Huntington Council OKs Art Center Reorganization

As expected, a proposal to reorganize the Huntington Beach Art Center sailed through the City Council on a unanimous vote this week, said Ron Hagan, the city’s community services director.

Council members commended center curator Tyler Stallings and founding director Naida Osline, both of whom recently accepted other jobs, for center programs and the national recognition it has achieved, Hagan said. The council also reiterated that the only impetus for the reorganization is the center’s $306,000 deficit.

Most of the deficit stems from $250,000 owed in construction costs for the center, which now will be overseen by Michael Mudd, city cultural services manager, until funding for a new director is secured, Hagan said.

City staff and local arts supporters will meet in the months ahead to balance the budget and determine the sorts of exhibits and programs to be presented at the center. They will report their conclusions to the council in September, Hagan said.

The council also instructed city staffers to develop a funding plan for other struggling city arts venues, such as the community band and Huntington Beach Playhouse.

“If we don’t find [a better funding source] for the playhouse,” Hagan said, “it’s next to have financial problems.”