Report from California Arts Council's 8/30/2023 Public Meeting

Welcome from the Kings Art Center

Welcome from Kings Art Center Executive Director Stephanie Magnia

Executive Director of Kings Art Center, Stephanie Magnia discussed increasing the visibility of Hanford’s arts community. There is amazing art being created throughout smaller communities in the state and it’s critical to have the King’s Art Center in the county. Magina says “People know us for agriculture and sports but it is important for people to know about our art as well.” 

4. Executive Director’s Report and Community Agreements

Executive Director, Jonathan Moscone discusses deeping their accountability, going deep into equitable policies in the field. 

Grant guidelines and overview: 1,800 applications in 2023. Moscone reflects and acknowledges not everyone gets funded, but they also do not pick one grant application over another. 

The Council recognizes they need more inclusivity when it comes to connecting to disabled artists. Moscone says they will have an Ad Hoc  committee run by Olivia Raynor, Council Member for California Artists With Disabilities. And they are open to answering questions with the Disability Community. 

5. Upcoming Council & Committee Meeting Calendar Highlights 

• September 20 Open programs committee on Zoom 
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• Oct 25 Council Meeting in Oakland 
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• Nov 17 Council Meeting on Zoom
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5. Creative Economy Workgroup P.O.P (Purpose, Outcome, Process) Discussion

• The California Arts Council is taking a P.O.P Strategy (Purpose, Outcome, Process) approach to develop the CA Creative Economy Workgroup.
  Purpose: to develop a strategic plan for the CA Creative Economy
  Outcome: Investment in our Cultural Workforce
  Process: 
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6. VOTING ITEM: Minutes from Previous Meetings

1. Council Meeting: April 28, 2023 (Stockton)
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2. Open Executive Committee Meeting: June 14, 2023 (Los Angeles)
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3. Open Strategic Framework Committee Meeting: July 31, 2023 (Virtual)
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8. Voting Items: The council voted on the following six items to be funded. 

• Impact Projects - Voting Item Passed
• State Local Partner Mentorship - Voting Item Passed
• Statewide and Regional Networks - Voting Item passed with $1,854,240 of the money requested 
• Folk & Traditional Arts - Voting Item passed with $903,751 for two years of funding 
• State Local Partners -Voting Item passed with $3,675,999 requested and 90% be given to the grant. 
• Arts & Culture Org General Operating - Voting Item Passed 

10. Chair Report 

The chair report from Chelo Montoya, identifies the CAC’s commitment to getting more involved in the communities they are funding. She explains how the Executive Director, Jonathan Moscone is on the road traveling throughout cities and counties to recognize the diversity of California’s arts and culture. Montoya shows her gratitude for being in Hanford County, where she is from. Being from this county, Montoya identifies that having infrastructure like the SLP program is critical for smaller rural communities. 

11. VOTING ITEM: Fiscal Sponsor Change Request - Pass Approved

The Programs Policy Committee will present a recommendation to the Council to allow staff to determine fiscal sponsorship change requests.

13. DISCUSSION ITEM: True Costs with the Hewlett Foundation

Jessica Mele (Principal/Jessice Mele Creative), Jennifer Wei (Hewlett Foundation’s Organizational Effectiveness Program Officer), and Marcus McGrew (Hewlett’s Director of Grantmaking, Learning, and Operations) 

The CAC invited the Hewlett Foundation to have a discussion around true costs to inform the Council on 2024 programs guidelines. 

Most foundations and government funders still only allow indirect costs of up to 15% 

How does equity interact with true costs? 

• Smaller Orgs have higher indirect cost (IDC) rates and larger orgs have lower indirect costs rates (economies of scale). 
• Bipoc led orgs tend to be smaller with higher IDC and is often true for organizations located in smaller cities and rural areas. 

Article on equity: https://cep.org/project-grants-still-need-not-be-the-enemy-an-equity-oriented-update-one-year-later/

Government funded grants report: https://nonprofitfinancials.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/NPE_Gov-Funded-NPs_article_6-23.pdf

Funding for Real Change is the best for the True Cost Collaborative resources (including case studies): https://www.fundingforrealchange.com/