SR-300-002-01 (13)ATTAC@Q?NT III
CiTY OF SANTA MONICA
Caltural/Arts Organizational Support
Grant Program
Proposed Three-Year Plan
FY 2000-01 through 2002-03
Draft
May 18, 2000
CULTURAL AFFAIRS DIVISION
Community & Cultural Services Department
1685 Main Street, Room 106, Santa Monica, California 90401
Telephone {310) 458-8350 FAX (310) 917-6641
Tabfe of Contents
Page
Introductian
Funding Strategies
4
Attachment I 7
Minimum Eligibility Requirements and Selection Criteria
Attachment I!
Proposed Funding Recommendations
9
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`{NTRODUCTION _ _ .. _ .~ ~_ _ _ ~ _ . . ~ . . . . _. ~., _ _ ~
The City's Department of Community and Cultural Services (Cultural Affairs Divisionl assesses
the needs of Santa Monica's cultural and arts organizations and provides ongoing support to
those organizations through direct programs and technical assistance. The Division coordinates
with these agencies to bring a diverse range of arts programming to the Santa Monica
community, advises the Eity Manager and City Council of the changing conditions and needs of
the arts community, and proposes initiatives to address these issues.
One mechanism for addressing identified needs is funding through the Cultural/Arts
Organizational Support Grant (OSG} Program approved by the City Council in January, 1997.
The OSG Program has a direct and significant impact on the cultural/arts offerings available to
residents of Santa Monica. This report sets forth the specific funding recommendations, goals
and objectives for a three-year period, beginning in Fiscal Year {FY) 2000-01 . Once approved,
funding through the OSG Program will be available beginning July 1, 2000 through June 30,
2001 and may be renewed an additional two years with cost of living adjustments (FY 2001-02
through FY 2002-03) contingent upon available funding, effective program performance and City
Council approval.
BACKGRCIUND . ,... . .~~~..,. _,. ..._~ .. ,~x~.,e~ LL,_ .__~~tiwa_.,~. <~~.... s~m _
In 1982 the Santa Monica City Council established the City's cultural affairs program,
recognizing that encouragement of the arts is a basic service of municipal government and
mandating the development of innovative programs. This was an important first step in making
Santa Monica a leader in the arts.
The City of Santa Monica's program celebrated its tenth anniversary in 1992. In honor of that
event, the City Council and Arts Commission decided to evaluate the range of cultural arts
programs and services in Santa Monica and to undertake development of a long range Cultural
Arts Master Plan. The plan incorporated goals for the City's cultural future and the strategies by
which to attain them. The plan was updated and officially adopted by the City Council in 1996.
In the Master Plan process, a cross-section of the Santa Monica arts community and the public
assessed the needs and desires of the City's residents. The time had come to reflect on the arts
programs created by the City in its fifteen year history, and to examine the public's perceptions
and preferences. Concurrent with the evolution of the City's cultura{ affairs program, a
community-based process took place as new arts and cultural organizations were born and grew
up to take their place at the forefront of the nation's cultural charge. More than eighty-three
cultural organizations now call Santa Monica their home. They range frorn small community
oriented groups to major internationally reputed arts organizations. The City seeks to support
this thriving community of arts organizations and artists who call Santa Monica home as well as
the municipal programs that have contributed substantially to this environment.
Currently the City directly funds Santa Monica's arts and cultural community in three ways:
23 The Cultural Affairs Division and the Santa Monica Arts Commission has overseen the
Community Arts (CO-ARTS- Grants Program for more than ten years. This program provides
small project support grants, of a maximum of 55,000 to Santa Monica- based arts and
cultural agencies in two categories - funding for arts programming with broad appeal, and
funding for cultural programming to, for, by, or about Santa Monica's Latino community. The
number of grants awarded through the CO-ARTS Program ranges from ten to twenty per year
depending upon the applications received. Annual funding for this program totals 550,000.
Zj Through its independent non-profit arm, the Santa Monica Arts Foundation, the City makes
possible small grants to community groups and schools for the costs of transportation to
cultural venues or events within Los Angeles County. Approximately fifteen awards are made
annually through the Arts Education Transportation Grant Program. Annual funding from this
program totals approximately $3,000.
Zj The first cycle of the City's CulturallArts Organizational Support Grant Program began in
Fiscal Year 1 997-98. This program provided funding to twelve local non-profit arts agencies
in the form of nine Organizational Support Grants and four Technical Assistance Grants.
