| The
City of Whittier has a large and active arts community whose efforts
are visible throughout the City and year-around. In 1987, the City
of Whittier authorized the formation of the Cultural
Arts Commission as the official agency for the encouragement
and development of the arts in the community and schools.
|
The mission of the Whittier
Cultural Arts Commission, appointed by the City Council,
is to enhance the quality of life in the Whittier community
by providing leadership, advice, and advocacy on cultural
arts. The Commission will accomplish its mission of support
for arts in the changing community by identifying and prioritizing
needs, and providing networking opportunities for arts organizations
to enhance the quality of life. |
In
an attempt to achieve its mission, the Commission has several standing
committees that report on cultural matters. Those committees include:
Cultural
Arts in Whittier
Art in Public Places
In 1993 the City Council adopted the Art in Public Places Ordinance
(12.52), which established a percent for art program in the City.
The intent of the program is to provide a collection of nationally
recognized artwork throughout the city to be of public benefit.
The Ordinance requires new residential, commercial or manufacturing
development having a total value of $250,000 or more to provide
art work valued at one-half of one percent of the total project
cost or pay in-lieu contributions equal to the same amount. The
Art in Public Places Advisory Board advises the Commission and the
Council on public art matters.Click on the links below for more
information on City public art projects.
The
newest Art in Public Places installation is The Garden Gate, which
was unveiled on Saturday, October 9, 2004. Click on the link below
to read more about this beautiful addition to our community.
Arts in
Public Places - Brochure
572 KB - (Requires Adobe Reader)
Community
Arts Coalition
The Community Arts Coalition is a group of local non-profit
arts organizations. Click here for more
information.
Whittier
Cultural Arts Foundation
To assist the Commission in its effort to keep the arts alive in
the City, the Whittier Cultural Arts Foundation was established
in 1991. The Foundation has been working to fund the arts through
the generous help of its members and contributions from local organizations.
The mission of the Foundation is to:
- Raise funds
for incorporating the arts in all public and private sectors;
- Provide a
network of support and supporters for the arts;
-
Encourage and assist schools in making the arts a part of every
student’s experience;
-
Promote growth in the arts through increased community involvement
and;
-
Support and Appreciate the arts and nurture the artists
Since
its inception, the Foundation has funded many programs. Arts education
was identified as a community need and the starting point of a broader
plan to support the arts. The Foundation utilizes a Request for
Proposal (RFP) program to fund cultural programs and reviews grant
requests on an annual basis. Local arts organizations and schools
apply for grants from the Foundation by completing an RFP application.
Applications are available January through February from the Community
Services Department in City Hall at (562) 464-3360 or click on the
link below to download an application in pdf format.
The
Foundation is proud to have funded a wide variety of cultural arts
programs, such as:
- Students
from the Whittier Union High School District are able to take
tours of museums such as the Huntington Library, the Los Angeles
County Museum of Art and the Getty Center.
- Live Shakespeare
plays for seventh and eighth grade students presented by professional
actors in an authentic theatrical setting.
- Music appreciation
taught by professional musicians from the Rio Hondo Symphony
for fourth and fifth grade students in the Whittier City and
East Whittier School Districts. Students receive hands-on instruction.
- Creative
visual arts instruction for talented youth in collaboration
with the Whittier Art Association.
- Outreach
programs provided by the Shannon Center for local elementary
schools.
- Several
local school music, dance, drama and visual arts programs that
provide hands-on experience and increase students’ appreciation
of the arts.
Community Street Banner Program
“Among the Hills” is the theme for this year’s Community Street
Banner Program. Artists of all ages are encouraged to submit designs
for this unique public art program that is enjoyed by the entire
community. For more information, please click
here.
Whittier
Nights at the Hollywood Bowl
A longtime summertime tradition, Whittier has taken concert-goers
to the Bowl for over 60 years. A committee of dedicated volunteers
and City staff work to coordinate the event in which buses are chartered
to take residents to a concert so that participants don’t
have to worry about driving or parking at the Bowl!
Visual
Arts
In 1989, the City and the Commission began the City Hall Lobby Visual
Arts Exhibition program. Demonstrating the City’s commitment
to creating a culturally healthy community, the program has brought
art and artists to the public at City Hall for employees, visitors
and residents alike to view and appreciate. Since that time, the
lobby has exhibited a diverse collection of art including paintings,
sculptures, textiles and photographs. The Visual Arts Committee
reviews submissions and recommends to the Commission an exhibit
schedule.
Recently,
the program has expanded with a new lobby gallery at the Parnell
Park Community and Senior Center. |
