Arts Alliance Holds Organizational Meeting, Nov. 8th 2014

On November 8th, Arts Alliance members met to discuss the future role and goals of the Santa Clarita Arts Alliance. The meeting was attended by several independent artists as well as representatives from the Santa Clarita Artists Association, the SCV Concert Band, the Santa Clarita Shakespeare Festival, and Forge Ahead Arts. We were also joined by Arts Commissioner Dr. Michael Millar, Hart District board member Gloria Mercado-Fortine, and Arts and Events Supervisor Phil Lantis. Conversation within the break out groups was lively, passionate and productive. Members responded to the questions: What are the community needs? What issues and goals should the Arts Alliance address?

POSE
Four broad areas of focus were determined — Planning, Outreach, Support and Education. Within each of these areas we identified several sub-categories for which specific strategies and tactics should be developed. These will be the subject of conversation at our next meeting.

WHAT’S NEXT?
Our next meeting will held on Saturday morning January 24. It is our desire to include representatives from as many arts organizations and arts groups in Santa Clarita as possible. If your organization was not represented at November’s meeting, please consider joining us on the 24th.

Saturday January 24th, 2015
9:00 – 11:00 am
Century Room
Santa Clarita City Hall
23920 Valencia Blvd
Santa Clarita, CA 91355

RSVP at: artsalliancesc@gmail.com
Please park and enter from the lot on the East side of the building.
Phone on day of: 661-478-1618

Santa Clarita Arts.com

Whether or not you’re an artist or an arts organization, or if you operate an arts or cultural venue, or if you are just a community member looking for something new to do in Santa Clarita, the Arts Commission and the City of Santa Clarita Office of Arts and Events have a new website for you.  With the goal of making it easier for artists and audiences to come together here in the valley, the Arts Commission and the City have created a website to serve as a central listing site for local happenings. The site, which was pushed out with a soft launch earlier this year, will be officially launched soon; however, it is functional now and Artists and Arts Organizations can begin using it to promote events. In order for the site to be as up to date as possible without creating an overwhelming task for the city staff, the content will be almost entirely user generated. Here’s how it works.

Visit the site at: http://santaclaritaarts.com/. Scroll Down to the lower right hand corner and register. Once you have registered and logged in, then you can add yourself or your organization to the Directory. Select the Arts Directory tab and then Submit A Listing. If you or your organization fit more than one category, for instance if you run a restaurant that also functions as an art gallery, you may submit listings in all categories that apply.

It may take a while for the site to become the “go to” place for audiences in Santa Clarita looking for something to do, but it will never get there if we don’t start using it.

Santa Clarita Arts Master Plan

At a recent joint planning session of the City Council, Arts Commission, Planning Commission and City staff, a decision was made to undertake the development of a new Arts Master Plan for the Santa Clarita Valley. City staff have recently finalized the process of finding a consultant to assist with the planning, which will begin after the New Year. Watch for future emails and Facebook posts for opportunities to participate!

December Events

Thanks to George D. Cummings for his lovely photo of Old Town Newhall! Whatever your traditions for this holiday season are, don’t pass up the opportunity to visit Old Town Newhall and take in the magic of the lights. Visit http://otna.org/ for specific event information. For additional holiday culture happening right here in town, make sure to check these websites: http://arts.santa-clarita.com/events/december/ , http://www3.canyons.edu/Offices/PIO/CanyonsPAC/shows.html and of course http://santaclaritaarts.com/events/ !