OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Sacramento Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission Meeting - May 12, 2025

Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission — Monday, May 12, 2025
BodySacramento, California
SessionArts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission
DateMonday, May 12, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:02:03

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

I mean, good afternoon.

0:01

Welcome to the May 12th, 2025 Arts, Culture and Creative Commission, Creative Economy Commission meeting.

0:11

The meeting is now called to order.

0:13

Will the clerk please call roll to establish a quorum?

0:18

Thank you.

0:19

Thank you, Vice Chair.

0:20

Commissioners, please unmute for roll.

0:23

Commissioner Anderson.

0:26

Absent.

0:27

Commissioner Eisenberg?

0:28

Here.

0:29

Commissioner Lamelli?

0:31

Here.

0:31

Commissioner Martino?

0:33

Here.

0:34

Commissioner O'Habu?

0:35

Here.

0:35

Commissioner Smith?

0:37

Here.

0:37

Commissioner Tokolino?

0:39

Here.

0:40

Commissioner Wallace.

0:41

Here.

0:42

Commissioner Winlock?

0:43

Here.

0:44

And Chair Luvulu.

0:45

Oh, she's absent tonight.

0:46

We have quorum.

0:51

Um I would like to 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.

1:00

You will have two minutes to speak once you're called on.

1:03

After the first speaker, we will no longer accept speaker slips.

1:07

We will now proceed with today's agenda.

1:10

Please rise for the opening acknowledgments in honor of Sacramento's indigenous people and tribal lands.

1:18

To the original people of this land, the Nissan people, the Southern Maidu Valley, and Plains Miwok, the P12 people and the peoples of the Wilton Ranchiera, Sacramento's only federal recognized tribe.

1:35

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 people.

1:54

History, contributions, and lives.

1:57

Thank you.

1:58

Please join us for the pledge.

2:00

I pledge allegiance to the public.

2:06

And to the Republic for which it stands one nation.

2:20

Our first business today is approval of the consent calendar.

2:24

There are two items on the consent calendar.

2:29

The first is approval of arts, culture, and creative economy commission meeting minutes from last time, and the second is the arts, culture, and creative economy commission follow-up log.

2:38

Clerk, are there any members of the public who wish to speak on the consent calendar?

2:43

Thank you, Vice Chair.

2:44

There are no speakers for this item.

2:53

Okay, thank you.

2:54

Are there any commissioners who wish to speak on these items?

3:01

Umer Wallace.

3:05

Thank you, Vice Chair.

3:06

I'd like to move the item.

3:10

Is there a second?

3:12

Second.

3:15

I didn't hear, sorry.

3:17

Second.

3:18

Thank you.

3:22

Um will the clerk please call the roll for the vote.

3:27

Thank you, Vice Chair.

3:28

Commissioners, please unmute for vote.

3:30

Commissioner Anderson is absent.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Arts And Culture█████████████████████████████████████████████48%
Creative Industries██████████████15%
Public Comments████████9%
Community Engagement████████8%
Grants Management██████6%
Educational Policy█████5%
Procedural████4%
Native American History██2%
Grant Management██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Sacramento Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission Meeting - May 12, 2025

The Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission met on May 12, 2025, at 1:00 PM in the Sacramento City Hall Council Chamber. The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Justina Martino, with eight commissioners present and two absent (Commissioner Anderson and Chair Luisa Lavulo). The main agenda item was a presentation on grants and programs overview and updates, followed by the Director's Report and Commissioner comments.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the April 14, 2025 Commission meeting minutes (File ID: 2025-00215).
  • Adopted the Commission Follow-Up Log (File ID: 2025-00639).
  • Both items were passed by a single motion with a unanimous vote (8-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No public comments were made on the consent calendar, discussion calendar, or matters not on the agenda.

Discussion Items

Grants and Programs Overview and Updates Presentation (File ID: 2025-01021)

  • Arts Education: The Any Given Child program (since 2009) scheduled 116 artist residencies, 98 arts exposure experiences, and 80 teachers in professional development for the 2024-25 school year. 31 teaching artists were trained. The ArtLook pilot data tool is working with Twin Rivers Unified School District. Poetry Out Loud competition is held countywide.
  • Creative Corps Capital Region: A $4.75 million state-funded program that supported 28 organizations and 708 artists, with 70% of funds going directly to artists. Five cultural strategists were placed in city departments. Results were presented to the governor's staff.
  • Seeding Creativity: A federal grant program supporting 45 individual artists with $10,000 each for one-year projects.
  • Emerging Curator Fellowship: A new program at City Hall Gallery; 2025 curator is NJ Mavondo.
  • Florin Road Beautification Project: A Caltrans Clean California grant created 34,260 square feet of murals, 26 large metal sculptures, and 37 banners designed by youth.
  • Creative Venues Grant: 22 venues received $410,000 total in two rounds.
  • Arts Journalism Grants: $120,000 to Solving Sacramento to generate at least 120 new stories and reviews.
  • ARPA Recovery Grants: 95 grants totaling over $4 million to nonprofit cultural organizations.
  • Creative Growth Fellowship: A $2 million program for 200 artists (18+ years, live in Sacramento city limits) receiving $850 per month for 12 months, plus professional development. Application opens June 2, 2025, and closes June 20, 2025. Guidelines available in Spanish and English. Outreach includes translation, community ambassadors, and contracts with Indie Things Possible and Everyday Impact Consulting.
  • Cultural Arts Awards (CAA): A three-year general operating grant for nonprofits. The 2022-2024 cycle concluded with 67 organizations receiving over $2.7 million. The 2025-2027 cycle received 75 eligible applications (8% increase from previous cycle), with 33% first-time applicants. Funding recommendations for 72 applicants were detailed, with a funding formula based on scores and scale. Base grants ranged from $5,127.33 to $11,333.93; performance awards from $5,559.20 to $12,389.32.

