HomeMy WebLinkAboutApproved CAC 11-13-2025 Meeting MinutesCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
CITY ARTS COMMISSION MINUTES
Newport Beach Civic Center – Council Chambers
100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach 92660
Thursday, November 13, 2025 – 5:00 PM
City Arts Commission Members:
Heather Ignatin, Chair
Vanessa Moore, Vice Chair
David Anastos, Commissioner
John Blom, Commissioner
Tiare Meegan, Commissioner
Laurel Tippett, Commissioner
Staff Members:
Melissa Hartson, Library Services Director
Rebecca Lightfoot, Library Services Manager
Francine Jacome, Library Administrative Support Specialist
I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER Chair Heather Ignatin called the City Arts Commission Regular Meeting to order at 5:00 P.M. II. ROLL CALL Commissioners Present: Chair Heather Ignatin Vice Chair Vanessa Moore Commissioner David Anastos Commissioner John Blom
Commissioner Laurel Tippett Commissioners Absent: Commissioner Tiare Meegan (excused)
Staff Present: Melissa Hartson, Library Services Director Rebecca Lightfoot, Library Services Manager
Francine Jacome, Library Administrative Support Specialist III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chair Ignatin led the Pledge of Allegiance. IV. NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC - Waived V. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Consent Calendar Items 1. Minutes of the October 9, 2025, City Arts Commission Meeting
City Arts Commission Meeting November 13, 2025
Page 2 Commissioner Blom commented on the October 9, 2025, meeting minutes, noting that
his request regarding the Sculpture Exhibition wasn't accurately reflected. He clarified
that he had asked for "Public Works staff to address needed repair and maintenance to
current trails and paths in Civic Center Park "due to "immediate safety concerns" and
requested it be addressed at the next meeting. He also noted that he didn't see his
request on the current meeting agenda.
Library Services Director Hartson informed Commissioner Blom that staff would provide
an oral response during the monthly activities update.
Jim Mosher provided public comment regarding the Sculpture Exhibition curatorial panel
assessment mentioned in the minutes. He pointed out that under the Brown Act, voting
should not take place outside public view, and the results of how commissioners ranked
the 79 sculptures should be public record. He expressed interest in whether jurors were
unanimous or had scattered votes and mentioned he would request this information from
staff.
Chair Ignatin recommended amending the minutes to include Commissioner Blom's
comments that he had asked Public Works to address needed maintenance to the Civic
Center paths.
2. Financial Report Review of financial information. There were no comments regarding the financial report.
Chair Ignatin opened the item for Public Comment, and there were none.
Motion by Vice Chair Moore, seconded by Commissioner Blom, to approve the consent
calendar with the amended change to the minutes. Motion carried unanimously (5-0-0-1).
VI. CURRENT BUSINESS A. Items for Review and Possible Action 3. General Plan Update for Arts and Culture Element and Historical Resources
Element
The General Plan Update Ad Hoc Subcommittee will present their recommendations
and comments for the draft Arts and Culture Element and the Historical Resources
Element of the General Plan Update.
Library Services Manager Lightfoot presented a receive and file report, recommending the
City Arts Commission review the comments from the General Plan Ad Hoc Subcommittee
and direct staff to forward them to the General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) for
City Arts Commission Meeting November 13, 2025
Page 3 consideration. She noted there was information in the report on how to submit additional
comments through the website.
There were no public comments or additional commissioner comments.
Chair Ignatin directed staff to forward the Ad Hoc Subcommittee comments to the GPAC.
Chair Ignatin received and filed the report.
4. FY 2025-26 Newport Beach Cultural Arts Grants Timeline
The Cultural Arts Grants Ad Hoc Subcommittee will present their recommended
timeline for the FY 2025-26 Cultural Arts Grants.
Library Services Manager Lightfoot presented the Cultural Arts Grants timeline
recommended by the Cultural Arts Grants Ad Hoc Subcommittee. She provided
background on the grants program, explaining that Council Policy I-10 funds $30,000
toward grants recommended by the City Arts Commission and approved by City Council.
She outlined the priorities for awarding grants, with local groups benefiting City residents
taking top priority, followed by regional groups, and then groups based in California. All
programs must be offered to City residents to be eligible.
