(June 8, 2015, 7:45 p.m.) -- The Arts Council for Long Beach will update the City Council on Tuesday June 9 on its progress in spending a $50,000 matching grant aimed at boosting the visibility of all forms of art in various neighborhoods and districts throughout the city.

"The [Arts] Council has requested an opportuntiy to address the [City] Council and provide an update on its current activities and goals," says a cover letter by Mayor Robert Garcia, who agendized the item. [Editor's note: There's no written report or briefing materials online for public review as of 7:30 p.m. June 8, the night before the presentation.]

The report to the Council will outline marketing efforts during the past eight months to promote the spectrum of arts in the city, including visual, dance and theater, said Victoria Bryan, executive director of the Arts Council.

The matching funds come from individuals, small groups, corporations and foundations. Grant recipients receive the money for arts promotion, Bryan said.

Concern over the importance of art in the minds of city leaders was raised last week during a meeting between artists and Arts Council staff that drew three dozen mostly visual artists. [Previous LBREPORT.com coverage at this link.]

Several vented frustration at what they said was a lack of an art scene in Long Beach and wondered if success was boosted in other cities by strong support in the way of city policies and priorities.

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Antonio Pedro Ruiz, publisher of Palacio Magazine, said that artists working toward common goals can build political force. But, he added, the Arts Council gets only $350,000 a year from the city, hardly enough to "build constituencies."

Bryan said big changes are set to happen in the coming months, including the launch of a new Web site that will provide a "one stop" place with information for both artists and consumers. The Arts Council also has hired a consultant to put together a report looking at how art benefits the city, how it benefits other cities, how Long Beach can support the arts and how to look for additional support such as tapping into private money and how to work collaboratively so that artists can more successfully help themselves. "That is very much a priority," she said.

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Some artists said that art is a business like any other and needs to be run that way, while others said more art today is sold online, sidelining the need for galleries and other venues.

The Arts Council will hold similar sessions on the last Thursday of each month, Bryan said.

April Economides, director of Marketing and Communication for the Arts Council, said the month of June promises to be a busy one with the Web site launch, the focus on promotion and a strategic plan tying the arts with economic development.

Bryan said the monthly meetings "are about providing a forum where we can talk to each other" and partner together.

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On its website, the Arts Council for Long Beach describes itself as follows (on its "about" page):

...As the city's arts agency, we function as a private 501(c)(3) organization. The Arts Council receives annual city contracts, as well as support from individuals, corporations and foundations. Our purpose is to organize, encourage and enhance the cultural environment in the City of Long Beach. By supporting the artists in our community, together we create cultural opportunities and experiences for the people who live, work and play here. The Arts Council for Long Beach acts as a coordinating and educational organization to foster, promote, encourage and increase the knowledge, appreciation and practice of the arts in the City of Long Beach.

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