Sacramento Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission Meeting – February 14, 2022

The Sacramento Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission held a virtual teleconference meeting on Monday, February 14, 2022, from 2:02 p.m. to 4:03 p.m. The meeting included the introduction of a new youth commissioner, a discussion on the commission's advocacy role, a presentation on the new Arts and Culture Match Fund via IOBY, and a detailed equity analysis of CARES individual artist investments. All agenda items were received and filed or approved without public comment.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Meeting Minutes (December 13, 2021): Approved unanimously by a motion from Commissioner Naranjo, seconded by Commissioner Hastings. Commissioners present: Gott, Hastings, Mehta, Naranjo, Wilson Ramey, Enriquez, and Chair Winlock. Absent: Blumenstock, Lavulo, Lepore, and Perez.
• Official City of Sacramento Land Acknowledgement: Received and filed.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke on any agenda item.

Discussion Items

• Introduction of Youth Commissioner Akshaj Mehta: Commissioner Mehta, a 16-year-old junior at Thomas Pacific Pathways Prep and a published writer, was introduced. He expressed excitement about representing youth on the commission. Commissioners welcomed him and noted the importance of youth perspective.
• Discussion on the Work of the Commission (Oral Report): Chair Winlock led a discussion on how commissioners view their advocacy role. Commissioners shared their individual efforts: Commissioner Naranjo promoted a solo artist show and raised concerns about a gallery closing; Commissioner Hastings highlighted her magazine's promotion of artists and coverage; Commissioner Perez discussed collaboration in the dance industry; Commissioner Enriquez emphasized evangelizing the arts and exploring funding opportunities; Commissioner Gott focused on building infrastructure for young artists and understanding grant processes. Chair Winlock noted that the next meeting would address what commissioners need to support their advocacy (e.g., business cards, public emails).
• Sacramento Arts and Culture Match Fund: Introduction of IOBY: Megan Van Voorhis introduced Miriam Parson from IOBY (In Our Backyards). The program uses a crowdfunding match model to double community donations for creative projects, targeting unincorporated groups and BIPOC communities. The fund will roll $100,000 per quarter, with up to $15,000 match per project. Commissioners asked about examples (e.g., Afghan food festival in Pittsburgh, Sofa Stories in Detroit) and funding structure. Van Voorhis requested commissioner help in identifying community contacts for outreach.
• Race & Cultural Equity Check-In: Analysis of CARES Individual Artist Investments Disaggregated by Race: Megan Van Voorhis presented data on nearly $2 million distributed to 231 individual artists. Success rates varied by race: White, Multiracial, Hispanic/Latino, Black/African American had higher success rates; Asian/Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Native American/American Indigenous had lower success rates. Average awards also differed, with Black/African American artists receiving the lowest average. The analysis noted underrepresentation of Hispanic/Latino and Asian populations in the applicant pool and recommended further outreach and capacity building. Commissioner Naranjo raised concerns about grant application complexity, inclusion of Latinos as people of color, and the status of a proposed grant workshop program. Van Voorhis responded that program design affects equity and that ARPA funding decisions were pending.
• Director’s Report (Item 7): Van Voorhis reported on executed contracts, arts education efforts, equity data collection, upcoming grant rounds (Cultural Equity Investment Program, NEA individual artist grants), and a review of arts and entertainment permitting processes. Also mentioned assistance with Caltrans Clean California art applications and a Carbon Zero Art Contest for youth ages 14–24 (prizes up to $500, submissions due February 24). Luis Montes from the Mayor’s Office presented the contest details. Commissioners requested flyers and suggested extending the deadline.
• Chairperson’s Report (Item 8): Chair Winlock highlighted the equity data work, attended the California Car Museum's lowrider art exhibit, and praised the Friends of Sacramento's jazz celebration. He welcomed the youth commissioner.

Key Outcomes

• All items on the consent calendar were approved unanimously.
• All discussion and information items were received and filed (no votes required, as they were informational).
• The commission will prepare a follow-up on commissioner needs for advocacy (business cards, public emails) at the next meeting.
• Staff will send a list of talking points and outreach contacts for the IOBY match fund.
• The Carbon Zero Art Contest deadline may be extended; commissioners will promote it.
• Commissioner Naranjo raised several questions (joining California Arts Advocates, chamber of commerce, mural restoration, Crocker Art Gallery representation) which were noted for follow-up at the next meeting.
• The meeting adjourned at 4:03 p.m. due to loss of quorum.