Coronado, CA (September 28, 2011) – A town well known for its devotion to the cultural arts -- two acclaimed playhouses, a well-established arts school, resident artists and authors, a museum -- will soon have its own Arts Commission.
At a special meeting Monday, the Coronado City Council unanimously voted to establish a seven-member Coronado Cultural Arts Commission to promote local art and artists, and to make art more accessible for residents and visitors.
During its first year, the Commission will be charged with developing a master calendar of arts events in town; a policy to exhibit public art in Coronado; and a comprehensive communication strategy that includes all aspects of the arts in Coronado.
An exhibition featuring Coronado artists was held before Monday’s meeting at the Coronado Community Center to showcase local talent during the month-long Coronado Celebration of the Arts. Many of the dozens of people who attended the exhibition later attended the Council meeting.
“There’s obviously huge support for the arts and for an Arts Commission in this community, not only by the artists themselves but by the community at large,” Coronado Planning Commission member Doug St. Denis told council members before the vote.
In addition to numerous artists, musicians and authors, Coronado also has a Museum of History and Art, fine arts galleries, private arts classes, public concerts, the Coronado School of the Arts, public art, permanent and rotating art exhibits at the Coronado Public Library, the Lamb’s Players Theatre and the Coronado Playhouse.
Coronado also played an interesting role in L. Frank Baum’s work on children’s classic, “The Wizard of Oz.” The noted author wrote much of the “The Wizard of Oz” while staying at the Hotel del Coronado, and is said to have based his designs for the Emerald City on the hotel.
Heidi Wilson, chairwoman of the City’s Public Arts Subcommittee, an offshoot of the Design Review Committee, and St. Denis had an idea to connect existing organizations, local and regional artists, galleries and art supporters by providing a “link” that previously did not exist.
After being encouraged to gauge the public’s interest, they held an arts forum in June. Of the 90 artists and members of the arts community invited, 65 attended. Participants were asked to identify ways to get the word out about Coronado’s art and art scene. A consensus was reached that a cultural arts commission be established.
Wilson said Coronado’s Cultural Arts Commission will prove an invaluable asset to the City when applying for national, state and regional art funding as the formal body that would administer the funds.
Coronado Arts Commission members will be appointed to three-year terms by the Coronado City Council. Applications may be found at the City’s website www.Coronado.ca.us or at http://bit.ly/nKB79F or by calling the City Clerk’s Office at 619.522.7320.
News release from Janine Zúñiga, Senior Management Analyst, City of Coronado
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