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Ojai Arts Commission approves updated grant application and moves to online submissions
Summary
The City of Ojai Arts Commission approved revisions to its arts grant application (added mission statements, resumes, exhibition histories and artist statements) and voted unanimously to require applicants to submit the application portion online; supporting documents may still be dropped off in person.
The City of Ojai Arts Commission approved a set of edits to its arts grant application and voted to require that applicants submit the application answers via the online form.
Commissioner Karina, who led the ad hoc group that drafted the changes, described several specific additions: organizations must now upload a mission statement and three years of past performances or exhibitions; projects must list resumes for key personnel; and individual artists must submit an artist statement and exhibition history. She said essay prompts were tightened so the application better aligns with the commission’s scoring rubric.
“Some of the changes are for clarity,” Karina said, adding the edits are intended to make reviews more equitable and streamlined. Chair West added that the online form will reduce staff time spent collating disparate formats.
City Manager Ben Harvey told commissioners the shift matters for public records and recommended the commission use only city email addresses for official business, noting it reduces the risk of intrusive public‑records searches: “We’re really trying to steer everybody to using the city email addresses,” he said.
Commissioners debated access concerns before voting. Some members worried that strictly online submissions could disadvantage applicants without easy computer access; staff and commissioners agreed to add guidance (library access or City Hall assistance) in the application instructions to help those applicants.
A formal motion to accept all edits to the arts grant application, application instructions and the sample fiscal‑agent letter passed by voice vote. Later, after discussion and an initial failed motion, the commission adopted a final motion requiring applications be submitted online; the vote was unanimous.
The commission plans to publish revised application instructions and outreach materials to accompany the new grant season. Staff said supporting documents (PDFs, images) may be submitted in person to City Hall if applicants cannot upload files online, and staff will provide an assistance contact in the instructions.
What’s next: staff will finalize the online form and post the updated instructions; commissioners said they will publicize the changes as part of opening the grants season.
