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Record of Proceedings

Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission Meeting – April 13, 2026

Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission — Monday, April 13, 2026
BodySacramento, California
SessionArts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission
DateMonday, April 13, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:09:52

Transcript — Verbatim
0:22

Good afternoon and welcome to Monday, April 13th, 2026, 1 p.m.

0:28

meeting of the Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission.

0:31

The meeting is called to order.

0:33

Will the clerk please call the role to establish a quorum?

0:37

Thank you, Chair.

0:39

Commissioner Smith is currently absent.

0:42

Commissioner Eisenberg.

0:43

Here.

0:44

Commissioner Wallace.

0:45

Here.

0:46

Commissioner Carter.

0:47

Here.

0:48

Commissioner Winlock.

0:50

Here.

0:51

Commissioner Hershey.

0:52

Here.

0:53

Commissioner Orozco, currently absent.

0:57

Chair Lavulo is absent.

1:00

And Vice Chair Oheiu.

1:02

Here.

1:02

Thank you.

1:03

We have quorum.

1:06

I would like to remind members of the pub of the public and chamber that if you would like to speak on an agenda item, please turn in a speaker slip before the item begins.

1:15

After the items called, we will no longer accept speaker slips.

1:18

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

1:21

We will now proceed to today's agenda.

1:24

Please rise if you are able for the opening acknowledgement in honor of Sacramento's indigenous people and tribal lands.

1:33

To the original people of this land, the Nissanan people, the Southern Maidu Valley and Plains Miwok, Putwin Wintune peoples, and the people of the Wilton Rancheria, Sacramento's only federally recognized tribe.

1:46

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 Peoples, history, contributions, and lives.

2:01

Thank you.

2:02

Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.

2:12

Under God, individual with liberty and justice proud.

2:20

Next is approval of the consent calendar.

2:24

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

2:28

Thank you, Chair.

2:29

I have none.

2:45

Okay.

2:47

Commissioner Wallace.

2:49

I move approval of the consent calendar.

2:52

Second.

2:56

All in favor say aye.

2:58

Aye.

2:59

Aye.

2:59

Any opposed?

3:02

Any abstain?

3:03

The motion passes.

3:09

Now we will proceed to the discussion calendar.

3:21

Item number three.

3:37

Good afternoon, Commissioners.

3:39

My name is Melissa Cerrone.

3:40

Um, and I'm the Grants and Programs Manager.

3:44

And to today I'm delighted to introduce our guest, Sacramento County's 2026 Poetry Out Loud Champion, Beza Gatahun.

3:54

For those who may be new to Poetry Out Loud, it's a nationwide initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts and administered in California by the California Arts Council and in Sacramento County by the Office of Arts and Culture.

4:09

The program encourages high school students to explore poetry through memorization, performance, and competition, helping them to build confidence, strengthen public speaking skills, and deepen their understanding of both classic and contemporary literature.

4:25

California hosts one of the largest poetry out loud programs in the country.

4:30

And this year, Baza earned first place in our county competition before advancing to the state capital to compete among the top student poets from across California.

4:41

We're incredibly proud of her accomplishment, especially because her achievements don't stop there.

4:48

Baisa is also the first place winner of the California Poetry Ourselves Competition, a statewide contest recognizing original work by Poetry Out Loud County Champions.

5:00

Students then submit original poems of up to 50 lines, and they're judged anonymously by a panel of literary professionals.

5:09

As this year's winner, Baza performed her piece at the California State Finals, and her poem is now featured on the California Poetry Out Loud website.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Arts And Culture█████████████████████████████████████████████51%
Arts and Culture███████████████17%
Public Comments██████████11%
Procedural████████9%
Community Engagement██████7%
Commissioner Comments████4%
Performance Management█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission Meeting – April 13, 2026

The Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission met on Monday, April 13, 2026, at 1:05 p.m. at Sacramento City Hall. The meeting opened with a land acknowledgement and Pledge of Allegiance. Chair Luisa Lavulo and Commissioner Rosa Maria Orozco were absent. Seven commissioners were present. The meeting adjourned at 2:16 p.m.

