Committee reviews arts-survey results and hears community program updates

The National City Public Arts Committee briefly reviewed results from the Art & Economic Prosperity survey and heard updates on local arts programming on May 28.

Staff (Joanne Lee) circulated a link to the survey results and invited members to review the findings; she suggested the committee decide whether to keep the topic on a future agenda for deeper review. “I can put [the results] next month if desired,” she said, offering to distribute printed materials.

Jose Lopez, advancement coordinator at A Reason to Survive, reported that the organization’s spring session and youth arts festival had recently concluded and drew “nearly 300 community members” to its final event. Lopez also said the group remains in an interim CEO period and is planning additional summer projects in partnership with local agencies.

Staff recommended a goal-setting or priority-setting exercise at an upcoming meeting to clarify the committee’s purpose and to review the draft public art plan. Committee members agreed that with new members in place, a facilitated goal-setting session could help align expectations and identify priorities and an inventory of local arts organizations.

No formal action was taken on the survey item at the meeting; staff and members agreed to follow up with the draft plan and consider a future agenda item.