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Carlsbad Arts Commission elects leadership, hears cultural-arts update; Shulman Auditorium to reopen January 2025
Summary
The Arts Commission reappointed its chair and vice chair and approved committee assignments unanimously. Interim cultural arts manager Fiona Everett briefed commissioners on TGIF concerts, a Canon Gallery exhibition and major Shulman Auditorium audiovisual and lighting upgrades slated to finish in January 2025.
The Carlsbad Arts Commission on Aug. 1 unanimously approved leadership for fiscal year 2024'25 and adopted committee assignments, then heard a department update from interim cultural arts manager Fiona Everett.
Commission business began with approval of minutes from the June 6 meeting (motion carried 5-1). The commission then confirmed the current chair and vice chair for another term and approved a revised committee assignment list that adds Commissioner Michelle Bridal to the business outreach subcommittee; both motions passed by unanimous vote.
In a departmental briefing, Everett said the city has six TGIF concerts completed and three remaining for the 2024 season and described strengthened security measures coordinated with police and fire. She also announced the incoming cultural arts manager, Craddock Stropes, who is scheduled to start the week after the meeting.
Everett provided a status update on the Shulman Auditorium renovation: the venue closed July 1 for a comprehensive upgrade to theater and architectural lighting, audiovisual systems, new streaming/recording capabilities and projection equipment. She said staff anticipate reopening the Shulman in January 2025 and that seating will remain largely unchanged aside from curtain and screen adjustments.
On exhibitions and grants, Everett highlighted the Canon Gallery's newly opened "Fiber in 3D" exhibition running through November, with a public reception scheduled for Aug. 17 from 3 to 5 p.m. She said summer arts-education camps sold out, described ongoing community outreach at events such as Art in the Village and the Carlsbad Village Street Fair, and reported that city staff are finalizing contracts for community-arts grantees for distribution beginning Sept. 1.
Everett also reviewed public-art project statuses: the Chestnut Underpass artist contract is near execution (in partnership with Caltrans and SANDAG), a Gordon Huether Studio selection is under contract drafting for Veterans Memorial Park, the Barrio Roundabout project is assembling a public-art advisory subcommittee, and Robertson Ranch public art is expected to accelerate next fiscal year after council approval of the park plan.
Commissioners praised Everett's interim work and asked clarifying questions about staff recruitment for arts education, how performers are scheduled for the village street fair, and whether Shulman seating or carpeting would be replaced; Everett and staff responded and said they would follow up on details where necessary.
The meeting closed with staff reminders about the Canon Gallery reception, Schulman matinees at the Cole Library while the Shulman is closed, community arts grant contracting timelines, and a boards-and-commissions appreciation dinner scheduled for Nov. 7. The commission adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
