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<br />Araiza, Fatima <br />From:Jouvon Michael <jouvonmichael@gmail.com> <br />Sent:Wednesday, May <br />To:eComment <br />Subject:Art Funding in Santa Ana <br /> Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links. <br />Dear Members of the Santa Ana City Council, <br /> <br />I am writing as a dedicated member of our local arts community, with over thirteen years of contributing to <br />Santa Ana's cultural vibrancy through my murals and public art projects, such as the one at 4th Street Market. <br />My work and the work of many other local artists not only enhance the aesthetic value of our city but <br />significantly contribute to the economic vitality of local businesses by attracting visitors and residents alike to <br />various city locales. <br /> <br /> Despite these contributions, there remains a stark underfunding of the arts, which jeopardizes the continuation <br />of a lively and productive artistic community in Santa Ana. I am aware of the recent information that our city <br />has designated $1 million for local arts organizations, recognizing it as a necessary and overdue step toward <br />supporting our cultural heritage. However, the current level of support, which averages funding for barely four <br />projects per city ward annually, is insufficient given the scale and impact of our work. <br /> <br /> The success of events like Artwalk, which draws thousands of attendees monthly, depends significantly on <br />Event Sponsorships funding. With Santa Ana experiencing growth with many new developments, it is <br />imperative that a portion of this development—specifically, 1%—be dedicated to local artists and small arts <br />organizations. <br /> <br /> The Bowers Museum has received substantial subsidies from our city for the past 37 years, with $1.6 million <br />allocated last year alone. While we recognize the value provided by established institutions like the Bowers <br />Museum, it is crucial for funding strategies to evolve alongside our growing city to better distribute resources <br />among all local arts initiatives. <br /> <br /> Given these points, I strongly advocate for the following actions: <br /> <br /> 1. Increase the funding for local artists and small arts organizations beyond the initial $1 million to more <br />adequately reflect the number of active artists and projects within our community. <br /> 2. Ensure the 1% funding from new developments is strictly allocated to local artists and cultural events, <br />fostering an ecosystem that benefits all stakeholders. <br />3. Reevaluate the distribution of city arts funding, especially concerning long-standing allocations to major <br />institutions, to enhance equity and inclusion within our arts funding model. <br /> <br /> Investing in local arts is a direct investment in the economic and social health of Santa Ana. I urge you to <br />consider these requests seriously and act swiftly to safeguard and nurture our city’s cultural and artistic <br />expression. <br /> <br /> Thank you for your attention to this vital issue. I am eager to see how your decisions will positively impact our <br />community. <br /> <br />1 <br /> <br />