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Redondo Beach mayor outlines Cultural Arts Commission’s advisory role, gives examples for public programming
Summary
Mayor Jim White told the Cultural Arts Commission its primary function is advisory to the City Council, outlined three sources of assignments and suggested programming ideas including Shakespeare by the Sea, poetry nights and chalk-art events.
Mayor Jim White told members of the Redondo Beach Cultural Arts Commission on July 23 that the commission’s principal role is to advise the City Council and to carry out assignments given by council liaisons and the city manager.
White, introduced to the commission as the mayor of Redondo Beach, said commissioners were appointed “because of your background in art, your love of art and your desire to promulgate it throughout the city.” He described three sources of tasking: the council liaison, the city manager (for example during budget season) and direct direction from the City Council, and he noted commissioners may place items on their own agendas for deliberation.
Why it matters: The remarks were delivered at the commission’s first meeting following a fall reconstitution of several advisory bodies, including the former Public Art Commission, and came as commissioners pressed staff and the mayor for clarity on programming authority, available funding and how the commission should approach public-facing activities.
White said the commission should focus on practical, staff-feasible ideas while keeping an eye on possibilities staff cannot be directed to pursue if they require extensive staff work. “You also have the ability to agendize your own activities and referrals to staff,” he said, adding that if a proposed item would require substantial staff legwork the liaison would advise the commission whether staff could accommodate it.
Commissioners used the mayor’s remarks to sketch potential programs. Commissioner Tanner said the expanded commission should coordinate performing-arts programming at city venues, suggesting poetry nights, “music in the park,” and use of underused spaces such as the amphitheater at Wilderness Park or Veterans Park. Tanner also raised a long-term idea of locating a satellite museum in the former AES power plant should the site become available.
Commissioner Lawrence asked whether existing events, such as “Music on the Pier,” fell under the commission’s purview; staff clarified those series are run by other groups (the pier association and community services) but said commissioners are welcome to recommend changes to the council. Staff said the performing arts center is operated as a “theater for hire,” meaning outside presenters book the venue and the city provides technical support rather than programming content.
Commissioners also discussed practical limits: power and equipment constraints at outdoor sites, the need to coordinate calendar and reservation conflicts with staff, and budget timing. White recommended commissioners consider smaller pilot activities that don’t require major staff resources—“you don’t want unobtainium,” he said—and advised forming subcommittees for more complex tasks, provided subcommittees remain below a quorum.
Public commenters and gallery representatives who addressed the commission after the mayor’s remarks reinforced the call for more coordinated programming. Jonathan Anderson, gallery director at VIFA Gallery, invited commissioners to a speaking session on August 2 and offered the gallery’s expertise and artist network. Members of Keep the Esplanade Beautiful and local artists urged the commission to revive existing public-art ideas on the Esplanade and to centralize public-art information in a catalog or map for visitors.
The commission did not adopt new policy during the mayor’s appearance; instead members agreed to pursue ideas raised at the meeting—some by placing items on future agendas and some via subcommittees or liaison requests. Several commissioners said they will follow up on staffing and equipment questions before advancing programs that require city support.
Looking ahead: Commissioners agreed to pursue a mix of short-term pilots (for example chalk art and evenings of poetry or music) and longer-term items (museum partnerships, large-scale public-art strategy) and to coordinate with staff on feasibility and budget timing. The commission scheduled further discussion of specific program proposals for upcoming meetings.
