Council funds community arts projects and backs 'Movie in the Park' pop-up

The Buellton City Council on July 9 approved three community-funding requests from the arts-and-culture program and a community-event grant.

The council approved a $10,000 grant to the Louisiana Valley Botanic Garden Foundation to build a permanent artistic steel privacy screen behind the garden stage. Staff and the arts-and-culture committee recommended full funding; artist Tyler Powers described the backdrop as a flexible scenic element that will both improve the stage’s appearance and hide utility areas while making the deck more usable for performances and community events.

Council also approved $1,950 to Martha’s Farm Animal Sanctuary for a pilot "healing arts" program aimed first at Buellton seniors and students with plans to expand countywide. The pilot will include sanctuary tours, animal interaction, and a two‑hour facilitated art class.

Separately, council approved a $5,870 funding request from Solvang Cinema Arts to run a "Movie in the Park" pop-up screening at Riverview Park on Aug. 28. The presenter described an event that would target families and youth, include a reservation-based meal service to encourage attendance, and aim for about 250 participants with local vendors and sponsors. The group said the pop-up is part of a longer-term effort to restore year-round cinema experiences in the valley.

Council members asked about resident outreach, permitting and the event’s reservation and e-commerce functions. The motion to fund the pop-up passed with one councilor recorded as voting no; council members asked city staff to assist with publicity and permitting logistics.

Funding approvals were made by formal motion and recorded vote.