Item C: Arts and Outdoors/Cultural Policy Review

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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Work Session: Cultural Policy Review Implementation Meeting Date: August 12, 2009 Agenda Item Number: C Department: Library, Recreation & Cultural Services Staff Contact: Laura Niles www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-2697 ISSUE STATEMENT This work session is an opportunity to provide an update on the progress to date on implementation of priority strategies identified in the Cultural Policy Review (CPR). BACKGROUND In 2005, the City Council authorized funding for a Cultural Policy Review as an integral part of the Arts and Outdoors City Council goal. The CPR was initiated to provide clarification for the council and the public on the future role of the City of Eugene in arts and culture. WolfBrown consultants conducted the review with the assistance of the Mayor’s 21-member citizen advisory committee. The yearlong review involved more than 3,000 individuals in identifying the importance of arts and culture in our community. In July, 2007, the Cultural Policy Review report was presented to the Mayor and City Council and was accepted unanimously. In the report, five key goals were identified that strengthen and enhance Eugene’s culural sector so that it can contribute to the vitality of Eugene. Those goals are: 1.To strengthen public and private sector engagement, leadership, and funding for arts and culture in Eugene. 2.To provide comprehensive arts learning experiences for Eugene’s children, youth, and adults. 3.To build participation in and audiences for arts and culture in Eugene. 4.To strengthen the ability of cultural organizations and artists to serve the community. 5.To integrate arts and culture into the fabric of downtown Eugene and other neighborhoods as part of a comprehensive strategy of revitalization. In the fall of 2007, Library, Recreation and Cultural Services Department Executive Director Renee Grube identified seven community leaders and formed an implementation team, as suggested in the CPR, to begin work on implementing the following priority one strategies: ? 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. ? Define a broader role for the City of Eugene relative to arts and culture and provide the necessary staff and budgetary support. Z:\CMO\2009 Council Agendas\M090812\S090812C.doc