SR-6-I (39)
01
ccs BS f\ccsadm\statlrep\co JUN 1 7 1997
Clly Council Meetmg June 17, 1997 Santa MOllica, Cahforma
TO Mayor and Clly Councd
FROM City Staff
SUBJECT: RecommendatIon to Support SubmissIon of Grant Proposal by Side Street
Projects and ArtISt ThereSla Rosa Kleeman to Restore the Camera Obscura m
Pahsades Park
INTRODUCTION
ThiS report recommends that the Clly CounCIl support a grant proposal to restore the Camera
Obscura. located at the SCllior RccrcatlOn Ccnter m Pahsades Park. snbmItted to the Durfee
FoundatlOn"s ReSidency Program by Side Street Projects and Theresla Rosa Kleeman, proposed
artlst-m-resldence
BACKGROUND
The Camera Obscura. a forerunner of the modem camera, was bUIlt on Santa MOnIca's North Beach
III 1889 by Robert F Jones and was moved to PalIsades Park III the early 1900's In 1955, It was
housed at the SenIor RecreatIOn Center m the park and IS aVailable for publIc vlewmg during Semor
Center hours of operatlon On May 20. 1997. the Department of Community and Cultural ServIces
received a request from the artiSt for Clly support of a proposal to the Durfee FoundatIon ReSIdency
Program for fundmg to restore the Camera Obscura and develop an outreach program to Illcrease ItS
accesslblhty to the public ThiS proposal was \"Tltten by Ms Kleeman WIth S,de Street Projects
servmg as the host agency for the reSidency
(01
JUN 1 7 1997
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DISCUSSION
The proposal requests financIal support from the Durfee FoundatIOn for a l2-month artISt-lll-
residence project that would (I) restore the Camera Obscura, mc1udmg c1eanmg, lubncatlon of all
movlllg parts and repmr of the tableau. (2) develop a Instoncal gwde for the pubhc, and (3) mStlllite
a docent program. lllcludmg volunteers from the Semor Recreation Center to ensure that commUlllty
outreach and education wll1 contmue beyond the duration ofthe residency program SIde Street
Projects, the host orgamzatIOn, IS a well estabhshed art orgamzatIOn III Santa Momca that has
receIved several resIdency grants from the Durfee FoundatIOn m the past The artist has over ten
years expenence m workmg With complex techmcal/mechamcal OptIC deVIces
Due to the Foundatlon's fundmg deadlme. the apphcant requested a letter of support from the CIty
by June 6. 1997 City staff submitted a letter expressmg mterest III workmg WIth SIde Street Projects
and the artIst to aclneve a successful project If funded. the CIty would execute an Agreement ,vlth
Side Street Projects to ensure that all CIty reqwrements, mcludmg acceptable restoratIOn procedures
and CIty ownershIp ofthe Camera Obscura and Its Improvements. were met
FINANCIAL A.~D BUDGET IMPACTS
Tins project would have no budgetary or financrallmpact on the CIty Grant funds would be
receIved and expended by SIde Street Projects
RECOMMENDATION
CIty staff recommends that the City Councll support the submIssIon of the grant proposal to the
Durfee FoundatIOn and, If funded, authonze the CIty Manager to negotiate and execute an
Agreement "mh SIde Street Projects, conl1ngent upon assurances regardmg acceptable restoration
procedures and CIty o\\nershlp of The Camera Obscura and Its ImprovemenTs
Prepared by Barbara Stmchfield, Actmg Duecror
Department ofComrnumty and Cultural ServIces
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