Title
Approval of the Grants to Arts Organizations Program
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
The General Government Committee reviewed and recommended the approval of the Grants to Arts Organizations Program at its June 21, 2018, meeting.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the Grants to Arts Organizations Program.
Report
Issue:
Whether to authorize staff to proceed with the Grants to Arts Organizations program.
Staff Contact:
Stephanie Johnson, Arts Program Manager, 360.709.2678
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item
Background and Analysis:
The intent of the Grants to Arts Organizations (GAO) program is to provide equitable access to the arts for all Olympians. The program goal is to fund projects that expand citizen involvement; engage underserved populations; and, promote the interests of the broader Olympia community, as realized through the Olympia Comprehensive Plan. Development of this program was approved with the Arts Commission 2018 Work Plan.
• GAO helps provide more arts experiences for the community with less staff time.
• Arts staff have capacity to manage GAO
• Arts staff has consulted with the legal department to minimize their time on the project.
• There is already a GAO model in the sponsorship of Music in the Park, managed by the ODA. Arts staff has been facilitating that contract for years.
• The matching grant guidelines and application are based on those developed for the existing City Neighborhood Matching Grant Program.
The Arts Commission and staff believe this program is supported by six goals and policies in the Comprehensive Plan and several Action Plan Goals:
GR8: Arts in Olympia are supported.
PR8.3 - Encourage broad arts participation in the community.
PR8.5 - Provide opportunities that highlight the talent of visual, literary and performing artists.
PR8.8 - Create a range of opportunities for the public to interact with art; from small workshops to large community events.
PE10.1 - Continue to provide programs and services that support visual and performing arts activities in Olympia.
PE10.3 - Support local art galleries, museums, arts and entertainment facilities, live music venues, arts organizations and businesses.
Downtown Action Area - Engaging Arts & Entertainment Experiences
Economy Action Area - A Thriving Arts and Entertainment Industry
The General Government Committee reviewed the attached Grants to Arts Organizations policy and application on June 21, 2018. The Committee recommended the Grants to Arts Organizations program to City Council for approval with the addition of a question to the application clarifying how the proposal will reach underserved communities.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
This item was added to the Arts Commission’s Work Plan after hearing from a community arts organization that such a program could help them make art more accessible to the community.
Options:
Move to approve the Grants to Arts Organizations Program
Move to approve the Grants to Arts Organizations Program as modified by the City Council.
Do not approve the Grants to Arts Organizations Program.
Financial Impact:
Up to $20,000 annually from the Municipal Art Fund
Attachments:
Policy
Guidelines
Application
Municipal Art Plan Funding Table
Arts Commission Work Plan