Countywide : Arts Program OKd for Wayne Terminal

The Orange County Airport Commission endorsed a proposed arts program for John Wayne Airport’s new terminal on Wednesday, clearing the way for the Board of Supervisors to give final approval Jan. 16.

The program was designed by a 12-member task force appointed last March by Board Chairman Thomas F. Riley.

The airport commission, endorsing recommendations made by airport staff, approved creation of the program and a five-member volunteer advisory commission to be led by a paid director. It requested that county personnel and airport staff determine whether the director’s position needs to be full time, however.

The commission also approved use of airport “enterprise fund” money to finance most of the program, which would feature four annual exhibits organized by professional curators, plus performing arts events. Enterprise fund monies are generated through fees charged airlines and other airport users.

But the commission neither approved nor rejected a recommended $250,000 annual budget. Assistant Airport Manager Janice Mittermeier, while acknowledging that the amount may be appropriate for a “top-quality” arts program, said the program’s annual budget should be determined each year in relation to other airport expenditures.

“The budget could be considerably less than that,” she said.

The commission also had concerns about recommendations that the program include acquisitions of art. It approved $40,000 to launch the program, but voted down a recommendation to use $25,000 of that amount to buy one artwork, citing the long-term expense of care and conservation.

Funds for the program’s inaugural exhibit, scheduled to coincide with the new terminal’s projected Sept. 15 opening, will be allocated later, as that date falls within the coming fiscal year, Mittermeier said.