Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission Meeting – March 11, 2019
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Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission Meeting – March 11, 2019
The Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission met on March 11, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. The meeting opened with a land acknowledgement by Eddie Navarro of the Native American Health Center, followed by a special presentation from Allison Cagley, Executive Director of the Friends of Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission. The majority of the meeting focused on the FY20 budget, where a $14.5 million funding request was not recommended for inclusion in the city manager’s budget, instead being referred to a Measure U committee for consideration in fall 2019. Commissioners and public speakers expressed strong disappointment and called for advocacy.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: The Commission unanimously approved the minutes from the February 11, 2019 meeting.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Allison Cagley, CFRE (Executive Director, Friends of Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission) presented the mission and goals of the newly independent Friends organization, which is committed to restoring arts education for all Sacramento County public school students. She highlighted the board of directors and the organization’s alignment with the Creative Edge Cultural Plan’s cultural equity statement.
- Dennis Mangers (private citizen and pro bono strategic advisor to the mayor on arts and culture) voiced his appalled reaction to the budget zeroing-out, stating that the Creative Edge plan was supposed to be a blueprint for investment. He recommended that the Commission push back and advocated for a city budget of $2.2 million plus an additional $6 million from Measure U, totaling the $6–9 million annually that the cultural plan calls for. He provided a copy of his proposed budget.
- Cook Singh (founder and owner of COWO Campus, a creative workspace in Midtown) expressed concern about the lack of funding for creativity and innovation, stating that his organization has made a significant impact without city support. He offered to pitch a collaboration to the Commission.
- Christina Martino (project manager for the River Crossing project by Joshua Sofair) introduced the participatory art project, which will include an open call for nominations for dock names in Sacramento and West Sacramento. She invited commissioners to serve as champions.
Discussion Items
- Metro Arts FY20 Budget (Oral Report): Director Jody Ulich reported that the $14.5 million budget request (all tied to the Creative Edge plan) was not recommended by the city manager. All requests will be referred to a Measure U committee in fall 2019. Commissioner Jason Silva noted that the per capita spending for grants alone is now 34 cents, the lowest in 15 years, and that the county split further reduces operating funds. Commissioner Lou Vismara requested a line-item comparison to past years. Commissioner Maya expressed disappointment and noted the de facto budget cut. Several commissioners emphasized the need for immediate advocacy.
- Arts Consortium Update: Chair Steven Winlock provided an update on the $1 million grant from the Sacramento County Office of Education, which is funding a nine-month community of practice. He distributed a handout showing how the grant addresses consortium goals. Commissioner William Ishmael reported positive observations from the Any Given Child program. Commissioner Vismara suggested adding outcome measures for student achievement.
- Update on Cultural Plan: Director Ulich reported that Metrous Arts Consulting was recommended to conduct a film office assessment (RFP had three respondents, panel included Commissioner Gilliam). The cultural equity audit continues with consultant Margie Reese visiting next week. The Youth Summit is scheduled for April 1 at B Street Theatre.
- Outreach and Advocacy Committee Report: Commissioner Jason Silva reported that the committee’s main focus has been budget advocacy, noting that positive feedback received earlier did not translate into funding.
- Grants and Education Committee Report: Commissioner Veronica Delgado reported on aligning the committee with the cultural plan and updates on the Any Given Child program.
- Art in Public Places Committee Report: Commissioner Silva (substituting for Commissioner Ishmael) reported that the Wings of the City installation has eight of nine pieces installed (one damaged in transit, being repaired) and that the Bruceville Road box wraps call to artists was issued, with a deadline of April 21, 2019. Commissioner Vismara raised concerns about the lack of press recognition for the commission’s work and requested a meeting with the city’s press liaison.
- Director’s Report: Director Ulich announced that the search for a Creative Cultural Services and Creative Economy Manager is underway, with a diverse candidate pool. Panels will include Skype interviews, an artist/creatives panel, and a final panel with commission members and city staff. The city’s diversity manager is involved.
- Chair’s Report: Chair Winlock expressed concern about the budget and proposed that the advocacy committee develop a strategy to push back. He also noted attendance at the Jewish Film Festival.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar: The February 11, 2019 meeting minutes were approved unanimously.
- Budget Referral: The Commission received and filed the Metro Arts FY20 budget report, noting the referral to Measure U. No formal vote was taken on the budget itself.
