Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Manager’s Office

TO:	David L. Corliss, City Manager
FROM:	Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager
CC:	Amy Kelly, Chair of the Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission Cynthia Boecker, Assistant City Manager Casey Toomay, Budget Manager
Date:	December 8, 2010
RE:	Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission Request to Carry Forward Funds to 2011

At the request of the Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission (LCAC), please place the following item on the consent agenda for the December 14, 2010 City Commission meeting:

Approve a request from the Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission to carry forward $5,000 in unspent funds from its 2010 budget to 2011 for the purpose of furthering a project examining the sustainability and future funding of the arts in the community, if appropriate. 

Background:

The Cultural Arts Commission is projected to end 2010 approximately $6,000 under budget.  The LCAC is funded through the special recreation fund, which is funded by state alcohol tax disbursements. 

LCAC Request:

The LCAC recently created an Arts Sustainability Task Force to examine the economic impact of the arts in Lawrence and to strategize regarding future funding opportunities for the arts.  As part of these discussions, the LCAC has indicated a desire to pursue a strategic planning  effort, involving other local stakeholders in the process. 

Below is a break down of the current status of the 2010 budget. 

The LCAC at its November meeting made a motion to request that the City Commission authorize that $5,000 of the remaining 2010 budget be allowed to be carried forward into 2011 for the purpose of assisting with the arts sustainability project.  The LCAC has generally discussed the possibility of seeking proposals for some consulting assistance to write a strategic plan. 

Requested Action:

The Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission requests that the City Commission approve carrying forward $5,000 in unspent 2010 LCAC funds to 2011.