REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Presentation by Cultural Commission on Projects and Upcoming Special Events
Report
COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Enhance Community Sports, Recreational and Arts Assets
Enhance Community Engagement and Transparency
BACKGROUND
The Cultural Commission selects and works on the completion of annual work plan goals that aim to support the Council Priorities. The FY 2024/25 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 hosting an indoor sculpture exhibit at the Central Park Library, hosting the Halloween and Holiday Home Decorating Contests, providing a recommendation to the Council on the Rainbow Crosswalk Project, hosting five concerts in the park, and hosting the annual Street Dance.
DISCUSSION
The Cultural Commission will present a brief overview of the Commission’s accomplishments for FY 2024/25 including the winners of the Halloween and Holiday Home Decorating Contests, and images from Concerts in the Park and Street Dance.
The Commission is proud to announce the 2025 Concerts in the Park series, the band for the Street Dance, the “Call for Artists” for the Outdoor Temporary Sculpture Exhibition, and the selection of six more artists as we bring back the City Traffic Box Art program.
The Commission is in the process of developing a new work plan for FY 2025/26 that will continue to promote art and culture in the City of Santa Clara and is excited to support the City in the development of a citywide Arts Master Plan.
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.
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.
Staff
Prepared by: Kimberly Castro, Recreation Manager
Reviewed by: Damon Sparacino, Director of Parks & Recreation
Approved by: Jovan D. Grogan, City Manager