PRAC approves Measure P arts awards amid heated public debate over panel process and equity

The Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission on Monday approved the Fresno Arts Counciland Cultural Arts subcommittee recommendations to distribute this year—s Expanded Access to Arts and Culture (EAAC) grant awards under Measure P, despite sustained public comment urging changes to the adjudication process and to the distribution of funds.

The recommendations were presented by Lilia Gonzales Chavez, executive director of the Fresno Arts Council, who described the outreach and adjudication process that produced the list of recommended grantees. Gonzales Chavez said the grant cycle began with 277 letters of intent, 269 eligible applicants, and a review process that recruited 42 panelist volunteers of whom 32 served. She said the PRAC subcommittee is recommending funding for 134 organizations and projects and that roughly $6.3 million is slated for distribution in this grant cycle; she also reported that applicants requested about $16,140,816.31 in total. Commissioners then voted to approve the recommendations by motion for each funding category.

Why it matters: dozens of applicants, small arts groups and community organizers said delays and perceived…