Artists warn fee changes could exclude local exhibitors; commission asks staff for data

Several artists and commissioners said the proposed fee language risks excluding artists and local art groups from exhibiting at the Harrington Gallery and Firehouse Arts Center.

An artist who self‑identified as Anne said rising costs make it hard for groups or individuals to mount shows: "By raising the prices to this level, it's really excluding not only these groups of artists like the California Watercolor Association, who do lovely work, but also just the average artist. They can't gather the $2,800 to put on a show very successfully," Anne said. Commissioners discussed alternatives including scholarships, student discounts and incentives to attract juried shows back to Pleasureton venues.

Staff explained the fee matrix: the current recommended gallery rental has a $2,000 base plus $55 per‑artist entry; the $2,800 example reflects that combination and is not a proposed single fee increase. Staff also said the department performed an internal fee analysis (not a formal consultant study) and estimated gallery cost recovery in the 20%–30% range, promising to return with comparative data.

Commissioners emphasized alignment with the city's strategic plan goal of "building a community where everyone belongs" and urged staff to explore more equitable approaches and clearer public wording in the master fee schedule so users understand when fees apply, whether fees are refundable and how the city defines cost recovery.

The commission paused action on the two gallery fees so staff can supply comparative benchmarks, cost‑recovery figures and options for scholarships or discounts before council consideration.