Title
Recommendation to Review and Approve the List of Public Art Small Grants Pilot Program Award Recipients
Body
To: Honorable Chair and Members of the Public Art Commission
BACKGROUND
At its April 15, 2019 meeting, the Public Art Commission (PAC) identified the creation of a Public Art Small Grants pilot program as a top priority for future public art funding. On May 29, 2019, the PAC gave direction to staff with the following program guidelines:
* The grants can be for cultural art or physical art.
* The applicant does not need non-profit status.
* Organizations outside Alameda may apply and Alameda residents/organizations will receive a preference.
* Events and artwork must be located in Alameda, free to the public and in an accessible location.
* Grant award categories are:
o Micro Grants: $250 - $500
o Small Grants: $501 - $2,000
* Smaller grants of $250 to $500 encouraged.
* The budget for this grant cycle is $20,000.
In January 2020, staff solicited applications by sending two emails to the PAC Public Art Interest Group email list. An announcement was also posted on the City's Facebook page. The City held a Program Overview/Q&A Session on January 15, 2020, in City Council Chambers. Applications were accepted between January 2, 2020 and February 29, 2020 (see Exhibit 1, Program Description; and Exhibit 2, Grant Application).
At its March 10, 2020 meeting, the PAC appointed a Small Grants Subcommittee, comprised of two PAC members (Liz Rush and Kirstin Van Cleef) and a staff member (Amanda Gehrke) to review the grant applications and make recommendations of awards to submit to the PAC for approval.
Due to the COVID-19 Shelter in Place Order, the original date of awarding grants by April 30, 2020 was extended. Funds will be eligible for use for one year from the time of award.
DISCUSSION
The Small Grants Subcommittee met remotely on April 29, 2020. In attendance were Subcommittee members Liz Rush, Kirstin Van Cleef and Amanda Gehrke, a...
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