HomeMy WebLinkAbout(1988, 11/28) - 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 often using nonequity, 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.
Community 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 improvements 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 on a regular basis.
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
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COMMUNITY THEATRE POLICY - Page 2
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 use 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 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 prograts- -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 requests 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
Amended - November 28, 1988