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HomeMy WebLinkAboutED Cultural District Application,7 * SAN RA FA E L Agenda Item No: 4.e hi THE CITY WITH A MISSION Meeting Date: March 20, 2017 SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT Department: Economic Development Prepared by: Thomas Adams, ED Coordinator City Manager Approval: TOPIC: SUPPORT APPLICATION FROM DOWNTOWN ARTS ORGANIZATIONS TO BECOME A `CALIFORNIA CULTURAL DISTRICT' SUBJECT: Resolution of the San Rafael City Council Supporting an Application for Downtown San Rafael to Become a Recognized `California Cultural District' and Acknowledging the City's Partnership with Downtown Arts Organizations. RECOMMENDATION: Adopt the Resolution. BACKGROUND: The State of California approved Assembly Bill 189 (Attachment 1) in the 2015-16 legislative session. This bill directed the California Arts Council to establish a program for state -designated culture and arts districts. The state culture district program is targeted to those geographic areas which have a high concentration of cultural facilities, arts venues, creative artists, and arts related businesses. State designation as an arts district is intended to provide marketing benefits and serve as an impetus for increased partnerships among culture and arts related organizations. ANALYSIS: As the first step to implement Assembly Bill 189, the California Arts Council recently approved an application process for a `California Culture Districts' pilot program (Attachment 2). The pilot program will accept ten to fifteen applicants to participate in a two year program to analyze and evaluate the program before it gets finalized and expanded. Pilot program participants will help refine the certification process and will assist with the development of `best practices' for state -designated culture districts. The deadline for application for the `California Culture Districts' pilot program is March 29. Downtown San Rafael has a long history as the civic, cultural, and arts center of Marin County and currently features a wide variety of arts related organizations and businesses - Downtown San Rafael thus has a strong potential for designation as a state -designated `California Culture District'. Artworks Downtown (located in a former opera house at 1337 Fourth) has offered to be the lead applicant to prepare and submit an application to become a state -designated cultural FOR CITY CLERK ONLY File No.: R-415 Council Meeting: 03/20/2017 Disposition: Resolution 14295 SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Paue: 2 district. As the home to over 30 artist studios, 3 galleries, 17 affordable housing units for artists, and host to numerous arts education events including the Second Friday Art Walk, Artworks is a key cultural anchor for Downtown San Rafael and a natural fit as the lead applicant for this program. The other proposed partner organizations for the application are Youth in Arts, the California Film Institute/Rafael Theater, the Downtown San Rafael Business Improvement District, and the City of San Rafael. The City of San Rafael is a strong supporter of the arts with an active public arts program, seasonal arts shows at Falkirk, partnerships with local arts organizations, and a wide variety of arts and cultural programming offered through the Community Services program. The City has been working with the Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) on ways to highlight the arts as a reason to visit Downtown San Rafael and state -designation as a `California Cultural District' has been identified as a key marketing opportunity to highlight the arts in the downtown. Participation in this application will not cost the City anything and since Artworks is the lead applicant, it does not involve much staff time. Should Downtown San Rafael be selected as a participant for the pilot program, City staff will work closely with Artworks and other arts partners and interested parties to develop a program to increase the visibility and patronage of Downtown arts organizations. FISCAL IMPACT: None — a small amount of staff time might be involved if the Downtown San Rafael is selected to participate in the program. OPTIONS: 1. Adopt the resolution 2. Do not adopt the resolution 3. Provide staff with further direction ACTION REQUIRED: 1. Adopt the resolution supporting the application for Downtown San Rafael to become a `California Cultural District'. ATTACHMENTS: Resolution 1. Assembly Bill 189 (Bloom) 2. California Cultural Districts Application Packet RESOLUTION NO. 14295 RESOLUTION OF THE SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL SUPPORTING AN APPLICATION FOR DOWNTOWN SAN RAFAEL TO BECOME A RECOGNIZED `CALIFORNIA CULTURAL DISTRICT' AND ACKNOWLEDGING THE CITY'S PARTNERSHIP WITH DOWNTOWN ARTS ORGANIZATIONS WHEREAS, the City of San Rafael (the "City") is a municipal corporation that provides services to residents, businesses, and visitors; and WHEREAS, the City of San Rafael recognizes arts and culture as a vital element of the quality of life in San Rafael; and WHEREAS, the City of San Rafael has a long history of supporting the arts through such programs as the Falkirk arts showcase, the City's Public Art program, partnerships with local arts organizations, and arts and cultural programming offered through the Community Services department; and WHEREAS, arts and culture are a key driver of the downtown economy; and WHEREAS, support of local arts organizations increases access to the arts and enhances the quality of life; and WHEREAS, in the 2015-16 legislative session, the State of California passed Assembly Bill 189 (Bloom) which directed the California Arts Council to set up a program for state -designated cultural districts; and WHEREAS, the California Arts Council recently established a pilot program and application process for the new `California Cultural Districts' program; and WHEREAS, Artworks Downtown is