Voting:Board of Selectmen Voted: That Title II, Article 8 of the Town bylaws is hereby amended by striking the bylaw in its entirety and replacing it with the following:
Section 1. Establishment and Purpose of the Arlington Commission for Arts and Culture
A. The body previously known as the Arlington Commission on Arts and Culture shall hereafter be known as “the Arlington Commission for Arts for Culture” and shall incorporate into its mission, duties and responsibilities, the duties and responsibilities of the Arlington Public Arts Committee of Vision 2020, the Arlington Cultural Council, and the Cultural District Managing Partnership, all of which are consolidated under one public body as outlined herein.
B. The Commission shall promote and develop arts and culture programs, events, and resources, in order to create a sustainable and vibrant arts scene that engages and attracts artists, residents, businesses and visitors, as more specifically enumerated in Section “5” herein. The Commission shall be constituted of a “Core Committee” which shall serve as the coordinating and policy making body of the Commission, and up to five (5) action committees, which shall collaborate with the Core Committee to meet Commission’s duties and responsibilities. The Core Committee may also establish or disband action committees consistent with Section 3 of this bylaw, as well as any necessary ad hoc committees or advisory groups as needed under the umbrella of the Commission’s role and responsibilities.
Section 2. Core Committee Membership, Quorum, Administration& Organization
A. The Core Committee shall consist of up to 13 voting members appointed pursuant to subsection (1) below and aliaison from the Dept. of Planning and Community Development. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the current voting Core Committee Members, and all actions shall be made pursuant to a majority vote of members in attendance. The Committee shall organize for the conduct of its affairs and shall elect its own officers.
1. Core Committee Appointments and Membership
a. Core Committee members shall be sourced from, or appointed by the following:
i. One (1) at-large member appointed by the Arlington School Committee for an initial three-year term;
ii. One (1) member of the Cultural District Managing Partnership or their designee;
iii. One member of the Grants Committee set forth in section 3 below;
iv. One member of up to four (4) action committees set forth in section 3 below;
v. Three (3) at-large members recommended by the Town Manager and appointed by the Board of Selectmen, one of which shall serve an initial one-year term, one to serve an initial two-year term, and one of which to serve an initial three-year term;
vi. One (1) representative of the Town of Arlington business community for an initial one-year term appointed by the Town Manager;
vii. One (1) representative of the Town of Arlington’s non-profit arts community for an initial two-year term appointed by the Town Manager;
viii. One (1) representative of the local community of working artists for an initial three-year term appointed by the Town Manager;
ix. The Director of Planning and Community Development, or their designee shall serve as a Department liaison to the Core Committee.
b. All appointed Core Committee members shall be eligible for reappointment for a three-year term.
c. Members may be removed by the appointing authority upon request of a majority of the Commission for three or more unexcused absences from Commission meetings in any calendar year.
d. A vacancy of an appointed Core Committee seat shall be filled by the Board of Selectmen, School Committee, or Manager consistent with the foregoing.
Section 3. Grants Committee, Other Action Committees & Ad Hoc Committees
A. Grants Committee.
The Arlington Cultural Council shall hereafter operate as the Grants Committee of the Arlington Commission for Arts and Culture.
1. The Grants Committee shall identify arts and culture grant opportunities for the Town and its communities, apply for such grants, and where appropriate, distribute such funds.
2. The Grants Committee shall also serve as the Local Cultural Council for the purposes of G.L. c. 10 § 58.
3. The Grants Committee shall be organized, appointed, and administered consistent with the requirements of c. 10 § 58.
4. All members of the Arlington Cultural Council serving at the time of passage of this bylaw shall continue the remainder of their appointed terms.
B. Action Committees
The Core Committee may establish and/or disband up to four (4) additional action committees in the areas of operations listed below to be composed and organized as directed by the Core Committee, including the number of members and such members’ terms of service:
1. Public Art
2. Programs and Festivals
3. Marketing and Evaluation
4. Resource Development
C. Core Committee Representation
As set forth in section 2, one member of the Grants Committee and one member of each other active action committee shall serve on the Core Committee.
D. The Core Committee may also establish or disband any necessary ad hoc committees and advisory groups as needed, but such groups shall not be represented on the Core Committee.
Section 5. Duties and Responsibilities
The Arlington Commission for Arts and Culture shall endeavor to:
A. Advocate to promote greater awareness of, and support for, the many cultural opportunities in Arlington;
B. Advise the town and its commissions, committees and boards with respect to all matters of a cultural or artistic nature;
C. Make recommendations to the appropriate authorities on the use of public areas, building and meeting spaces for cultural or artistic performances or exhibits, and recommend guidelines for the conduct of such events;
D. Implement and update the Arts and Culture Action Plan for the Town and annually report on its progress;
E. Manage the Arlington Cultural District, a hub for arts, culture, dining and entertainment spanning a walkable stretch along Massachusetts Avenue from East Arlington’s Milton Street to Jason Street in Arlington Center;
F. Accept gifts, contributions and bequests of funds from individuals, foundations and from federal, state or other governmental bodies for the purpose of furthering the Commission’s purposes;
G. Distribute funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, as well as other arts and culture grants;
H. Recommend policies to the appropriate authorities for the collection, preservations and care of public or Town owned art work;
I. Preserve and promote the cultural and artistic resources of the Town; curate the Town’s public art;
J. Work toward establishing Arlington as a significant cultural center;
K. Promote cultural education for all citizens regardless of age;
L. Serve as a vocal, strong and visible advocate for the arts throughout the Town, its schools and its other educational entities;
M. Promote the arts as a viable vocation as well as avocation and encourage the appreciation and understanding of the arts as a means of improving the quality of all endeavors;
N. Recognize and honor Arlington citizens for outstanding service to the Town in the area of cultural affairs;
O. Serve as the umbrella organization for Town coordinated arts and culture efforts; and
P. Take all actions which in its judgment will further the purposes for which it was established consistent with the above.
Section 6. Department Coordination, Staff Position, and Office
The Commission’s activities shall be generally coordinated with staff support provided by the Department of Planning and Community Development. The Commission may work with the Department to define specific duties and solicit a person or persons to oversee arts and culture planning activities. Staff or consultant support may be paid by appropriation or from any funds received through grants or gifts to the Commission in compliance with Local Cultural Council regulations. If no such funds are available, then the appointment thereto may be made on a volunteer basis. The Town Manager shall appoint staff after considering the recommendation of the Commission and Department.
Board of Selectmen Supplemental Comment:
Subsection “A,” on page 14 of the Report of the Board of Selectmen should be edited to read “Arlington Commission for Arts and Culture” as follows:
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The body previously known as the Arlington Commission on Arts and Culture shall hereafter be known as “the Arlington Commission for Arts for and Culture” and shall incorporate into its mission, duties and responsibilities, the duties and responsibilities of the Arlington Public Arts Committee of Vision 2020, the Arlington Cultural Council, and the Cultural District Managing Partnership, all of which are consolidated under one public body as outlined herein.