HomeMy WebLinkAboutSS3 - Arts Commission Annual ReportPggW krok - R-9-ob
Cultural Arts Services
Library Services Department
City of Newport Beach
To: Mayor and Members of City Council
From: City Arts Commission
Robyn Grant, Chair, Newport Beach Arts Commission
(Presented by Kirwan Rockefeller, Vice Chair, 2008 -2009)
Date: September 9, 2008
Re: Annual Report FY 2007 -2008
On behalf of the members of the City of Newport Beach Arts Commission, I am pleased to
present our Annual Report for FY 2007 -08. The Arts Commission, established over 35 years ago,
acts in an advisory capacity to the City Council in all matters pertaining to artistic, aesthetic,
historical and cultural aspects of the City. Our mission is to promote and support a wide range of
accessible cultural programs, activities and facilities to address the needs and interests of
residents and visitors in the Newport Beach community. We have prepared the following report
to bring you up to date on our recent activities.
2008 -2009 COMMISSION OFFICERS:
Commissioners:
Chair:
Robyn Grant
Gerald Allison
Vice Chair:
Kirwan Rockefeller
Wendy Brooks
Secretary:
Rita Goldberg
Gilbert Lasky
Robert Smith
i
2007 -2008 COMMISSION OFFICERS:
Commissioners:
Chair:
Kirwan Rockefeller
Gerald Allison
Vice Chair:
Robyn Grant
Wendy Brooks
Secretary:
Carol Starcevic
Gilbert Lasky
Arlene Cartozian
CITY STAFF: Cynthia Pirtle, Library Services Director
Jana Barbier, Cultural Arts Coordinator
CULTURAL PROJECTS AND PUBLIC PROGRAMS
■ Performing Arts Programs
The Performing Arts Committee works with the cultural arts office to audition and secure talent,
promote and produce the summer Concerts in the Parks Series, the Shakespeare by the Sea
theatrical productions and the Arts Lectures, Workshops and Performances Series. 2007 -2008
Chair: Gil Lasky; Members: Carol Starcevic.
Concerts in the Parks
The City Arts Commission began the Concerts in the Parks summer series in 2001 to bring the
community together with free outdoor musical performances. Between 500 - 2000 people attend
each concert. The Arts Commission has hosted many Southern California bands in all music
genres including two performances by Pacific Symphony and a first performance by the Russian
National Orchestra in the Newport Beach park setting.
In 2007 Lao Tizer Music, "An Evening with Joan Ryan," and The Scott Martin Latin Soul Band
performed at Bonita Canyon, Grant Howald and Eastbluff Parks.
In 2008, the season began with "Upstream" in Bob Henry Park, returning for a second
performance in Newport Beach. In July, the Arts Commission had made arrangements for a
performance by Opera Pacific titled "Opera Soup!" described as "a sparkling one hour plus
pastiche of opera for the whole family. Directed by Dylan F. Thomas and featuring members of
the Opera Pacific Ensemble of Repertory Artists (O.P.E.R.A.), Opera Pacific's Opera in the
Park is a romp exploring the fun, adventure and thrill of the richest art form ever created."
This performance was free to the community and introduced opera to a new generation of
audience.
In August, the Joel Penner Sextet provided a fine jazz concert at Eastbluff Park
`a
• Shakespeare Festivals
The City Arts Commission celebrated its seventh year
with Shakespeare by Sea during the summer of 2008.
The traveling group of actors (and set builders) has
provided Shakespearean play performances at the
natural amphitheater at Grant Howald Park in Corona
del Mar since 2002.
Because of increased attendance, and the subsequent
demand on facilities at Grant Howald Park, in 2008 the
Arts Commission changed the location of the
performances to Bonita Canyon Sports Park.
Through the years, the Commission has sponsored
performances of "Much Ado About Nothing," "Twelfth
Night," "Romeo and Juliet," "Richard III" "Two
Gentlemen of Verona," "The Merry Wives of Windsor,"
"Othello," "The Merchant of Venice," and "The Taming
of the Shrew." A stage, lights and sound amplification
are provided by the cultural arts office.
In 2008, Shakespeare by the Sea presented "Antony
and Cleopatra" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream" on
August 2 and 3 consecutively.
■ Public Art Programs
• McFadden Square Centennial Legacy Project
In 2006 the City of Newport Beach elected to go forward with a public art project that
would commemorate the Centennial. The McFadden Square Centennial Legacy Project
was established to both recognize donors and also historical themes throughout the City's
100 -year history.
The design for the project was created
by Peridian International, Inc., to be
installed in McFadden Square, at the
base of the Newport Pier. The
Centennial Legacy Project is based on
a timeless theme, and includes granite
benches and an historical walking path
with markers of significant events from
the past 100 years. The focal point of
the project is a bronze sculpture
representative of our community.
