City Council Hears From Arts Council And Multiple Dissatisfied Local Artists; Electeds Offer Verbal Encouragment But Not Increased Funding

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by Cathy Franklin *

* Ms. Franklin is a veteran journalist and an accomplished Long Beach artist.

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(June 10, 2015, 5:10 p.m.) -- Despite complaints that the Arts Council for Long Beach works for the benefit of only a handful of artists, City Council members on Tuesday June 9 called for allowing its leaders time to fix relationships by meeting promises to broaden support.

Nine artists voiced a lack of confidence in the arts panel, which has a 19 member board and will soon dole out money from the City to organizations and individuals.

Three speakers called for switching out the Arts Council for a new entity that would focus on opening doors to diversity more reflective of the city. Karen Reside, head of the Cultural Alliance Long Beach, said the Arts Council has a "long historty" of limiting its support "to a handful of artists."

"It's vital the Arts Council represent the community," she said.

While putting together a two-year strategic plan, the Arts Council interviewed four visual artists, and not one was a person of color.

"I ask the (City) Council to establish a Cultural Affairs Council that will decide what direction the arts would go in," she said.

Her comments followed a presentation by Victoria Bryan, executive director of the Arts Council outlining the goal of "aligning creative" forces in the city "to ensure a vibrant art scene that will make Long Beach a premiere destination for residents, students" and others. A new marketing initiative will center on widening outreach geographically as well as in the areas of age, ethnicity, race, gender and artists' backgrounds.

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During public comments, artist and curator Efren Luna said the Arts Council focus "is not representative enough."

"Art is an alternative to negative influences," Luna said. "Art saved my life."

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Antonio Ruiz, publisher of the bilingual magazine Palacio said he is not calling for the dismantling of the Arts Council" but it is time to "reimagine the arts in Long Beach."

The city needs to step in with more support, said artist Jim Coke. "If art is going to be seen as part of an economic development plan, artists have to survive with a lot more support -- especially the youth."

Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthat said the comments from the speakers are "a concern to me."

But as for more funding, the city is experiencing "tight times."

"I'm willing to give you a chance to address the concerns of the community." Councilman Al Austin said.

Mayor Robert Garcia called for giving the Arts Council's leaders "time then hold them accountable. o organization is perfect," he said. "The Arts Council is not."

Despite the difficult relationship expressed by the speakers, Garcia said, "I do believe there is a willingness to adapt and make things improve."

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After the Council meeting, Bryan said it allowed a "great conversation to explore every option to strength the arts community,"

As to an increase in funding, Bryan said "It's going to take a lot of time before the city has the resources." She said she quickly reached out to Reside to set up a meeting for further discussion.