Item 6-D

August 10, 1999

Santa Monica, California

 

TO: Mayor and City Council

FROM: City Staff

SUBJECT: Recommendation to Adopt the Proposed FY 2000-03 Cultural Arts Organizational Support Grants Funding Criteria

Introduction

This report provides a funding criteria for the Cultural Arts Organizational Support Grant program for Fiscal Years 2000 - 2003.

Background

The Santa Monica Cultural/Arts Organizational Support Grant Program was initiated in FY 1997-98 in response to the 1996 Cultural Arts Master Plan Update, adopted by Council in 1996, which called for development of policies and procedures for ongoing operating support grants to Santa Monica-based cultural and arts organizations. During the 1996-97 budget process, Council directed staff to develop a grant application process which would address the cultural interests of the community-at-large while ensuring the fiscal stability of the cultural organizations which contribute to the City=s environment.

Eligibility guidelines were developed, approved by Council in January 1997 and used to select the first three-year grantees. These guidelines are provided in Attachment I. Twelve agencies were recommended for funding in Fiscal Year 1997-98, with an additional two years of funding contingent upon effective program performance, availability of funds and Council approval. Fiscal Year 1999-00 will be the last year of the inaugural three-year grant cycle. A list of the 12 agencies receiving support through this program and their yearly grant award is provided in Attachment II.

Funding from the Cultural/Arts Organizational Support Grant Program has enabled these agencies to enhance their services to the community. Specifically, grants have allowed the agencies to present free and low-cost programming in the City, supplement salaries for professional staff including grant writers and development directors, increase their marketing activities, and support the creation of long range plans and evaluation processes. In all, the program has enhanced the professionalism and stability of each of these important agencies.

Discussion

The proposed 2000-03 Funding Criteria for Cultural/Arts Organizational Support Grants assumes a maintenance of effort (MOE) funding level equivalent to FY 1999-00 with a cost of living adjustment. As in the previous years of funding, City staff proposes a three-year funding cycle. Awardees will have to submit a renewal application and annual report in order to retain support the following two years. The 1997 criteria favors organizations with a demonstrated commitment to the City, a proven track record in community-oriented programming, a solid funding base and a professional and high quality level of service.

With Council approval, applications for the FY 2000-03 funding cycle will be made available this month with a November 1999 deadline. Applications will be reviewed in December and January and funds included in the proposed FY 2000-01 budget. By making the application available at this time, the Cultural Affairs Division is able to consolidate its grants administration duties and make better use of staff time because it will coincide with the Community Arts (CO-ARTS) Grants applications. All applications will be evaluated by City staff. Comments will be sought from professionals in the fields of arts and cultural management, programming, and budget development.

Fiscal/Budgetary Impact

The Organizational Support Grant Program is supported by the General Fund as is the City’s Community Art (CO-ARTS) Grants Program which provides funding for specific arts programs throughout Santa Monica.

There will be no immediate financial impact from actions proposed in this report. Projected FY 2000-01 funding levels for the Cultural/Arts Organizational Support Grant Program assumes a maintenance of effort funding level equivalent to FY 1999-00 with a cost of living adjustment. Staff will return for City Council approval with specific fund allocation recommendations in the FY 2000-01 Proposed Budget to be released in early May of 2000. The Request for Proposals will make it clear that grant recommendations will be contingent upon budget appropriations for each of the three funding years. A budget adoption hearing will take place in June of 2000 when Council will make final funding decisions.

Recommendation

Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the proposed FY 2000-01 Funding Criteria as described in this report and attachments.

Prepared by:

Barbara Stinchfield, Director, Community and Cultural Services

MarR a Luisa de Herrera, Cultural Affairs Manager

Hamp Simmons, Cultural Affairs Administrative Analyst

Attachment I Cultural/Arts Organizational Support Grants Assessment Criteria

Attachment II FY 1999-00 Cultural/Arts Organizational Support Grant List

 

ATTACHMENT I

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

Cultural/Arts Organizational Support Grant Program

Applicants are eligible to apply for grant funding through the City=s Cultural/Art Organizational Support Program if they meet the following Council approved minimum eligibility requirements:

$ The applicant is a resident Santa Monica arts or cultural organization and has been based in the City for at least five years; and

$ The applicant maintains tax-exempt status under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code; and

$ The applicant complies with Fair Labor Standards and pays professional performers, artists, and supporting personnel at least the minimum level of compensation paid to people employed in similar activities.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Applications for the City=s Cultural/Arts Organizational Support Grant Program will be reviewed according to how effectively applicants can demonstrate how they meet the following Council-approved selection criteria:

$ Offers programs of cultural and artistic excellence, indicated by providing promotional and other sample materials showing the overall history of the organization;

$ Meets community needs by means of a range of diversity of programs;

$ Links and collaborates with other Santa Monica-based arts and cultural organizations;

$ Demonstrates the community=s support of the organization through documentation of audience, volunteer, and organizational demographics, general methods of community outreach, and attendance figures;

$ Demonstrates its viability and long-term stability by providing organizational budget documents including revenue breakdowns listing all major donors;

$ Employs a professional staff;

$ Provides accessibility of programming to the general public;

$ Has a diversified funding base with no more than 25% of their total cash funding derived from the City of Santa Monica.