The Arts Commission is Looking for You

The City of Moreno Valley's Art Commission is looking for local artists to loan their art for display in public buildings and citizens to serve on the Arts Commission. “We ask local artists who reside, work, or were born in Moreno Valley to submit their works of art for display in city facilities to enhance the aesthetics of the buildings,” says Commission Vice Chair, Steve Healton. This is an opportunity for the many artists in Moreno Valley to have their works publicly displayed. Art submitted to the Arts Commission will be on display at the Council Chamber at City Hall. The commission changes the artwork three times per year. Artists must provide one complete set of images, whether they are photographs or a digital file, per work of art submitted for consideration. On the back of each photograph, or with each digital file, the title of the work, dimensions, medium, and the name, address, telephone number of the artist must be included. To have their art included, artists must obtain an application from the Parks and Community Services Department and submit no fewer than five and no more than twelve pieces of art 90 days prior to the proposed exhibit date. The Arts Commission is also looking for two new commissioners. "We need caring people on the Commission,” said Commission Vice Chair, Steve Healton. "Art is one way that unifies people, and with that I wanted to help find a way to make a contribution." “The Commission reviews and considers proposed gifts as to their artistic quality, authenticity, appropriate site, and maintenance and installation costs, as well as research and provide reports and recommendations of possible sources of funding, in addition to public funds for potential city public art projects,” said Healton. The Commission, created of mostly volunteers, reviews all applications and works of art submitted for to the art loan program. The Arts Commission oversees matters pertaining to the planning for the arts in the city, facilitating interaction among artists, promoting arts activities and education, and recognizing achievement in arts. The Arts Commission also provides a mechanism for public participation in the arts, advising the city council on the involvement of arts in economic development, supporting and assisting existing organizations involved in arts and/or culture throughout the city. Commissioners reinforce the city’s identity and civic pride through arts and culture, recognizing the importance of arts to the city’s quality of life, researching grants for arts and culture and making recommendations to the city council. By doing so, they encourage service organizations and/or other governmental agencies to propose, finance, and give public arts projects to the city. Meetings for the Arts Commission are on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m., at the Moreno Valley Conference and Recreation Center located at 14075 Frederick Street. "We are looking for those who are active in the arts who are not necessarily artists," says Chairperson, Debby Johnson. "We are one of the city’s most active Commissions. We have used artwork from students which is one way to help young artists get exposure. Most of all, we're a fun Commission!" There are two seats open on the Arts Commission; applications are due by Dec. 4. The City Council encourages residents to apply for this position. Applications are available on the City of Moreno Valley web site at http://www.moreno-valley.ca.us/city_council/commissions.shtml and at the City Clerk's Department, located at 14177 Frederick St., Moreno Valley, California, during regular business hours (7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Fridays). For more information, please call 951.413.3001.