Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Redondo Ballet asks city for endorsement and fee relief; Cultural Arts Commission agrees to agendize proposal
Loading...
Summary
Redondo Ballet presented its community programs and requested a formal mayoral endorsement, reduced performance fees and city marketing support. The Cultural Arts Commission voted to place a formal partnership proposal on next month’s agenda so staff can provide fee and cost details and the commission can consider a recommendation to City Council.
Francesca Stern, founder of Redondo Ballet, told the Cultural Arts Commission on March 25 that the company’s mission is “to change lives through the power of dance,” and outlined requests for city support including a mayoral endorsement, reductions or waivers of theater facility fees, permit flexibility for multimedia promotion and complimentary city marketing.
The Redondo Ballet presentation, delivered by Stern and Donna Perkins, the company’s board president and co-artistic director, emphasized community outreach — free and reduced-price tickets for seniors, school assemblies, food drives and other philanthropic programs — and argued a formal partnership could boost the city’s arts profile and local spending.
Commissioners questioned logistics and financial implications. Jack, the city staff liaison, offered to provide a detailed breakdown of what the company currently pays for Performing Arts Center rentals and related charges. Commissioners noted that any fee waivers or reductions would require City Council action under the city’s master fee schedule; the Cultural Arts Commission can only recommend or support such a request.
Chair (identified in the record by the chair’s speaking label) moved to place the Redondo Ballet partnership proposal on the commission’s next meeting agenda for further discussion and to collect staff-provided fee and cost data. The motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. Commissioners said the agendized item would allow them to consider a formal recommendation to City Council once procurement, fee impacts and specific asks are clarified.
Public attendees and several commissioners praised the proposal’s education and outreach potential; the commission asked staff to return exact fee figures and potential operational impacts before making any recommendation. The item is scheduled for continued discussion at the commission’s April meeting, at which time commissioners may vote on a formal recommendation to the City Council.
The commission did not approve any direct financial commitment to Redondo Ballet at this meeting; any city subsidies, fee waivers or formal designations would require a subsequent motion and Council approval.