Fiscal Year 1999-2000 sees the end of the first three-year cycle for this new program. This
plan proposes funding for FY 2000-01 in the amount of 5229,000.
_. _
FUNDING STRATEGIES
In August of 1999, a Request for Proposals ~RFP- that incorporated funding guidelines approved
by the City Council on August 10, 1999 was released to a mailing list of twenty-seven local
non-profit organizations. City staff hefd two mandatory RFP workshops to provide potential
applicants with an orientation to the City's policy directions and funding priorities in FY 2000-
Q1 . Thirteen potential applicants attended these workshops. A total of thirteen proposats were
submitted representing 5420,504 in funding requests. This exceeded the available FY 2000-01
budget by 5235,504.
Grant proposals were reviewed by a panel consisting of City staff and experts in arts and
cufturaV program administration. Proposals were rated based on the extent to which applicants
met the Minimum Eligibility Requirements and Selection Criteria adopted by City Council (see
Attachment I).
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION AND INPUT
Community input on the following grant recommendations is invited during this community
review period with the release of the Proposed OSG Plan. A display ad will be published in Our
Times announcing the availability of this plan and inviting citizens to re~iew and comment on the
specific funding recommendations. Staff recommendations will be presented and discussed at
2
the Santa Monica Arts Commission's public meeting of June 19, 2~00. Program applicants will
be notified directly of the recommendations. Written comments are encouraged and will be
transmitted to the City Council prior to the adoption of this ptan. Comments should be sent to:
Cultural Affairs Division
7 685 Main Street, Room 106
Santa Monica, CA 904o1
Attn: Maria Luisa de Herrera
via facsimile ~310) 917-6641
or via e-mail
maria-luisa-de-herreraC~santa-monica.org
The City Council will convene a public hearing on June 20, 2000 at 6:30 PM in the City Council
Chambers, 1685 Main Street, 2"d Floor to gain further input on the City's FY 2000-01 Budget
including adoption of this plan.
THE PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2000-01 FUNDING PICTURE
The total recommended FY 2000-01 OSG Program budget is $185,000 from the City's General
Fund and 544,000 from Proposition A funds. This represents a 26% or 547,600 increase over
the FY 1999-2000 funding level. This increase is supported by funds from the Department of
Community and Cultural Services budget and 544,000 in new Proposition A funding. No new
General Fund contributions are needed.
The funding recommendations contained in this plan include grants to ten organizations selected
through the competitive RFP process. Grant recommendations range from $6,300 to 560,700.
Nine agencies receiving funding in the 1997-2000 funding cycle have been recommended for
funding in this new cycle. One agency, a recipient of a technical assistance grant in the first
funding cycle, is recommended for a new Organizational Grant. One new agency is
recommended for funding using Proposition A funds. Finally, three agencies are being advised
that their proposals are more appropriate for funding under the CO-ARTS Grants Program.
This plan proposes funding for six performing arts organizations that serve youth, families and
adults, including both traditional and avant-garde theater, and intimate and grand scale musical
offerings; three local museums; and one multi-discipline agency representing a mixture of inedia
and arts services. These grants will support a range of administration and operating expenses
such as overhead, staff salaries, marketing initiatives, audience development, staff training,
educational outreach, and facility expenses.
Given the significant funding constraints, grant amounts for the second three-year cycle of the
Santa Monica Cultural/Arts Organizational Support Grants were determined with the following
goals:
1. Rewarding organizations which have provided high quality programming
2. Maintaining base level support of previously funded agencies
3
3. Fair distribution of available funding between qualifying organizations
The following table details recommended grant amounts by agency. Attachment II provides
more detail on each agen~y and proposed funding conditions.
TABLE 1: PROPOSED FY 2000-01 ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT GRANT PROGRAM ANNUAL PLAN
Budget Request 1999-2000
Funding 2000-01
Gen Funds Prop A
Funds
18th Street Arts Complex - $531,151 $60,OOD $15,70a $24,000
Santa Monica Museum of Art $689,317 $65,000 558,40o $6D,70D
Virginia Avenue Project $204,100 $20,OD0 ~18,800 $19,500
Santa Monica Playhouse $491,000 $25,000 $1,500 $6,300
L.A. Baroque Orchestra $130,000 $20,000 $6,3Q0 $6,400
Highways Pertormance Space $228,150 $20,000 $8,400 $8,600
American Academy of Dance $233,215 $58,000 $44,000
California Heritage Museum $224,477 $30,000 $19,600 $19,600
Santa Monica Symphony $126,479 $34,ODD $28,000 $28,000
5anta Monica Historical Society $161,000 $35,~OD 511,900 $11,900
Aresis Ensemble $84,936 $23,500 $1,500 $0
Santa Monica Theater Guild $180,000 $12,000 $1,50D $D
Dancessence $24,300 $5,954 $0
fOTAL $408,454 $171,600 ~185,000 $44,D00
NOTES:
This chart does not include CO-ARTS and Arts Education Transportation Grants.