The proposed timeline would open applications on November 17, with a closing date of
January 12, 2026. Completion reports from the previous fiscal year would be due January
19, 2026. The subcommittee would review applications and make recommendations for
the February 12, 2026, City Arts Commission meeting, followed by City Council approval
and check distribution in June.
Commissioner Anastos asked how applicants obtain the application and was informed
that applications are available online through the Cultural Arts page.
Nancy Warzer-Brady from Backhaus Dance provided public comment, thanking the
Commission for their grant support and recognizing the commissioners who attended their
recent assembly at Corona del Mar High School. She highlighted the impact of
contemporary dance programs on students, noting that over 700 students attended two
assemblies, and that the program develops skills beyond just arts-related ones.
Commissioner Blom commented that the Backhaus Dance performance was spectacular,
and he was impressed by the students' thoughtful questions during the Q&A session,
demonstrating their engagement with the art.
Motion by Chair Ignatin, seconded by Commissioner Anastos, to approve the cultural arts
grants timeline for 2025-2026. Motion carried unanimously (5-0-0-1).
5. FY 2025-26 Funding Opportunities for the Newport Beach Arts Foundation
Staff recommends the City Arts Commission approve a funding opportunity for
submission to the Newport Beach Arts Foundation for FY 2025-26.
City Arts Commission Meeting November 13, 2025
Page 4 Library Services Manager Lightfoot recommended approving a funding opportunity
proposed by the City Arts Commission leadership for submission to the Newport Beach
Arts Foundation. She explained that the Foundation's articles of incorporation require them
to request funding priorities from the City annually.
Staff proposed requesting $50,250: $45,000 to fund the Pacific Symphony concert in
August 2026 as part of the planned inaugural Art Week celebration, and $5,250 to increase
payments for bands at Concerts on the Green and Marina Park from the current $3,250 to
$5,000 per band. Lightfoot noted the Pacific Symphony concert had record-breaking
attendance when it returned after a 7-year hiatus, and that band fees had been unchanged
for many years.
Chair Ignatin confirmed that band payment rates hadn't increased in about a decade.
Vice Chair Moore noted that when reviewing the increase in band payments, they aimed
to align with what other cities were offering since Newport Beach was significantly below
market rate.
Jim Mosher asked whether the Foundation currently has the funds or if this is a request for
them to raise the money.
Motion by Chair Ignatin, seconded by Vice Chair Moore, to approve the funding opportunity
proposed by the City Arts Commission leadership for submission to the Newport Beach
Arts Foundation. Motion carried unanimously (5-0-0-1).
6. Cultural Arts Activities Monthly review of cultural arts activities from the Library Administrative Office for
upcoming Library and City arts events and services.
Library Services Manager Lightfoot reported on recent cultural arts activities, including the
eighth annual Halloween Spooktacular event at Mariners Park, which doubled the number
of pumpkins from 200 to 400 this year. Chair Ignatin commended staff for their coordination
of this successful event.
Lightfoot also reported on the annual fall concert at Marina Park featuring the 805 Social
Club, which had approximately 1,600 attendees. She announced the upcoming Family Fun
Night on December 19 at Marina Park Community Center, where the Commission would
distribute holiday ornaments.
Addressing Commissioner Blom's inquiry from the previous meeting, Lightfoot reported that
staff had contacted Public Works Director Dave Webb regarding the Civic Center Park trails.
The trails are monitored and repaired as needed and are slated for complete replacement
in fiscal year 2028 as part of the Parks Maintenance Master Plan.
Commissioner Blom commented that he had received an email from Director Webb
acknowledging the disrepair of the DG material on the trails and that the department would
address the immediate concerns.
City Arts Commission Meeting November 13, 2025
Page 5 Commissioners discussed the Family Fun Night event, with Vice Chair Moore noting it would
run from 5:30 to 8:00 PM. Chair Ignatin clarified that commissioners were welcome to attend
but were not involved in setup.
