Arts Commission Information ReportMEETING DATE: 2/21/98
DATE:
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
February 12, 1998
MAYOR AND TO COUNC
TOWN MANAGER
ARTS COMMISSION INFORMATION REPORT
REC OMMENDATION:
For information, only.
DISCUSSION:
The Town Council approved a revised Arts Commission Master Plan in December 1996, a summary of which is included
as Attachment A. The Arts Commission has spent the past year working to accomplish and promote the concepts and goals
identified within the Plan It has also restructured itself into four committees to better accomplish its work. These include
the Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Public Arts, and Administration Committees. A description of, and status report on, each
Committee project is included as Attachment B.
In addition, the Arts Commission is:
• Working to develop stronger partnerships with local arts agencies, including the Los Gatos Museum Association
and Art Association, for the purpose of improving communications between like-minded agencies, sharing ideas
and resources, and facilitating projects, programs, and fundraising efforts.
■ Working to develop a larger volunteer base, again to help facilitate projects, programs, and fundraising efforts.
■ Identifying stages, auditoriums, facilities, and other spaces in Town that might be available and suitable for theater.
• Considering a recommendation to Council that an Arts Element be added to the Town's General Plan.
• Considering fundraising options that,ihvolve other arts organizations and allow contributions to be allocated on
a percentage basis to a variety of approved projects, per Council Report approved September 15, 1997.
While the Town has contributed to Arts Commission projects in the past, i.e., Music in the Plaza, the Arts Commission and
other volunteers raise most project funding through donations and grants.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS:
This project is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
Attachments: A. Arts Commission Master Plan - Summary
B. Project Descriptions
Distribution:
Town of Los Gatos Arts Commission
PREPARED BY: Regina A. Falkner, Comm i , etvices Director
Reviewed by: Bit"
Finance
Revised: 2/12/98 4:02 pin
CSD36:a:\council.mtg
Reformatted: 10/23/95
ATTACHMENT 22
Attachment A
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TOWN OF LOS GATOS ARTS COMMISSION
Project Descriptions and Status Report
Attachment B
The Arts Commission works to foster a comprehensive arts environment within the Town through the support, development, and
appreciation of the visnRI arts, drama, music, literature, and other creative activities. It strives to enrich the community through the
arts, advise the Town Council on arts programs and plans, and coordinate Council approved activities and projects. In conjunction
with Town Council, other appointed Commissions, and Town staff, the Arts Commission is responsible for:
• Generating community awareness and support for a full range of cultural activities in the Town.
• Making recommendations to Town Council and others in the areas of art, aesthetics, history, and beautification.
• Coordinating special programs and activities that inspire artistic and community celebrations.
• Implementing Town policy concerning long-term loans, gifts, purchases, and commissioned artworks for public installation.
Forbes Mill Footbridge Mural Project Committee: visual Arts
The Mural Project, a collaborative effort coordinated by Mural Committee volunteers and the Arts Commission, is intended to bring
together local area school kids in the transformation of the footbridge into a colorful, interpretive mural reflecting Town history,
culture, agriculture, architecture, flora and fauna, etc. Generally, the Project strives to:
• expose Los Gatos youth to art, nature, and Los Gatos history;
• encourage young people to take responsibility for community enhancements;
• develop the artistic skills of young participants and encourage creativity;
• transform a drab footbridge into a colorful walkway;
• attract more people to the Los Gatos Creek Trail and the Forbes Mill Museum;
• provide a forum for sharing art and Los Gatos history with the public; and
• deter vandalism on the bridge.
Status:
• The Mural Committee supervised the completion of 70 panels during the summer of 1996. In the spring of 1997, 16 more
panels were completed by 28 young participants.
• Only 30 more panels remain to be painted (another 6 need to be completed), The Mural Committee has resumed monthly
meetings to plan for a final Spring 1998 painting session.
• The mural was hit with graffiti in December 1997. The Town's Operation TAG was successful in removing the graffiti quickly
with minimal damage to the mural paintings.
• The Mural Committee is considering the purchase and application of a product (anti -graffiti coat) that will better protect the
mural paintings from any further graffiti.
Note: Mural Committee volunteers include Carol Taylor, Amy Konsterlie, Alice Cropley Lopes, Pat Dryan, Pat Murphy, Carole
Shaver, and Wendy Vanni.
Art in the Council Chambers Committee: Visual Arts
The Art in the Council Chambers Program serves three primary functions: It allows artists to exhibit work locally, allows the public
access to a wide variety of art expression, and enhances the environment surrounding the Civic Center. The Arts Commission
coordinates six (6) different exhibits each year. A Friday evening reception is held to kick off each new exhibit, announcement
postcards are produced for distribution and mailing, and press coverage in the Los Gatos Weekly Times is coordinated. A
sponsorship program is currently in place which allows individuals and businesses to "adopt" an art exhibit The Art in the Council
Chambers Program is popular among Town Council, local artists, and residents alike.
