Sacramento Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission Meeting - November 3, 2025

The Sacramento Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission met on Monday, November 3, 2025, at 1:01 PM in the City Hall Council Chamber. The meeting included consent calendar approvals, updates on the Creative Growth Fellowship, and two Phase 2 reviews for temporary public art murals. A total of nine commissioners were present (one absent), and two new commissioners were sworn in.

Consent Calendar

• Item 1: Approved the meeting minutes of August 11, 2025 (File ID: 2025-01550).
• Item 2: Adopted the Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission Follow-Up Log (File ID: 2025-00642).
• Both items passed unanimously via voice vote with no opposition or abstentions. (Commissioners Orozco, Smith, and Tocalino were absent at the time of the vote; Orozco and Smith arrived later.)

Public Comments & Testimony

• On Item 4 (Creative Growth Fellowship): A member of the public, Lambert, praised staff Melissa Cirone and Megan Van Voorhis for their support of the Grant High School drum line, noting that funding helped with travel, food, and lodging. He also highlighted the positive impact of the program.
• On Item 5 (Wide Open Walls mural): Lambert voiced strong opposition, citing a past contract with Wide Open Walls that lacked a written agreement and was unauditable. He called it a “terrible precedent” and urged delay. No other public speakers.
• On Item 6 (Richard Alcala mural): Multiple speakers supported the project.
  • George Raya noted Richard Alcala is funding the project himself ($40,000) and raising additional funds for insurance.
  • Lambert expressed support for the mural's cultural representation and recounted his personal connection to the Hispanic community.
  • Cristina Alvarez (Labor Council for Latin American Advancement) endorsed the mural as a representation of working-class history.
  • Desiree Rojas, daughter of UFW co-founder Al Rojas, emphasized the importance of honoring local farmworker leaders.
  • Fatima Garcia (LCLAA president) urged approval, stating that the mural uplifts actual impacted people telling their own stories.
  • Ruben, a local artist, supported the mural and thanked the commission.
• On Matters Not on the Agenda:
  • Lambert criticized the meeting’s handling of document display and referenced a prior “no-written agreement” issue, stating he would send materials to the city attorney. He expressed discontent with the commission’s unanimous votes.
  • Mary Ellen Lane, a city event associate, requested attention to wage equity for temporary event staff at city cultural venues, noting they are compensated at minimum wage and a citywide review has been pending for years.
  • Olivia spoke but provided no substantive comment recorded in the transcript.

Discussion Items

• Item 3 – EveryDay Creative Program Update – Fall 2025 (File ID: 2025-01836): Withdrawn from the agenda; no discussion took place.
• Item 4 – Creative Growth Fellowship Program Update (File ID: 2025-01803):
  • Staff presented the program: funded by $2.04 million in ARPA funds, providing 200 Sacramento artists with $850 per month for 12 months (total $10,200 each). The program used AidKit for application and payment processing.
  • 1,027 applications were received; 883 were deemed eligible; 200 were selected after a peer review panel scored applications (scale 1–100) and a randomized lottery among those scoring 75 or above.
  • Demographics: Most applicants were visual or music artists; income data showed over half reported household income under $25,000; awardees came from across all zip codes.
  • Commissioners discussed success metrics, the need for storytelling/impact documentation, and the role of community ambassadors in outreach.
  • Commissioner Winlock suggested making impact reporting an obligation for recipients.
  • The item was received and commented on.
• Item 5 – Phase 2 Review – Design and License Agreement – Temporary Public Art Application Pilot Program – Wide Open Walls – UC Davis Water Reservoir (File ID: 2025-01492):
  • Staff (Donald Gensler) described the three-year process, the citywide temporary public art policy, and community engagement results (survey showed overwhelming support). The proposed mural is 100 feet tall and 500 feet long, painted by artist Ian Wilkins with local artists.
  • The applicant (David Sobon, Executive Director of Wide Open Walls) stated the project is privately funded and will be one of the largest murals on the West Coast, lasting an estimated 20–25 years.
  • Commissioners asked about local artist involvement, maintenance, the applicant’s alignment with city values (equity, diversity), and the revocable license agreement.
  • After public comment, the commission voted to recommend approval. Motion by Commissioner Wallace, seconded by Chair Lavulo. Vote: 9–0 (Commissioner Tocalino absent).
• Item 6 – Phase 2 Review – Design and License Agreement – Temporary Public Art Application Pilot Program – Richard Alcala – Southside Park (File ID: 2025-01567):
  • Staff presented the “Sacramento Indigenous and Latino Heritage Mural” on the back of the Southside Park Amphitheater. The applicant raised approximately $40,000 himself, with additional funding from council offices and community fundraising.
  • The mural features 10–11 local artists and honors Indigenous tribes, Latino leaders, farmworker movement founders, Bishop Gallegos, and other cultural icons.
  • Community survey results were overwhelmingly favorable.
  • Commissioners praised the project for inclusive representation and broad community support.
  • Motion by Commissioner Wallace, seconded by Commissioner Winlock. Vote: 9–0 (Commissioner Tocalino absent).

Director’s Report

• Jason Jong, Cultural and Creative Economy Manager, provided updates:
  • Sound Business Summit deadline extended to November 4, 2025 (for music recording/performing artists).
  • 2026 Emerging Curator Fellow: Lorena Rodriguez.
  • Current exhibition “We Are California” in the Robert T. Matsui Gallery open through December 17, 2025.
  • Welcome to new Commissioners Rosa Maria Orozco and Douglas Carter.
  • Vacancy remains for District 6.
  • Next meeting: December 8, 2025, at 1 PM.
  • The commission nominated Dr. Manuel Pickett of Teatro Espejo as Sacramento County’s nominee for the California Arts Council’s 50th Anniversary Arts Award.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously.
• Item 3 (EveryDay Creative Program): Withdrawn.
• Item 4 (Creative Growth Fellowship): Received and commented; staff will continue to document impact and explore future support for artists.
• Item 5 (Wide Open Walls mural at UC Davis Water Reservoir): Motion passed 9–0 recommending approval of the design and license agreement.
• Item 6 (Richard Alcala mural at Southside Park): Motion passed 9–0 recommending approval of the design and license agreement.
• Meeting extension: Motion passed (voice vote) to extend the meeting past the two-hour limit; meeting adjourned at 3:02 PM.