Ad hoc subcommittee outlines arts master-plan priorities, highlights need to preserve public art spaces and boost local promotion

Members of the ad hoc subcommittee for the Arts and Culture Master Plan presented a progress update on April 16, calling out goals from the 2016 plan that still apply and identifying priorities for the next update.

Vice Chair Deborah Russell summarized outreach to arts leaders and local institutions and described barriers identified in the 2016 plan. Two priorities surfaced in early conversations: (1) preserving public art spaces (staff and commissioners referenced a key private property that anchors the Art Walk and asked how the city can support preservation), and (2) improving promotion and communication so local residents know about arts programming, rather than only drawing out-of-city audiences. Russell said that while the city has been effective at bringing audiences into Santa Ana, the commission needs better ways to get locals to participate.

Commissioner Vermejo and other ad hoc members said they are reviewing each initiative from 2016 to determine which goals were met and which need fresh strategies. Commissioners asked staff to continue meeting with arts organizations (including the Frida Cinema and other local partners) and to compile community feedback that will help refine priorities within realistic budget constraints. The subcommittee expects to continue meetings and report back as outreach progresses.