DEPARTMENT:
Department for Culture and Creative Development
DIRECTOR:
Felix N. Padrón
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S) IMPACTED:
Citywide
SUBJECT:
Creation of the San Antonio Arts Commission.
SUMMARY:
City staff will provide a briefing on the recommended creation of the San Antonio Arts Commission by consolidating the Cultural Arts Board and Public Art Board to represent the comprehensive arts and cultural community of San Antonio.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City of San Antonio established the Cultural Arts Board in November of 1984, consisting of eleven members appointed by the Mayor and City Council. The Cultural Arts Board is responsible for making recommendations on arts and cultural funding programs, including arts funding guidelines and grant awards. In January 2009, the City of San Antonio established the Public Art Board, consisting of seven members nominated by the Mayor and confirmed by City Council. The Public Art Board is responsible for developing and enhancing the city's public art program in adherence to the City's adopted public art ordinance that sets policies and guidelines regarding the commissioning of public art, acceptance of artwork donations, and stewardship and conservation of the city's art inventory.
Beginning in January 2014, the Department for Culture and Creative Development initiated discussions with both arts and cultural boards regarding the potential unification of these two advisory bodies. With the engagement of both boards, a research and planning process was conducted that included a joint board retreat and the formation of a consolidation planning committee that included both board Chairs and Vice-Chairs to work with City staff in developing new consolidated by-laws. In December 2014, presentations were made during both boards' public meetings that proposed a new San Antonio Arts Commission, including drafted bylaws and a timeline to bring this matter forward to City Council for consideration in 2015.
On February 24, 2015, a final joint board retreat was conducted to review the planning committee's final draft bylaws, and recommending a presentation to the City Council Quality of Life Committee. As proposed, the board's recommendations would authorize creation of the San Antonio Arts Commission and to set in motion an application process through the City Clerks' Office to accept new appointments for City Council consideration by later this year.
ISSUE:
DCCD staff recommends endorsement of the Consolidation of the Cultural Arts Board and Public Art Board, which includes the creation of the San Antonio Arts Commission, a fifteen member advisory board appointed to serve as the recommending body for all arts and cultural initiatives including grant funding and public art.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Quality of Life Committee not recommend approval of the Consolidation of the Cultural Arts Board and the Public Art Board, the current roles and responsibilities of both existing advisory boards would remain in effect as per existing City Council authorizations.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no anticipated impact as a result of these actions.
RECOMMENDATION:
DCCD staff recommends endorsement by the Quality of Life Committee.