TO:Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
FROM:Jonathan Serret, Cultural and Community Services Director DATE:January 28, 2025
SUBJECT: Dissolution of the Arts and Culture Roundtable RECOMMENDATION:
1. Adopt resolution rescinding Resolution No. 2019-017, and approving dissolution of the Arts and Culture Roundtable, effective immediately.
2. Find that this action does not constitute a project, as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act.
LEVINE ACT ITEM: No
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Additional Funding Requested. Staff time and associated costs for providing administrative support to the Arts and Culture Roundtable is included in the FY 2024-25 General Fund Budget.
BACKGROUND:
The Arts and Culture Roundtable (ACR) was established in April 2019 with the adoption of Resolution No. 2019-017 (Attachment #1) to serve as an advisory body to City Council on matters pertaining to the arts and culture community. The ACR was created following the dissolution of the previous Cultural Affairs Commission (Resolution No. 2017-030). The enacting resolution directed the ACR to be comprised of a mix of working artists, arts educators, and representatives of arts organizations and limited the scope of the body to an advisory capacity, with no direction over Cultural Affairs Department (CAD) staff, budget, or operations of the Bank of America Performing Arts Center (BAPAC).
Dissolution of the Arts and Culture Roundtable
January 28, 2025
The ACR interviews and appointments were made through the Fall of 2019 and Winter of 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, initial meetings were delayed.
The ACR held their first meeting, virtually, in September 2021. As directed in the enacting resolution, the ACR was scheduled to meet on the third Wednesday, every other month. The body was expected to develop an annual workplan and an annual report, both to be reported to City Council. The ACR has been unable to reach consensus on creating a workplan and in 2023 and 2024 several meetings were cancelled due to a lack of quorum.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
Though the ACR has not adopted a workplan, the City has made great strides in advancing arts, culture, and entertainment. In December 2023, City Council completed a years-long process and adopted a comprehensive update to the City’s General Plan, which was accomplished following significant community outreach and participation. The updated General Plan includes an Arts and Culture Element, specifically to identify the existing conditions and provides specific goals to guide the advancement of arts, culture, and entertainment within the community.
In July 2024, the City merged the CAD and the Library Services Department to form a new Cultural and Community Services Department (CCS). This new department brings a unified approach to arts, culture, and entertainment throughout the community, provided under the divisions of Theatres, Libraries, and Community Services. These services include operations of the BAPAC, visual arts exhibits in the Kavli Theatre and Community Galleries, performances at the Grant Brimhall Library, and free, outdoor events through the annual Pop-Up Arts & Music Festival in June. CCS continues to also be the liaison and pro-bono staff to support the Thousand Oaks Alliance for the Arts (TOArts), which remains the official nonprofit fundraising and presenting partner of the BAPAC.
Additionally, in November 2024, City Council adopted Resolution No. 2024-035, establishing a formal Art in Public Places Policy. This policy outlines a process by which the City can begin to integrate public art in the community, which includes:
solicitation, review, selection, installation, funding, and maintenance. The review process includes a framework for establishing a committee comprised of local artists and stakeholders to solicit input and feedback on proposed public art projects.
Since its inception, the ACR has struggled to gain momentum. Each solicitation for members has been challenged to receive a sufficient number of applications, often requiring extensions. The limited community interest has led to difficulties in maintaining the intended balance of artists, arts educators, and representatives Dissolution of the Arts and Culture Roundtable
January 28, 2025
from arts organizations. With no specific mandate and no authority over staff or budget, the ACR has struggled to identify broad unifying goals toward which to work. Several meetings have had to be cancelled for lack of quorum, despite the work and interest of some individual members. Staff therefore recommends the adoption of the attached resolution (Attachment #2).
Although adoption of this resolution dissolves the ACR, staff is confident that future opportunities for community participation will be available. The Arts and Culture Element provides staff with guidance for the future vision of arts, culture, and entertainment within the community. The Art in Public Places policy includes a framework from which to gather community feedback, by convening review committees for specific projects. These could be potential opportunities to re- engage members who had previously served on the ACR. CCS staff may also consult with various members of the arts community for future needs, including, but not limited to: TOArts, the Arts Council of the Conejo Valley, Art Trek, the resident companies of BAPAC, Westlake Village Art Guild, Thousand Oaks Art Association, Conejo Players, Cal Lutheran University, and others.
COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE:
Meets the following City Council goals:
C. Operate City government in a fiscally and managerially responsible and prudent manner to ensure that the City of Thousand Oaks remains one of California's most desirable places to live, work, visit, recreate, and raise a family.
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 No. 2019-017
Attachment #2 – Dissolution of the Arts and Culture Roundtable Resolution CCS:115-01\js\H:\COMMON\Council\2025\DISBAND ARTS & CULTURE ROUNDTABLE.DOCX