Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission Meeting - August 12, 2019

The Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission met on Monday, August 12, 2019, at 6:00 p.m. in open session. The meeting focused on the Creative Economy Pilot Project report, approval of FY2020 grant guidelines for three programs, a new artist-in-residence pilot, the selection of an art concept for the Convention Center Plaza, and updates on the Cultural Plan and Arts Consortium. Public comment raised concerns about artist exploitation, grant accessibility, and local artist representation.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of July 8, 2019 Meeting Minutes: Motion passed unanimously to approve the minutes from the July 8, 2019 commission meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Irma Barbose (local artist): Expressed concern about the stability and community-based measurement of the Cultural Equity Investment Grant program, requesting that it align with broader community needs and measurable outcomes.
• Jade Nicole (United Artists Council): Called for accountability in the arts community, emphasizing that underserved communities must not be treated as a buzzword and that outreach has been insufficient in areas like Del Paso Heights, Meadow View, Oak Park, and South Sacramento. Also urged preference for local artists from those communities in the Artist in Residence program.
• Carl Robinson (Black Zebra organization): Argued that the three-year operation requirement for cultural equity grants could exclude new and emerging organizations with sound plans, and stressed that organizational cultural diversity should reflect a blend of cultures, not just race.
• David Lorette Mola (local artist): Expressed gratitude but raised concerns about tax implications of creative economy grants (i.e., full grant amount taxed even if not all used) and noted that reporting oversight was weak.
• Mina Perez (CEO, Vida de Odo Foundation): Announced her foundation's move into the Wonderbread Building to create a cultural art center, and expressed intent to support underserved artists, citing safety and fairness issues among artists.

Discussion Items

• Creative Economy Pilot Project Report (Oral): Raymond Gargano presented findings from an evaluation by Third Plateau. The pilot, funded with $500,000, received over 500 applications, funded 57 projects (13 at $25,000; 44 at $5,000). It ran from January 2017 to November 2018. Key impacts: ~35,000 event participants, $214,000 paid in salaries, 71% of projects continued, net surplus of $448,000. Recommendations included creating a theory of change, revising applications, improving communication, and possibly shifting from "creative economy" to "creative placemaking."
• Creative Economy Grant Guidelines (FY2020): Approved $300,000 in project grants ($15,000 or $25,000 each) for projects with economic and social impact in underserved communities, open to individual artists, enterprises, businesses, nonprofits, and public institutions. Incorporated lessons from the pilot evaluation.
• Cultural Equity Investment Grant Guidelines (FY2020): Approved $225,000 to fund three organizations per year for three years (first year $75,000, then $50,000, then $30,000) for capacity building. Eligible nonprofits: budgets under $500,000 and 3+ years of operation. Includes mentorship and cohort model.
• Cultural Equity Grant Guidelines (FY2020): Approved $100,000 for project grants of $5,000 or $10,000 for small nonprofits (budgets under $500,000, 3+ years of operation). The commission noted a future discussion on the three-year requirement.
• Artist in Residence Program Qualifications (Oral): Melissa Cirone presented a one-year pilot program with the Department of Youth, Parks, and Community Enrichment, placing artists in 8 community sites (one per council district). Artists receive a stipend (at least $12,000) and materials fee; RFQ will open in August 2019. The program emphasizes local artists with community knowledge.
• Artist and Design Concept for Sacramento Convention Center Plaza: Lennee Eller presented artist Jiayi Young's concept, "Human Rock," a moon-rock-inspired interactive sculpture with lighting synced to moon phases and an audible "hum of the universe." Budget approximately $300,000. Commission approved moving forward to final concept and budget.
• Update on Cultural Plan: Director Jody Ulich reported on ordinance changes to transition the commission to city-only (first hearing Sept 3, vote Sept 10), and the hiring of a consultant to develop a film office (meetings Aug 20-21).
• Arts Consortium Update: Dr. Steven Winlock reported on an arts education grant ending September 19, 2019, with a celebration/event to share accomplishments.

Committee Reports

• Grants and Education Committee: Veronica Delgado reported that the committee met and enthusiastically discussed the new grant programs, emphasizing technical assistance for applicants and sustainability.
• Other Committee Reports: Advocacy and Outreach and Art in Public Places reported no meetings or issues.

Key Outcomes

• Approved July 8, 2019 minutes (unanimous).
• Approved Creative Economy Grant Guidelines (motion passed).
• Approved Cultural Equity Investment Grant Guidelines (motion passed).
• Approved Cultural Equity Grant Guidelines (motion passed).
• Approved selection of Jiayi Young and design concept for Convention Center Plaza (motion passed).
• Received and filed reports on Creative Economy Pilot, Artist in Residence program, Cultural Plan update, and Arts Consortium update.
• Next Steps: Grant applications open August 19, 2019, due October 10, 2019; workshops scheduled for September 10, 17, and 18. RFQ for Artist in Residence closes September 30, 2019. Next commission meeting set for September 9, 2019 at 2 p.m.

Note: The agenda listed the Creative Economy Pilot Project report as discussion item #2, but the transcript indicates it was presented. The agenda also included a duplicate item for Cultural Equity Grant Guidelines (item #5 and #5), though the commission addressed the one item once.