*Approximately $12,948 in additional funds will carry over into FY 2000-01 for Phase 3 of the Santa Monica
Historical Society Museum's Collection Conservation Grant awarded in prior years.
4
ATTAGHMENT t
Minimum Eligibility Requirements
and
Selection Criteria
Cultural/Arts Organizational Support Grant Program
Minimum Eligibility Requirements~
Applicants are eligible to apply for grant funding through the City's Cultural/Art Organizational
Support Program if they meet the following Council approved minimum eligibility requirements:
The applicant is a resident Santa Monica arts or cultural orqanization and has been based in
the City for at least five years; and
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Code; and
_ The applicant complies with Fair Labor Standards and pays professional performers, artists,
and suoportinq personnel at least the minimum level of compensation oaid to ~eoole
employed in similar activities.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Applications for the City's Cultural/Arts Organizational Support Grant Program will be reviewed
according to how effectively applicants can demonstrate they meet the following Council-
approved selection criteria:
_ Offers programs of cultural and artistic excellence, indicated by providing promotional and
other sample materials showing the overall history of the organization;
_ Meets community needs by means of a range of diversity of programs;
_ ~inics and coiiaboraies wiin oiner ~ania ivionica-based aris and cuiiurai organizaiions;
_ Demonstrates the community's support of the brganization through documentation of
audience, volunteer, and organizational demographics, general methods of community
niitraarh anrl attanrlanru fin~irae• .
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_ Demonstrates its viability and long-term stability by providing organizational budget
- . . . .. . .. . .
documents including revenue breakdowns listing all ma~or donors;
_ Employs a professional staff;
_ Provides accessibility of programming to the general public;
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from the City of Santa Monica.
*Adopted by the Santa Monica City Council on August 10, 1999
ATTACHMENT II
Proposed Funding Recommendations
Cultural/Arts Organizational Support Grant Program
FY 2000-01
Proposed Funding Recommendations
18T" STREET ARTS COMPLEX
FY 2000-01 Recommended Funding:
524,000
FY 2000-01 Funding Request:
S 60,000
Program Summary:
The 18"' Street Arts Complex is a non-profit residential arts center with four primary
programs: a residency program providing affordable live/work/studio space for artists; an
international artist-in-residence exchange program; an arts education program designed
both to develop teaching skills for artists and to enhance the arts programming available
in local public schools; and a presenting program showcasing the works of resident and
visiting artists.
Funding Rationale:
Programming at the 18`h Street Arts Complex addresses three of the City Council's five
budget priorities: Education, Affordable Housing, and Community Livability, and
significantly met the funding criteria. The Complex is the anly agency which has been
able to address the issue of artist live/work/studio space in the City, an issue identified as
crucial by both the Santa Monica City Council and the Santa Monica Arts Commission.
Additional funds in the amount of 58,300 are specifically recommended to this agency in
order to supplement a new staff position, Operations Coordinator, which will help
oversee the management of resident leases and maintenance of the facilities.
FY 2000-01 Funding Conditions:
Funding is to be used to support salaries for two new staff positions, Program
Coordinator and Operations Coordinator, overseeing the Complex's residency and arts
education programs.
AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DANCE AND KINDRED ARTS
FY 2000-01 Recommend Funding:
544,000 (Proposition A Funds)
FY 2000-01 Funding Request:
S 58,000
Program Summary:
The American Academy of Dance and Kindred Arts is committed to providing quality
dance and arts education to all members of the Santa Monica community. The Academy
has created the Dance For All program which provides free dance instruction to all third
graders in the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School System.
Funding Rationale:
The American Academy was one of two agencies selected by the City Council as an
"anchor" tenant for the Miles Memorial Playhouse_ The grant review panel noted its
diverse artistic background. For one and one-half years, the Dance For All program took
place in the Playhouse, making this facility availa6le to young people throughout Santa
Monica. Staff proposes the use of Proposition A funds to support the necessary
transportation costs allowing the program to make optimal use of the Miles Playhouse.
