TO:Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
FROM:Jonathan Serret, Cultural and Community Services Director DATE:November 19, 2024
SUBJECT: Art in Public Places Policy
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Adopt resolution establishing a formal Art in Public Places Policy.
2. Find that this action does not constitute a project under California Environmental Quality Act.
LEVINE ACT ITEM: No
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Additional Funding Requested. Minimal staff time required to prepare the report is included in the Adopted FY 2024-25 General Fund Budget.
BACKGROUND:
On December 5, 2023, City Council adopted a comprehensive updated General Plan (Plan). The Plan is a long-range planning and policy document intended to guide the City’s future decision making. The update includes an Arts and Culture Element which highlights existing conditions within the arts and culture community and identified key goals and objectives to advance and elevate the arts in the City.
Significant outreach was conducted to draft this element; the goals were crafted after numerous discussions with arts organizations, artists, community partners, City staff, and key stakeholders.
On April 23, 2024, City Council established the Citywide goals and priorities for FY 2024-25. Included in the top ten priorities is a focus on Cultural Arts and Libraries, to identify operational synergies to enhance library experience and cultural arts programs in Thousand Oaks. Additionally, City Council Goal G reiterates the City’s commitment to community and cultural programs and services. The City’s commitment to Cultural Arts and Libraries extends beyond just the Civic Arts Plaza
Art in Public Places Policy
November 19, 2024
and Library facilities. Support is further demonstrated through the Community Gallery and Kavli Theatre Gallery, the Pop-Up Arts and Music Festival, budget appropriation for the Community Events Grants, subsidy of the Hillcrest Center for the Arts and Conejo Players facilities, and other special events and community requests.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
Arts have been promulgated throughout the City for many years in a variety of public and private venues. Performing arts can be found through various venues within the community, including the Civic Arts Plaza’s Bank of America Performing Arts Center, Hillcrest Center for the Arts, Conejo Players Theatre, California Lutheran University and the City’s libraries. Visual arts have been showcased at various gallery spaces, including the Community Gallery, Hillcrest Center for the Arts, the William Rolland Art Gallery at California Lutheran University, the Kavli Theatre Gallery, and the Four Friends Gallery. Additionally, the City has collaborated with the local arts community to produce Open Studio Tours. Public art has long been a topic in Thousand Oaks, though the City has no adopted policy to define a public art program. Public art is common throughout many cities and counties across the country. A formalized program has the potential to engage and inspire residents and visitors while reflecting the cultural and artistic diversity throughout the community. Previously, a percent of redevelopment was tied to the arts program, but this was lost with the dissolution of redevelopment agencies in 2012.
The City has long featured temporary exhibits in public spaces, including outdoors.
Some individual artists have opened studios and galleries in the City, and several nonprofit organizations have promoted advancement of the visual arts through museum and gallery spaces. Some private development projects also incorporate art for public benefit. The lack of a cohesive public arts program has left a number of inquiries unfulfilled and also created a vacuum in which other entities have taken the lead. For example, the Arts Council of the Conejo Valley and Art Trek established the Conejo Cottontails program, in which large, fiberglass cottontail rabbit sculptures are commissioned by local organizations or philanthropists, designed and painted by local artists, and installed in various locations around the Conejo Valley. A map is available here: https://www.conejopublicart.org/cottontail- locations. This program is similar to those of other cities around the country, which feature uniquely painted sculptures installed throughout their communities.
During the annual goal-setting meeting, City Council has regularly included goals and priorities for the humanities of arts, culture, and literacy. Earlier this year, the Cultural Affairs and Library Services departments were merged into one Cultural and Community Services department. This merger aligns multiple divisions under common goals to strengthen these programs in the community. Adopting a Art in Public Places Policy
November 19, 2024
resolution (Attachment #1) to establish a formal Art in Public Places Policy will highlight the importance of arts and culture programs in the community, enhance the aesthetic of the City, and uplift artistic talents, including those from within our community. The proposed policy prescribes a process for solicitation, review, selection, installation, funding, and maintenance of art for display in public places.
A defined process will lead to transparency and equity in the program. As the policy is implemented and Public Art is incorporated throughout the community, staff will evaluate the program for potential improvements. By adopting a formal policy, the City can begin the process of strategically integrating art into public spaces for activation and interaction. This action implements goal AC-3.1 of the adopted General Plan’s Arts and Culture Element.
COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE:
Meets the following City Council goal:
G. Continue City's commitment to community and cultural programs and services (such as Performing Arts/Theatres, Libraries, TOTV, Visual Arts, Youth and Senior Programs).
Attachments:
Attachment #1 – Resolution
CCS:900-30\js\H:\COMMON\Council\2024\111924 Art in Public Places Policy.docx