Sacramento Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission Meeting – December 11, 2023
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Sacramento Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission Meeting – December 11, 2023
The Sacramento Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission held a regular meeting on December 11, 2023, at 2:00 PM in the City Hall Complex. Chair Priscilla Enriquez presided, with seven commissioners present (Bautista, Blair, Naranjo, Tocalino, Wilson Ramey, Winlock, and Enriquez; Lavulo and Smith absent). The meeting included a land acknowledgement, pledge of allegiance, approval of consent calendar, discussion of ARPA grant funding, director’s report, commissioner comments, and public comments. The meeting adjourned at 2:48 PM.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes (File ID: 2022-02373): Passed a motion approving the minutes of the November 13, 2023, meeting. Motion carried unanimously (7-0, with two absent).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Justina Martino (resident of District 6, business owner of Art Tonic): Commented on the difficulty of finding meeting information on the city website and suggested including it in the monthly newsletter and on Instagram. She also promoted two community events: a holiday party at Sunrider Studio on December 15 and a photography workshop for the Del Rio Trail Art Project on December 17.
Discussion Items
- Arts and Culture (ARPA) Nonprofit Recovery Program Grants (File ID: 2023-01469): Melissa Cirone, Program Manager, presented the third and final round of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant funding for nonprofit arts and cultural organizations impacted by COVID-19. The city allocated $10 million in ARPA funds to the creative economy, with $2 million matched by the county. Previous rounds funded 95 organizations ($3.75 million). This final round recommended $250,000 in ARPA funds to 15 organizations (from 29 applications) and an additional $1,647.90 in non-ARPA city funds to one organization with an annual budget under $10,000. Awards ranged from $10,000 to $38,000 based on a formula capped at 45% of operating revenue or $75,000. Commissioners Winlock and Wilson Ramey praised the program’s impact. Motion passed unanimously (7-0).
- Director’s Report: Megan Van Voorhis provided updates on the arts and entertainment regulatory review, including collaboration with the Office of Nighttime Economy on the Sociable City assessment. Planned initiatives: a virtual single point of entry for event permitting, online permitting for special events, and education on fire-rated tents. The creative economy report with Creative Startups is pending publication. Jason Jong, new Cultural and Creative Economy Manager, introduced himself and noted two commission vacancies (District 6 and youth seat) with a December 15 deadline. He also announced the third round of Film and Media Office grants (deadline January 15, 2024).
- Commissioner Comments: Chair Enriquez thanked Megan Van Voorhis for her leadership. Commissioner Winlock reported on the passage of Prop 28, which provides $2–$8 million annually per school district for arts education, with 80% required for staffing. He highlighted a recent convening with local arts organizations and noted the creation of full-time arts teaching positions, potential for teaching artists to gain credentials, and the connection to the creative economy. Commissioner Wilson Ramey asked about working with school districts on Prop 28 implementation; staff responded that they are collaborating with Twin Rivers and Sacramento City Unified, and the Any Given Child program trains artists for classroom work. The conversation also touched on the Art Look data tracking program. Commissioner Naranjo raised concerns about the upcoming meeting time change to 1:00 PM starting January 2024, noting lack of consultation with commissioners. Chair Enriquez and Commissioner Wilson Ramey echoed the need for better communication. Staff will relay concerns to the City Clerk’s office.
Key Outcomes
- Motion passed recommending approval of the ARPA Nonprofit Recovery Program grants (250,000 ARPA + $1,647.90 non-ARPA) for 16 organizations.
- Meeting time change: The commission will now meet at 1:00 PM on the second Monday of each month, effective January 2024. Commissioners expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of input; the City Clerk’s office will be notified of scheduling conflicts.
- Next steps: Staff will work on online permitting and a single point of entry for event permits. The creative economy report rollout is expected in early 2024. Commission vacancies are open until December 15, 2023.
Meeting Transcript
30 seconds has begun. Chair staff is ready when you are. All right, thank you. Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to the December 11th, 2023 Sacramento Arts, Culture and Creative Commission. The meeting is now called to order. Will the clerk please call the role to establish a quorum? Thank you, Chair. Commissioners, please unmute. Commissioner Bautista. Here. Commissioner Blair. Here. Commissioner Lavulo. Absent. Commissioner Naranjo. Here. Commissioner Ortiz. Absent. Commissioner Smith. Absent. Commissioner Tokolino. Here. Commissioner Wilson Raimi. Here. Commissioner Winlock. Here. And Chair Enriquez. Here. Thank you. We have quorum. Thank you. Okay, I'd like to remind members of the public in chambers that if you would like to speak on an agenda item, please turn to the speaker slip when the item begins. You will have two minutes to speak once you are called on. After the first speaker, we will no longer accept speaker slips. We will now proceed with today's agenda. Um I ask for a volunteer to read the land acknowledgement. Please rise for the opening acknowledgement in honor of Sacramento's Indigenous People and Tribal Lands. Can I ask for a volunteer to read the land acknowledgement? Thank you, Robert. And and someone to do the pledge. Thank you, Steve. All right. To the original people of this land, the Nissanon people, the Southern Maidu Valley, and Plains Miwok, Papua and Wintun peoples, and the people of the Wilton Rancher, 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 today in the active practice of acknowledgement and appreciation for Sacramento's indigenous peoples, history, contributions, and lives. Thank you. I pledge allegiance to the flag, the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under liberty and justice for all. All right, thanks everyone. Okay, our first business today is approval of the consent calendar.
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