REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Presentation by Cultural Commission on the “Surviving COVID” Pocket Exhibition Winner, Upcoming Special Events, and Projects
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Deliver and Enhance High-Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure
BACKGROUND
The Cultural Commission selects and works on completion of annual workplan goals. The FY 2021/22 goals include: (a) Host and enhance multicultural events to encourage and acquaint Santa Clara residents with cultural diversity; (b) Develop and encourage interactive art opportunities to provide temporary, performing, cultural, and public art in the City; (c) Raise visibility of commemorative month celebrations; (d) Enhance communication and media strategy to increase community awareness of the Cultural Commission; and, (e) Prepare for Citywide Arts Master Plan process. The Cultural Commission activities completed this year include the installation of six (6) Utility Boxes Art Projects, the conducting of a Commemorative Month Coloring Book Marketing Campaign, the scheduling of 2022 Summer Concert Series, the scheduling of the 2022 Street Dance, and completing the “Surviving COVID” Pocket Exhibition.
DISCUSSION
The Cultural Commission will present a brief overview of the Commission’s accomplishments for FY 2021/22 including the winners of the “Surviving COVID” Pocket Exhibition, new images from the Utility Box Art Program, and sponsored summer activities.
The Pocket Exhibition was initiated with a call for artists from March 17 through April 5, 2021, by the Cultural Commission in partnership with the Triton Museum. The theme was selected to acknowledge the collective loss and opportunities for collective healing due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Artists were able to explore a range of artistic expression, including sculpture, paintings/drawings, spoken word, music, photography or other media that may be represented in a video. The exhibition categories were for artists aged 17 and under and those 18 and older. Artists from any of the nine Bay Area Counties were eligible to participate. Winners of the exhibition were determined by a panel of judges included Cultural Commission Members and Triton Museum staff and through online public voting.
Council will recognize the finalists at the meeting. In the 17 years and under category, Khushi Kolte is the winner for her painting entry entitled, “We Are All in This Together.” Khushi Kolte was awarded $1,250. For the 18 years and older category, Bennett Roth - Newell is recognized as honorable mention for his spoken word recording entry, “When the Party Goes Away.” Bennett Roth - Newell was awarded $250. Mythili Kattupalli is recognized for second place for her painting entry entitled “Trapped.” Mythili Kattupalli was awarded $750. Paul Ransohoff is recognized as the first-place winner for his black and white drawing entry entitled, “EDR & JDR”. Paul Ransohoff was awarded $1500. The entries from all the finalists are being made into a video that will be made public this month, in addition, there will be a reception at the Triton Museum for the winners.
The Commission will also announce its summer concert season (Attachment 1) and the Street Dance (Attachment 2). Finally, the Commission has worked this year to make the Commission’s Commemorative Month Coloring Book available to the public with monthly themes. The Commission is in the process of developing a new work plan for FY 2022/23 that will continue to promote art and culture in the City of Santa Clara.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This is an information report only. No action is being taken by the City Council, and no environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) is required.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the City for the report to Council other than staff time, which is allocated in the Parks & Recreation Department operating budget. The artist awardees receive funds that have been allocated as part of the City Operating budget for Cultural Commission activities.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov>.
Staff
Reviewed by: James Teixeira, Director of Parks & Recreation
Approved by: Rajeev Batra, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Summer Concert Series Flyer
2. Street Dance Flyer
3. Presentation