[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6495236,"mediaKeyId","5550331-5657efdc42761dad1e8608fe7fc80c64","parentId",5550331,"title","Art Specialist reports high interest in Art Venture; utility-box program and poet laureate initiatives underway","audioSeconds",276,"startMs",1896000,"endMs",2172000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5550331-5657efdc42761dad1e8608fe7fc80c64&start=1896&end=2172","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5550331-5657efdc42761dad1e8608fe7fc80c64/thumbnail_1896000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6495236/Costa-Mesa/Orange-County/California/Art-Specialist-reports-high-interest-in-Art-Venture-utility-box-program-and-poet-laureate-initiatives-underway","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6495236-a932e3cb8bb77d6a9fe8db32a5957132/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200619&Signature=lUebfE~XtQkWc2NQWTOw4W~r5ltiIK8BYBsM9fDWeVtxW5ko8rcU0IdN1Pnv~SD886Ik85exh8LkUTQ9~felqYEIF-HqVJ9OFbnHlGi12DbKEiVlIsjWdfP0ieWwPozKZ-ro4BWYwdUBgAB~IOQDxxWZ7kEW2zKgl~rAJ1~rdQSrXxMcGN-bd5Em3hIkZqU1bpU6RctI~Qj0tut6hZle79Nzg8qnA8LqaGx3C4f-oZMiaIEtNMG3Q3-IYnzBRVbBAUdJyhnDM85-cV~6jMbfKaQNK7IahdagN1ez1KueNR7H9YkFxhsDvGeu33N6E1XcnaM8hHvNFFl3f14jOg-7bQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Costa Mesa","date","2025-08-07T23:06:52Z","article","Laurette Garner, the city’s art specialist, presented the monthly arts report to the Costa Mesa Arts Commission on Aug. 7 and outlined upcoming events, program metrics and recent completions.

Art Venture: Garner said the jury selected work from 133 adult and 27 youth applicants. Community Arts Day is scheduled for Sept. 13, 2025 at Lions Park Event Lawn; the awards ceremony is scheduled for Sept. 20 at the Orange County Museum of Art. Garner listed performers and platforms planned for Community Arts Day, including indoor poetry programming with the city’s poet laureate and outdoor performances by local ensembles and dance groups.

Park programming and outreach: Commissioners praised the summer concerts in the park, including the July 3 celebration and a Pacific Symphony performance. Garner said staff will send commission members outreach materials and printed flyers for Art Venture and encouraged commissioners to assist with promotion.

Poetry and other programs: Garner said a poetry workshop with Poet Laureate Danielle Hanson is scheduled for Aug. 16 at Mesa Verde Library, and a Poetry in the Parks program is planned to launch Aug. 25 with QR-code participation and a raffle. She also said the city will include programming for Hispanic Heritage Month and surprise performances at Scarecrow Fest.

Utility box program: Garner reported 12 new utility-box wraps were completed this year and six older vinyl wraps were removed. A map of box locations is available online.

What commissioners asked for: Commissioners asked for more school outreach, bilingual materials and promotion through city channels. Several commissioners volunteered to assist with outreach and suggested using university marketing programs to help design commission branding and social media assets.

Next steps: Staff will publish Art Venture event details on artventurecm.com, finalize award-ceremony registration and circulate materials for commission-assisted outreach.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Costa Mesa Arts Commission Meeting August 7, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Art Specialist Laurette Garner told the Arts Commission on Aug. 7 that Art Venture received 133 adult and 27 youth applications, listed performers and dates for Community Arts Day and the award ceremony, and reported completion of 12 utility-box art wraps this year.","taxTitle","Costa Mesa, Orange County, California","taxId",3682,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6495240,"Arts commission begins rewrite of Costa Mesa arts and culture master plan; staff directed to incorporate public-art, funding and creative-economy ideas",1671,3216000,4887000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5550331-5657efdc42761dad1e8608fe7fc80c64&start=3216&end=4887","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5550331-5657efdc42761dad1e8608fe7fc80c64/thumbnail_3216000.jpg","/articles/6495240/Costa-Mesa/Orange-County/California/Arts-commission-begins-rewrite-of-Costa-Mesa-arts-and-culture-master-plan-staff-directed-to-incorporate-public-art-funding-and-creative-economy-ideas","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6495240-a91876810310f09761a305e081f261c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200619&Signature=LahiCn~w-NdQoWzhL8deSnUY2jfCudq49oFIFMYiK6lsCvssf--Bx7utBWMeo5FFNu2AF~5wmmm9vFj5LoL1d2hvIZNitV250SsDaR43uPe8S1RgPWw1XqycAFUVnOfDPlycAejVmPWpQbaNThV~9zwEdx0Iu~XuuC0ruKCt1e73~xeIDVdmtlYmEH04aqyqjWm4NVEIt2S0vsCKDNlGaJYR5O0KlkKuywsLOkDfFfDHlXkgwMmeWDSULW8BM37s6GYTAqtHw2mP0ZQ4a7-H5vJZmAglGa7MnYKID1e1xvcCfX~DCgnYDJe3nS8VtOiD9zFh7XuiGyiHIrj7XS3j~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Costa Mesa Arts Commission on Aug. 7 discussed a draft scope of work for an update to the city’s Arts & Culture Master Plan and directed staff to return with revisions after incorporating commissioner and public input.

