HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-2009-166 Yakima Arts Commission EstablishmentRESOLUTION NO. R-2009-166
A RESOLUTION establishing the Yakima Arts Commission, and establishing the duties
and responsibilities of the Arts Commission
WHEREAS, the Yakima City Council finds that visual and performing arts, community
beautification and culture are the soul, heart, and spirit of the community, are vital to the well-
being of its people, and are a reflection of the city's unique nature and personality; and
WHEREAS, Council finds the stimulation of community arts, community beautification, and
culture is a proper role of city government and
WHEREAS, the presence of visual and performing arts in the community attracts business
and high quality employees, is an effective tool to motivate and educate youths, significantly
improves math, verbal skills, and creativity which are all important in attracting, training, and
retaining a high quality workforce, and all of which are abilities sought by leading industries; and
WHEREAS, the presence of visual and performing arts in the community also improves
downtowns through the beautification and creation of appealing venues, attracts tourists, and
lengthens stays; and
WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes the collaborative efforts are at the core of
effective, meaningful projects, and the Council is committed to the highest efforts in
collaboration and communication among museums, galleries, restaurants, performing arts
venues, artists, the lodging industry, and the community at large; and
WHEREAS, the Council recognizes that visual and performing arts have value and
significance in their own right, and speak to the community's highest values; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that City resources dedicated to the arts, beautification,
and culture will realize significant and important returns, and that those values contribute to the
unique character of our City, its economic vitality, ability to attract tourists and the distinctive
image of the Yakima Community; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YAKIMA:
ESTABLISHMENT AND MISSION:
a. The Yakima Arts Commission is established to report to the Yakima City Council
or a designated subcommittee of Council;
b. The Yakima Arts Commission shall work to enhance the cultural and aesthetic
quality of life in the City of Yakima by actively pursuing the placement of public
art in public spaces and by actively seeking to expand public access to visual
and performing arts,
2. DUTIES are as follows, although shall not be limited to those specifically listed:
a. Encouragement, procedures for selection and approval, placement, and ongoing
maintenance of public art in public places throughout the City of Yakima;
b. Advise and assist city departments, commissions, and committees, as well as the
City Council, regarding artistic components of all municipal government projects
under consideration by the city. The Commission may also serve as a resource
for artistic components of land use developments;
c. Develop relationships with existing organizations and community groups having a
stake and interest in good building and public space design and development;
d. Encourage connections with regional, state, and national organizations with an
interest in art, artistic values, and similar goals;
e. May pursue gifts and grants to the City of Yakima for the purposes of cultural and
artistic activities and enhancements of public spaces in the City of Yakima;
f. Promote and engage in activities that enrich the lives of the City of Yakima's
residents through artistic education and expression;
g. Work with existing arts organizations, community groups, and artists in the
delivery of programs and activities as well as assist in fostering collaboration and
stability;
h. Serve as a voluntary advisory resource for the aesthetic review of private
development.
3 MEMBERSHIP AND TERMS OF SERVICE—The Yakima Arts Commission shall have
no less than thirteen (13) and no more than fifteen (15) members comprised as follows:
a. Two working artists (working artist" shall be a person who has had their works of
art exhibited in professional gallery spaces and/or has had their work included in
professionally juried exhibitions or permanent collections);
b. Four to six community members. The community members shall be from diverse
backgrounds and shall have no vested interest in any particular art or cultural
endeavor,
c. Six persons each of whom represents one of the following six professionally
staffed local arts organizations—the Yakima Symphony Orchestra, The Capitol
Theatre, Allied Arts of Yakima Valley, the Seasons Music Festival, the Larson
Gallery, and the Yakima Valley Museum;
d. One member of the Yakima City Council.
All members shall be appointed by the Yakima City Council. With the exception of the initial
Commission members, whose terms shall be staggered (i.e. one-third shall be appointed for a
one-year term, one-third shall be appointed for a two-year term, and one-third shall be
appointed for a three-year term), each member shall serve for a three-year term; each year
commencing on January 1 and ending on December 31. No member shall serve for more than
two three-year consecutive terms.
ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL the 1st day of ber, 2
ATTEST:
BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. 2 I A
For Meeting of December 1, 2009
ITEM TITLE:.A Resolution establishing the City of Yakima Arts Commission and establishing the
duties and responsibilities of the City of Yakima Arts Commission
SUBMITTED BY: William Cook, Director of Community and Economic Development
CONTACT PERSON/TELEPHONE: William Cook (575-6113)
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
On December 2, 2008, the Yakima City Council adopted Resolution R-2008-163, establishing an
Arts Task Force. The Task Force was charged with the development of "policies and programs
that will enhance and encourage the planning, placement and maintenance of public displays of
art in public places." On October 6, 2009, the Yakima City Council adopted Resolution R-2009-
129, establishing policies and procedures for the selection and placement of public art in the City
of Yakima.
In addition, the Task Force was asked to serve. as an advisory resource for public and private
development, to establish a calendaring and scheduling system to improve coordination and
partnerships among community organizations, and to continue to define the role and function of a
commission. The members of the Arts Task Force were asked to serve a one year term
consisting of the 2009 calendar year.
1110 • The Arts Task Force has worked diligently to accomplish the tasks assigned to them in 2009.
They respectfully ask for Council consideration of the attached Resolution establishing the City of
Yakima Arts Commission.
The duties of the proposed Commission are primarily expansions and extensions of the duties
and tasks that were previously outlined for the Task Force. The membership of the Commission
would include a Yakima City Council member, four to six community members, two artists, and
one representative from each of the following six local arts organizations: The Yakima Symphony
Orchestra; The Capitol Theatre; Allied Arts of Yakima Valley; the Seasons Music Festival; the
Larson Gallery and the Yakima Valley Museum (for a total membership of thirteen to fifteen.
commissioners).
Resolution X Ordinance Contract Other (Specify)
Funding Source
APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL: City Manager
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval
BOARD/COMMITTEE/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: Recommended for full Council
consideration by the Council's Arts Task Force on November 9, 2009.
COUNCIL ACTION:.