Newport arts panel looks at a new way to fund third phase of park sculpture exhibit

The Newport Beach Arts Commission could put the finishing touches this month on a plan to fund the third phase of the sculpture exhibition in Civic Center Park.

Commissioners have grappled in recent months to find funding sources to cover the exhibition’s $108,000 price tag following a directive from the City Council last year that the Arts Commission look for opportunities for private groups to help pay for the exhibit rather than relying on money from the city’s general fund.

“We’re in a bit of a conundrum as to how this is moving forward,” Commissioner Robert Smith said.

The idea for the sculpture exhibit originated in 2013 when the City Council approved a plan to feature 10 new sculptures annually in the 14-acre Civic Center Park adjacent to City Hall at 100 Civic Center Drive. The plan was to show 10 sculptures in the first year and 10 more in the second year. In the third year, the sculptures from the first year would be removed and replaced with a new set.

City leaders agreed to spend $125,000 annually for the first two phases of the exhibit. The money is used to transport and install the artworks.

More recently, the City Council — with several members elected in 2014 — has emphasized that the Arts Commission should start using money from private sources to finance the exhibit rather than city funds.

At the beginning of this year, the commission considered seeking money through the Newport Beach Arts Foundation, Visit Newport Beach and the dissolution of the Balboa Performing Arts Theatre Foundation. The plan briefly appeared on a City Council agenda but was removed when city staff realized the donation from the Balboa Performing Arts Theatre Foundation could be used only for performing arts.

The commission then discussed accepting $45,000 from the Balboa foundation as a loan that would have to be paid back by March 2017. But it decided against that, with many of the commissioners saying it would set a bad precedent.

On April 14, commissioners will consider another recommendation for funding the third phase of the project. Library Services Director Tim Hetherton said the plan would include money from the Newport Beach Arts Foundation, Visit Newport Beach and the city’s Public Arts and Cultural Facilities Fund, which was established to purchase and install public art. It consists of about 2% of the unallocated public-benefit fees the city received from approved development projects.

If the commission approves, the proposal will go to the City Council, likely in May. If it is rejected there, the third phase of the project could be in jeopardy, Hetherton said.

Arts commissioners have expressed a desire to keep the sculpture exhibit going in perpetuity, saying it brings frequent visitors to the park.

“It has energized and activated that park,” Smith said. “It’s a program deserving of continued city support.”

The commission is working toward a plan to pay for future phases through fundraising efforts, but it couldn’t come up with a solid program for this year, according to a staff report.

“You have to have time to get a program going,” Hetherton said.