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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-04-13; City Council; ; Arts & Culture Master Plan Annual Status ReportCA Review CKM Meeting Date: To: From: Staff Contact: Subject: District: April 13, 2021 Mayor and City Council Scott Chadwick, City Manager Richard Schultz, Cultural Arts Manager richard.schultz@carlsbadca.gov, 760-602-2086 Arts & Culture Master Plan Annual Status Report All Recommended Action Receive an annual status report on Arts & Culture Master Plan initiatives launched in fiscal year 2019-20 and fiscal year 2020-21, consider additional support of initiatives for fiscal year 2021- 22 and provide direction to staff as appropriate. Executive Summary On June 26, 2018, the City Council approved the Arts & Culture Master Plan (Resolution No. 2018-118), affirming its support of the community’s desire for artistic and cultural programs and services. The plan directs staff to annually update the City Council on the progress of approved initiatives and to seek City Council direction on any new initiatives to undertake in the coming fiscal year. The City Council’s approval of the Master Plan included a phased approach to the top ten initiatives, and funding to pursue the first two initiatives, a venue feasibility study and implementation of a mobile outreach strategy using the city’s TGIF mobile stage and a possible newly programmed arts vehicle. The last update was provided to the City Council on May 7, 2019. Due to the pandemic, there was no update presented in 2020. This report provides an update on previously approved initiatives and presents a menu of additional initiatives for City Council consideration in fiscal year 2021-22. Discussion Background Since its approval in 2018 and in addition to ongoing programming, Cultural Arts staff have planned and implemented numerous initiatives of the Arts & Culture Master Plan.1 The plan’s 49 initiatives represent six focus areas which were developed based on community input: 1.Support Art as an Essential Component of Daily Life 1 The Arts & Culture Master Plan, including appendices, is available on the city’s website at https://www.carlsbadca.gov/services/depts/arts/planning.asp April 13, 2021 Item #7 Page 1 of 7 2.Foster Arts & Culture Within the Physical Realm 3.Expand Arts & Culture Learning Opportunities 4.Establish Relationships that Support a Thriving Business Sector 5.Celebrate Carlsbad’s Unique History and Distinct Identities 6.Build Capacity Within the Arts & Culture Sector Status update for fiscal year 2019-20 Note: The Arts & Culture Master Plan initiative is cited at the beginning of each section. The first two initiatives were approved by the City Council concurrent with the approval of the Arts & Culture Master Plan on June 26, 2018: Cultural Facilities Needs Assessment Physical Realm 1.1: Launch a feasibility study to explore the creation of a City of Carlsbad cultural arts facility that responds to the regional interest for a larger performance venue for professional theater and can provide classrooms, rehearsal spaces and production studios. A venue feasibility study was included in the original Arts & Culture Master Plan funding. Staff contracted with Webb Management Services to conduct a study and assessment of a potential visual and performing arts venue within the City of Carlsbad. This work included input from key community stakeholders and a market analysis related to existing venues, as well as establishing interest and potential usage of a new performing and visual arts venue in Carlsbad. On Oct. 22, 2019, staff presented the findings of the venue feasibility study to the City Council. The study concluded that a cultural facility with the following characteristics could be feasible in Carlsbad: •A 400-600 seat flexible performance space, a state-of-the-art facility •A venue that includes rehearsal, program and teaching spaces to support local arts groups as well as city meetings and private events •An outdoor performance and event space with the necessary infrastructure •An industrial arts space Further action will depend on the outcome of the selection of a site for a new City Hall/Civic Center. Develop a Mobile Outreach Strategy for the Cultural Arts Office Daily Life 1.1: Investigate the possibility of utilizing the city’s Mobile Stage for performance opportunities outside of the TGIF concert series including potential rentals as a revenue source. Community feedback indicated this solution would address the current lack of space for workshops and classes until another option, such as an arts venue, is available. The City Council authorized city staff to proceed with the mobile outreach strategy utilizing the city’s TGIF mobile stage and a possible newly programmed Arts Vehicle in its resolution at the June 26, 2018 meeting (Resolution No. 2018-118). The City Council allocated $90,000 to launch the effort, with the focus on staffing and related materials and supplies. In the first year, staff formulated a mobile arts education strategy, resulting in a short-term approach to mobile delivery with the existing resources of the TGIF stage and Family Open Studios