Commission adopts 2026 goals, forms ad hoc committees for public art, funding and communications

The Cultural & Fine Arts Commission unanimously adopted a 2026 work plan that aligns the commission’s activities with recently adopted City Council priorities. Commissioners approved goals and formed ad hoc committees to focus on: (1) developing a public-art toolbox and communications strategy, (2) identifying diverse public-art funding sources and grants, (3) supporting creative-business and cultural-economy initiatives, (4) reviewing temporary and permanent public-art opportunities and (5) continuing annual programs such as the Creative Student Artist Award and treasure-artist activities.

Staff presented City Council’s adopted goals and noted this is the first year the council explicitly called out arts in the city goals. An ad hoc (small working group) approach will allow commissioners to make steady progress on measurable tasks between regular meetings. Commissioners volunteered to lead and join ad hocs; staff will circulate assignments and a tracking spreadsheet so volunteers can coordinate work and pull in external experts where needed.

The commission discussed near-term priorities: finalizing the public-art toolbox (a web-based resource for artists and applicants), expanding outreach and communications to raise public awareness of arts programs, pursuing grant and funding sources to build a sustainable public-art fund, and exploring the creative economy in partnership with city economic development staff.

A commissioner moved and another seconded to adopt the draft 2026 goals and priorities; the motion carried by unanimous roll-call vote. Commissioners assigned initial ad hoc leads and asked staff to return with timelines and next steps at the commission’s June meeting.