Sacramento Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission Meeting - April 12, 2021
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Sacramento Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission Meeting - April 12, 2021
The Sacramento Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission met on Monday, April 12, 2021, at 2:00 PM. The meeting included approval of prior minutes, a discussion and vote on a $100,000 grant to Capital Public Radio for its new community engagement center, a detailed oral report on the state of the creative economy with pre-pandemic data and COVID-19 impact survey results, and reports from the director and chairperson. Commissioners also received a message from Vice Mayor Jay Shaneer about a new youth commissioner position.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of March 8, 2021 Meeting Minutes – The commission passed a motion unanimously to approve the minutes.
Discussion Items
- Capital Public Radio Facilities Grant – Melissa Cirone (Arts Coordinator) presented a staff report recommending approval of a $100,000 grant to Capital Public Radio for its new Sutter Health Center for Community Engagement at 1010 8th Street. The grant was originally approved in 2016 but reconfigured due to project changes. Shirley Tully from Capital Public Radio answered commissioner questions about the space's configuration, rental rates for community groups, civil dialogue programming, and digital/broadcast readiness. The commission voted unanimously to approve the grant and receive and file the report.
- State of the Creative Economy (Oral Report) – Megan Van Voorhis (Cultural and Creative Economy Manager) presented data from the Creative Vitality Suite and a COVID-19 impact survey conducted in partnership with Americans for the Arts. Pre-pandemic (2019) data showed 23,000 creative industry jobs in Sacramento proper with over $1.2 billion in associated earnings. Key sectors included independent artists/writers/performers (4,000 jobs), broadcasting, and advertising. Self-employed workers accounted for 10,500 jobs. The COVID impact survey (44 respondents, mostly nonprofits) reported approximately 770,000 lost attendance, $25 million in cuts to expenditures, and 56% feeling very or extremely confident of survival. Many organizations used furloughs and salary cuts. The report also highlighted the need for cash, audiences, and marketing to reopen. Commissioners discussed the importance of using this data for advocacy, especially regarding federal stimulus funds (American Rescue Plan).
- Director’s Report – Megan Van Voorhis reported on site visits to SAC Dance Lab, Unseen Heroes HQ, and Sojourner Truth Museum. She noted that the city council requested a review of monument policy and the percent for art ordinance, including potential local artist preferences. Commissioners raised concerns about equity, balancing local and national artists, and ensuring funds reach underserved areas.
- Chairperson’s Report – Dr. Steven Winlock reported on a meeting with the mayor, the formation of an education consortium, and encouraged commissioners to meet with their city council members. Vice Mayor Jay Shaneer (via recorded message) announced the creation of a youth commissioner position and asked commissioners to help mentor the youth appointee.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Shira (The Atrium) – Expressed gratitude for the data and work of the commission, highlighted the importance of supporting independent creatives and vendors at events, and noted that the CARES X fund helped build an online marketplace that paid creatives $35,000 in three months, serving 24,000 visitors.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar – Motion to approve March 8, 2021 minutes passed unanimously.
- Capital Public Radio Facilities Grant – Motion to approve the grant and receive and file the staff report passed unanimously.
- State of the Creative Economy – Received and filed as an oral report.
- Director’s Report – Received and filed; staff will pursue reviews of monument policy and the percent for art ordinance.
- Chairperson’s Report – Received and filed; commissioners will continue meeting with council members.
- Next Steps – The commission will discuss concepts for using American Rescue Plan funds at the next meeting on May 10, 2021. Commissioners were urged to gather input from their districts.
- Public Comment – No formal action; comments received for information.
Meeting Transcript
Well hey, it's quite the Hollywood Squares here. Hey. So nice. I'm showing off my theater. I call it my theater schools. Yes. Pretty little spacer. Okay, we can start the session. All right. So do I count down, Madeline? No, we can start now. Great. All right. I'd like to open our um arts and cultural and creative economy uh agenda. Uh it's Monday, April 12th, and we're opening at 202. I just always like to make sure, thank you guys for being all here on time. Uh Madam, would you uh please do roll test? Thank you. Good afternoon, everybody. Rick Gott. Here Cecily Hastings. Sounds like she's connecting to audio. Okay. Cruz Naranjo. Here Andrea Lapor. Here. Isela Perez. Here. Donnie Blumenstock. Here. Luisa Lavulo. Dr. Dr. Stephen Winloch. Here. Priscilla Enriquez. Here. Dr. Melinda Wilson Raimi. We have a quorum. Thank you so much. And I see a Shirley Tully. Do we need to call her in? Yeah, she's gonna be here. Yeah, hi Shirley. Thanks for joining us. Um she's gonna be for the second agenda item where we're discussing the uh Capital Project grant. So we ask Shirley to be available for the meeting. Great. Always great to see you.
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