historical monuments, artistical heritage and endangered landscapes. One of the most important events the association organizes are the "Spring Days" when cities around Italy agree to organize cultural and artistic labs, workshops or even opening up cultural spots that have been closed to the public. My greatest accomplishment as a volunteer was when local team and I were able to convince the mayor of our province, Brindisi, to open up many historical landmarks that have been closed to the public for decades, namely the Grande Albergo Internazional which was founded to host some of the greatest merchants who would stop in Brindisi through the passage of the India Mail which made Brindisi an important center for international trade and Palazzo Montenegro, which has hosted many important historical figures over the centuries, such as the King of Two Sicilie Ferdinand IV of Bourbon, who stayed here during a visit to the city, Aragonese castle and Gioacchino Murat in 1813.
During my college years I also worked at the Biennale di Venezia, which been for 130 years one of the most prestigious cultural institutions in the world. Established in 1895. I worked for different art pavilions such as the Azerbaijan one, the Hong Kong, the Bolivia one and at the "Giardini" where the main exhibition was held. I had the great honor of being alongside some of the greatest internation artists I've ever met and was able to coordinate the layout of the pavilions, offer tour guides for visitors and helping artists organize their own exclusive art events besides the Biennale Institution.
Description Area The City has a Code of Ethics and Conduct for Elected and Appointed Officials and an Attendance Policy (7.2.19), 2 G (II) that appointed members are required to follow.
Do you have any concerns related
to the above code and policy?
No
Are you willing to accept a
temporary appointment for the
remainder of an unexpired term?
Yes
Board or Commission-Specific Questions
Sara Salinaro
Arts Commission
What role do you think public art
plays in a city?
It creates community, a sense of identity for the citizens, a feeling of belonging and it's what differenciates and makes a city unique in it's own way. It's what different residents who might not know each other find common ground on, it created empathy and a sense of shared story and environment. No matter our differences we can come together as individuals and indentify with a piece of our city that feels meaningful to all of us.
How might the City strengthen
art programs in the community?
By making them more accessible and visible to everyone:
expanding public art installations in parks, downtown, main streets, and civic spaces.
Hosting reular or temporary rinteractive events or fairs by offering resources for local artists, schools, and community groups and residents so residents feel included.
Partnering with local cultural organizations, hosting workshops, artist talks, open studio, encouraging public performance art.
Sara Salinaro
The Sunnyvale Public Art
collection includes sculptures and
other physical art. As an Arts
Commissioner, how would you
prioritize the inclusion of visual,
literary, interactive and
performing arts to embody the
cultures of our diverse
community?
By building a or even more public art programs that reflect the full diversity of Sunnyvale's community.
By encouraing the partecipation of residents of differents cultural backgrounds to come forth and celebrate their own culture by creating art, performances and projects that share, celebrate and inform about their traditions, experiences, and perspectives with the wider community.
For visual arts, something impactful like murals, sculptures, and installations.
For literary arts, in Italy we have poetry walls, the residents agree to have the walls of their house decorated by verses of local or national authors that storytelling events.
Also encourage public readings in parks or library.
Interactive and participatory projects could include community mosaics, collaborative murals, and neighborhood design contests that invite residents or different ethnic community to create something that represents their culture.
For performing arts, I'd program live music, dance, and street theater in public spaces.
Across all initiatives, I'd ensure funding, materials, and spaces are available, and I'd actively engage with local cultural groups to guide and shape these programs so that the city's public art truly reflects and celebrates Sunnyvale's diversity.
Fair Political Practices Commission Statement of Economic Interests Description Area If you are appointed to the Arts Commission, Heritage Preservation Commission, Housing and Human Services
Commission or the Planning Commission, you must electronically file the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700), which will be a public
record.Statement of Economic Interests - Form 700Understanding of Filing RequirementI understand and agree that if I’m appointed to the Arts Commission, Heritage Preservation Commission, Housing and Human Services Commission or Planning
Commission I must electronically file the Fair Political Practices Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700). This form reports my economic interests and those of my spouse or domestic partner, if applicable. I understand this will be a public record.
Sara Salinaro
Radio Button Yes
Demographic Information
Your age 25-34
Your gender Female
Description Area LGBTQIA+ Identity (LGBTQIA+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and the “+” is an all-inclusive way to include additional terms used to describe one’s gender, romantic, and sexual identities for those who do not identify with heterosexuality or the gender binary.)
LGBTQIA+ Identity Yes, I am part of the LGBTQIA+ community Race or Ethnicity (select all that
apply)
White
Do you speak a language other
than English?
Yes
Which languages? Italian, Spanish, French, Japanese, Korean Household Income $150,000 - $199,999
Residence - Are you a Renter
Do you live in a Apartment/Condo
Do you have any other identities*
you would like to share with us?
Not at the moment
Your Agreement
Description Area IMPORTANT NOTICE – READ BEFORE SIGNING:By selecting both “Yes” and “Submit Form” below I am adding my digital signature to this application. I am also agreeing with the following statements:All statements I have made on this application are true and correct.I authorize the City of Sunnyvale (City) to investigate the accuracy of this information.I release the City from all claims and liabilities arising from such investigation.I acknowledge that any false statement on this application will be grounds for the City to deny my appointment. A false statement discovered later, will be grounds to dismiss me from my appointment at any time.I acknowledge that any false statement on this application could lead to criminal charges. Charges could fall under California Penal Code, Section 115 or other applicable law.
Sara Salinaro
I agree Yes
Your full name Sara Salinaro
Date Nov 17, 2025
Sara Salinaro