Alameda Coalition for the Arts

Dear Honorable Members of the PAC,

We the Alameda Coalition for the Arts call on the Alameda Public Arts Commission (PAC) to fulfil their appointed duties to convene a quorum to do business at the earliest date possible.

Alameda Coalition for the Arts is a local advocacy group comprised of creators, venues, and citizens with a shared goal -- to foster and promote more performing and visual art in Alameda. Through this shared vision, we hope to increase exposure for local artists and provide a platform to have their voices heard to create a more vibrant community.

This coalition of 40+ citizens and many others have invested time into organizing meetings, reviewing materials relevant to PAC meetings, making suggestions for the RFP process and amendment to the public art ordinance, and formulated presentations to represent our creative vision for Alameda. Business owners have donated their time and resources to support these efforts.

However, we have not seen the same level of commitment from all of the commissioners that have volunteered to officially represent our arts community.

On July 19th 30-40 local artists, businesses and galleries took the time to write, organize, prepare presentations, and showed up at city hall. After an hour of waiting three out of five members failed to appear and the meeting was cancelled. For the second time in just a few months the community and city staff had been stood up with no notice. This is unacceptable. We deserve better.

With this impending RFP and several large developments in progress Alameda stands to see the largest influx of precious financial resources to support public art in its history. The role of the PAC to guide these decisions is too important to be squandered. We recognize this is a volunteer position but this breakdown has been a fundamental failure to meet an obligation they set with the community.

The artists, galleries and the unique businesses are what makes Alameda a destination city. Art is what makes the Bay Area what it is is. Alameda is slow to get on board and while we are working hard to make changes, we need the support of PAC to do their job.

We are willing to work through this first goal of getting the public art RFP out so we can move on to the many other important items we would like to see implemented in our city. Why? Because we love Alameda.

We have demonstrated our level of commitment. We now are making a public request that our PAC evaluate if they are willing to do the same.

We look forward to seeing you there to discuss the immediate business before the PAC.

The new meeting will be held at City Hall on August 2nd at 6PM.

Sincerely,
Alameda Coalition for the Arts

http://www.alamedaartists.com/alamedans-for-fair-open-public-arts-fund/