CC Minutes - 07/25/07 Work Session

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cited the Hult Center as an example. Ms. Niles noted the access to real life arts experiences that University of Oregon students enjoyed. She said the cultural policy review offered a variety of opportunities to enrich the arts sector and add value to all aspects of life in Eugene. Mr. Goldring provided a brief overview of national trends in the arts scene. He highlighted the value of the arts in bringing people together. Ms. Bach discussed the conditions the consultants found in the Eugene arts scene, emphasizing the lack of central coordinating entity. Mr. Goldring emphasized the richness of the report provided to the council and suggested that given the increased awareness of the value of arts and cultural nationally, the community could not afford to rest on its laurels, but needed to work toward both sustaining what it had and toward greater understanding of what needed to be provided for future success. He said the committee’s recommendations focused on the priority strategies identified through the planning process. Mr. Goldring said the report addressed a 10-year period, and while all the strategies called out in the report were important, implementing the top five priorities first could help implement the lesser priority strategies over time. He also suggested that some of the lower priority strategies might come about sooner than strategies with a higher priority due to funding availability. Ms. Rinaldi thanked the council for funding the effort, the mayor for appointing her the chair, the council for its direction during committee check-ins, and the committee for its work. She reviewed the committee’s priority strategies and identified involved parties. 1. (Strategy 1.1) Establish an “Alliance” for arts and culture that will coordinate and strengthen the efforts of the public, private, and nonprofit cultural sectors and foster high- level civic leadership in support of arts and culture. City of Eugene, Chamber of Commerce, and local business, cultural and civic organizations) 2. (Strategy I.2) Define a broader role for the City of Eugene relative to arts and culture and provide the necessary staff and budgetary support. 3. Strategy I.3) Establish and fund a dedicated endowment or trust for Eugene’s cultural or- ganizations to increase public and private sector financial support for arts and culture. (City of Eugene, Cultural Organizations, Oregon Community Foundation, Oregon Cultural Trust, Private Sector Businesses, and Community Philanthropists) 4. (Strategy I.4) Conduct a thorough review of Hult Center operations to develop, if necessary, a new mission and implement a new operating model that will support that mission in a long- term, financially sustainable way. (City of Eugene) 5. (Strategy III.4) Implement a coordinated awareness campaign to highlight the value and strength of Eugene’s arts and culture. (City of Eugene, Cultural Organizations, Proposed Al- liance, CVALCO, Chamber of Commerce, LAC, Civic Organizations, UO, and LCC.) Mayor Piercy called on the council for questions and comments. MINUTES—Eugene City Council July 25, 2007 Page 2 Work Session