HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-10-12; City Council; ; Arts and Culture District for Village and BarrioCA Review __AF__
Meeting Date:
To:
From:
Staff Contact:
Subject:
District:
Oct. 12, 2021
Mayor and City Council
Scott Chadwick, City Manager
Suzanne Smithson, Library & Cultural Arts Director
suzanne.smithson@carlsbadca.gov, 760-602-2010
Richard Schultz, Cultural Arts Manager
richard.schultz@carlsbadca.gov, 760-602-2086
Arts and Culture District for Village and Barrio
1
Recommended Action
Receive a report on the options for an arts and cultural district for the Village and Barrio and
provide staff with direction as appropriate.
Executive Summary
The City Council approved a motion on Feb 11, 2020, directing staff to initiate a State Street
Arts Specific Plan with New Village Arts, the stage theater company that operates the theater
on State Street.
Staff’s subsequent research found that arts and cultural establishments are spread widely
throughout the Village and Barrio areas, not only on State Street. This broader geographical
base led staff to the concept of designating an arts and culture district for the entire area,
rather than developing a plan specific to State Street. Such a measure would not alter existing
planning regulations in the area, but would recognize the city’s historic center for its creative
contributions and carry out the intent of the council’s direction by making a clear statement of
the city’s support for the arts and culture.
Staff recommend that the City Council consider the options presented for a creative sector and
cultural district and provide direction to staff as appropriate.
Discussion
The City Council’s Feb. 11 motion directed staff to initiate a State Street arts specific plan with
New Village Arts. The motion followed a discussion of the city’s partnership with the theater
company. Staff reached out to New Village Arts and the group expressed its interest and
enthusiasm for the concept and deferred to city staff’s expertise in handling the details of
developing the plan.
Oct. 12, 2021 Item #9 Page 1 of 9
Further thought, discussion and research by staff led to an expanded concept that includes not
only local arts organizations, but also other enterprises defined by creativity to designate the
entire Village and Barrio area, not just a portion of State Street, as a creative sector and cultural
district. This district would celebrate all forms of creativity in the city’s historic center and
demonstrate the city’s commitment to innovation, ingenuity and the arts.
Designating a creative sector and cultural district also aligns with a national emphasis among
cities on creative placemaking, which has prompted communities to reassess the role and value
of arts and culture and to examine the types of skills, connections and capacities needed to
harness the potential of their arts and cultural assets. According to the National Endowment for
the Arts, creative placemaking integrates arts, culture and design activities into efforts that
strengthen communities with partnerships across sectors.
Industries associated with the creative sector are best described as having creativity at their
heart. These types of businesses include design, music, publishing, architecture, film and video,
crafts, visual arts, fashion, media, advertising, literature, computer games and the performing
arts. In addition, businesses that represent the culinary arts are an excellent complement to any
creative sector and cultural district. The same spirit of creativity defines the culinary arts, and
having nearby dining opportunities helps attract people to cultural destinations.
A creative sector and cultural district could contribute to Carlsbad's goals to strengthen the
city’s strong and diverse economy and its position as an employment hub in the North County.
Such a district could:
•Enhance and advance the local and regional image of Carlsbad as a creative hub
•Further support the promotion and development of the Village and Barrio’s unique
attributes
•Help attract businesses to the area, expanding the tax base
•Make the area even more attractive to potential employers and employees, both
within and outside of the creative sector
Staff had a recent conversation with New Village Arts to share this expanded vision
encompassing the creative sector and cultural district as defined by arts organizations and
activities. New Village Arts again expressed ongoing support for the concept.
California arts districts
The Legislature charged the California Arts Council with establishing the criteria and guidelines
for state-designated cultural districts. (See the California Cultural Districts site for more
information.) A cultural district, as outlined by the program, is a well-defined geographic area
with a high concentration of cultural resources and activities. Such a district:
•Attracts artists, creative entrepreneurs and cultural enterprises
•Encourages economic development and supports entrepreneurship in the creative
community
•Encourages the preservation and reuse of historic buildings and other artistic and
culturally significant structures
•Fosters local cultural development
•Provides a focal point for celebrating and strengthening the unique cultural identity of
the community
Oct. 12, 2021 Item #9 Page 2 of 9
• Promotes opportunity without generating displacement or expanding inequality
The selection of the state’s first cultural districts, in 2017, was based on these criteria:
• High concentration of artistic, cultural, heritage or entertainment resources
• Partners reflect broader community
• Authentic community engagement
• Clearly defined leadership
• Professional personnel dedicated to district operations and programming
Fourteen districts received an initial five-year designation as part of a pilot program and were
each awarded $5,000 stipends per year for two years as an incentive to participate in the pilot.
