Sacramento Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission Meeting - May 8, 2023
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Sacramento Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission Meeting - May 8, 2023
The Sacramento Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission convened on Monday, May 8, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at City Hall Complex, 915 I Street, Sacramento. Vice Chair Isela Ortiz presided in the absence of Chair Priscilla Enriquez. The meeting included a consent calendar, a presentation on the 2022 Sacramento Music Census, two Phase 1 reviews for temporary public art projects, a director's report, and commissioner comments. The meeting adjourned at 4:13 p.m.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of April 10, 2023 Minutes: The commission unanimously approved the minutes of the April 10, 2023 meeting via a motion by Commissioner Winlock, seconded by Commissioner Lavulo. All present commissioners voted yes; Chair Enriquez was absent.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 3 – UC Davis Water Reservoir Mural: Lambert Davis (calling in) expressed concern about Wide Open Walls, the applicant, citing a recent scandal involving an unwritten agreement and alleged difficulties for Black artists and people of color in obtaining city funding. He urged the commission to consider this history.
- Matters Not on the Agenda: Lambert Davis again spoke, praising District 2 efforts and thanking Megan Van Voorhis for her transparency, while reiterating concerns about Wide Open Walls and the need for equitable funding distribution.
Discussion Items
- 2022 Sacramento Music Census Presentation: Don Pitts of Sound Music Cities presented preliminary findings. Key statistics: 78% of respondents were creatives, 15% music industry, and 7% venues/presenters. Demographics skew male (67%) and white, with 71% having 10+ years of experience. 86% of creatives have four or fewer local gigs per month, and 52% can't find local industry service providers. Top needs included more gigs, diverse income sources, and regulatory inclusion. Commissioners discussed outreach gaps, potential incentives (e.g., DC's tax rebate for local live music), and the need for community engagement. Megan Van Voorhis noted the census will inform regulatory review and ARPA investments.
- Phase 1 Review – Southside Park Amphitheater Mural: Staff presented an application by Richard Akala for a temporary mural at the back of the Southside Park Amphitheater (District 4). Artists Jose Lot and Cecilia Perez would create the mural. Letters of support included Councilmember Katie Valenzuela and community members. The neighborhood association requested a presentation. Discussion centered on community input, artist funding, and the pilot process. No vote was required; staff will proceed to Phase 2 upon further review.
- Phase 1 Review – UC Davis Water Reservoir Mural: Staff presented an application by Wide Open Walls (submitted by Margaret Owens) for murals on the UC Davis Medical Center water reservoir (District 6). Artists Amanda Lynn, Apexer, and In the Painter were proposed. Letters of support included Vice Mayor Eric Guerra and UC Davis Health. Public works reviewed the site with conditions. Commissioner questions addressed the role of Wide Open Walls and due diligence. Public comment raised concerns about the organization. Staff will continue to Phase 2 with license agreement review.
Director's Report
- Megan Van Voorhis reported on the Creative Corps program (statewide initiative), with applications under review and expected to come to the commission in June. The Sacramento Creative Business Innovation Challenge kicked off with 14 BIPOC businesses. The Clean California application for Northgate Boulevard corridor was extended by a month. Early conversations on civic memory and monuments were noted, along with the potential for a public art plan.
Commissioner Comments & Ideas
- Commissioners shared updates on council meetings and district initiatives. Topics included advocacy for the arts, a possible commission strategic planning session, and district-specific efforts (e.g., event calendars, activating 21st Avenue in District 6, Northgate corridor beautification in District 3). Commissioner Mehta shared a student project on diverse literature. Commissioner Winlock received an award from Capital Stage.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar Approved (10 yes, 0 no, 1 absent).
- Music Census: Commission reviewed findings; no formal action, but discussion will inform future regulatory review and program adjustments.
- Temporary Public Art Projects: Both Phase 1 reviews were informational; no votes required. Staff will incorporate feedback (e.g., adding community engagement language to applications) and proceed with Phase 2, including design and license agreements.
- Next Steps: The commission will review Creative Corps applications at the June meeting. Staff will continue refining the temporary public art application process based on pilot findings.
Meeting Transcript
Thirty seconds has begun. Vice Chair staff is ready when you are. Thank you. Thank you, Julia. Hello, everybody. Good afternoon. Welcome to Monday, May 8th, 2023, 2 p.m. meeting of the Sacramento Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission. The meeting is now called to order. Will the clerk please call the roll to establish a quorum? Thank you, Vice Chair. Commissioner Anderson. Is absent. Commissioner Bautista. Present. Commissioner Blair. Present. Commissioner Lavulo. Here. Commissioner Meta. Here. Commissioner Naranjo. Present. Commissioner Smith. Present. Commissioner Wilson Ramey. Present. Present. Commissioner Winlock. Present. Vice Chair Ortiz. Here. Chair Enriquez is absent. Thank you. We have a quorum. Awesome. Thank you. I would like to remember remind members of the public in chambers that if you would like to speak on an agenda item, please turn in a speaker slip when the item begins. For members of the public who wish to join virtually, 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 comment when the chair confirms the public comment speaking period for your desired item. If you are online, click on raise hand on the bottom of your screen. If you're on the mobile app, you can raise your hand by tapping the raise hand option in the more tab. And if you're calling via telephone to raise your hand, dial star nine to uh then unmute or mute, dial star six, and speakers will be called upon by the last four digits of their phone number. You will have two minutes to speak once you are called on. After the first speaker, we will no longer accept speaker slips and the raise hand feature in Zoom will be disabled. We will now proceed with today's agenda. Please rise for the opening acknowledgments in honor of Sacramento's indigenous people and tribal lands. To the indigenous people of this land, the Nissanon people, the Southern Maidu, Valley, the Plains Miwok, Potwyn Winton Peoples, and the people of the Wilton Rancheria, Sacramento's only federally recognized tribe. May we acknowledge and honor the Native people who came before us and still walk beside us today on these ancestral lands by choosing to gather together today in the active practice of acknowledgement and appreciation for Sacramento's Indigenous People's History, contributions, and lives. Thank you.
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