| 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.
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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. |
2007-08
Cultural Arts Funding Applications Now Available
The City of Whittier Cultural
Arts Commission and Whittier Cultural Arts Foundation are
now accepting applications for funding from local organizations
who provide cultural arts programs in the Whittier community.
Applications can be dowloaded in PDF format here
or can be requested in Microsoft Word format by email to
stillman@cityofwhittier.org
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Community
Street Banner Project - Music Through the Years
The City and the Whittier
Cultural Arts Foundation are now accepting design submissions
for the fifth year of the Community Street Banner Program.
This year's theme is "Music
Through the Years." For more information
and an application, please click here
or call (562) 464-3360.
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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.
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.
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.
Whittier Nights at the Hollywood
Bowl
Coming this Summer!!
The Great American Concert with Fireworks: Walt Disney's Fantasia
on August 19, 2006. 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.
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