3 Projects Get Nod for Arts Funding
A citizens panel recommended Monday that $1 million in city arts grants be split among two large, established programs and a ticketing agency venture.
The group recommended that the Ventura County Museum of History & Art get $650,000 for new gallery space, an outdoor performance space and other expansion endeavors, which museum officials estimate will cost a total of $6.3 million. They plan to raise the rest of the money through pledges, said Esther Wachtell, of the museum’s board of directors.
The panel also suggested the Laurel Theatre receive $150,000 and that Burnon Inc. be awarded $85,000 to start a ticketing agency.
The panel’s recommendations go to the city’s Cultural Affairs Commission on May 18, and the City Council will vote on the final choices in June. To receive the money, prospective recipients must match the grant money 2 to 1 with other funding sources.
“We did try to provide support to the projects that were the furthest along,” said panelist Ed Summers, who is also a member of the Cultural Affairs Commission.
“The city funds could make a larger impact in moving them further along toward completion,” he said.
The Downtown Cultural District Challenge is a one-time grant given by the city to boost the growth of arts programs downtown.
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