FY 2000-01 Funding Conditions:
The Academy will use the $44,000 in Prop A funding to pay for services provided by the
Santa Monica Big Blue Bus in the transportation of students to the Miles Memorial
Playhouse from elementary schools within the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School
District.
ARESIS ENSEMBLE
FY 2000-01 Recommended Funding:
Not recommended for funding
FY 2000-01 Funding Request:
523,500
Program Summary:
Aresis Ensemble presents innovative contemporary drama and modern classics in ways
that inform and enlighten their audiences on contemporary issues.
Funding Rationale:
While Aresis Ensemble consistently presents high quality, intelligent work, it was
determined that this agency would be more suitable for funding under the City's CO-ARTS
Granting Program. The Ensemble is encouraged to identify projects within their
programming that would be fundable under that program.
CALIFORNIA HERITAGE MUSEUM
FY 2000-01 Recommended Funding:
S 19, 600
FY 2000-01 Funding Request:
530,000
Program Summary:
The mission of the California Heritage Museum is to promote the understanding of Santa
Monica's historical and cultural heritage while recognizing that contemporary arts, music
and cultural activities provide the basis of our future heritage. The museum houses an
archive of more than 6,000 historic photographs available to the public.
Funding Rationale:
The California Heritage Museum was rated by the grant review panel as an important
community resource. Because this agency has met previous grant conditions and
continues to serve the Santa Monica community, it is recommended that existing funding
be maintained.
FY 2000-01 Funding Conditions:
Funding is to be used to support the salary of the staff curator and in the production of
promotional materials for the Latino, Senio~ and Student Outreach Program.
DANCESSENCE
FY 2000-01 Recommended Funding:
Not recommended for funding
FY 2000-01 Funding Request:
$5,954
Program Summary:
Dancessence is a modern dance company presenting performances and
lecture/demonstrations in Southern California.
Funding Rationale: _
It was determined that due to the small staff and overall small size of this agency, it
would be better suited to request funding through the City's CO-ARTS Grants Program.
The company is encouraged to strengthen their grantwriting skills and develop proposals
that would be fundable under that granting program.
HIGHWAYS
FY 2000-01 Recommended Funding:
58, 600
FY 2000-01 Funding Request:
520,000
Program Summary:
Founded in 1989, Highways' mission is to develop and present innovative visual and
performance art, promote interaction among people of diverse cultural identities and
facilitate critical dialogue among artists. Highways presents fifty-one weeks of
programming throughout the year as well as over fifty workshops and classes which
provide community members with access to professional instruction in many areas of
writing and performance.
Funding Rationale:
Highways was noted by the grant review panel for the consistent high quality of their
programming and their dedicated outreach efforts to multi-cultural communities. The
agency provides lifelong learning opportunities as well as a safe cuftural outlet for Santa
Monica's diverse communities.
FY 2000-01 Funding Conditions:
Funding is to be used to support the salary of the agency's new Co-Artistic Director and
to design and print marketing materials.
LOS ANGELES BAROQUE ORCHESTRA
FY 2000-01 Recommended Funding:
S 6,400
FY 2000-01 Funding Request:
520,000
Program Summary:
The Los Angeles Baroque Orchestra performs the music of the 17"' 18tn and early 1 gtn
century on traditional instruments. One of the agencies selected as a Miles Playhouse
iv
user, the Orchestra has initiated a new program, Music at Miles, which presents family
oriented concerts in the City facility.
Funding Rationale:
This agency was noted by the review panel for the high quality of programming provided
by the Orchestra. Their low-cost children's tickets and in-school program provides young
people with exposure to classical music, and their presentations at the Miles Playhouse
help to enrich the cultural offerings in our community.
FY 2000-01 Funding Conditions:
Funding is to be used to support the Orchestra's outreach efforts into Santa Monica
including admission-free concerts and education programs. {n addition, funding will help
to support the salary of the Managing Director enabling the Orchestra to develop new
strategies to address growth and programming.
SANTA MONICA HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM
FY 2000-01 Recommended Funding:
$1 1, 900
FY 200~-01 Funding Request:
S35,Q00
Program Summary:
The Santa Monica Historical Society was founded to collect~ and preserve the history,
culture and art of the City of Santa Monica. The Society offers free tours of its collection
to adults and school groups and holds a large collection of historic photographs and
documents including the photograph archives of the Santa Monica Dutlook newspaper.