Commission members and members of the public encouraged the commission to prioritize public-facing art (murals, sculptures, pedestrian experiences), to examine creative-economy incentives and to identify potential funding sources including development-linked contributions. Director Gruner said staff is working with Public Works and Community Development Services on a possible ordinance that would require contributions or a percentage for public art in new development; she emphasized that work is in progress and would be brought forward later.

Why it matters: Commissioners framed the update as an opportunity to define what “City of the Arts” means for Costa Mesa over the next five to ten years, to propose specific sites for public art, to analyze staffing needs and to craft financially realistic implementation steps. Several commissioners asked for a balance of bold visioning and practical steps that the city can take within current budget constraints.

Public input and cross-department coordination: Planning Commissioner Angelie Andrade Vallarta urged integrating arts space and programming in the Fairview Development Center project, particularly creative spaces accessible to Westside residents. Councilmember Jeff Pettis (speaking as a resident) encouraged the commission to be bold in defining measurable goals, outcomes and civic-facing public art. Commissioners also suggested partnerships with nonprofits and universities for branding and marketing assistance.

Next steps: The commission did not vote on the scope; by consensus and on staff advice (City Attorney Kim Barlow) it directed staff to incorporate the commission’s comments and to bring back a revised scope of work for further consideration. Commissioners proposed a future study session to develop concrete proposals and site assessments.","Commissioners, a planning commissioner and Councilmember Jeff Pettis urged the Arts Commission Aug. 7 to emphasize public-facing art, creative-economy incentives and developer-funded public art in an update to the city’s Arts & Culture Master Plan; staff was asked to incorporate comments and return a revised scope.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6495246,"Costa Mesa Arts Commission approves 2025–26 grants guidelines with facility-use discount",480,2640000,3120000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5550331-5657efdc42761dad1e8608fe7fc80c64&start=2640&end=3120","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5550331-5657efdc42761dad1e8608fe7fc80c64/thumbnail_2640000.jpg","/articles/6495246/Costa-Mesa/Orange-County/California/Costa-Mesa-Arts-Commission-approves-202526-grants-guidelines-with-facility-use-discount","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6495246-9d9db19bf09e21db974b521fbd294582/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200619&Signature=Lr7WWjzdlGm~kVife-1RYk1f06eGQHb5CfG0ezOYXlt3vr3chbXEqRLXwRoq~JU0W8RD5iXAL0v~UgnpcF46~XnYxbgsLO2r6sgZD-wXg1988w6GfaeohDQBNtxXECphvwhqHNSRv234vSBMFQnIOTJ8WU7hPxdpnC4QGByHJseIHX7M~~sY6T3-tw4cIEjRf9evCrUmYYfeHbKT6~PEVhxDNNGmtDq7SiG8BHQIl61nj4cLljBHi~gm1M9geUsTMejnlXuFY-Gn85RsEhZL2j-Fn9f5RZWMMGT4OpKaXZZzb-8q7Rp1OVYyONCUz-twCF4NCPO-nI10DINqnW-ysg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Costa Mesa Arts Commission voted 7-0 on Aug. 7 to adopt updated arts grant program guidelines to govern the 2025–26 cycle, including new language allowing discounted use of city parks and community facilities for award recipients.

Commissioners said the discount is intended to reduce event and production costs for grantees and increase participation. Vice Chair Dedarian and several commissioners praised the change and urged broader outreach to ensure artists know about the opportunity. Director Gruner and art specialist Laurette Garner told the commission staff will begin promotional outreach in the fall and aim to open applications in January.

Why it matters: The addition of a facility-use discount is designed to offset reduced grant award levels and to help more projects proceed in Costa Mesa. Commissioners consistently raised concern that current grant funding serves fewer artists than in prior years and asked staff to identify options to increase future award amounts.

Details and commission discussion: Staff introduced the guideline edits as a return item following requests at a prior meeting to add discounted facility access for grantees. Commissioners praised the concerts-in-the-park and other summer programming as evidence of strong community demand and urged more marketing to reach schools, nonprofit partners and individual artists. Commissioner Ashendorf, Commissioner Ford and others also suggested non-monetary supports, such as city promotion of grantee events, as ways to increase impact without raising grant totals immediately.

Staff timeline and outreach: Garner said she plans to begin outreach and marketing in October and expects the grant application to open in January. Several commissioners encouraged early bilingual outreach to schools and community organizations.

Votes at a glance:
- Approval of minutes (consent calendar): motion to approve minutes from the June 5, 2025 Arts Commission meeting passed, motion carried 7-0. (Mover: Chair Ochoa; second: Commissioner Wundercheck.)
- Approval of arts grant guidelines for the 2025–26 cycle: motion to approve staff recommendation passed, motion carried 7-0. (Mover: Vice Chair Dedarian; second: Commissioner Lucia.)

What didn’t change: Commissioners noted the approved guidelines do not immediately increase individual award amounts; several members requested staff explore options to restore larger award levels in future cycles and report back with funding alternatives.

What’s next: Staff will finalize materials for the 2025–26 grant cycle, proceed with outreach in the fall and return to the commission with any recommended funding changes or additional promotional supports.","On Aug. 7 the Costa Mesa Arts Commission approved updated arts grant guidelines that add discounted city facility use for awardees and set the 2025–26 grant cycle; commissioners asked staff to expand outreach and explore increased award amounts.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Art Specialist reports high interest in Art Venture; utility-box program and poet laureate initiatives underway

Arts commission begins rewrite of Costa Mesa arts and culture master plan; staff directed to incorporate public-art, funding and creative-economy ideas

Costa Mesa Arts Commission approves 2025–26 grants guidelines with facility-use discount