3
The Centennial Legacy Project ad hoc fundraising committee was assembled for the project
and chaired by Newport Beach resident, Bernie Svalstad. A group of approximately 15 met
regularly at Central Library with staff to review community donations and to strategize ways
for raising additional funds for a target goal of $500,000.
In 2007, a Request for Proposals was
compiled and distributed by the City
Arts Commission /Cultural Arts Office
to encourage public artists to submit
ideas and plans for a sculpture on the
McFadden project. There were
thirteen submissions from
international artists, as far away as
Poland, Columbia, and Texas and as
close as Portola Valley and Newport
Beach.
A public arts committee reviewed the thirteen submissions and selected sculptor Hank
Kaminsky of Fayetteville, Arkansas to create the piece. Throughout 2007 and 2008,
Kaminsky provided updates on the progress of the sculpture as well as photographic
evidence for each stage. Staff reports were prepared for approval by City Council for each
consecutive payment, totaling $110,000.
Public Works generated a request for proposals for a contractor to build the project, anc
construction began on March 17, 2008. On July 21, the project was unveiled at a public
ceremony at McFadden Square.
• Civic Memorial Honoring the Marines of 1" Battalion, 1s` Marines
Arts Commissioner Gilbert Lasky served as a representative to the Marine 1/1 Memorial
Committee for the City Arts Commission. Additionally, the cultural arts office prepared a
request for proposals, distributed to qualified artists for the creation of a memorial monument
for the project. The City Arts Commission assisted in reviewing submissions from artists,
architects and others for the design and Castaways Park was selected as the site for the
installation. After careful review by the City Arts Commission and the Marine 1/1 Memorial
Committee, artist Benjamin Victor was selected to create the memorial. A staff report was
prepared and approved by City Council, and the piece was built, installed and unveiled on
Memorial Day in 2008.
■ Visual Art Exhibition Programs
The Exhibitions Subcommittee works with staff to request, select, install and remove artwork for
revolving visual art exhibitions in City Hall and the Central Library gallery spaces; organize annual
juried art exhibitions; and inventory, maintain and re -hang the City art collection as needed.
2007 -2008 Chair: Arlene Cartozian; Members: Robyn Grant.
• 2008 Orange County Artist Juried Exhibition, Reception and Sale
In 2007 the Arts Commission
reorganized the annual spring show with
a one -day exhibition and art sale. On March
1, 2008 over seventy -five artists submitted
225 works of art for the exhibition, which
were available for sale that evening.
Arts commissioners checked in the work in
the morning and Cal State Long Beach Art
Professors Clare Hansen and Jeanette
Johns judged the submissions in the afternoon
and selected award winners.
That evening, Commissioner Rockefeller
assisted Mayor Ed Selich in handing out awards f
the show in first, second, third and honorable mer
categories. The Arts Foundation assisted with the
show and sale, and collected up to 30 percent of
sales to be used for community programs coordin
by the Arts Commission.
City Hall Exhibitions 2007- 2008
Exhibition schedules for City Hall have been extended for up to 3 months and include art
displays such as the City's permanent art collection, holiday displays, centennial exhibitions,
Newport Beach Sister City student art exhibitions, CNB employee exhibitions, and individual
artists. Cultural Arts staff is maintaining the cabinet in the Council Chamber lobby as well
with quarterly displays.
Central Library Exhibitions/Receptions
Due to the popularity of Central Library as an exhibition
location, shows are scheduled for up to one year in
advance. Exhibitions run for a duration of two months.
Artists are provided with a date for an evening reception,
and are allowed to bring additional works to be
displayed at that time. Cultural arts staff lists the
exhibitions in City publications as well as sending press
releases to the media.
Central Library Exhibitions Continued:
In 2007
January/February
Natasha Shoro
March /April
Lauri Mendenhall
May /June
Katherine Leland
July /August
Jennifer Mathews
September /October
Mercedes Shaffer
November /December
Davy Liu
In 2008
January/February George W. Seitz
March /April Ingibjorg Hauksdottir
May /June Linda Berman
July /August Gil Morales
September /October Paul G. Bryan, Jr.
November /December Ralph Velasco
■ Imagination Celebration of Orange County
Each May the Cultural Arts Office coordinates an Imagination Celebration of Orange County
family - festival event at Central Library. Imagination Celebration began at Lincoln Center for the
Performing Arts in New York, and has been spearheaded regionally by Arts Orange County for
the last several years.
