Advocacy for the Arts

To advocate is to provide active support, to educate and/or speak in favor of a cause, an issue or an organization. We do not lobby the government to influence legislation, but we are advocates for the arts and culture program for the citizens of the City and County of Fresno.

Relation to Local Government

In 1980, the County Board of Supervisors appointed the Fresno Arts Council (FAC) as the Local County Partner to the California Arts Council (CAC). Our relationship with the City of Fresno was formalized in 1998 when the Fresno City Council designated the FAC as its City Arts Agency and defined its role in policy, planning, and budgetary issues in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Both the County and the City make appointments to the FAC Board of Directors.

The FAC currently is working with members and staff of the County Board of Supervisors to formulate a Public Art Policy. The FAC has formed a partnership with the City of Fresno to administer its Public Art Program.

The City of Fresno assists the FAC with in-kind services, including providing approximately 1500 sq. ft. of downtown office space, giving the FAC jurisdiction over three floors of City Hall for exhibitions and receptions, and making equipment and staff available to FAC for programs and events. We estimate this value at $20,000 a year.

Community Collaboration

The FAC‘s Board of Directors meets monthly where current issues are discussed and action taken when appropriate. Town Hall meetings are held for special programs such as imput for the guidelines of the Community Enrichment Program (CEP). The FAC is currently working with an advisory committee in partnership with Valley Public Television (KVPT) on programing a TV series of spots on public art in Fresno. The peer review panel for the CEP grants come from the Hmong, Asian, Black, Hispantic and white communities and offers information relevant to their needs.

The Coalition of Arts Science and History (FCASH), formerly the Arts to Zoo Committee, merged with the FAC as a policy/advisory board in 2003. In 2004, FCASH established itself as a marketing organization and left its position with FAC. There continues to be colaboration and cooperation between FAC and FCASH with regular meetings of the leadership of both organizations.

The Artistic Community We Serve

Fresno County has an active arts and culture community which involves large budget non-profit organizations such as the Fresno Metropolitan Museum and the Fresno Philharmonic as well as grass roots organizations operating as alternative space galleries. There are approximately 35 non-profit arts organizations serving the area. The FAC regranted $324,290 to 28 non-profit arts organzations in 2006, which included, among others, the Hmong Cultural Center, the Children's Musical Theaterworks, the Fresno Art Museum, Arte Americas and Fresno Metropolitan Museum. The FAC cooperates and supports the FCASH with membership of arts individuals and organizations interested in marketing and promoting arts in Fresno.