HomeMy WebLinkAbout34 - PH-2 - Public Comments - 6/15/2021From: Charlene <charlene.ashendorf@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, June 14, 2021 8:00 AM
To: CITY CLERK
Subject: Public Comment: Item #ITEM NUMBER: PH-2 #3. Resolution 21-xx
Dear Mayor Stephens, Mayor Pro Tem Marr and members of the
Costa Mesa city council:
37 years ago the Costa Mesa city council approved adoption of "the
city of the arts" motto and established an arts committee.
15 years later the Costa Mesa incorporated "city of the arts" into its
seal.
Two decades before the city elevated the arts into the Parks, Arts &
Community Services Commission.
I am sure each of you can point to a state-of-the-art
accomplishment that resonates with you in your time as a Costa
Mesa resident: the world-renowned development of OCPAC; the
creation of The LAB and The Camp; the addition of sculptures
including an historic piece - a Henry Moore sculpture; the sighting
of eye-catching art on utility boxes; the annual ArtVenture
signature event; the three city galleries; or nationally recognized
artistic murals?
In 2016 conversations began that would put the wheels in motion to
the study and creation of the Arts & Culture Master Plan. Hundreds
of conversations and five years later the Plan has been adopted.
In the meantime, other cities throughout Orange County have
adopted Arts Master Plans and are seeing marked improvements
and benefits to the residents.
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Many of us had hoped 2019-2020 would be the year to begin
investing in the implementation of the plan. But here we are today
looking to you to support an arts specialist who can focus his or her
efforts on increasing opportunities for everyone to experience arts
& culture in Costa Mesa; someone who will strategically expand art
in the city with grant writing expertise and ability to develop
policies to accept public art; someone who is focused exclusively on
elevating the status of art & culture in our city - all to support a
thriving creative economy!
I have known, respected, worked with and supported many staff art
warriors over the years. Tonight my appreciation goes out
wholeheartedly to Ashley Thomas. Without her leadership at the
staff level while juggling historic preservation, recreation and so
much more, she continues to rise to the top always sporting a smile
and representing our city with enthusiasm, style and
professionalism.
However, as we move into a new climate of community
engagement, arts will be more important than ever to have a staff
person focus efforts on re -igniting the arts.
Thank you in advance for your consideration and I ask you not to
consider deferring a decision on the "Arts
Specialist". Focusing on the arts have been deferred long enough.
Put staff in place to prepare for additional funds that will be coming
our way.
Now is the time for this council to re -dedicate itself to the
distinction of being the "city of the arts."
Charlene Ashendorf, Chair Cultural Arts Committee
Parks, Arts & Community Services Commission, Chair, MAL and
Arts Liaison
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