In 2007, the Cultural Arts Office presented "Creative Faces, Creative Places." Over 300 children
attended a "Young Artist's Studio" with their parents for a day of Drawing like Degas, Drawing
like Picasso and Drawing like Van Gogh.
In 2008, Imagination Celebration's theme was "Imagination Powers the Planet." Cultural arts
provided "My Own Jungle Book Illustration." Children were given the opportunity to create
artwork focusing on jungle animals; additionally, the Newport Beach Repertory Theater
performed an excerpt from Kipling's "Jungle Book."
, at,
0
■ Cultural Arts Grant Prouram
In accordance with City Policy 1 -12 (Reserve Fund for Arts and Culture), the Arts Commission
annually accepts and reviews requests for support from arts organizations offering cultural
programs for City residents and visitors. Programs can include publicly accessible cultural
performances, workshops, festivals, lectures and exhibitions which take place within the City of
Newport Beach, as well as projects providing K -12 students in Newport Beach public schools
with arts activities. Final recommendations are forwarded to City Council for approval.
In 2008, the Commission received written grant proposals from eleven organizations for funding
of approximately $62,840 in free cultural programming for the Newport Beach community. After
careful deliberation the following recommendations were approved at the June 10 City Council
meeting:
The Baroque Music Festival, a locally produced fully - professional musical performance venture in the City
of Newport Beach, will be held in June of 2009. In 2009, there will be an international observance of the
250"' anniversary of the death of the George Friederich Handel. The Baroque Music Festival will engage
America's finest musicians, who play historical period instruments for each of the five concerts: concerto
program, organ recital, vocal and instrumental chamber concerts in the Gardens, and the dramatic Festival
Finale for soloists, chorus and orchestra. The festival will include the lively music that Handel wrote for the
Duke of Chandos, royal occasions on the River Thames and in Westminster Abbey, and for London
theaters and concert halls.
Festival Ballet Theatre $2,000
Festival Ballet Theatre will bring its "Ballet to Schools" program to two Newport Beach Elementary Schools
in November /December 2008. They will perform a narrated, abbreviated version of the Nutcracker, tailored
for children ranging in age from five to fourteen years old. The presentation will include pre - performance
dance demonstrations complemented with interesting facts about ballet and the arts. Immediately following
the actual performance, children will have the opportunity to converse with the professionals through a post -
performance question and answer section.
The Newport Beach Film Festival is planning a one -day educational industry seminar program, similar to the
2008 series, to be held on the first Saturday during the Festival, tentatively scheduled for April 25, 2009.
Past seminar topics have included directing, screenwriting, production design, cinematography, film music
composer, animation and special effects. Artists of past seminars include Elmer Bernstien (To Kill a
Mockingbird,) John Waters (Polyester,) Don Burgess (Castaway,) John Landis (Twilight Zone,) and Judiann
Makovsky (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone). The Festival Seminar Series attracts a wide variety of
people with a strong representation of students, seniors, film experts, avid fans, and novice filmmakers.
Ages span from 13 to 85. The seminar program intends to serve approximately 800 people. In 2007, the
Festival expanded its outreach to colleges and high school students.
The Kids' Art Station is a year -round public art program offered for children in the grades of K-6 located in
the Education Center of the East Wing Gallery that currently runs on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00am
— 3:00pm and is made possible by support of the Museum and participant donations. The average length of
time of participation is fifteen minutes to an hour, with many recurring visitors. Depending on the project
content and optimum scheduling, the museum will select appropriate times to conduct the program, e.g.
weekends, after school and vacation periods. By designating a space in the Museum, they secure a
consistent location for community members to participate in art education. The Museum is determined to
create a reliable, sustainable and significant art program for the community.
7
The Pacific Symphony offers a variety of programs designed to integrate the Symphony and its music into
the Orange County community. Although the programs are quite varied in their specific content, they share
four guiding principles: 1) to provide participants with multiple, deep interactions with Symphony musicians
and instructors; 2) to serve a diverse group of participants; 3) to serve primarily Orange County residents; 4)
to encourage cross - promotion among all educational programs, thus providing life -long engagement with
the Symphony. Through these programs, the Symphony reaches more than 100,000 people annually. In
recent years the Pacific Symphony has partnered with the Arts Commission and City of Newport Beach to
present free concerts in the park, chamber concerts at Oasis Senior Center and educational presentations
for young children and their families at the Central Library.
Meet the Musicians is a program designed for 4'" — 6 "' graders. In Meet the Musicians, professional brass,
woodwind, string and percussion groups visit elementary schools to perform for the students. Musicians
also give demonstrations of their instruments and finish each performance with a question and answer
session. The duration of each program is 45 minutes. Ensembles on Tour is a similar program, but it is
designed to appeal to middle school students. This program features professional groups performing for
the whole student body a variety of music styles and instrumentations. The Meet the Musicians and
Ensembles on Tour programs are brought to the children of the Newport-Mesa Unified School District.