Funding Rationale:
The Santa Monica Historical Society and Museum was noted by the grant review panel for
its role as an important community resource. Because this agency has met previous grant
conditions and continues to serve the Santa Monica community, it is recommended that
existing funding be maintained for this agency. (Note: A balance of 512,948 from a
575,000 Collection Conservation Grant awarded in fiscal year 1996-97 is also available.)
FY 2000-01 Funding Conditions:
Funding is to support direct staff expenses in the supervision of the Museum's
conservation project.
SAIVTA MONICA MUSEUM OF ART
FY 2000-01 Recommended Funding:
$ 60, 700
FY 2000-01 Funding Request:
$65,000
Program Summary:
The Santa Monica Museum of Art (SMMOA) is a community-based operation dedicated to
presenting works of contemporary art. The Museum presents an average of twelve
exhibitions per year and offers a renowned series of educational programs for both adults
and children including the Evening Salon Series, Kids' Art Station and Art Partners.
vi
Funding Rationale:
The Museum was noted by the grant review panel for the high quality of exhibitions and
the growth demonstrated by the agency in its new home at Bergamot Station. SMMOA
offers educational programming to both adults and youth while providing the City an
internationai renown art museum showcasing contemporary art in one of few non-
commercial venues available in Santa Monica.
FY 2000-01 Funding Conditions:
Funding is to be used to support the salary of a new Education Director and other general
administrative expenses including marketing and membership initiatives.
SANTA MONICA PLAYHOUSE
FY 2000-a1 Recommended Funding:
S6,3Q0
FY 2000-01 Funding Request:
525,000
Program Summary:
Santa Monica Playhouse provides theatrical productions and educational programming for
youth and adults. In its thirty-seventh year, the Playhouse presents a diverse season of
plays, readings and special events for adults and youth.
Funding Rationale:
Santa Monica Playhouse was a recipient of a technical assistance grant in the original
funding cycle of the Cultural/Arts Organizational Support Grant Program. In the three
years since, the agency has addressed the issues and concerns identified in its first
application and shown growth and development in its management. The Playhouse was
noted by the grant review panef for providing the community with high quality theater
performances in their facility.
FY 2000-01 Funding Conditions:
Funding is to be used to support staff salaries and to assist the agency in the hiring of an
Education Associate to oversee in-school programs.
SANTA MONICA SYMPHONY
FY 20~0-01 Recommended Funding:
$28,000
FY 2000-01 Funding Request:
$34,000
Program Summary:
The Santa Monica Symphony presents four admission-free concerts each season of both
classical and contemporary symphonic music. The agency helps to introduce young
people to classical music by performing at local schools and community events.
Funding Rationale:
The Santa Monica Symphony was noted by the grant review panel for its role as an
important community resource. Because this agency has met previous grant conditions
vii
and continues to serve the Santa Monica community, it is recommsnded that existing
funding be maintained for this agency.
FY 2000-01 Funding Conditians:
Funding is to be used to support concert production costs and administrative salaries.
SANTA MONICA THEATER GUILD
FY 2000-01 Recommended Funding:
Not recommended_for funding.
FY 2000-d1 Funding Request:
s i z,ooo
Program Summary:
The Santa Monica Theater Guild is a primarily volunteer community theater presenting a
variety of productions with both professional and non-professional performers.
Funding Rationale:
The Santa Monica Theater Guild is a definite asset to its community as demonstrated by
its subscription and ticket sales. However, it was determined that because of the small
administrative staff of this agency that the grant request should be directed to the City's
CO-ARTS Grants Program. Theater Guild staff is encouraged to develop more competitive
grant requests to that program.
VIRGINIA AVENUE PROJECT
FY 2000-01 Recommended Funding:
S 19,500
FY 2000-a1 Funding Request: ~
s2o,oo0
Program Summary:
The Virginia Avenue Project conducts after-school theater arts programming at the Santa
Monica Police Activities League which provides youth with writing, performing and
business skills through long-term colla6orations with adult mentors. One of two anchor
agencies at the Miles Memorial Playhouse, the Project presents plays written and
performed by their young clients with professional actors and directors.
Funding Rationale:
The Virginia Avenue Project was noted by the grant review panel for the long term quality
of its programming and its value to youth. Workshops offered by the Project help to
enhance and complete the educational opportunities provided in the schools while offering
Santa Monica's at-risk youth the training and discipline needed to succeed in life.
FY 2000-01 Funding Conditions:
Funding is to be used to support general administrative expenses and program goals.
viii