the lead organization in the preparation and submittal of an application to the `California Cultural Districts' program, along with four core partners - the City of San Rafael, the Downtown San Rafael Business Improvement District, Youth in Arts, and the California Film Institute; and WHEREAS, there is a wealth of arts and cultural assets in Downtown San Rafael including arts -related organizations such as Artworks Downtown, Youth in Arts, Falkirk Cultural Center, Mountain Play, Alter Theater, California Film Institute/Rafael Theater, Garzoli Gallery, and Marin Society of Artists, along with numerous arts -related events including Second Fridays Art Walk, the Mill Valley Film Festival, Litquake San Rafael, and the new DocLands film festival; and WHEREAS, recognition as a `Cultural Arts District' will enhance cultural tourism in Downtown San Rafael and the proposed partnership will help to market the many arts and cultural resources in the downtown. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of San Rafael does hereby support an application for Downtown San Rafael to become a recognized `California Cultural District' and acknowledges the City's partnership with downtown arts organizations. 1 I, ESTHER BEIRNE, Clerk of the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a meeting of the City Council of said City held on Monday, the 20th of March, 2017, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Bushey, Colin, Gamblin, McCullough & Mayor Phillips NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None ESTHER BEIRNE, City Clerk AUTHENTICATED , iClRUII!t LLG.I Iisl+_N:3L Assembly Bill No. 189 ATTACHIVIEI�TT 1 CHAPTER 396 An act to add Chapter 9.2 (commencing with Section 8758) to Division 1 of Title 2 of the Govermnent Code, relating to state government. [Approved by Governor October 1, 2015. Filed with Secretary of State October 1, 2015.] LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 189, Bloom. Arts Council: cultural districts. The Dixon-Zenovich-Maddy California Arts Act of 1975 establishes the Arts Council, consisting of 11 appointed members, sets forth the duties of the council, and authorizes the council to accept federal grants and unrestricted gifts, donations, bequests, or grants of funds from private sources and public agencies for the purposes of encouraging artistic awareness, promoting the employment of artists, and providing for the exhibition of art works in public buildings, among others. This bill would additionally require the Arts Council to establish criteria and guidelines for state -designated cultural districts, as defined. The bill would require the council to establish a competitive application system for certification, provide technical and promotional support for certified state -designated cultural districts, and collaborate with public agencies and private entities to maximize the benefits of state -designated cultural districts. The bill would provide that a geographical area within the state may be certified as a state -designated cultural district by applying to the council for certification, as provided. The bill would also provide that certification as a state -designated cultural district is effective for 5 years, after which the district may renew certification every 3 years. This bill would authorize the council to solicit and receive gifts, donations, bequests, grants of funds, or any other revenues, from public or private sources and to expend those moneys, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for a state -designated cultural district program and for any other purpose it deems necessary to implement these provisions. The people of the State of California do enact as follows: SECTION 1. Chapter 9.2 (commencing with Section 8758) is added to Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code, to read: 95 Ch. 396 —2— CHAPTER 2— CHAPTER 9.2. STATE -DESIGNATED CULTURAL DISTRICTS 8758. (a) As used in this chapter, "state -designated cultural district" means a geographical area certified pursuant to this chapter with a concentration of cultural facilities, creative enterprises, or arts venues that does any of the following: (1) Attracts artists, creative entrepreneurs, and cultural enterprises. (2) Encourages economic development and supports entrepreneurship in the creative community. (3) Encourages the preservation and reuse of historic buildings and other artistic and culturally significant structures. (4) Fosters local cultural development. (5) Provides a focal point for celebrating and strengthening the unique cultural identity of the community. (6) Promotes opportunity without generating displacement or expanding inequality. (b) The Arts Council shall establish criteria and guidelines for state -designated cultural districts. In executing its powers and duties under this chapter, the council shall do all of the following: (1) Establish a competitive application system by which a community may apply for certification as a state -designated cultural district. (2) Provide technical assistance for state -designated cultural districts from, among others, artists who have experience with cultural districts and provide promotional support for state -designated cultural districts. (3) Collaborate with other public agencies and private entities to maximize the benefits of state -designated cultural districts. (c) A geographical area within the state may be certified as a state -designated cultural district by applying to the council for certification. Certification as a state -designated cultural district shall be for a period of five years, after which the district may renew certification every three years. 8758.1. The council may solicit and receive gifts, donations, bequests, grants of funds, or any other revenues, from public or private sources, and expend those moneys, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for a state -designated cultural district program and for any other purpose it deems necessary to implement this chapter. 