TO:Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
FROM:Jonathan Serret, Cultural and Community Services Director DATE:September 23, 2025
SUBJECT: Thousand Oaks Alliance for the Arts Operations and Programming Update
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Receive and file Thousand Oaks Alliance for the Arts’ (TOArts) operations and programming report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025.
2. Find that this action is not 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 Thousand Oaks Alliance for the Arts (TOArts) are included in the Adopted FY 2025-26 Theatres Fund Budget.
BACKGROUND:
In November 2016, City Council consented to the merger of the Alliance for the Arts into the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Foundation (Foundation). In addition, City Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Thousand Oaks (City) and Foundation detailing the public/private agreement with the combined new nonprofit entity, now known as TOArts. Though TOArts operates with oversight from an independent Board of Directors, the MOU requires TOArts to provide the City with a written report in January and July detailing operations and programming for the previous six months and a work plan for the next six months.
In light of the long-ranging TOArts programs which stretch throughout the year, TOArts has provided an annual update for the last two fiscal years, rather than reports in January and July. This enables the organization to share a more comprehensive view of its activities, programs, and community impacts. TOArts
TOArts Operations and Programming Update
September 23, 2025
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has proposed several updates to the above-mentioned MOU prior to its renewal, which would occur next year. These proposals are currently being reviewed by City staff and will come to City Council for consideration in a future meeting. In July, TOArts became the direct employer of its staff, which continue to work closely and directly with Theatres staff in the Cultural and Community Services (CCS) Department. Per the existing MOU, select City staff continue to provide mutually beneficial support of the organization.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
The TOArts Board has submitted a report detailing operations and programming for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 (Attachment #1).
The report discusses the organization’s governance, development, finance, and programming which highlight the organization’s activities, achievements, and programs through FY 2024-25. These highlights include TOArts’ expanded investments in arts education, reaching thousands of students with cross- disciplinary experiences and career-focused training through programs such as:
Kids and the Arts field trips, Access Arts grants, Trailblazers Ed, Arts Odyssey and a new audio engineering Career Technical Education (CTE) program being offered at Conejo Valley High School in partnership with the Conejo Valley Unified School District. TOArts has continued investing in the future through its workforce development programs, Creator’s Conservatory and Youth Arts Leadership Academy (YALA).
The report further discusses TOArts’ involvement in the community, including sponsorship of the City’s Pop-Up Arts and Music Festival in June, celebration of the Civic Arts Plaza’s 30th Anniversary in October, fiscal receivership for the Young Artists Ensemble, presentation of professional programs in local schools, and partnership with the County of Ventura to present the 2 nd annual ReFrame arts summit. As the largest presenter at the Bank of America Performing Arts Center (BAPAC), TOArts demonstrated excellence in programming with 70 performances through TOArts Presents. Additionally, financial support through the Dr. Raymond Olson Grants program, helped to offset rental costs, making the use of the BAPAC theatres more affordable and accessible for 13 other nonprofit organizations.
Accessibility and inclusion have been incorporated holistically into TOArts’ programming and operations in support of their guiding vision, “Where the Arts Thrive for All.”
TOArts continues to demonstrate meaningful growth and strategic evolution as a nonprofit organization. The promotion of Niki Chopra Richardson to Executive Director marks a pivotal step forward, reinforcing the collaborative efforts between TOArts, the CCS department, and the broader BAPAC team. As revisions to the MOU move toward City Council review, this strengthened partnership will be TOArts Operations and Programming Update
September 23, 2025
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formally recognized and further solidified. TOArts remains deeply committed to enriching the cultural landscape of the Conejo Valley, further advancing the creative economy and enhancing the vibrant quality of life that defines Thousand Oaks as a desirable community in which to live, work, and visit.
COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE:
Meets the following City Council goals:
A. Create a more equitable, accessible, safe, welcoming, and inclusive government and community regardless of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, physical or mental ability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, language, education, and/or socio-economic status.
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).
H. Participate in public-private and multi-jurisdictional opportunities to ensure residents have access to high levels of parks, recreation, education and leisure programs and services.
Attachments:
Attachment #1 – TOArts Operations and Programming Update CCS:901-70\js\h:\common\CADDirectorFiles\CityCouncilMeetings\fy2025-26\250923TOArtsAnnualReport.docx