at the Art in the Village (August 2018), as well as participation at the inaugural Carlsbad ArtWalk on Armada (September 2018) and a multi-cultural festival at Jefferson Elementary April 13, 2021 Item #7 Page 2 of 7 School (April 2019). Cultural Arts staff also researched mobile vehicle options, conducting site visits to similar vehicles and identified a preferred model for mobile delivery of arts programming. Status update for fiscal year 2020-21 The next three initiatives were approved by the City Council at the first annual update on May 7, 2019: Guest artist residencies Lifelong Learning 2.4: Create opportunities for guest artist residencies for master classes or other engagement events. The City Council approved an ongoing $50,000 per fiscal year to support guest artist residencies in fiscal year 2019-20. Guest residencies bring artists to Carlsbad for an extended period to offer community members an opportunity to interact with those artists in an array of events, including performances and workshops. The following residencies were presented: • North Coast Repertory Theater of Solana Beach presented a week-long musical theatre camp from July 22-26, 2019, for ages 12 to 14 that provided 20 students with a dynamic experience from the audition process through an admission-free performance of “School House Rock Live Jr.” for 100 family and friends. • Ken Waldman, Alaska’s Fiddler Poet, performed throughout Carlsbad from Oct. 8-12, 2019, including 13 events with a total audience of 585 at local schools, a homeless shelter and other locations. • Ray Li of Northwind dazzled audiences with his unique synthesis of technology, kinetics and music. He performed at Jefferson Elementary School and Carlsbad High School, including a talk-back session at each school. He also collaborated with local ensemble Litvak Dance to create an original performance piece for the Schulman Auditorium. During his five-day visit, over 340 local students and residents participated in events. • In conjunction with Cannon Gallery exhibit “Edges Frayed” on display March 1-Aug. 8, 2020, three virtual workshops during spring 2020 showcased three Southern California textile artists, Bhavna Mehta, Michelle Montjoy and Irma Sofia Poeter, in a material-rich presentation and demonstration about construction and connection. These virtual workshops, managed by Programs & Venues Coordinator Karen McGuire, in combination with a virtual gallery tour of the exhibit resulted in 986 views. Additional residencies planned for 2020 were cancelled due to the pandemic. STEAM pilot program Lifelong Learning 1.1: Leverage local partnerships to support STEM to STEAM learning initiatives with an initial pilot program with Carlsbad's Title I schools with an eventual goal of replication in schools across the city. The City Council approved an ongoing $45,000 per fiscal year to support STEAM programming. Cultural Arts staff partnered with three Carlsbad schools for kindergarten through fifth grades to develop STEAM programming with an eventual goal of replicating it at other Carlsbad Unified School District schools. Each school proposed a unique program for $15,000 in funding: • Jefferson Elementary: Sharing the Planet, utilizing the Sage Garden Nutrition program with elements such as the creation of an original cookbook. April 13, 2021 Item #7 Page 3 of 7 • Calavera Hills Elementary: The Harmony Project emphasizes awareness of global and environmental impact • Buena Vista Elementary: Art and innovation learning stations equipped with engineering materials and tools for creation of projects with a guest artist providing instruction and guidance. Agreements were being finalized when the pandemic started in March 2020. The projects were postponed until full instruction and operations resume at each school. As the pandemic continues into 2021, Cultural Arts staff are planning and developing curriculum for the second phase of STEAM programming comprised of offsite field trips for Carlsbad schools integrating environmental sciences and the arts at the Batiquitos Lagoon, launching in Fall 2022. Increase Community Arts Grants Funding Capacity Building 1.1: Increase community grant funding and support. At the May 7, 2019 update, the City Council confirmed the initiative recommendation of the plan by directing an annual increase in community arts grant funding of 10% a year for three years, followed by a review to determine whether an additional three years of funding increases are needed based on community demand (Resolution No. 2019-061). The first 10% increase was budgeted in fiscal year 2019-20, bringing the Community Arts Grants funding level to $88,000. The second 10% increase was deferred in fiscal year 2020-21, in response to fiscal challenges associated with the pandemic. Throughout both the calendar year 2020 and fiscal year 2021 grant cycles, staff worked with grantees to adapt to the realities of the pandemic, including bringing any significant changes in projects to the Arts Commission for review and approval. Here are the funding results for the last two years: Community Arts Grants Jan-June 2020 Sept 2020-Aug 2021 Applications 27 21 Funded projects 