9 95 UPDATED 2/3/2017 — NOTE NEW LOI DEADLINE California CALIFORNIA CULTURAL DISTRICTS Distri-cts 2017 PILOT PROGRAM: APPLICATION OVERVIEW AND INSTRUCTIONS The California Arts Council (CAC) is pleased to announce the availability of the open application process for the pilot year of the new California Cultural Districts program. Please read through this document and the California Cultural Districts website for detailed information about the program: www.caculturaid istricts.orq CALIFORNIA CULTURAL DISTRICTS OVERVIEW The CAC's new California Cultural Districts program aims to cultivate authentic and sustainable cultural districts that reflect the breadth and diversity of California's extensive cultural assets. A cultural district is generally understood as a well-defined geographic area with a high concentration of cultural resources and activities. The California program seeks to identify, support and connect centers of arts and cultural activity through the designation and certification process. In this pilot year, a cohort of 10-15 Cultural Districts will be selected through an open application process. Selected districts for the first California Cultural Districts cohort will receive a host of benefits and will participate in a developmental evaluation process to refine the program for the future. Selected districts will help shape the final Cultural District certification process and will help to define the most relevant and effective services for state -designated districts. PILOT CULTURAL DISTRICT PROGRAM BENEFITS Benefits of participating in the pilot cohort include the following: • Official state certification • California Cultural Districts branding materials • Technical assistance • Joint marketing support • Participation in developmental evaluation of the program • Stipend of $5,000 for evaluation participation APPLICATION PROCESS The California Arts Council seeks qualified organizational partnerships to apply through a multi - tiered process adjudicated by a review panel that will include the following: 1. Submission of a Letter of Intent (LOI): Due March 29, 2017 at 5:00 PM PST. 2. Site visits for semi-finalists 3. Finalists will be invited to submit a full application. TIMELINE January 31, 2017 Open Call for Applications Released February 15, 2017 Informational Webinar* — 11:00 AM PST March 29, 2017 LOI Submission Deadline April 17-19, 2017 LOI Review Panel (Semi -Finalists Selected) California Cultural Districts I Application Overview & Instructions Page 1 of 4 UPDATED 2/3/2017 — NOTE NEW LOI DEADLINE May 1-19, 2017 Site Visits for Semi -Finalists May 31, 2017 Finalists Selected May 31, 2017 Full Application Released to Finalists June 23, 2017 Full Application Deadline July 17, 2017 Final Application Review Panel (Pilot Cohort Selected) *Webinarregistration link: httDs://attendee.gotowebinar.com/repister/4539358324894472194 ELIGIBLITY To be eligible to apply during this pilot round, the following minimum requirements must be met: • Only organizational partnerships are eligible to apply. o At a minimum, the partnership must include three organizations: a cultural non- profit or artist collective; a local business or business association; and a branch of local government and/or a community development corporation. • The majority of organizations in the partnership must be located in the district. REQUIREMENTS • Evidence of partnership: Memorandum of understanding or letter of agreement between partnering entities, or local government resolution acknowledging partnership • Map indicating the boundaries of the proposed district • Evidence of community support: (3) Three letters of support from individual community members or artists located in the proposed district (do not include participating partners) o Support letters from the following groups are encouraged: individual artists, low- income residents, social service organizations, local elected officials, etc. • Cultural asset survey or inventory: A narrative description of cultural assets is necessary for LOI and a completed preliminary cultural asset survey or inventory is required at the time of final application. • One organization must serve as the lead applicant for the purposes of completing the application. • The cultural non-profit or artist collective partner must have a two-year history of arts programming or activities. SELECTION CRITERIA The pilot cohort will collectively represent emerging and established, rural, urban, and suburban districts, and will include a focus on cultural production, cultural heritage, or cultural consumption. Districts will be asked to identify according to this broad typology during the application process. (A glossary of terms is available at this link: htti)s://www.cacuIturaidistricts.orci/alossarv.) For example, a district might be rural, focused on cultural consumption, and established. At each stage of the process, applicants will be grouped and reviewed separately by distinct district types based on the following flexible matrix: CONTEXT FOCUS LIFE -CYCLE urban cultural production emerging suburban cultural consumption mid -point rural cultural heritage established Urban and Rural geographic boundaries are described as such: California Cultural Districts I Application Overview & Instructions Page 2 of 4 UPDATED 2/3/2017 — NOTE NEW LOI DEADLINE • Urban and suburban cultural districts are generally expected to be a contiguous geographic area that is walkable. • Rural districts do not need to be walkable or even contiguous, but will need to make the case for how the participating areas/entities are complementary and synergistic. The pilot districts will be selected based on the strength with which they demonstrate the following: • Quality, diversity, and commitment of participating partners • Authentic community engagement from diverse stakeholders • A strong understanding and