Finance Committee Approves Program to Aid Arts Organizations

Help could soon be available for local arts organizations impacted by COVID-`19.

The City Council’s Finance Committee unanimously voted to create a relief program that would help struggling artists and creative organizations.

The Pasadena Arts & Culture Relief Grant Program will provide an estimated 60 grants of up to $20,000 each to Pasadena-based artists and organizations.

“Pasadena’s arts and culture scene has always been a large part of what draws people to Pasadena,” said Councilmember Margaret McAustin, a member of the committee who came up with the idea for the program. “Many of the museums, theaters, music, and dance venues in Pasadena have had no way to bring in live audiences due to COVID 19.

“I tried to find a way to assist these important partners without having to draw on the General Fund. A strong fund balance in the Cultural Trust fund allowed us to create a program to support the Arts and Culture Community in Pasadena in this time of need. In addition, there may be a way for supporters of the arts to contribute to a donor matched fund for extra help. This is just more evidence of the way Pasadenans support each other in times of need. We’re all family here.”

If the City Council approves, $500,000 will be appropriated to start the program. Grants would be made on a sliding scale based on the requested amount of aid, demonstrated need, and consideration of assets, according to a city staff report.

“All awardees would be required to provide a subsequent report which documents how the award funds have been applied,” the report states.

Under this proposal, the city would transfer the money from the city’s unappropriated Cultural Trust Fund to the Planning and Community Development Department’s Fiscal Year 2021 Operating Budget in order to establish the program. As of this month, the unappropriated fund balance in the city’s Cultural Trust Fund was $788,352.

Only Pasadena arts organizations would be eligible for the grants. Those organizations would need to demonstrate a need for immediate operation support and must be in compliance with city codes and ordinances. They must also show that they have held at least one public program within the city in 2019.

Applications would be accepted in September, followed by an application deadline and the awarding of grants in October.

A review panel would consider the applications and present their findings to the City Council and Arts & Culture Commission for the final determination.

“In response to the pandemic’s devastating impact on Pasadena’s arts and culture organizations, the City’s Arts and Culture Relief Program is intended to provide direct operating support to eligible organizations,” said Rochelle Branch, the city’s cultural affairs manager.

A one-time grant of up to $20,000 would be awarded on a sliding scale based on demonstrated impacts and need. The program is structured to align with the city’s annual grant program. A panel of professionals with subject matter expertise will review applications to consider award request amounts, assets, liabilities, the estimated loss of revenue due to canceled events and performances, and the extent to which a virtual format has been utilized with associated costs and the degree of personnel impacts.

“Because Pasadena’s arts and cultural organizations and the artists they employ are essential to our community, their recovery will be vital to our societal health, well-being and economic restoration,” Branch stated. “By providing a platform for these struggling organizations, the city would be reiterating its commitment to this important segment of our community with a direct injection of relief funds.”

So far, Boston Court, the Armory Center for the Arts, and the Pasadena Playhouse have expressed support for the program.

“I grew up in Pasadena and I have lived in Pasadena most of my life,” wrote Clark Branson, owner of Boston Court.

“I have been fortunate to be a patron of the arts throughout Los Angeles County, but more specifically in Pasadena because of the rich and diverse arts and culture scene. That is why I chose Pasadena to build an intimate arts center: Boston Court,” Branson wrote.

“We have seen nonprofits come and go through the years and many teetering on the edge, so it is vital we all do everything we can to help subsidize their current loss of revenue. We must give them the opportunity to survive, to create, and to grow again. This would be an excellent investment in the future of our city — mentally artistically and economically. I pledge to do everything I can to help. I respectfully ask you to do the same,” Branson stated.

According to a staff report, most of the organizations were forced to cancel shows and programs when the city’s Safer at Home order forced them to close their doors. Some of the organizations were able to move programming to a virtual platform to engage audiences, but could not monetize the virtual events which led to layoffs and staff furloughs.

“If we want to come back to a post-COVID world that continues and builds upon this commitment and shared value, we must invest in cultural organizations now,” said Danny Feldman, producing artistic director at the Pasadena Playhouse. “It is becoming clear that many of us will not make it through this upcoming period. The performing arts in particular will be the last businesses to be allowed to open. We have the longest road ahead of us of any sector and it will take commitment and dedication to navigate through.”