Three cultural districts were selected in San Diego County: Balboa Park, Barrio Logan and
Oceanside.
Cultural districts in San Diego County
Cultural district Area Description
Balboa Park 1,200 acres
The cultural center of San Diego, with
several museums and other attractions,
including the San Diego Zoo
Barrio Logan
Approximately five by
10 blocks, including
Cesar Chavez Park
A vibrant artists' community with a high
concentration of creative energy rooted
in Chicano history
Oceanside
Approximately eight
by 11 blocks, including
the Oceanside pier
A downtown area with theaters,
museums, galleries and a hub of
practicing artists
In reviewing all the fourteen cultural districts and particularly those in San Diego County, staff
found one common theme: each district was conceptualized to reflect the character, the
history and the needs of the defined geographic area. This same perspective could be applied in
defining the Village and Barrio area as a creative sector, showcasing the diversity of creative
businesses in the area, both nonprofit and profit, old and new, traditional and cutting-edge.
Carlsbad’s Village and Barrio area may meet the requirements of the state’s Cultural Arts
District application. The California Arts Council had previously stated that the cultural district
program would reopen for new applicants in 2020. But the program has been put on hold
because of the pandemic, and a new timeframe has not been established for its reactivation.
City staff are awaiting an announcement on when the program is to be restarted.
The city could designate a creative sector and cultural district on its own and then later apply
for the cultural district designation from the state, if and when that program goes back into
operation.
Existing city master plans
In looking into the possible creation of a creative sector and cultural district, staff gave
consideration to the potential impact on both the Arts & Culture Master Plan and the Village &
Barrio Master Plan. Through each plan’s priorities, initiatives and ideas, the two plans have set
the stage for the development of a creative sector and cultural district in Carlsbad.
Oct. 12, 2021 Item #9 Page 3 of 9
Arts & Culture Master Plan
The city’s Arts & Culture Master Plan supports and recognizes the value of a strong arts and
culture community as an integral part of daily life. Creating a creative sector and cultural district
aligns with the plan’s strategic priorities:
1. Support art as an essential component of daily life
2. Foster arts and culture within the physical realm
3. Expand arts and 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 and culture sector
One strategy listed in the plan to achieve the fourth of those goals calls for the city to
“Strategize with arts allies in the business community to take a leadership role in the
development of the arts and culture sector.”
Establishing the proposed district would also help carry out two of the plan’s four primary
goals, to “promote Carlsbad as a vital cultural destination” and “Establish relationships that
support a creative and thriving local arts and culture ecosystem …”
Fostering the continuing health and growth of the city’s creative sector can have more than
cultural benefits. Vibrant arts and creative amenities have been shown to attract businesses
and prospective employees, and to be one measure of the economic health of a community.
Village & Barrio Master Plan
Throughout the Village & Barrio Master Plan, the arts and creative experiences are cited as key
factors in creating an area that is engaging for residents and visitors. For example, in section
1.5.4 Placemaking, the plan advocates for the creation of magnetic public spaces for arts and
culture, civic and other activities, including public art and visual and performing arts
experiences. Staff recommend revising the plan to create a new section 1.5.5 that would focus
on supporting and encouraging a creative sector and cultural district throughout the Village and
Barrio area, already home to numerous creative businesses and cultural organizations (See
Exhibit 1, list of existing creative sector and cultural businesses in the Village and Barrio area).
The Community Development and Library & Cultural Arts departments could work together to
incorporate this new section into the next planned phase of amendments to the Village &
Barrio Master Plan.
Options
Staff offer the following options for the City Council’s consideration:
Option 1: Expand the boundaries of the proposed district from just State Street to a wider
area including the entire Village and Barrio area.
Pro
• This approach would include and support a greater number of creative sector
and cultural businesses
• Larger area enhances the district as a cultural tourism destination
Con
• Less geographically focused creative sector and cultural district
• Strays from the intent of the original minute motion
Oct. 12, 2021 Item #9 Page 4 of 9
Option 2: Direct staff to amend the Village & Barrio Master Plan to create a new section 1.5.5
that focuses on supporting and encouraging a creative sector and cultural district throughout
the Village and Barrio area. Community Development and Cultural Arts staff would work
together for the addition of section 1.5.5 which would be incorporated into the next planned
phase of amendments to the Village & Barrio Master Plan.
