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Arts Commission votes not to cap consecutive grant awards after weeks of debate
Summary
After a lengthy discussion about fairness and access, the City of Ojai Arts Commission voted unanimously to impose no limit on consecutive-year grant awards, and agreed to modify the scoring rubric to prioritize newer applicants where appropriate.
The City of Ojai Arts Commission debated whether to limit grantees to two or three consecutive years of awards and ultimately voted to impose no formal cap.
Commissioner Karina had proposed clarifying language and asked whether the commission favored a two‑ or three‑year cap; some commissioners argued limits could broaden opportunities for new applicants, while others said term limits could inadvertently cut off organizations still building capacity.
“Limits are an important policy consideration, but I think we should solicit input,” one commissioner said, urging outreach to grantees and the public. Commissioner Rice and Vice Chair Steiner both noted a scoring‑rubric approach could reward newer applicants without an outright ban on repeat awards.
Chair West moved that the commission not impose a limit on the number of consecutive years an applicant may be awarded a grant; after discussion the motion passed unanimously by roll call. Commissioners also agreed to add rubric language that gives priority points to newer applicants when the commission wants to broaden participation.
The commission asked staff to include rubric adjustments in the September packet and to coordinate communications about the policy to current and prospective grantees.