Commissioner Questions & Discussion

  • Vice Chair Martino raised concerns about the Creative Growth Fellowship's shift from a guaranteed basic income (GBI) approach and the removal of financial need as a criterion. She asked about outreach to underrepresented artists, the score needed for the randomized round, and free application support. Staff responded that the shift was due to feedback from council members, preferring close contact with grantees and data collection. Outreach includes Spanish translation, workshops, community ambassadors, and partnerships with two organizations. Application support includes Zoom workshops (May 19, 2025, 4 PM) and potential laptop access.
  • Commissioner Wallace asked about federal funding risks (e.g., NEA clawbacks). Staff noted no current federal or state grants are pending, but future applications may be affected.
  • Commissioner Winlock praised the ecosystem approach to arts education, highlighting a community meeting where Sacramento City School District reported filling all VAPA positions.

Director's Report

  • Jason Jong, Cultural and Creative Economy Manager, provided updates:
    • Call for panelists for the Creative Growth Fellowship (independent reviewers, outside region preferred).
    • GIS mapping tool follow-up presentation in June.
    • Sacramento Film and Media grant program deadline May 15, 2025 (filmsac.com).
    • Documentary "Beyond the Alleyways: The Dixie Ann Story" premiere May 22, 2025, 6 PM at Rink Studios, 1031 Del Paso Boulevard.
    • Two commissioner vacancies: one mayoral appointee and one youth commissioner seat (ages 16-22).

Commissioner Comments - Ideas and Questions

  • Commissioner Winlock recognized Rock and Soul Gallery's fourth anniversary and suggested inviting grant recipients to present to the commission.
  • Commissioner Eisenberg asked for clarification on the film premiere location.
  • Commissioner Ohaegbu announced KVIE PBS call for artists for art auction (deadline May 31, 2025).
  • Commissioner Lomeli, the youth commissioner, noted her term ends in June and thanked commissioners. She announced Prism Art Space at 2120 K Street, with an exhibit open through June 7, 2025.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent calendar approved unanimously.
  • The Grants and Programs Overview presentation was received and commented on; no formal vote was taken.
  • The Creative Growth Fellowship application timeline was confirmed: guidelines released May 1, application opens June 2, closes June 20, 2025.
  • The next meeting will include a follow-up on the GIS mapping tool.
  • The meeting adjourned at 2:03 PM.

Meeting Transcript

I mean, good afternoon. Welcome to the May 12th, 2025 Arts, Culture and Creative Commission, Creative Economy Commission meeting. The meeting is now called to order. Will the clerk please call roll to establish a quorum? Thank you. Thank you, Vice Chair. Commissioners, please unmute for roll. Commissioner Anderson. Absent. Commissioner Eisenberg? Here. Commissioner Lamelli? Here. Commissioner Martino? Here. Commissioner O'Habu? Here. Commissioner Smith? Here. Commissioner Tokolino? Here. Commissioner Wallace. Here. Commissioner Winlock? Here. And Chair Luvulu. Oh, she's absent tonight. We have quorum. Um I would like to 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. You will have two minutes to speak once you're called on. After the first speaker, we will no longer accept speaker slips. 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 original people of this land, the Nissan people, the Southern Maidu Valley, and Plains Miwok, the P12 people and the peoples of the Wilton Ranchiera, Sacramento's only federal 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 people. History, contributions, and lives. Thank you. Please join us for the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the public. And to the Republic for which it stands one nation. Our first business today is approval of the consent calendar. There are two items on the consent calendar. The first is approval of arts, culture, and creative economy commission meeting minutes from last time, and the second is the arts, culture, and creative economy commission follow-up log. Clerk, are there any members of the public who wish to speak on the consent calendar? Thank you, Vice Chair. There are no speakers for this item. Okay, thank you. Are there any commissioners who wish to speak on these items? Umer Wallace. Thank you, Vice Chair.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com