Sacramento Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission Meeting - October 11, 2021
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Sacramento Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission Meeting - October 11, 2021
The Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission met virtually on October 11, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. to discuss the Creative Economy Manager's first year, receive the Director's and Chairperson's reports, and hear public testimony. The meeting was held via Zoom due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes (September 13, 2021): A motion to approve passed with Vice Chair Blumenstock abstaining.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 2 – Reflections on Creative Economy Manager’s First Year: Richard Falcon, executive director of Teatro Nahua, expressed support for the partnership with Megan Van Voorhis and urged commissioners to revisit the 2017 cultural equity task force statement, noting that it is not being fully implemented.
- Item 3 – Director’s Report: Marie Acosta, speaking on behalf of a statewide coalition, opposed the California Arts Council’s proposed decentralization, stating it would cut Sacramento funding by over $300,000 and disproportionately harm BIPOC organizations. She requested the commission send a letter to the CAC. Richard Falcon echoed her concerns, urging the commission not to support the proposal without further discussion.
Discussion Items
- Reflections on Creative Economy Manager’s First Year (Item 2): Megan Van Voorhis reported on key achievements: securing a $500,000 mid-year allocation (with $189,000 for teaching artists, $280,000 for mentors, $60,000 for administration), a $2.6 million annual budget augmentation ($2 million for community investments), and partnerships with the county, Visit Sacramento, and other city departments. Challenges included a fractured support ecosystem, cost recovery policies hindering public art, burdensome permitting for live entertainment, and the need for sustainable funding beyond federal dollars. Commissioners praised the progress and raised concerns about equity, communications, and permit complexity. Commissioner Perez offered pro bono graphic design work to improve social media engagement.
- Director’s Report (Item 3): Van Voorhis highlighted policy barriers such as the business occupancy tax burden on artists, insurance requirements, and ongoing work on guidelines, panelist recruitment, and a new community arts match fund. She noted progress on the CalTrans transportation art project and a pending $500,000 NEA grant for individual artists. The California Arts Council decentralization proposal sparked discussion: Commissioner Naranjo requested more data before taking a position, while Commissioner Enriquez clarified the commission had not voted on the matter and noted the proposal’s complexity.
- Chairperson’s Report (Item 4): Chair Winlock thanked the mayor for supporting arts and culture, celebrated the opening of the community theater (featuring Hamilton), and announced plans for a strategic planning retreat for commissioners. Commissioners discussed the need for district tours, visits to the new theater, and renewed engagement with community events.
Key Outcomes
- Consent calendar minutes approved.
- All discussion items were received and filed; no formal votes were taken.
- Commissioner Naranjo suggested tabling any decision on the California Arts Council decentralization until more data is available.
- Chair Winlock announced a future public strategic planning meeting for commissioners.
- Commissioners expressed interest in organizing district-based tours and a tour of the new community center theater.
Meeting Transcript
Thank you, Chair. Staff is ready when you are. Thank you, Ms. Hungo. Good afternoon. Welcome to the October 11th, 2021 Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission meeting. The meeting is now called to order. Will the clerk please call the roll to establish a quorum? Yes, thank you, Chair. Commissioners, if you have not yet, please unmute and turn on your video. Commissioner Enriquez. Commissioner Gott is absent. Commissioner Hastings is absent. Commissioner Lavallo. Commissioner Lapoor. Commissioner Narano is absent. Commissioner Perez. I do see Commissioner Perez in the Zoom. I do show the Commissioner in the Zoom. We can proceed. Commissioner Wilson Raimi. Here. Vice Chair Blumenstock. Here. And Chair Winlock. Here. Thank you. We do have quorum. I do show Commissioner Perez in the Zoom and I will monitor and read for the record when the Commissioner joins us. But we have quorum. Thank you. Thank you. This meeting is a virtual via Zoom for members of the public who wish to join. Please refer to the agenda for the Zoom link. Once you have joined the meeting and wish to speak, raise your hand to provide public comment. And when the chair confirms the public comment, speaking period for your desired item. Online, if you're online, click on the raised hand on the bottom of your screen. Mobile app in the mobile app, you can raise your hand by tapping the raise hand option in the more tab. Telephone. If you're calling in by a telephone to raise your hand, dial nine, star nine, then to unmute or un or mute dial six, star six. Speakers will be called on by the last four digits of their phone number. You will have two minutes to speak once you have called on. Item number one on the consent calendar is the approval of minutes for September 13th, 2021. Madam Clerk, are there any members of the public who wish to speak on this item? Chair, I have no members of the public with their hands raised to make comment on this item. Thank you. Are there any commissioners who would like to speak on this item? Is there a motion and a second for this item? I move to approve the minutes of September 13th. I have a motion by Missioner Wilson and a second by Commissioner.
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