Status:
• Art exhibits by various artists are currently scheduled through Spring 1999.
• The Committee worked with Los Gatos High School and the Senior Programs Watercolor Painting class this past year to bring
student and senior artwork to the Council Chambers. Given the success of both exhibits (from the viewpoint of students, seniors,
and Commissioners alike), annual exhibits with both groups will be coordinated.
• The Visual Arts Committee is currently raising funds for the program through community contributions and the submission of
a grant application to the Arts Council of Santa Clara County.
• The Committee has been successful in getting local businesses to donate coffee, refreshments, and flowers for the artists
receptions. The Los Gatos High School Home Economics department prepared and donated refreshments for the high school
exhibit and may donate refreshments for other receptions as time and schedules permit.
Cultural Arts Guide Committee: Visual Arts
The Visual Arts Committee is compiling aCulrural Arts Guide that can be placed around Town (including the Forbes Mill and Tait
Avenue mrNelnns local galleries, and Chamber of Commerce) to direct residents and visitors to musical venues, galleries, museums,
bookstores, theaters, public art locations, etc., within Los Gatos. Committee members will be soliciting donations from t1iose
businesses included in the Guide to pay graphics and publication costs. The Committee expects to present a draft Guide and budget
to Town Council for final approval by August 1998.
Music in the Plaza (MIP) Committee: Performing Arts
Coordinated jointly by the Arts Commission and the Community Services Department, MEP is a summer series of free musical
concerts held in Town Plaza Park on Sunday afternoons. It is an extremely popular event which has enriched the community and
added vitality to the downtown area since 1988. As many as twelve performances of various musical styles are produced each
season; the number of concerts actually presented is dependent upon the amount of money raised through community contributions
and grants.. Each concert attracts close to 500 community and area residents; the July 4th and other special concerts attract as many
as 1500 people All concerts are planned to: meet the highest quality artistic standards; allow family and community members to
share a common social and cultural experience, support a variety of styles, forms, and multi -ethnic and cultural origins; and support
the arts through the presentation of world music and promotion of local talent.
Status:
• Revised MEP Guidelines were adopted by Council in November 1997 (Resolution 1997-126).
• The 1997 MIP Program, a huge success, included twelve concerts featuring gospel, bluegrass, jazz, rock, r&b, soul, oldies,
and light opera, as well as Irish, Scottish, and Mexican music. The Commission and other volunteers were successful in
raising over $15,000 for the concert series.
• The 1998 MIP Program will include eleven concerts, starting June 21 and ending August 30, 1998. The series will feature
a mix of new and past performers, including the San Jose Wind Symphony (July 4th), San Jose Opera Guild, and Calvary
Church.
• The Arts Commission is submitting a grant application to the Arts Council of Santa Clara County in hopes of obtaining
additional funding for MIP.
• The Arts. Commission is accepting demo packets from musicians through March 27, 1998 and fundraising efforts are
currently underway.
Community Grants Committee: Administration
The Arts Commission evaluates grant applications submitted annually by arts, educational, and cultural organizations interested in
obtaining grant funds through the Town's Community Grant Program. The Commission provides funding recommendations to the
Town Council. The Commission regularly liaisons with those agencies allocated Town funds to keep informed of activities and
accomplishments.
Status:
• Community Grant applications were made available to interested non-profit agencies on February 2, 1998 and are due back
by March 6, 1998. The Arts Commission will formulate its recommendation regarding funding allocations by mid -April
1998.
Public Art Progrm Committee: Public Arts
The Town's Public Art Program provides a process through which the Town can accept artwork on loan or as a gift. Its objective
is to provide the community with the opportunity to enjoy access to a variety of artwork created by different local and national artists.
Status:
• The Public Arts Committee met in early January to evaluate park locations suitable for the display of public art. Using the
Los Gatos Parks System Map, the Committee considered and photographed suitable public art sites, then published a report
of their findings for future reference.
• The Art Selection Panel and Arts Commission have met to consider the acceptance by the Town of a redwood sculpture by
artist Paul Wilson honoring Soquel conductor and composer George Barati, as well as his wife Ruth. In Spring 1998, the
Arts Commission will present to Council their recommendation to accept the sculpture for placement in front of the ramp
leading to the Library from Pageant Avenue.
• The Public Arts Committee is still considering options to increase the number of artworks obtained for public display on a
permanent, temporary, or rotating basis.
CSD36a:\council.mtg February 12, 1998