23 21 Eligible requests $114,303 $109,800 Total funding $88,000 $88,000 Status of additional Arts & Culture Master Plan initiatives The following four initiatives are part of the ongoing effort by staff to meet the timelines established by the Plan. While some initiatives require support and funding from City Council, others can be achieved with existing resources and via expanded programming. Daily Life 2.4: Support citywide recognition of October as Arts and Humanities Month In 2019 and 2020, the City Council approved a resolution designating October as Arts & Humanities Month. Cultural Arts staff scheduled an array of events, both in person and virtually as appropriate to the circumstances, in all genres including interactive art education projects, music performances and artist talk shows. Physical Realm 3.1: Establish a practice of including a Cultural Arts representative in preliminary concept development conversations about upcoming capital improvement projects. April 13, 2021 Item #7 Page 4 of 7 Depending on the funding source, most new capital improvement projects in the city include a budget allocation for public art equal to 1% of the project total. With a new public art coordinator in place in Fall of 2020, Cultural Arts issued a “Call to Artists” to select the city’s first embedded artist to consult with the design team of Veterans Memorial Park. Artist Michelle Montjoy was selected to advise and provide resource to city staff and the park design team. In collaboration with Cultural Arts Manager Richard Schultz and Public Art Coordinator Tonya Rodzach, Ms. Montjoy is participating in planning sessions focused on incorporating artistic elements into the overall park design and will provide support for both public outreach and artist selection. Other upcoming capital improvement projects with public arts components include Fire Station 2, the Chestnut freeway underpass and the Barrio roundabout. Physical Realm 2.1: Encourage and assist local businesses to support the creation of privately sponsored murals within Carlsbad Village and new developments throughout the city. Cultural Arts is collaborating with the Carlsbad Village Association to engage established artists to display a wide array of media in the storefronts of businesses in the Village. The city values an inclusive vision of the arts and culture in everyday life, while stimulating an expanding creative sector economy. Original and unique artistic creations, as temporary public art, spur dialogue and enhance the Village as destination. This pilot program is designed for replication in other areas of the city and serves as the basis for future explorations of the components in the initiative. Distinct Identities 1.1: Create a trail art program through a collaboration with city departments, local businesses and organizations that encourages wellness and enhances the outdoor experience. In partnership with the Parks & Recreation Department, Cultural Arts staff researched and conceptualized a new component to the city’s memorial program that would make available art cairns on trails to commemorate deceased loved ones. Cultural Arts staff worked with local artist Betsy Schulz to produce color renderings of the proposed memorial trail art. This is the first component of a larger trail art initiative identified in the master plan that will be expanded upon in the coming years such as at the future Veterans Memorial Park. Options Fiscal year 2021-22 initiatives for City Council consideration Staff is presenting for the City Council’s consideration the following four options that provide support for four Arts & Culture Master Plan initiatives. City staff is prepared to undertake these in fiscal year 2021-22, if so directed by the City Council: 1. Daily Life 1.1: Investigate the possibility of utilizing the city’s Mobile Stage for performance opportunities outside of the TGIF concert series including potential rentals as a revenue source. In the first year of funding, the City Council allocated $90,000 that was used for part-time staff to formulate a mobile arts education strategy including curriculum development, logistics, operations and scheduling, resulting in a short-term approach to mobile delivery with the existing resources of the TGIF stage and Family Open Studios at the Art in the Village in August 2018, as well as participation at the inaugural Carlsbad ArtWalk on Armada in September 2018 and a multi-cultural festival at Jefferson Elementary School in April 2019. A second year of funding for staffing in fiscal year 2019-20, was approved by the city manager during the carryforward budget process in October 2019, April 13, 2021 Item #7 Page 5 of 7 but only as a one-time expense.2 In fiscal year 2020-21, ongoing funding was deferred due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to resume arts education and outreach efforts, ongoing funding for this part-time staff is required. The cost of this staffing is $107,392. The $17,392 increase from the original $90,000 reflects an increase in the cost of requested staff. 