Cultural Arts Commission outlines goals for Burbank

The Burbank Cultural Arts Commission is planning to initiate a second round of its utility box beautification program, which last year selected and paid seven artists to each paint an original mural on pad-mounted electric equipment boxes throughout the city.

That was one of several goals that Peggy Flynn, the board’s chairwoman, outlined for the City Council last week. Those plans also include seeking funding from the city and local sponsors; developing an arts-related smartphone app; organizing quarterly “convenings” to foster discussion and collaboration between business and arts groups; and creating a signature Burbank arts event.

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Flynn said the arts have an economic impact in the city, and the commission seeks to grow that impact by ensuring Burbank residents and visitors know what’s happening and are engaged in the local arts scene, rather than going elsewhere for those activities.

“We need to focus on how is Burbank reaching its 100,000-plus residents to make sure they’re aware and patronizing the arts that are within our community,” Flynn said.

Last year, Flynn said, the group looked at creation of a “cultural arts map” for visitors and locals, but members found “we really should be focusing on developing a mobile app” that the board hopes will expand the “profile” of arts in Burbank and improve communication to the public.

Jess Talamantes, vice mayor and City Council liaison to the commission, said he plans to propose dedicated funding for the commission, which is made up of eight members appointed by the council.

“All of that takes money if you really want to reach out to the community and further out,” Talamantes said.

Flynn said she promised the investment “will bring returns to the city.”

Board member Cindy Pease said the city should look to Santa Monica and Culver City as “role models” for developing its arts scene and relationships between local businesses and the arts.

“The arts ... reflect the health and well-being of the community,” Pease said.

Growing the community’s arts scene can also help the City Council achieve some of its goals and priorities, Flynn said, such as funding the refurbishment of the Starlight Bowl, which was expected to cost more than $17 million over 10 years, according to city budget documents last May.

At the time, Starlight Bowl renovation was discussed as one of several unfunded capital projects the city would need to find about $5 million a year to fund. In August, funding and moving forward with the project was identified as one of the council’s top priorities.

One arts event that Flynn cited to illustrate how arts activities can help the council achieve its goals was the Creative Talent Network Animation Expo, an animation industry education, networking and recruitment event held each year at the Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport, which in 2009 drew 2,800 participants. It has grown 10% each year since, Flynn said.

In 2014, she said, the event drew more than 6,100 attendees, more than half from outside Burbank and about 10% from outside the United States. Those attendees shopped and dined in Burbank, she said, while staying in more than eight local hotels.

However, the event, which Flynn said is outgrowing its venue, also highlights some of the areas where the city may face some challenges and opportunities. She said one challenge is how the council can help keep such events in the city, and an opportunity for the Cultural Arts Commission is finding ways to further engage attendees in the local arts scene.

Mayor Bob Frutos said the utility box program is “just a small start” for the board. He said he took “copious notes” about their goals and plans to hold them accountable.

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Chad Garland, chad.garland@latimes.com

Twitter: @chadgarland