HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 1849City of Palo Alto (ID # 1849)
City Council Staff Report
Report Type: Special Orders of the Day Meeting Date: 7/25/2011
July 25, 2011 Page 1 of 1
(ID # 1849)
Summary Title: Palo Alto Art Center Foundation
Title: Palo Alto Art Center Foundation Contribution to the City in the Amount of
$1.25 Million for the Art Center Renovation
From:City Manager
Lead Department: Community Services
Attachments:
·Attachment A -Palo Alto Art Center Foundation Fact Sheet (DOC)
Prepared By:Karen Kienzle, Manager Art Center
Department Head:Greg Betts, Director, Community Services
City Manager Approval: James Keene, City Manager
Mission of the Art Center Foundation
The mission of the Palo Alto Art Center Foundation, a private nonprofit 501(c)(3)
organization founded 1973, is to support the mission and goals of the Palo Alto Art
Center, promote unique art experiences and education for people of all ages, and serve
as the Art Center’s advocates and ambassadors in the community.
The Foundation serves the Art Center by means of a City Council–acknowledged
public/private partnership. The mission of the Art Center (founded 1971) is to foster
creative process and thought by forging a greater appreciation and understanding of
the visual arts through exhibitions, studio experiences, and related educational
programs. The Foundation, through its fundraising efforts, enables the Art Center to offer
innovative educational experiences for children and adults, produce high-profile
exhibitions and catalogues, pay artists equitable participation fees, and broaden its
audience to serve the community as a truly regional art center. The Foundation is also
spearheading the planning of a $10 million expansion and renovation of the Art Center.
What is the Relationship between the Art Center and the Foundation?
The Palo Alto Art Center is owned and operated by the City of Palo Alto as a program of
the Division of Arts and Culture, Department of Community Services. The Palo Alto Art
Center Foundation, a private nonprofit organization, supports the Art Center by means of
a public/private partnership. Through this partnership, the Foundation significantly
enhances the extent and quality of the Art Center’s programs through fundraising
initiatives and volunteer service.
How is the Art Center funded?
The budget of the Art Center is approximately $1.4 million. The City of Palo Alto provides
approximately $1 million a year for staff salaries and basic program operations of the Art
Center as well as maintaining the facility. The Art Center Foundation’s budget also
directly supports the Art Center programs, providing an additional $350,000, or 26% of the
Art Center’s budget. Cultural Kaleidoscope is entirely funded by the Foundation. The
Foundation also provides funding for Project LOOK! and pays for a program assistant for
the children’s programs as well as underwriting Family Days, traveling exhibitions,
publications, scholarships and special equipment. The Foundation is supported by
membership and individual contributions, corporate and foundation grants, and special
events as well as proceeds from The Gallery Shop.
History of the Foundation
The Palo Alto Art Center Foundation was founded in 1973 to advise and support the Palo
Alto Art Center. Since its inception, the Foundation has engaged in fundraising to assist
the Art Center’s efforts to educate, motivate and involve people in the visual arts.