TITLE
Recommendation to receive and approve Mayoral appointments to the Blue Ribbon Commission on Funding Arts and Culture in accordance with Agenda Item 10-0223, as approved by the City Council on
March 2, 2010.
DISCUSSION
Pursuant to City Council Action of March 2, 2010, I am submitting for your consideration and approval the following nominees to serve on the Blue Ribbon Commission on Funding for the Arts. In addition, attached are the 2001 "Public & Private Percent-for-Public-Arts Study" and the 2004 report to City Council from the Community Arts Funding Strategy Task Force used for deliberation and submitted here for public record.
Blue Ribbon Commission Nominees:
Larry Black is owner and operator of the Varden Hotel, formerly known as the Dolly Varden Hotel and currently ranked #1 on Trip Advisor. Mr. Black is active in his community and serves on the ICT Board of Directors and the board for the Long Beach Convention Visitors Bureau.
Blair Cohn is the Executive Director of the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association. Former race director of the International City Marathon, Blair has put his experience to work in Bixby Knolls managing a bustling uptown with a modest budget and creative ideas.
Carina Cristiano Leoni is the Project Director of the Connected Corridor; a project of Leadership Long Beach transforming neighborhoods into one community by connecting stakeholders along Atlantic Avenue. She is a former K-12 teacher and has developed social media curriculum for use by CSULB's Professional Development Services. Ms. Cristiano Leoni remains active with the day-to-day operations of Nino's Italian Restaurant, a family-operated business serving Long Beach for over 50 years.
Julie Heggeness is an attorney with a long history with the Long Beach Memorial Foundation. She is currently the Director of Trusts & Estates serving Long Beach Memorial Medical Center and Miller Children's Hospital. As a Leadership Long Beach graduate, she remains very active in her community through several boards and commissions. Ms. Heggeness was recently appointed to the Redevelopment Agency Board.
Antonio Ruiz is founder of the Creativity Network, a web based video channel showcasing segments on artists, art venues, performances, and discussions to promote arts, culture, and creativity. Mr. Ruiz is a graduate of the Leadership Long Beach Executive Quick-Start program. He remains active in the community, looking for ways to engage residents, artists, and stakeholders, and to preserve and advocate for the arts within the City.
Jan van Dijs is a Principle of J.R. van Dijs, Inc., a locally based building and development company. Jan is actively involved in the restoration of historical properties throughout Long Beach; past projects include the Art Theater, east Village Creative Offices and the Ebell Club.
Michele Wilson is an experienced trial attorney in the Civil and Criminal arenas. Ms. Wilson stays involved in her community by serving on local boards for Food Finders, Long Beach City College Foundation, and the Arts Council of Long Beach. She is also a member of CAMEO and past affiliations include the Long Beach Opera, Long Beach Museum of Art, and Musical Theater West.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
MAYOR BOB FOSTER