Sacramento Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission Meeting – October 10, 2022

The Sacramento Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission met virtually on Monday, October 10, 2022, at 2:12 p.m. (called to order). The meeting included updates on city code changes, approval of prior minutes, and presentations on two major grant programs: the Seeding Creativity individual artist grants (funded by the National Endowment for the Arts) and the Sacramento Film + Media Grant program. Commissioners received reports from the City Clerk, program staff, the Director, and the Chair, and heard public comments from community member Lambert Davis.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of September 12, 2022, Meeting Minutes (File ID: 2022-00874): Passed by a motion (Lepore/Wilson Ramey) with 8 yes votes (Commissioners Gott, Hastings, Lepore, Mehta, Naranjo, Wilson Ramey, Enriquez, Winlock). Commissioners Blair, Blumenstock, Lavulo, and Perez were absent. No public comments.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Lambert Davis (To the Bay and Back Cheesecakes) spoke on multiple agenda items. He praised City Clerk Mindy Cuppy for her professionalism and acumen, commended staff Melissa Cirone and Megan Van Voorhis for their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in grantmaking, and highlighted the Grant High School Drumline’s national representation, urging the commission to support such youth groups. He also noted a play by Mr. Wilson at the convention center.

Discussion Items

• Update on Chapter 2.40 of the Sacramento City Code (File ID: 2022-01696) – Presented by City Clerk Mindy Cuppy. She outlined recent updates to the municipal code governing boards and commissions, including standardized four-year terms, attendance requirements, and conflict-of-interest disclosure rules. An informational video on commission roles was shown. Commissioners asked about chair/vice-chair term limits and term expirations. The item was received and filed.
• Seeding Creativity: NEA-Funded Individual Artist Grants (File ID: 2022-01753) – Presented by Program Manager Melissa Cirone. The program awarded $450,000 in $10,000 stipends to 45 individual artists (with $50,000 reserved for mentorship/professional development). 409 applications were received; a two-panel review process selected the finalists. The grantee list includes artists spanning creation, performance, research, and social impact, with diverse racial/ethnic and LGBTQ+ representation. 62% live or work in the Promise Zone. Commissioners expressed enthusiasm, asked about panel curation, project timelines (one year), and promotional support. They requested periodic updates on the artists’ progress. The item was reviewed and discussed (no vote required).
• Sacramento Film + Media Grant Update (File ID: 2022-01767) – Presented by Program Specialist Jennifer West. The pilot program awarded 15 grants ($67,500 from Measure U Creative Economy Fund) for production and post-production. Five completed projects generated $422,500 in local spending, 43 local hires, 118 hotel nights, and 37 vendor/service company hires. Trailers from four projects (Reparations Now, Digital Curanderas, The Big Hit Show, Staffed, Gift of Fear) were shown, highlighting diverse crews and community impact. The program will be renewed for next year with increased funding: $70,000 total, eight grants (six production at $10,000, two post-production at $5,000). West also reported rising film permit numbers and economic impact, an internship program with Sac State (expanding to Los Rios/Consumers River College), and ongoing efforts to align regional permitting and improve the film ordinance. Commissioners asked about local hires, permit process improvements, and stakeholder engagement. The item was received and filed.

Information Items

• Director’s Report (File ID: 2022-01774) – Megan Van Voorhis emphasized the division’s use of rubrics (inspired by Commissioner Wilson Ramey) to reduce bias, the launch of the Sacramento Music Census (through October 30, 2022), and plans to scale the film internship model to other programs (e.g., public art). She also noted the pending nonprofit recovery guidelines from the county. Public comment from Lambert Davis expressed support. Received and filed.
• Chairperson’s Report (File ID: 2022-01773) – Chair Dr. L. Steven Winlock highlighted KVIE’s art auction, commended the Seeding Creativity and Film grants for aligning with the commission’s equity statement, and recognized community support for arts (e.g., California Musical Theater). Public comment from Lambert Davis was offered but deferred to later agenda item. Received and filed.

Commissioner Comments – Ideas and Questions

• Commissioner Naranjo urged immediate action regarding the Nighttime Economy Manager to address downtown safety and tourism, and promoted upcoming cultural events: Pantheon (Latino Center), So Colectivo’s Dia de los Muertos, and the Golden Harvest Festival (October 29 in Old Sacramento).

Public Comments – Matters Not on the Agenda

• Lambert Davis again spoke about the Grant High School Drumline’s 90th anniversary and their performances in New York and Washington, D.C., requesting that the arts community support these youth.

Key Outcomes

• Consent calendar (minutes of September 12, 2022) approved unanimously.
• All informational items (City Code update, Director’s Report, Chairperson’s Report) received and filed.
• Seeding Creativity grant program reviewed and discussed; 45 artist awards moving forward with a one-year project timeline.
• Film + Media Grant program renewed for fiscal year 2022-23 with increased grant amounts ($10,000 production, $5,000 post-production) and two application rounds (applications open October 15, 2022).
• Music Census launched and will run through October 30, 2022.
• No formal votes were taken on discussion items (received and filed or reviewed).
• Meeting adjourned at 4:08 p.m.