Title
Arts Commission Leadership Positions for 2026
Recommended Action
Commission may choose to make a motion or table the decision until the December 2025 meeting.
Report
Issue:
Determining a Chair and Vice-Chair for 2026
Staff Contact:
Stephanie Johnson, Arts Program Manager, Parks, Arts & Recreation, 360.709.2678
Presenter(s):
N/A
Background and Analysis:
Annually, City Advisory boards and commissions determine leadership positions for the following year.
The Advisory Body Guidebook directs:
2.b. Selection of Chair and Vice Chair
Except for the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, Advisory Body members select from their members a Chair and a Vice Chair. The Chair serves for a year and may be reappointed. For the health of the body, there is an expectation that bodies should plan for leadership succession. Successful bodies have built succession planning into their processes, for example, committing to a system where the Vice Chair automatically moves into the Chair position following completion of the Chair’s term. This allows each Vice Chair an opportunity to learn and train for the role of Chair over the term and opens up leadership opportunities to more members of the body.
2.e. Duties of the Chair and Vice Chair
The Chair shall preside over the meetings and will exercise all powers of the office, including coordination of meeting agendas with the City’s staff liaison and facilitating Advisory Body meetings. The Chair retains full rights and responsibilities to participate in deliberations and votes of the Advisory Body. The Chair is responsible for presenting the Advisory Body’s annual workplan recommendations at the annual meeting of the Advisory Body Chairs and CLPS. The Vice Chair shall, in the absence of the Chair, perform all duties of the Chair. In the absence of the Chair and Vice Chair, members present may select a temporary Chair to preside at the meeting.
Tasks for the Chair include participating in a monthly agenda-setting meeting with staff (approximately 1/2 hour), to present Arts Commission recommendations at City Council and Council Committee meetings (typically evenings, approximately 6-8 per year), and to facilitate meetings.
Tasks for the Vice-Chair include participating in a monthly agenda-setting meeting with staff and the Chair, and to stand in as Chair when necessary.
Climate Analysis:
Determining a slate of Arts Commission officers for 2025 will not positively or negatively affect climate and the environment.
Equity Analysis:
Determining a slate of Arts Commission officers for 2025 will not positively or negatively burden a group that has been historically deprioritized or forgotten.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
N/A
Options:
1. Review staff report and discuss appointments for a decision at the December meeting.
2. Determine Chair and Vice Chair selected from members of the committee.
Financial Impact:
N/A
Attachments:
Advisory Body Guidebook (right hand column of webpage)