Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission Special Meeting - July 8, 2019

The Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission held a special meeting on July 8, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. at an alternate location. The Commission approved consent items, selected an artist for the Bruceville Road box wraps project, appointed liaisons to a new equity committee, and received updates on the Cultural Plan, Arts Consortium, and various committee reports. The meeting also included reports from the Director and Chair on budget advocacy, Measure U, and ongoing initiatives.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Commission Meeting Minutes (June 10, 2019): Approved unanimously.

Discussion Items

• Artist Selection for Bruceville Road Box Wraps Project: Staff presented the project, which involves 15 traffic signal boxes along Bruceville Road in District 8. Photographer Janine Marapunga was selected as the lead artist. The project includes partnerships with SMUD, MAC Road Partnership, Dignity Health, and Kaiser. Artist fee is $500 per box design, with an additional $500 per box for printing and installation. Commissioners commended the selection and discussed the need for acknowledgment of the Arts Commission and elected officials on the installations. The motion to approve passed unanimously.
• Cultural Equity Audit and Equity Committee Appointments: Director Jody Ulich reported on reconstituting the cultural equity task force into an ongoing advisory committee. Chair Steven Winlock and Commissioner Maya Wallace were appointed as commission liaisons. The commission will consider an alternate liaison later if needed. Motion passed unanimously.
• Update on Cultural Plan: Jody Ulich reported that staff is working on implementing the Creative Edge Plan, including new grant programs (creative economy, cultural equity, discretionary grants of $500–$1,000), an artists-in-residence program in community centers, and a film office assessment. These will go to the Grants Committee in July and back to the Commission in August.
• Arts Consortium Update: Chair Winlock reported that the consortium, comprising the city, school districts, and arts organizations, is focusing on arts education support. A $1 million state arts grant is being used to build capacity, e.g., Sacramento Children’s Chorus developing a "Chorus in a Box" program. A showcase event is planned for September 19, 2019.
• Advocacy and Outreach Committee Report: Commissioner Silva reported the committee discussed the cultural equity audit and the fiscal year 2020 budget allocation. The budget outline will be emailed to commissioners.
• Grants and Education Committee Report: Dr. Winlock reported on the committee’s June 25 meeting, covering the consortium update, the "Any Given Child" program progress, the art mapping project (one of five nationally funded), and the role of cultural equity in grant processes. A commissioner suggested a "Sacramento’s Got Talent" youth showcase, but staff noted partnering with existing events (e.g., Sacramento’s Day of Dance) might be more feasible.
• Art in Public Places Committee Report: Commissioner Ishmael reported the committee did not meet due to lack of quorum as two members were traveling.
• Director’s Report: Jody Ulich reported staff attendance at the Americans for the Arts Conference in Minneapolis, where Sacramento’s equity work gained national attention. Reopening of the Memorial Auditorium and artwork removal from the convention center were noted. The commission’s transition to a city-only body (Arts and Creative Economy Commission) is proceeding, with a council vote expected in August and implementation by January 2020. The cultural services manager recruitment is ongoing.
• Chair Person’s Report: Chair Winlock proposed sending a thank-you letter to city councilmembers for budget support, which the commission agreed to. He also discussed upcoming advocacy for Measure U funds (estimated $9–14 million needed for cultural arts) and a plan for annual presentations to the city council on the commission’s work.

Key Outcomes

• Approved consent calendar (minutes of June 10, 2019).
• Approved selection of artist Janine Marapunga for the Bruceville Road box wraps project (unanimous).
• Approved appointment of Chair Steven Winlock and Commissioner Maya Wallace as liaisons to the Equity Committee; alternate to be determined later (unanimous).
• Received and filed oral reports on the Cultural Plan, Arts Consortium, Advocacy and Outreach, Grants and Education, Art in Public Places, Director’s Report, and Chair’s Report.
• Agreed to draft and send a letter of thanks to city councilmembers for supporting the arts budget increase.
• Noted that the commission will explore advocacy roles for Measure U funding and seek a formal annual presentation to the city council.

No public comments were made. Commissioner comments included a report on a Home Depot kids art program and a note that the Crocker Art Museum mobile art event is postponed to April/May 2020.