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Carlsbad cultural-arts manager briefs commission on FY24–25 budget, TGIF concerts and staffing
Summary
Fiona presented a FY24–25 overview showing less than 1% budget growth over five years, proposed cutting two previously requested positions, and requested a $170,000 ongoing increase to support expanding the TGIF concert series from six to nine shows; the Shulman Auditorium will close around July 1 for an AV upgrade.
Fiona, the cultural arts manager, presented a brief overview of the Library & Cultural Arts department’s FY24–25 request at the June 6 Arts Commission meeting, describing operating trends, personnel requests and several near-term projects.
Budget overview: Fiona said the department’s adopted budget has increased less than 1% over the past five years. She noted the adopted maintenance-and-operations figure is about $1.9 million and that special revenue funds support roughly $540,000 in programming and collection expenses. Those special revenues enable exhibitions, summer reading, author talks, performances and some gallery support.
TGIF concerts and a $170,000 request: Fiona said staff are requesting an additional $170,000 ongoing to support nine TGIF concerts in the park rather than the six held last summer. “We will have an additional $170,000 in our department’s budget to help support the cost of a 9 concert series,” she said, adding that City Council previously agreed to support the extra cost and that staffing and security adjustments are part of the expense picture.
Personnel and projects: Fiona said two positions requested in last year’s budget — a second production technician and an additional librarian position — are proposed to be cut; she clarified that no current staff will lose jobs and that some duties will be absorbed internally. Fiona also confirmed the Shulman Auditorium audiovisual upgrade bid was approved and the facility will likely close on or about July 1 for at least three months while AV, lighting and streaming systems are replaced. She noted a separate RFID upgrade for the library is forthcoming but gave no additional details in the presentation.
Summer programming and sponsors: Fiona reported two sold‑out weeks of summer art camps and that TGIF concerts begin in two weeks; she said the series has two title sponsors this year (the Charitable Foundation and Rincon Homes) and that new security screening procedures will be explained on social media and the city website.
Commissioner action on grant structure: In the commissioners’ commentary period, Chair Ferroni proposed adding to a future agenda a discussion about restructuring grant awards to provide larger grants to fewer recipients; commissioners seconded the request and the commission voted to add the item to the August Arts Commission meeting for discussion.
Next steps: staff will finalize the program and hiring timelines as they recruit a cultural arts manager and public art coordinator, manage Shulman closure logistics, and implement the TGIF concert series with security screening and sponsor recognition.