Each school is on a rotating groups schedule so that each year the students will have the opportunity for a
new experience.
In response to strong positive feedback from area educators, SCR has decided to revive a unique, three -
year cycle of specially commissioned plays that chronicle major events in California history. In 2009, the
Educational Touring Production will present the first of three plays in the Califomia Stories series, "Indian
Summer" — a play that explores an early chapter in California history — a time when California was still
struggling to define itself. "Indian Summer" links directly to the Social Studies curriculum and will follow a
young boy's journey while living within a tribe of Native Americans in Central California in 1850.
Southland Opera proposes to perform one performance of "Stories Come Alive" in each of the elementary
schools in the City of Newport Beach, along with one performance at another Newport Beach public venue,
such as Central Library. Highlighted fairy tales and stories are Cinderella, Romeo and Juliet, Little Red
Riding Hood, Beauty and the Beast and Hansel and Gretel. The programs encourage reading and
introduce young people to opera and musical theater and also demonstrate how composers often used
children's fairy tales as the story line for their opera or musical.
STOP -GAP is seeks funds annually to support the tour of an important play related to violence. "LIFELINE"
deals with the issue of teen dating relationships that are controlling and have the potential of becoming
violent. LIFELINE has been constantly requested by schools in Orange County, who indicate that the
subject is of particular challenge to their youth. Funding from the City of Newport Beach will allow STOP-
GAP to perform plays reaching up to 500 students in Newport Beach. The performances will take place
within the 2008 -2009 academic year starting immediately upon receipt of funds. LIFELINE is STOP -Gap's
interactive Touring Play that examines domestic violence and the surrounding emotional and social issues.
Using the power of interactive theatre, LIFELINE inspires awareness and understanding of domestic
violence issues in diverse audiences throughout our community.
0
■ City Permanent Art Collection
The cultural arts office continues to inventory, organize, review condition, clean and repair the
City's permanent art collection. The library's art collection (Ruth Hynds, etc.) is stored and
displayed at the library. The City's art collection is stored at the yard in a locker shared by the
library. Eventually the cultural arts office would like to find another solution for storage of this
artwork, where the collection is not moved and is cared for properly. The artwork is routinely
considered for exhibitions and a major portion of it is displayed in City facilities and offices.
■ City Hall Holiday
Continuing an annual tradition, the Arts Commission decorates the holiday tree and reception area
in the City Hall lobby each December.
■ Newport Beach Film Festival Seminars
Since April of 2001, the Arts Commission has co- sponsored one or two -day programs at local
venues, including Central Library, for the Newport Beach Film Festival's "Vision and Craft: The
Art of Filmmaking." More than 1600 people attend the presentations, ranging from screenwriting
and directing to digital film techniques. Additionally, the Commission cosponsored a program
called "Meet the Programmers." This event gave filmmakers an opportunity to introduce
themselves and their films to programmers from festivals across the country. Commission Chair
Kirwan Rockefeller currently serves on the Film Festival Board of Directors.
■ Community Involvement and Proarams
Recitals and Dance Performances at OASIS Senior Center
In 2007 -2008 the Arts Commission provided funding for another "Symphony and Sweets" program
at Oasis Senior Center. Pacific Symphony brings individual performers and concert musicians to
the senior center for live performances to an appreciative audience. In 2008, the Keith Glassman
Dancers will perform a special class and program focusing on dance at Oasis.
In 2008, Kirwan Rockefeller, PhD, has been nominated for "Outstanding Volunteer of the Year"
and the McFadden Square Centennial Legacy Fundraising Committee has been nominated for
"Outstanding Volunteer Organization of the Year." Nominees and award winners will be
announced at the 91" Annual Arts Orange County Arts Awards Presentations on September 24 at
the Balboa Bay Club and Resort.
■ City Council Policies
There were no revisions to the Donation of Art Policy (1 -11); the Art in Public Places Policy (1 -9); or
the Financial Support for Culture and the Arts Policy (1 -10) in 2007 -2008.
■ The Newport Beach Arts Foundation
The Arts Foundation Liaison Committee works with this tax - exempt nonprofit corporation, which
raises private funds supplemental to City appropriations to support, promote and extend the
cultural activities of the Newport Beach Arts Commission. The Arts Commission assists in
advertising the Newport Beach Arts Foundation's events including Art in the Park; a Bonham and
Butterfields appraisal event, and the collaborative shows with the Southern California Plein Air
Painter Association. 2007 -08 Ex- Officio Members: Wendy Brooks; Robyn Grant.
0