Pro
• Provides alignment between the creative sector and cultural district and the
existing Village & Barrio Master Plan
• Creative sector and cultural district would benefit from the structure and
resources associated with the Village & Barrio Master Plan
Con
• The many priorities of the Village & Barrio Master Plan may overshadow the
goals of a creative sector and cultural district
• Unintended consequences to businesses resulting from additional focus on
creative and cultural elements
Option 3: Pursue a state designation as a Cultural District for the Village and Barrio once
the program is restarted.
Pro
• The city could align with a state-wide program and benefit from any state
promotion of the program
• Encourages a thoughtful and measured approach to developing the concept over
time and provides for opportunities for an ongoing community-wide dialogue
about the role and prominence of the creative sector in Carlsbad
Con
• It’s not known when the California Arts Council’s Cultural Districts program will
be restarted
• The concept in Carlsbad may not meet the requirements of the California Arts
Council
Option 4: Take no action.
Pro
• Provides an option to revisit the concept at a future time
• Staff time remains focused on the Arts & Culture Master Plan initiatives already
underway
Con
• The city would not make a symbolic statement of its commitment to arts and
culture and the creative sector
Staff recommendation
Establishing a creative sector and cultural district would help create a unifying identity for the
Village and Barrio as an area that supports, promotes and celebrates creativity in its many
forms. Staff recommend that the City Council direct staff to pursue Option 1 and Option 2,
while also directing Option 3, with recognition of the timing suggested in Option 3.
Oct. 12, 2021 Item #9 Page 5 of 9
Fiscal Analysis
No current fiscal impact.
Next Steps
Staff will move forward with implementation of the City Council’s direction.
Environmental Evaluation
According to 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
This item was noticed 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
1. List of existing creative sector and cultural businesses in the Village and Barrio area
Oct. 12, 2021 Item #9 Page 6 of 9
EXHIBIT 1
Village & Barrio Area
Creative Sector and Cultural Businesses
Arts & Culture
Front Porch Gallery – 2903 Carlsbad Boulevard
Carlsbad Inn Art Walk – 3075 Carlsbad Boulevard
Spin Records – 202 Grand Avenue
Certainty Theatre – 2802 State Street
New Village Arts – 2782 State Street
Taylor Gallegos Murals & Fine Art – 2680 State Street
Phes Gallery Fine Art & Craft – 2633 State Street
Carlsbad Dance Center – 2562 State Street
Carlsbad Village Music – 505 Carlsbad Village Drive
Carlsbad Dance Centre – 2808 Roosevelt Street
Jill Seymour Open Art Studio – 2956 Roosevelt Street
Lynn Forbes Gallery – 300 Carlsbad Village Drive
North Coastal Art Gallery – 300 Carlsbad Village Drive
Farenheit 451 Books & Art – 325 Carlsbad Village Drive
Senor Grubbys Mural Wall – 377 Carlsbad Village Drive
Food & Beverage/Culinary Arts
Humble Olive Oils – 2922 State Street
Pure Project – 2825 State Street
Carruth Cellars Winery & Tasting Room – 2727 State Street
Campfire – 2725 State Street
Jeune et Jolie – 2659 State Street
Costa Azul Winery – 3195 Tyler Street
Oct. 12, 2021 Item #9 Page 7 of 9
EXHIBIT 1
Buddha Teas – 3305 Tyler Street
Gelato Love – 300 Carlsbad Village Drive
Pizza Port Brewing Co. – 571 Carlsbad Village Drive
French Café & Bakery – 1005 Carlsbad Village Drive
Carlsbad Danish Bakery – 2805 Roosevelt Street
Science & Technology
Warner Bros. Games – 2742 State Street
Tyra Biosciences – 2658 State Street
Professional Services
Indigo Post-Media Design Studio – 3044 Harding Street
ADL Planning Associates-Planning Services – 2979 State Street
Wright Design-Architecture – 2911 State Street
Defy Digital-Website Design – 2911 State Street
Elegance Talent Agency & Model Management – 2763 State Street
Larry Walker Associates-Water Resources – 785 Grand Avenue
Stetson Engineers-Water Resources – 785 Grand Avenue
Daedalus Design Group-Landscape Architect – 2725 Jefferson Street
Tributary Landscape- Landscape Architect – 2725 Jefferson Street
Industrial Arts
