The arts took center stage at the recent Newport Beach City Council study session when the council members heard a presentation from Library Services Director Tim Hetherton and Arts OC Executive Director Richard Stein on an initiative to look at arts programs in the city and offer suggestions and directions for creating a comprehensive Arts Master Plan.
The presentation noted that the Arts Master Plan ideas was first addressed in late 1990s. The Council Policy I-13, “Public Arts and Cultural Facilities Fund,” that was put into placed last year, identifies 2 percent of developer fees for arts infrastructure, and there is a potential for an additional $150,000 per year in arts and cultural funds from Tourism Business Improvement District.
The Arts Master Plan goals include developing arts and cultural events in the city, utilizing public places for arts and culture, managing public art, and identifying funding sources for those elements.
Hetherton and Stein proposed a six month schedule that would include forming a Master Plan Steering Committee (appointed by the Arts Commission) and inventory the city’s “creative sector” through community outreach via community leader interviews, focus groups, forums, and online surveys.
The Committee would reach consensus on key strategies, action steps, and a timeline. The final report would offer a history of arts and culture in Newport Beach, future vision and rationale, goals, policy recommendations, governance, and actions.
The cost for Arts OC to oversee this initial six month process is $35,000, plus out-of-pocket expenses.
“This will develop arts and culture in the city, and designate Newport Beach as a destination for the arts,” noted Hetherton.
“I think we should move forward expeditiously—the sooner the arts plan is put together, the better,” said Councilman Mike Henn. “This was developed with existing council policies, but I see the mandate to be broader than that. I don’t think we should be constrained by what is today. I am hoping this will be viewed by the arts commission as a broad based undertaking that will equally consider visual arts, performing arts—everything that effects the cultural quality of live in Newport Beach. I hope you’ll cast your net widely. I hope there will be an emphasis on funding sources. I would appreciate your thoughtfulness in that.”
“Are you aware of other cities that have adopted a master plan, so we can get a sense of what we might be getting?” asked Councilman Ed Selich.
“I worked on a master plan for the city of Laguna Beach, and I have many examples that we’ll access as resources,” replied Stein.
Stein noted that he’ll be including information on the economic impact of the arts in Newport Beach.
“We have resources to access that kind of data,” Stein told the council. “We sponsored a report on the creative industries in this state, and learned that one out of seven people in our state are employed in the arts. Here in Orange County, there is a $500 million economic impact by arts organizations.”
“Arts have an economic impact. They support jobs, and I’m glad you’re going to be focused on that,” said Councilman Keith Curry.
