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Sedona council creates Arts & Culture Organization grant program, 5‑2 vote on eligibility rules
Summary
The council approved formation and eligibility criteria for a new Arts and Culture Organization grant program funded at $200,000 for FY‑26; the vote was 5 in favor, 2 opposed, with critics saying the $1 million organizational budget threshold is too restrictive.
The Sedona City Council voted 5‑2 on Sept. 9 to form a new Arts and Culture Organization grant program and adopt eligibility criteria for FY‑26, with $200,000 set aside in this year’s budget.
City staffer Annette summarized revisions to earlier proposals, saying the program was broadened from "arts" to "arts and culture" and that staff had added clarifications on eligible activities, including festivals. "We have created a definition of arts and culture," Annette said, and the proposal includes examples and eligibility rules, notably a proposed $1 million annual budget threshold for applicant organizations.
Councilors raised concerns about the threshold and the pool of eligible organizations. Councilor Furman said he worried the proposal "feels like it's been designed for 2 qualified entities and that there's no real competition for the grants." Councilor Kinsella asked how many organizations would qualify under the $1 million threshold; staff replied "there [are] 2 entities that meet that criteria right now." Councilor Fultz and Councilor Furman ultimately cast the two 'no' votes.
Public commenter Tim Perry argued the program could be used to influence nonprofit policies and urged the council to reject the proposal; staff and other council members said the criteria were crafted to comply with state gift‑clause rules and tie grants to public benefit identified in the Sedona Community Plan. City Attorney Donna (in discussion) noted eligibility and community benefit tests relate to Arizona’s gift‑clause analysis.
Councilor Kinsella moved to approve the formation and eligibility criteria and to direct staff to implement the program for FY‑26; the motion passed 5‑2. The packet and staff presentation referenced the Sedona Community Plan (Chapter 3), the land development code and related guidance for evaluating "community benefit." Staff said the program would be administered by the same review committee that handles the city's small grants program, and that the large‑organization grant cycle would be synchronized with the small grants application schedule.
The vote count recorded two opposed: Councilor Fultz and Councilor Furman. The council directed staff to implement the program and return with application materials and any necessary administrative documents before the FY‑26 grants cycle.