Kylle Sebree Studios-Furniture – 3125 Tyler Street
Raw Edge Design-Wood Working – 3200 Block Roosevelt Street
barrio glasswork-hot glass studio & gallery – 3060 Roosevelt Street
Byrnes Co.-Furniture Restoration – 2698 State Street
Handled Pottery Studio – 2680 State Street
Oct. 12, 2021 Item #9 Page 8 of 9
EXHIBIT 1
EvrBottle-Materials Reuse – 2680 State Street
Paul Henry Furniture – 2633 State Street
History
Carlsbad Historical Society History Museum – 258 Beech Avenue
Barrio Museum – 3804 Roosevelt Street
Live Music
Coyote Bar & Grill – 300 Carlsbad Village Drive
Le Papagayo – 660 Carlsbad Village Drive
Witch Creek Winery – 2906 Carlsbad Boulevard
Boar Cross’n – 390 Grand Avenue
The Alley – 421 Grand Avenue
Hennessey’s Tavern – 2777 Roosevelt Street
Oct. 12, 2021 Item #9 Page 9 of 9
Arts & Culture District for
Village & Barrio
Suzanne Smithson Richard Schultz
Director Cultural Arts Manager
Library & Cultural Arts Library & Cultural Arts
Oct. 12, 2021
{city of
Carlsbad
TODAY’S PRESENTATION
•Review of Minute Motion
•An Expanded Focus
•Background Information
•City Council Options
•Staff Recommendation
{city of
Carlsbad
MINUTE MOTION
•Feb. 11, 2020
•Directed staff with no certain date to
initiate a State Street Arts Specific Plan
with New Village Arts
{city of
Carlsbad
EXPANDED FOCUS
•Create a creative sector and cultural
district
•Define the area with a designation that
includes the entire Barrio and Village
•Supports an inclusive approach
{city of
Carlsbad
WHAT ARE CREATIVE SECTOR BUSINESSES?
•Design, publishing and architecture
•Film/video, crafts and fashion
•Media, advertising and computer games
•Culinary and visual and performing arts
{city of
Carlsbad
POTENTIAL GOALS
•Advance Carlsbad as a creative and cultural hub
•Further support the Village and Barrio’s unique attributes
•Help attract businesses and expanding the tax base
•Foster local cultural development
{city of
Carlsbad
STATE CULTURAL DISTRICTS
Criteria to establish 14 districts in 2017:
•High concentration of artistic, cultural,
heritage or entertainment resources
•Partners reflect broader community
•Authentic community engagement
•Clearly defined leadership
•Professional personnel dedicated to
district operations and programming
CALIFORNIA
ARTS COUNCIL
A STATE AGENCY
{city of
Carlsbad
ARTS & CULTURE MASTER PLAN
A new creative sector and cultural district:
•Promotes Carlsbad as a vital cultural
destination
•Establishes relationships that support a
creative and thriving local arts and culture
ecosystem
Arts & Culture Master Plan
June2018
(city of
Carlsbad
{city of
Carlsbad
VILLAGE & BARRIO MASTER PLAN
A new creative sector and cultural district:
•Engages residents and visitors through arts
and creative experiences
•Activates section 1.5.4 Placemaking for the
creation of magnetic public spaces for arts
and culture, civic and other activities
{city of
Carlsbad
OPTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION
{city of
Carlsbad
OPTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION
Option 1
Expand the boundaries of the proposed district from just State
Street to a wider area including the entire Village and Barrio
area.
{city of
Carlsbad
OPTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION
Option 2
Direct staff to amend the Village & Barrio Master Plan to create
a new section 1.5.5 that focuses on supporting and encouraging
a creative sector and cultural district throughout the Village and
Barrio area, at the time when amendments are advanced.
{city of
Carlsbad
OPTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION
Option 3
Pursue a state designation as a Cultural District for the Village
and Barrio once the program is restarted.
{city of
Carlsbad
OPTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION
Option 4
City Council could take no action.
{city of
Carlsbad
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
•Establishing a creative sector and cultural district would
help create a unifying identity for the Village and Barrio as
an area that supports, promotes and celebrates creativity in
its many forms.
•Direct staff to pursue Options 1 and 2, while also directing
Option 3, with recognition of the timing suggested.
{city of
Carlsbad
QUESTIONS?
{city of
Carlsbad