- Advocacy Direction: The Commission agreed to empower the Outreach and Advocacy Committee to develop a strategic advocacy plan, including timelines, contact points, and coordination with the Friends of Sacramento Arts and the business community. Commissioners were encouraged to reach out to council members, the mayor, and the city manager.
- Film Office: The RFP award to Metrous Arts Consulting was noted; contract is pending.
- Cultural Plan: The equity audit and youth summit are proceeding as scheduled.
- Press Visibility: Staff will arrange for the city’s press liaison to meet with the Commission to discuss improving media coverage.
- Commissioner Comments: Ideas included leveraging social media, hosting a public meet-and-greet, and exploring grant opportunities from foundations. Commissioner Vismara suggested connecting arts with homelessness initiatives.
- Meeting Adjourned: The meeting adjourned without a formal motion.
Meeting Transcript
Present. Here. Michael Marion. Steve Winlock. Here. William Ishmael. Veronica Delgado. Here. Matthew Gilliam. Present. Okay. We have a quorum. Thank you. Okay. I just want to say a few words. As Eddie, you can come up to the podium. Across the state and hopefully across the country, lots of organizations are recognizing the contribution of the native peoples that have lived on the land from which we are operating. And so I wanted to continue that effort here as part of our efforts with the race and cultural equity task force and the cultural equity audit and our ongoing effort to broaden cultural equity efforts within the city. So I reached out to the Sacramento Native American Health Center, which does a lot of work with urban Indian populations in this region. And they connected us with uh Eddie Navarro, who is at the podium right now. He's a local artist and photographer himself, and he is going to say a few words for to sort of bless our efforts. Thank you, Eddie. Thank you. When I think of that, I think of being here before all of this through my bloodline. And what we see here today is, you know, we see all these buildings and we see all this stuff. But before then, there were a people that existed here way before us, and before this building was put in this place. Because as an artist myself, and what you guys are trying to accomplish is uh how I look at it in my way is restoring balance. Uh when I take a picture, I see something that may be negative to somebody else, but I turn it into something that's uh not seen every day in a positive way in a positive light. And um, so as artists, I think our soul connects uh to this universe, um, to the land. When we take uh we're dealing with landscapes and whatever you're dealing with, you know, we our creativity. Um we call uh you know, in my way, uh Tukashla or uh Wankantanka, the great mystery, the creator. And so as artists, we're also creators, and so it's been an honor to ask that I come in uh to say a few words. Um so I asked, you know, to Kashla, uh the creator of great spirit to uh to bless this meeting and bless everything that we try to accomplish and also acknowledging those that were here before us, um understanding that they are a very important part of this plan uh of what you see here, um, acknowledging that uh before all of us they were uh before and um and trying to take because before this this was all beautiful, this was art, right? Uh and sometimes we we polluted it as people. Um so going into this explaining to them that what you're trying to accomplish to make beautiful again uh to their presence, asking for their permission to to have that blessing upon us and upon uh your plans and everything that you guys are trying to accomplish. So Tekashla, uh Grace Burr, we ask these things, we ask that you just be here with this meeting and give guidance uh and and bring that beauty back and that culture um all the way around Sacramento. We're a very diverse place, and so to see these things, uh uh whether what neighborhood, whether in North Sacramento, South Sacramento, to to understand that new culture here, uh the new relatives here, understanding that you know we have people that uh that are in this place to uh to to bring beauty back to this city. Um and I uh I just ask that uh uh to Kashla that you just have your way and that you uh uh and the ancestors here um again uh like the sister said from this city to the next state to the next state um across uh because art is very important. Um it tells stories and it uh that we don't see anymore. I got old pictures when that was the old Woolworths and all the the mall right there, the old Arden. Nobody, some people will never see those things. So to capture whatever you capture and to bring that beauty back to the city, we ask that blessing upon uh oh with you, all of my relationship. Thank you, Dr. Yes. Well, first of all, Mr. Navarro, thank you for your eloquent comments and your blessing. I have a very simple question or a specific question, if I could. Are there three things that we as a commission could do to assist you and other artists in the community and to really take action in terms of the blessings and the visions that you've provided for us? Would you mind coming to the microphone so we can hear you? Because I I always think it's really great to take visions, but to try to implement them into action.
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