On March 29, 2022, the Board of Supervisors dissolved the Arts and Culture Commission and directed County Administration staff to procure or establish a nonprofit public-private partnership Arts Council for the county, to serve as the county’s State-Local Partner (SLP) with the California Arts Council (CAC).
On August 2, 2022, the Board of Supervisors referred to the Internal Operations (IO) Committee the establishment of an Ad Hoc Arts Council Steering Committee. At its September 12, 2022 meeting, the Internal Operations Committee (IOC) supported the establishment of a seven-member Ad Hoc Arts Council Steering Committee and directed staff to commence an application period for applicants to the Committee.
On September 20, 2022, the Board of Supervisors voted to establish the Ad Hoc Arts Council Steering Committee; the Board also approved the Steering Committee’s mission and committee composition. The mission of the Ad Hoc Arts Council Steering Committee is to guide the County's arts and cultural planning efforts through an inclusive community engagement process; provide input and collaboration with County staff and the consultant on the Arts Council procurement or establishment process; ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the process and outcomes; and listen to the community.
On November 21, 2022, the IOC considered the applications, interviewed applicants, and recommended that the Board of Supervisors appoint the following individuals to the Ad Hoc Arts Council Steering Committee:
- Najari Smith (District I)
- Janet Berckefeldt (District II)
- Germaine McCoy (District III)
- Arlene Kikkawa-Nielsen (District IV)
- Ben Miyaji (District 5)
- Nilofar Gardezi (non-profit foundation)
- Margot Melcon (non-profit foundation)
The Board of Supervisors approved these appointments on November 29, 2022. Following the creation of the Ad Hoc Arts Council Steering Committee, the Internal Operations Committee requested a status update on the activities of the Steering Committee. |
Since its appointment on November 29, 2022, the Ad Hoc Arts Council Steering Committee has met 7 times, including on the morning of June 12, 2023 to consider approving the final draft Arts & Culture Master Plan for Contra Costa County, as prepared by Arts Orange County. A first draft was presented to the Steering Committee at its May 10 meeting; a second draft was presented to the Steering Committee at its June 5 meeting.
At its June 12 meeting, the Steering Committee also considered and provided additional input on a draft Request for Proposal (RFP) for the procurement of arts council services for the County. Staff to the Arts Council Steering Committee, Sr. Deputy County Administrator Lara DeLaney, will provide an update of the Committee’s actions.
Attached for the Internal Operations Committee’s consideration and recommendation to the Board of Supervisors, is the final draft Arts & Culture Master Plan for Contra Costa County. Prepared by Arts Orange County, this Master Plan is based upon all sources of community input, includes a statement of Vision, Mission and Values, top line goals and priorities for a Contra Costa County arts council to address when one is selected by the Board of Supervisors, a 5-year projected budget, recommended action steps and timeline. The President and CEO of Arts Orange County, Mr. Rick Stein, and his associates will be present at the IO Committee meeting to present the Master Plan.
Note that there are graphic design elements and photos that are still in production for the full Board of Supervisors’ consideration of the Master Plan at its June 27, 2023 meeting. In addition, a Spanish translation is underway, and arrangements are being made for additional language access for the final document.
Project History
Since its inception, the Project Consultant, Mr. Rick Stein of Arts Orange County and his associates, have provided the Ad Hoc Committee with regular status reports of its research, invited Committee members to review the research results for accuracy, and to review and make suggested modifications to the online survey draft. The Committee also reviewed the list of proposed key stakeholder interviewees and provided the Consultant with additional suggestions. Committee members promoted and attended the Community Visioning Sessions, and they promoted the online survey to their networks.
Key Stakeholder Interviews
The Consultant conducted 68 interviews with key stakeholders from November 2022 to April 2023. Interviewees were advised that their comments would be confidential and that any specific quotations used by the consultant would be without attribution.
In addition to those independently identified by the consultant, interviewees were selected based upon suggestions made to the consultant by County Supervisors, County staff, and members of the Ad Hoc Arts Council Steering Committee. Stakeholders interviewed were located in each of the five Supervisorial districts in almost equal proportions, as well as several that represent organizations serving multiple districts or the entire county. Stakeholders represented the following constituencies: artists, arts educators, arts and cultural organizations, philanthropic organizations, business, and government, including interviews with all 5 Contra Costa County Supervisors.
Visioning Sessions
A total of 6 visioning sessions were conducted, the first of which was with the members of the Ad Hoc Committee at its inaugural meeting on January 18, 2023. Subsequently, 5 Community Visioning Sessions were held in each of the County’s supervisorial districts: March 14-Walnut Creek (District 4), March 15-Oakley (District 3), March 16-Pittsburg (District 5), March 17-Danville (District 2), March 18-Richmond (District 1). All were live, in-person gatherings, facilitated by the Consultant and included a bi-lingual team member to assist Spanish speaking participants. Total attendance exceeded 160 participants.
Online Survey
On March 14, an online survey was launched. Through April 28, 436 verified responses had been received. The survey closed on April 30, and results are in the process of being tabulated and analyzed.
Research Findings
- Approximately 300 arts and cultural organizations are based in Contra Costa County
- 11 cities have Public Art Programs
- 12 cities have Arts Commissions/Committees and/or Arts Plans
- More than 450 artworks are on display publicly countywide
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