B. Monthly Reports 7. Art in Public Places Ad Hoc Subcommittee Commissioner Anastos, Commissioner Meegan
Commissioner Anastos reported that they would be requesting from staff a list of all
public spaces they may not be familiar with, as well as notes from prior subcommittees
on potential locations for public art.
8. Art Week Ad Hoc Subcommittee
Chair Ignatin, Vice Chair Moore, Commissioner Tippett Vice Chair Moore reported they discussed a timeline for applications for organizations
wanting to get involved. She would be sending out applications to organizations and
businesses and reaching out to more organizations identified during the General Plan
review. She also reported that the Newport Beach Library Foundation was working on
bringing an author who wrote a book about John Williams for an event in the new lecture
hall.
9. Music and Live Entertainment Ad Hoc Subcommittee
Chair Ignatin, Vice Chair Moore Vice Chair Moore noted this was covered in the funding opportunities agenda item.
10. Cultural Arts Grants Ad Hoc Subcommittee Vice Chair Moore, Commissioner Meegan Vice Chair Moore noted that this was covered in the Cultural Arts Grants timeline agenda item.
11. Newport Beach Art Exhibition Ad Hoc Subcommittee
Chair Ignatin, Vice Chair Moore Vice Chair Moore reported that there was no meeting. 12. Public Relations and Marketing Ad Hoc Subcommittee Chair Ignatin, Vice Chair Moore
City Arts Commission Meeting November 13, 2025
Page 6 Vice Chair Moore reported they discussed finding better ways to utilize the photos taken
by their photographer at concerts and events, suggesting they could be featured on the
website rather than just using one or two on Instagram the following year.
13. Sculpture Exhibition Ad Hoc Subcommittee Chair Ignatin, Commissioner Blom Chair Ignatin reported that there was no meeting.
14. Student Art Exhibition Ad Hoc Subcommittee
Commissioner Anastos, Commissioner Meegan, Commissioner Tippett Commissioner Anastos reported they were looking forward to reviewing student art in early
December and wanted to explore the idea of a student performing arts exhibition.
Commissioner Tippett added that they discussed distributing applications to schools to
increase visibility for the Student Art Exhibition, which has been running for four years but
isn't widely known. They hope to get many applicants and are considering an opening
night event for participants to see their art displayed in the library.
15. Newport Beach Arts Foundation Liaison Vice Chair Moore Vice Chair Moore reported that Art in the Park had about 2,000 attendees with over 110
booths. The event featured artist spotlights, 28 sponsors, a food vendor selling hot food,
and a bar serving beer and wine for the first time. Teen Challenge and Lionheart
volunteers helped with loading and unloading. Financial results were not available as the
treasurer was absent.
16. Historical Resources Liaison Commissioner Blom
Commissioner Blom reported attending a meeting at Sherman Gardens where they
discussed a successful meet and greet with historical organizations at Walt Howald’s
home in Corona del Mar. The group is working to move their website to join with the CdM
Residents Association website for more visibility, reprinting the historical site tour
pamphlet that includes about 20-30 plaques given to cottages in Corona del Mar, and
planning a lecture series by Bill Lobdell featuring people who can share historical
perspectives on Newport Beach and Corona del Mar.
17. General Plan Update Ad Hoc Subcommittee
Ignatin, Moore, Blom
Chair Ignatin noted this was covered in the agenda item earlier in the meeting.
City Arts Commission Meeting November 13, 2025
Page 7 VII. CITY ARTS COMMISSION ANNOUNCEMENTS OR MATTERS WHICH MEMBERS WOULD LIKE PLACED ON A FUTURE AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION, ACTION, OR REPORT (NON-DISCUSSION ITEM) Commissioner Blom requested three items for the December meeting agenda:
● A staff report auditing donations and contributions the Arts Foundation has made to the Arts Commission in the past five years
● A request for ArtsOC to provide a detailed visual explanation of how the platform for public
voting on sculpture selection for Phase X worked
● To have the meeting held in the Council Chambers to accommodate the visual presentation
Library Services Director Hartson noted that Council Chambers’ availability would depend
on whether another commission had already scheduled the space.
VIII. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
None
IX. ADJOURNMENT – 5:41 P.M. Chair Ignatin adjourned the meeting.
Approved by: Heather Ignatin