Title
Update on Arts, Cultures and Heritage (ArCH) Project
Recommended Action
Information only. No action requested.
Report
Issue:
Update by Assistant City Manager on the progress and future role for the OHC on the ArCH project.
Staff Contact:
Jay Burney, Assistant City Manager, Executive Services, 360.753.8740
Presenter(s):
Jay Burney, Assistant City Manager
Background and Analysis:
Olympia Mayor Cheryl Selby has initiated a study of the City’s arts, cultures, and heritage (ArCH) programs, events, and experiences. The OHC had a briefing from Michelle Sadlier, Historic Preservation Officer, at its October 25, 2017 meeting. Here is a reminder about the ArCH project components and an update on accomplishments to date:
Project Components:
• Develop an assessment of the community’s current efforts, including but not limited to those supported directly by the City.
• Interview key stakeholders and participants in the Olympia community’s current ArCH efforts.
• Review and analyze relevant policies and plans, including but not limited to the City Comprehensive, Arts Parks and Recreation Plan, and Downtown Strategy.
• Closely coordinate with a City appointed Resource Committee to thoroughly learn and understand the Community’s ArCH status.
• Identify most relevant and promising practices from comparable communities regionally and nationally, focusing on models that should inform Olympia’s considerations of ArCH investments and priorities.
• Work with the Resource Committee and key stakeholders to develop a vision, priorities and other options for the community’s ArCH efforts.
• Create options that recognize limited City resources including an option with no added City resources, one with marginal increases in funds ($100,000 -150,000) and an option tied to a broader funding source such as a cultural access sales tax. Provide information on the return on investment gained by the implementation of the priorities and options identified.
• Analyze options and prepare recommendations for achieving the vision, including strategic priorities, financial models for revenue and expenditures, personnel and staffing models, building community support, and strengthening partnerships and alliances within City departments and across the community.
Work to Date:
The consultant team and City staff (Jay Burney, Assistant City Manager; Stephanie Johnson, Arts Program Manager; and Michelle Sadlier, Historic Preservation Officer) have met with three groups of community stakeholders, to get their feedback and experience as local practitioners, and convened a core group of community leaders (including Heritage Commissioner Ben Helle) for three meetings to work on strategic planning.
As a result of the information gathered from these community members, the consultant team is currently compiling and drafting a report which will ultimately be submitted to the Olympia City Council for consideration.