concentration of the cultural assets present • Clarity and thoroughness of vision, goals and objectives, and budget • Clearly defined and qualified leadership • Anticipated impact of the cultural district designation • Effectiveness of expected contribution to pilot cohort REVIEW PROCESS Letters of Intent and subsequent findings from the invited site visits will be reviewed by a multi- disciplinary and multi -sector selection panel, along with representatives from other state agencies that are partnering on the initiative. The panel will review each phase and select a group of finalists will be invited to submit a full application. LETTER OF INTENT (LOI) SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS LOIs are accepted online only and several required attachments must be prepared prior to submission. Your online submission must be started and completed in one sitting. You will NOT be able to save, exit, and re-enter the online application in your web browser. LOI Submission Link: https://cacapplications.wufoo.com/forms/cac-201617-california- cultural-districts-loi/ You will be asked to enter basic organizational information including contact information for lead organizational applicant, as well as the FEIN and DUNS number of lead applicant organization. Applicants must upload a PDF file of their LOI with the following information. Use 12 -point font, single spaced and limit your responses to a maximum of 10 pages. The Letter of Intent must include the following: • Applicant Organization Information Brief mission and history of lead applicant organization. Include the operating budget for current and immediate past fiscal year. • Partnership Information Briefly describe each of the partners and the role each plays in the proposed district including anticipated resources, and how each aligns with the issues and opportunities facing the district. Include the operating budget for current and immediate past fiscal year for each partner. • Cultural District Typology Describe whether the district is established, emerging, or at some other point in its life cycle, and describe the primary focus or emphasis of the district (i.e. cultural production, cultural California Cultural Districts I Application Overview & Instructions Page 3 of 4 UPDATED 2/3/2017 — NOTE NEW LOI DEADLINE consumption or cultural heritage). If other, please explain. Location Information Identify whether the district is Urban, Rural, or Suburban, and provide the location and basic demographic and socio-economic statistics. List the types of public infrastructure and amenities that support the district. Provide information on any district overlap with other local, regional, or federal designations such at locally -designated cultural districts, Main Street, Business Improvement District, Historic District, Federal Empowerment Zone, etc. • Budget Identify the total budget estimate, and budget sources, for discrete activities proposed to take place under the umbrella of the district (i.e. event expenses, marketing expenses, personnel expenses, etc.). Narrative Questions o Describe the types of space for artists, arts organizations, and cultural activities currently present in the district, and any potential plans for additional space creation. Include the facilities, activities, events, and history that make the district distinct. o Identify the key issues and opportunities facing the district and how the cultural district designation will address them. o Describe the ways in which the community is currently engaged in the district and its activities. o Discuss how the community's existing residents will benefit from district designation. o List any anticipated district stakeholders beyond the core partners and how you intend to collaborate with each. o Describe the specific anticipated local benefits of a state designation of this district. o Identify the personnel who will be dedicated (full or part-time) to district operations and planning. Provide the name(s), affiliation(s), experience, and role(s) of the individual(s). Additional Materials Upload o IRS Determination Letter of applicant organization o Map indicating the boundaries of the proposed district o Letter or resolution from the local government and/or a community development corporation partner acknowledging the partnership o (3) Three letters of support from individual community members or artists located in the proposed district (do not include participating partners). STAFF ASSISTANCE CAC staff is available on a limited basis to offer guidance and clarification in preparing your Letter of Intent. We recommend that you contact staff well in advance of the deadline to ensure you can be accommodated. Contact Caitlin Fitzwater at caitlin.fitzwater(a-)arts.ca.aov California Cultural Districts I Application Overview & Instructions Page 4 of 4 ROUTING SLIP / APPROVAL FORM INSTRUCTIONS: Use this cover sheet with each submittal of a staff report before approval by the City Council. Save staff report (including this cover sheet) along with all related attachments in the Team Drive (T:) --> CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEMS 4 AGENDA ITEM APPROVAL PROCESS 4 [DEPT - AGENDA TOPIC] Agenda Item # Date of Meeting: 3/20/2017 From: Tom Adams Department: Economic Development Date: 3/13/2017 Topic: SUPPORT APPLICATION FROM DOWNTOWN ARTS ORGANIZATIONS TO BECOME A `CALIFORNIA CULTURAL DISTRICT' Subject: Resolution of the San Rafael City Council supporting an application for Downtown San Rafael to become a recognized `California Cultural District' and acknowledging the City's partnership with downtown arts organizations. Type: ® Resolution ❑ Ordinance ❑ Professional Services Agreement ❑ Other: APPROVALS ® Finance Director Remarks: MM - approved 3/13/17 ® City Attorney Remarks: LG -approved 3/13/17 ® Author, review and accept City Attorney / Finance changes Remarks: TBA - accepted changes 3/13/17 ® City Manager Remarks: