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Webster Groves arts commission backs $1,000 sponsorship for touring Shakespeare show, flags public‑art accounting issues
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Summary
The Webster Groves Arts Commission agreed to sponsor the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival’s touring production at Blackburn Park with a $1,000 contribution and a city‑services sponsorship; members also pressed the city finance office to reconcile public‑art donations and to encumber funds before the fiscal year ends.
The Webster Groves Arts Commission voted to sponsor the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival’s touring show, Torco, with a $1,000 contribution and one city‑services sponsorship, a move approved by voice vote.
Erin Velocity, representing the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival, told the commission the touring program will visit Blackburn Park on Saturday, Aug. 8, and asked for local sponsorship and promotional help. "We are coming to Webster Groves at Blackburn Park on Saturday, August 8," Velocity said, describing Torco as a 90‑minute, six‑actor touring production that typically needs a roughly 20‑by‑20 performance space and access to power.
Why it matters: Commissioners said the event could draw families and help raise money for the commission’s public‑art fund, but members also emphasized unfinished accounting and an imminent fiscal deadline. The commission reported $3,000 remaining in its sponsorship budget and discussed encumbering funds before the fiscal year closes to ensure payments and commitments can be honored.
The discussion: Members debated whether the city or the arts commission should be the public face and primary sponsor for a first‑time tour stop in Webster Groves. "How much do we care about Webster Groves Arts Commission branding and recognition?" asked Alex (speaker 7). Other members argued the city should shoulder larger sponsorships because the event is front‑facing and part of broader city goals to promote arts as a destination.
Officials also raised concerns about how donations to the public‑art fund have been recorded. One commissioner said the fund’s online descriptions suggest donations are tax deductible, while another cautioned those municipal donations typically are not. "Those donations are not tax deductible," said Alex (speaker 7), and members asked staff to confirm the city’s practice and update public materials.
Votes and next steps: Rick (speaker 3) made the motion to sponsor the touring show at $1,000 and to provide a city‑services sponsorship; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. The commission also approved sponsorship support for Bur Oak (amount consistent with prior years). Members asked staff to meet with the finance office to reconcile missing donation records, verify whether check and online donations are being attributed properly, and determine how to encumber funds so obligations can be met before the fiscal year ends.
What the commission recorded: The transcript shows a voice vote approving the Tourco sponsorship and a separate vote approving support for Bur Oak; individual roll‑call tallies were not recorded. Chair and staff were asked to follow up with the clerk’s office and finance staff to confirm procedural steps for encumbering funds and for formalizing the sponsorship agreements.
What’s next: Staff will schedule a meeting with finance to reconcile donation records and to report back with a clear accounting and recommended steps to encumber current commitments. The festival will provide promotional materials and notes on marketing timelines to the commission and parks staff.
Ending note: The commission finished the session with instructions to finalize encumbrance options and to confirm details for the Blackburn Park performance so sponsors and city services can be arranged.
