Local News in Brief : Arts Program Created

In an effort to bring more culture to Manhattan Beach, the City Council decided Tuesday night to create a city-sponsored “Endowment for the Arts Program.”

The council voted 4 to 1 for the program, which will spend up to $50,000 in city money during the next two fiscal years to put art in public places. The city also will allocate up to $100,000 over the next two fiscal years to a Public Arts Trust Fund. The fund will place art in areas accessible to the public, provide art education programs and develop cultural facilities, exhibitions and performances. The council vote also requires developers to spend an amount equal to 0.5% of their capital improvements to put art in public areas of their projects.

The council will determine the exact amount the city will spend during its June budget hearings. The council also voted to hire a cultural arts administrator and form a nine-member Cultural Arts Commission to administer, develop and oversee the program.