Arts commission urges process review for Libby Bowl after film society raises scheduling concerns

The Ojai Arts Commission discussed scheduling conflicts at Libby Bowl and whether the city should create a clearer process for local arts groups after public comments from the Ojai Film Society.

Nicholas Wiseman, chair of the Ojai Film Society, told the commission the volunteer organization has presented free outdoor films at Libby Bowl since 2020 and “served over 12,000 audience members for free,” and that the society has hosted 18 bowl screenings so far this season with a 19th scheduled next Friday. Wiseman said the society programs “every other Friday at 7:30” to finish before the city’s 10 p.m. noise cutoff and asked the commission to support a “legacy” scheduling status so the group can plan a year in advance rather than waiting to request dates 60 days out under the new vendor contract.

The society’s vice president, Brady Hahn, echoed Wiseman and described the film society’s underwriting model and local sponsorships, saying the group relies on advance dates to secure visiting filmmakers, sound and screening vendors, and volunteers. “We plan our entire schedule by March of every year and book all of our vendors,” Hahn said.

City Manager Ben (city manager) explained that the city executed an operating agreement with Ojai Valley Music in November that gives that promoter “first priority to program at the bowl” and that the agreement defines specific legacy events and tiers for scheduling. Ben told the commission the contract runs through 2028 and “specifies legacy events” such as the Ojai Music Festival, Lavender Festival and the Independence Day celebrations. He said the contract also establishes a Tier 1 summer concert season (where the promoter has right of first refusal) and Tier 2 off‑season dates, and that the promoter is obligated this year to produce 10 commercial concerts.

Commissioners asked whether the contract prevents local nonprofit use of the bowl; Ben responded that the agreement also “speaks broadly to Ojai Valley Music’s need to work with the community,” and that he had discussed flexibility and compromises with the promoter’s principals. The manager recommended the film society and the promoter meet directly with city staff to try to agree on dates rather than asking the council to amend a binding contract.

Chair West made a motion that the Arts Commission ask City Council to review local arts organizations’ use of the Libby Bowl and “come up with a process that honors both our contract with the booking people as well as the artists’ needs.” The motion was seconded and debated at length, including discussion of the contract’s legacy event list and the film society’s request for roughly six dates in a 27‑week season. After discussion the mover withdrew the motion, and commissioners agreed instead to encourage a facilitated meeting among the city, Ojai Valley Music and the Ojai Film Society and to revisit progress at a future commission meeting (staff suggested about 60 days).

Why it matters: commissioners and the city manager described a tension between a multi‑year commercial programming contract and the needs of longtime community arts groups that rely on year‑ahead scheduling. The Film Society argued the bowl enables free cultural programming, visiting filmmakers and downtown economic activity; staff said the written contract gives the promoter scheduling priority but also includes language encouraging community coordination.

The commission asked staff to help arrange meetings between the film society and the promoter and to update the commission on outcomes at a follow‑up meeting.