2. Capacity Building 1.1: Increase community grant funding and support. The Arts & Culture Master Plan recommends an annual increase of 10% for three years followed by a review to determine whether additional increases in support of ongoing Community Arts Grants are needed. At the May 7, 2019, update, the City Council confirmed this recommendation (Resolution No. 2019-061). The first 10% increase was budgeted in fiscal year 2019-20, bringing the Community Arts Grants funding level to $88,000. The second 10% increase was deferred in fiscal year 2020-21, in response to fiscal challenges associated with the pandemic. Funding the deferred $9,680 Community Arts Grant amount will help to address the volume of requests that continue to outpace available grant funding. Staff will return to the City Council before the start of fiscal year 2022-23 to determine whether an additional three years of funding increases are needed based on community demand. 3. Physical Realm 3.3: Fund technology upgrades for the Cannon Art Gallery to enable the space to function at industry standards for presentation of art, audio programming and visitor support features. The gallery opened in September 1999 and has not had any Capital Improvement Projects upgrades, such as electrical, lighting, sound or data, since its opening nearly 22 years ago. In its current condition, the gallery is significantly out of sync with its industry. The gallery cannot host many regional and national touring exhibits that require specific lighting, electrical, sound, flooring, environmental controls and moveable walls. The gallery averages 2,500 to 3,000 attendees per exhibition, for a total of 10,000 to 12,000 attendees per year. Staff is requesting $50,000 to engage a qualified consultant to assess the current status of the gallery’s amenities, review current and future trends in presenting exhibitions and recommend best practices for developing a plan, process and timeline to upgrade the gallery space. This evaluation of operational needs and alignment with industry trends will be the first step in multi-year effort. The result of this assessment will be utilized to inform the design and plans for a gallery upgrade, which is tied to a proposed fiscal year 2021-22 Capital Improvement Project. 4. Daily Life 1.2: Procure an arts vehicle for city staff to deliver arts programming to locations throughout the city. Cultural Arts staff have researched mobile vehicle options, conducting site visits to similar vehicles and identifying a preferred model for mobile delivery of arts programming. Staff are recommending a recreational-style vehicle, 33-37 feet in length, featuring customized technology and including options to stage it as a classroom, a performance space or a mini-gallery. Staff anticipate a cost of up to $445,000 for the purchase of a mobile arts vehicle, which will take an estimated year for design, fabrication, and procurement. Cultural Arts staff will explore and have already received 2 A carryforward budget is the balance at the end of a prior fiscal year that has been rolled forward to the next fiscal year. April 13, 2021 Item #7 Page 6 of 7 interest in potential donations that could significantly offset the city-funded portion of the vehicle purchase. Staff are also aware that the purchase of a mobile arts vehicle represents a significant financial expenditure at a time of economic uncertainty and the City Council may desire to delay the purchase until a stronger economy returns. Staff recommend the City Council consider the four options and provide direction on which options the City Council would like staff to implement in fiscal year 2021-22. Fiscal Analysis Costs associated with the four options discussed above are listed below. Funding for the options directed by the City Council will be included in the city’s fiscal year 2021-22 operating budget. Option Description First-year cost Annual ongoing cost 1 Arts education outreach $107,392 $107,392 2 10% increase in community arts grants $9,680 N/A 3 Cannon Gallery study $50,000 N/A 4 Mobile arts vehicle $445,000 $9,822 Total $612,072 $126,894 Next Steps Staff will return to the City Council with a resolution reflecting the City Council’s direction and staff will initiate the development and implementation of the directed options. Environmental Evaluation (CEQA) In accordance with California Public Resources Code Section 21065, receiving this report does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act in that it has no potential to cause either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect change in the environment, and does not require environmental review. Public Notification and Outreach Public notice of this item was posted in keeping with the Ralph M. Brown Act and it was available for public viewing and review at least 72 hours before the scheduled meeting date. Exhibits None April 13, 2021 Item #7 Page 7 of 7 Arts & Culture Master Plan Annual Status Report Suzanne Smithson, Library & Cultural Arts Director Richard Schultz, Cultural Arts Manager April 13, 2021 Overview •A brief review of the Arts & Culture Master Plan •Highlights of fiscal years 2019-20 and 2020-21 •A preview of FY2021-22 •Request for direction on FY2021-22 initiatives 2 Plan History Development of the Plan (2015-2018) •Extensive community feedback •49 initiatives •Top Ten initiatives list •City Council approval: June 26, 2018 3 i...,. ......... t/l .. ""'•""--......,._._ _____ .. Q)-tJ1c....,,._,,.,.'