On July 9, the Arts and Culture Commission held a meeting to discuss its 2024-2025 work plan, which will be proposed and voted on in August. The commission assessed what was successful in the previous plan and what determined changes can be made to better utilize their resources, including the Fine Art Fund. During the meeting, the commission also announced new details about Festival Beverly Hills and other upcoming events.
As Recreation Services Manager Matthew Brown explained, the work plan encompasses five items that the commission prioritizes throughout the year, including the Fine Art Acquisition and Festival Beverly Hills. These two items are considered core functions of the commission and will remain part of the upcoming work plan. In the 2023-2024 fiscal year, the work plan also included the Beverly Hills Artwalk, the visitor kiosk and an art portal. For the 2024-2025 work plan, however, the commission saw room for improvement. According to Arts and Culture Program Associate Brandy Scott, the Beverly Hills Artwalk on July 7 was canceled due to low enrollment, prompting a discussion of whether this needs to be a monthly event, or whether it should remain free. The commission ultimately decided that the Artwalk should be removed from their list of priorities.
Additionally, the commission decided to merge the visitor kiosk and the art portal into one item, leaving room for two new items in the work plan. Commissioners will each propose two new items to be considered and voted on at the next meeting on Aug. 8.
In another round-up of the 2023-2024 fiscal year, Senior Recreation Supervisor Paul Paolone gave an update on the Fine Art Fund. In the past few months, the fund’s revenue has grown significantly, increasing from $2,223,862 in May to $2,275,613 in June. This fund is used for conservation of art pieces around the city.
In honor of National Parks and Recreation Month, the commission also discussed events they will host later this month along with the Recreation and Parks Commission, including their biggest event of the year, Festival Beverly Hills. The festival, which will take place on July 21 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., will highlight 15 different cultures from around Los Angeles and Beverly Hills through food, dance, storytelling and other activities. At the meeting, Recreation Supervisor Corrina Lesser was excited to announce some of the performers and a few of the food trucks that will be featured. Changui Majadero, Lily Henley, Kooban Ensemble, Ballet Folklorico and Halau Hula will provide entertainment on two of the three stages at the festival. Food vendors will provide a diverse blend of culinary offerings including Chef Mojdeh Eghbal’s Iranian food, Creamy Boys New Zealand soft serve, Acai Me More, Creole Kings and the Vivi’s Gourmet provided by the Colombian Consulate.
This year, as Lesser explained, the city of Beverly Hills will be partnering with multiple consulates to provide a rich cultural experience. “We will be seeing performances and collaborations from the Colombian Consulate, El Salvador, Senegal and Trinidad and Tobago,” she said.
Other events taking place this month include the Ipalpiti Festival at Greystone Mansion on July 24, a performance from Shakespeare by the Sea on July 25, a dog park open house on July 28 and National Night Out on Aug. 6, which will close off the 400 block of Rexford Drive to showcase police and community partnerships and to celebrate neighborhood camaraderie with booths, food trucks and a live DJ. Applications for the fall art show are also due this month by July 26.
A full list of events and information can be found on the Arts and Culture Commission’s new https://www.beverlyhills.org/215/Arts-Culture-Commission which, as Brown explained, was redesigned to provide easier navigation for the community, and easier access to resources.