Consent Calendar

  • The commission unanimously approved the Consent Calendar (motion by Commissioner Wallace, second by Commissioner Winlock; vote: 6 yes, 3 absent). Items included:
    • Approval of the March 9, 2026 DRAFT minutes (File ID: 2026-00109).
    • Adoption of the Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission Follow-Up Log (File ID: 2026-00203).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Item 4 – Recognition of April as Arts, Culture, & Creativity Month: Lambert spoke in support, praising the young poet and urging the city to focus on fiscal responsibility and support for youth. Justina Martino read excerpts from her essay on collage, linking it to the theme of creativity.
  • Item 5 – Race and Cultural Equity Statement Discussion: Lambert commended Commissioner Wallace and Dr. Winlock for their work, raised concerns about funding for DEI initiatives under the current federal administration, and called for accountability and audits.
  • Public Comments – Matters Not on the Agenda:
    • Richard Falcon (Teatro Nagual) announced an Individual Artist Fellowship administered by the California Arts Council (funding: $50,000, $10,000, and $5,000 for legacy, established, and emerging artists across five counties). He emphasized reaching all artists to demonstrate need.
    • Julie Crum (Art Tonic) described free workshops in April and May to assist artists with the fellowship application, including grant writing and info sessions.
    • Lambert discussed the need to support a local artist (Brianna) and criticized delays in equity initiatives.
    • John Downs introduced himself as an applicant for the District 7 commission seat, highlighting his experience with grants, arts collectives, and the Sacramento French Film Festival.
    • Justina Martino reminded about Big Day of Giving on May 7, 2026, with early giving starting April 23, and offered fundraising tools for nonprofits.

Discussion Items

  • Item 3 – 2026 Poetry Out Loud County Champion: Grants and Programs Manager Melissa Cerrone introduced Beza Gatahun, a 10th grader at McClatchy High School and the Sacramento County champion. Beza performed her original poem "Alchemy" and a second poem, receiving praise from commissioners. The item was received and commented upon (no vote required). Commissioners noted the partnership with the Sacramento County Office of Education.
  • Item 4 – Recognition of April 2026 as Arts, Culture, & Creativity Month: Presenter Jason Jong explained that the California Senate declared April as Arts, Culture, and Creativity Month in 2019. The commission considered draft proclamation language for City Council. After public comment and discussion, a motion to recommend approval passed unanimously (7 yes, 2 absent). Commissioner Smith suggested amplifying the proclamation via council newsletters and school districts.
  • Item 5 – ACCEC Race and Cultural Equity Statement Discussion: Dr. Winlock and Commissioner Wallace presented the history of the Race and Cultural Equity Statement developed in 2016–2017 by a 16-member task force. They outlined three focus areas: outreach and engagement, equity and access, and accountability. Discussion included the need for updates reflecting changes in technology and community needs, as well as measuring progress through data and annual reports. No vote was taken; the item was received and commented. Commissioner Eisenberg suggested adding action items to the work plan and summarizing equity accomplishments in budget reports. Manager Jong committed to helping integrate the statement into the annual work plan.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved Consent Calendar (unanimous).
  • Passed Motion (7 yes, 2 absent) recommending City Council approve a proclamation recognizing April 2026 as Arts, Culture, & Creativity Month.
  • Race and Cultural Equity Statement discussion concluded with direction to explore updates, incorporate into the commission’s work plan, and report progress in the annual report.
  • Director’s Report included:
    • Upcoming virtual artist talks for the Birds and Benches project (April 23 and 30, 2026).
    • Announcement of $98,000 in Small Arts Organization Fund grants awarded to 25 organizations with budgets under $25,000.
    • Two commission seat openings for District 6 (vacated by Carisa Gutierrez) and District 7.
  • Commissioner Comments: Commissioner Hershey suggested pursuing a concurrent state-level resolution reaffirming April as Arts, Culture, and Creativity Month, noting that similar resolutions are reintroduced annually.

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon and welcome to Monday, April 13th, 2026, 1 p.m. meeting of the Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission. The meeting is called to order. Will the clerk please call the role to establish a quorum? Thank you, Chair. Commissioner Smith is currently absent. Commissioner Eisenberg. Here. Commissioner Wallace. Here. Commissioner Carter. Here. Commissioner Winlock. Here. Commissioner Hershey. Here. Commissioner Orozco, currently absent. Chair Lavulo is absent. And Vice Chair Oheiu. Here. Thank you. We have quorum. I would like to remind members of the pub of the public and chamber that if you would like to speak on an agenda item, please turn in a speaker slip before the item begins. After the items called, we will no longer accept speaker slips. You will have two minutes to speak once you are called on. We will now proceed to today's agenda. Please rise if you are able for the opening acknowledgement in honor of Sacramento's indigenous people and tribal lands. To the original people of this land, the Nissanan people, the Southern Maidu Valley and Plains Miwok, Putwin Wintune 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 Peoples, history, contributions, and lives. Thank you. Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Under God, individual with liberty and justice proud. Next is approval of the consent calendar. Clerk, are there any members of the public who wish to speak on the consent calendar? Thank you, Chair. I have none. Okay. Commissioner Wallace. I move approval of the consent calendar. Second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstain? The motion passes. Now we will proceed to the discussion calendar. Item number three. Good afternoon, Commissioners. My name is Melissa Cerrone.

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