HomeMy WebLinkAbout(1984, 10/22) - I-18 - AmendedI -18
COMMUNITY THEATRE POLICY
The arts and culture are becoming an increasingly important part
of community life in the City of Newport Beach. Recognizing this, the
City Council hereby establishes the following policy relating to the
operation, scheduling, and financing of the Newport Theatre Arts Center,
the City's community theatre facility.
In the context of a philosophy which encourages people to help
themselves in their leisure and cultural pursuits, the Parks, Beaches
and Recreation Department is committed to a cooperative effort to
provide community theatre and arts related leisure activities at the
Newport Theatre Arts Center. The Department welcomes volunteer support
and involvement and this policy will serve to identify and clarify the
relationships, roles, and control between the City of Newport Beach and
the Friends of the Newport Theatre Arts Center.
Definition of a Community Theatre
Community Theatre is a volunteer effort, using
non - equity, community based performers in its productions.
A self- supporting effort funded by memberships, ticket sales
and donations from the local private sector is necessary to
provide the operational funds to offer the function. Com-
munity theatre offers all levels of performers an opportunity
to participate and develop their skills while involved in a
learning environment. Community theatre is a supplement to
other programs available on a regional and /or professional
level. They should complement each other to provide a well
rounded base for cultural growth in a community.
Financial
The City is responsible for financing the Newport Theatre Arts
Center's maintenance and operation only to the extent of the annual
City Council approved budget. In accordance with Council Policy F -20,
Reserve Fund for Culture and Arts, the City may match any funds raised
privately by the Friends of the Newport Theatre Arts. Center for improve-
ments to the building which receive City Council approval.
The City encourages the Friends of the Newport Theatre Arts
Center to continue their efforts as a self- supporting community theatre
and to expand their support of the Arts and culture in Newport Beach.
The Friends of the Newport Theatre Arts Center shall provide the Parks,
Beaches and Recreation Department with a copy of all financial reports
AD on a regular basis.
I -18
COMMUNITY THEATRE POLICY - Page Two
Facility Use and Scheduling
The City, through the Parks, Beaches and Recreation Department,
is responsible for determining priorities of use, rental fees, and
overall scheduling of the Newport Theatre Arts Center. Community
theatre activities shall have priority of use in accordance with Council
Policy I -5, Use, Priorities and Fees for Facilities. A policy of
multiple cultural and artistic uses will be maintained at the center.
The Department maintains a master calendar for the Newport Theatre
Arts Center; all users must apply to the Parks, Beaches and Recreation
Department. The Friends of the Newport Theatre Arts Center will be
accorded first priority for use in accordance with Council Policy I -5.
Scheduling of community theatre activities at the Newport Theatre, Arts
Center will be done by the Recreation Superintendent in cooperation
with the Friends of the Newport Theatre Arts Center president.
Programming and Administration
The Friends of the Newport Theatre Arts Center will be responsible
for the day -to -day operation of the community theatre program. Within
the context of cooperative programming, decisions will be made jointly
by the Parks, Beaches and Recreation Department and the Board of the 8
Friends of the Newport Theatre Arts Center. The Recreation Superintendent
shall be an ex- officio member of the Board of the Friends of the Newport
Theatre Arts Center. Any improvement or physical change must have advance
approval by the Parks, Beaches and Recreation Department.
The programs at the Theatre Arts Center are cooperative efforts of
the Parks, Beaches and Recreation Department and the Friends of the
Theatre Arts Center; as Department programs - -and in consideration of the
significant volunteer contribution by the Friends of the Theatre Arts
Center -- facility use fees are not appropriate.
Clerical assistance is provided by the City; all request for this
assistance will go through the Recreation Superintendent.
Equipment, services and financial contributions provided by the
Friends of the Theatre Arts Center are welcome and are in keeping with
the cooperative philosophy of the Parks, Beaches and Recreation Department.
The Recreation Superintendent will obtain input from the Friends
of the Theatre Arts Center Board of Directors in preparing the annual
budget.
Adopted - July 27, 1981
Amended - October 22, 1984
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