-.., __ .. _.,.,,_ __ .....,""' -~ ....... .,.--. .. ,__._.,ol.._,_,...., .. llitot11t--., ............ ,..., ......... _...,_.,_. Pif017DQ. 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Predominant Themes 1.Support Art as an Essential Component of Daily Life 2.Foster Arts & Culture in the Physical Realm 3.Expand Arts & Culture Learning Opportunities 4.Establish Relationships that Support a Thriving Business Sector 5.Celebrate Carlsbad’s Unique History and Distinct Identities 6. Build Capacity within the Arts & Culture Sector 4 Accomplishments Cultural Facilities Needs Assessment •Accepted by City Council on Oct. 22, 2019 with these findings: o A 400-600 seat flexible performance space o A venue offering spaces to support performances, arts education, private events and city meetings o An outdoor performance and event space with the necessary infrastructure o An industrial arts space 5 September 2019 Cultural Facilities Needs Assessment Prepared for the City of Carlsbad, CA contact: Duncan Webb WebbManagementServices,lnc. 501 Fifth Avenue.Suite 1202 New York, NY 10017 12121929-5040 duncan@webbmgmt.org Guest Artist Residencies North Coast Repertory Theatre •One-week theatre camp •July 22-26, 2019 •Ages 12-14 •20 participants •Free community performance of Schoolhouse Rock Live Jr. 6 Guest Artist Residencies Ken Waldman Alaska’s Fiddler Poet October 8-12, 2019 •Carlsbad Senior Center •Carlsbad Village Faire •Pine Park Community Center •La Posada de Guadalupe Shelter •Pacific Ridge School 7 Guest Artist Residencies Ray Li, North Wind Technology-Infused Futuristic Music March 3-7, 2020 •Jefferson Elementary •Carlsbad High School •Original collaborative performance with local ensemble Litvak Dance in the Schulman Auditorium 8 Guest Artist Residencies Cannon Gallery exhibit Edges Frayed Virtual Workshops June-August 2020 Local textile artists: •Bhavna Mehta •Irma Sofia Poeter •Michelle Montjoy 9 Additional Initiatives •STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) o Three Title I Schools postponed the launch of their newly-developed programs due to the pandemic o Commenced research for Phase Two, an academic year program of field trips to a Carlsbad natural environment focused on grades K-5 with a community partner 10 Additional Initiatives Physical Realm 3.1: …including a Cultural Arts representative in preliminary concept development for capital improvement projects. o Veterans Memorial Park o Embedded artist Michelle Montjoy o Participating in design process 11 Additional Initiatives Physical Realm 2.1: …support the creation of murals within Carlsbad Village… •Collaborative temporary public art project with Carlsbad Village Association •Engage established artists to display a wide array of media in storefronts •Replicable for future expansion to other areas of the city 12 Fiscal Year 2021-22 Options •Mobile Arts Strategy Staffing •Community Arts Grants Increase •Cannon Gallery Upgrade Consultant •Mobile Arts Vehicle 13 Mobile Arts Strategy Staffing •Approved in fiscal years 2018-19 and 2019-20 •Support arts education outreach •Also supports participation in community events including Art in the Village and ArtWalk •Requested: $107,392 14 Community Arts Grant Increase •Arts & Culture Master Plan recommends a ten percent increase •Plan suggests three-year increments •Annual requests range from 30% to 50% more than available funds •Requested: $9,680 15 Cannon Gallery Upgrade PR 3.3 (Physical Realm): Fund technology upgrades for the Cannon Art Gallery to function at industry standards •Opened in 1999 •No upgrades during 2016 library renovation •Outdated track lighting •No sound system or power outlets in the walls •Requested: $50,000 (for consultant) 16 Mobile Arts Vehicle •Identified a preferred strategy to fulfill the number two initiative in the Top Ten. •A recreational style-vehicle with a multi-purpose interior serving visual and performing arts programs •Potential to bring arts programming including gallery- style presentations throughout Carlsbad. 17 Mobile Arts Vehicle Multi-purpose flexible interior 18 Taking the “show on the road” Mobile Arts Vehicle 19 Rather than a RV, it’s an ARTv! •Presents a high profile for the city and the arts •Three to four months for design •Eight to ten months for fabrication •33’ to 37’ custom recreational vehicle •Flexible art gallery and covered outdoor activity areas •Miminal set-up and breakdown •Requested: $445,000 Next Steps 20 •City Council to select the options for support •On City Council’s direction, staff will return with a resolution for approval •The selected options will be incorporated into the fiscal year 2021-22 budget process Fiscal Year 2021-22 Options Option Description First-year cost Annual Ongoing cost 1 Arts education outreach $107,932 $107,932 2 10% increase in community arts grants $ 9,680 3 Cannon Gallery technology study $ 50,000 N/A 4 Mobile arts vehicle $445,000 $ 9,822 Total $612,072 $126,894 21 Questions? 22