Proposed Cheney Arts Commission
Hi folks! We have an exciting item on tonight's Cheney City Council agenda. The City is looking to create a new independent advisory board focused on arts! The proposed new Arts Commission will have its first reading of the ordinance to create it at tonight's Council meeting.
Arts Commission Overview
You can read the full Arts Commission Ordinance for all the details, but here is a quick overview of what's being proposed.
Who would be on the new Arts Commission?
As currently proposed, the Commission would have 7 members who meet the following criteria:
- Live within Cheney School District 360, attend school in Cheney, work in Cheney, or own or operate a business located in Cheney
- Come from a range of backgrounds and interests relevant to the arts, including visual arts, performing arts, music, literary arts, arts education, and arts organizations
What's the time commitment for new Arts Commissioners?
- Term length for an Arts Commissioner is 3 years
- Arts Commission will meet once every other month
What would the new Arts Commission do?
As currently proposed, the Commission would be responsible for:
- Advise the City Council on all things arts and culture related
- Recommend placement of art throughout the city
- Help coordinate arts events and programming within the city
- Look for grant opportunities to aid in supporting art initiatives
- Partner with City departments and other boards / commissions for implementing art initiatives
Action Request
If you are in the arts or a fan of art within a community, come show your support tonight at City Council!
Public comment is at the start of the meeting and it would be great to hear from you and your thoughts on this Arts Commission proposal. If you have worked with arts commissions or arts organizations before in other cities, it would be great to hear from you and your experience too!
How to give public comment in-person
City Council starts at 6pm at City Hall, 609 2nd Street. You can sign up to speak on the form by the podium. Signing up ahead of time allows the Mayor to be able to call on you when it's your turn to speak. If you miss signing up, once all signed up speakers have gone the Mayor will prompt for anyone else who wants to speak and you can raise your hand at that time to be called on. Once you are called to the podium to speak, you will be two (2) minutes to share your comments.
How to give public comment over Zoom
Similar rules apply for giving public comment over Zoom, however, you need to sign up before 5pm by emailing councilcomments@cityofcheney.org. Once the Mayor has called on everyone in-person to speak, virtual speakers will then be called upon. You'll be allowed to unmute and then give your two (2) minute comment.
How to give public comment over email
If you are not able to attend the meeting live, you can still provide public comment via email. Send your comments to councilcomments@cityofcheney.org and they will be provided to City Council and the Mayor. If you would like your comments to still be read on record during the meeting, you will need to state that up front in your email. There will still be a two (2) minute time limit for any comments read in the meeting.
I'm very excited for the opportunity for the city to support bringing in more arts and culture into our community. Look forward to hearing from all of you on your thoughts!