Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Manager’s Office

TO:	David L. Corliss, City Manager
FROM:	Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager
Date:	November 15, 2012
RE:	Arts Center Requests regarding NEA Grant and Final Fridays Coordinator support

Please place the following items on the City Commission’s consent agenda for November 20, 2012:

Consider endorsement of the Lawrence Arts Center National Endowment of the Arts grant application and grant writing support in the amount of $2,000, and consider granting the Lawrence Arts Center request for support for a Final Friday’s coordinator in the amount of $3,600 for the next year, if appropriate.

Background:

NEA Grant:

The Lawrence Arts Center is requesting City endorsement for an NEA grant application. The details are provided on the attached outline. The City is a required partner on the grant, though the Arts Center would take the lead on the grant. The Arts Center is requesting City support in the amount of $2,000 for a grant writer for the project.

Final Friday’s Support:

The Lawrence Arts Center is requesting support from the City regarding funding for a Final Friday’s Coordinator. Last year, the Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission spent some of its carryover funds for this purpose. However, that amount was not funded in the 2012 LCAC budget. The request is for a total of $3,600 from the City to help support this position, which is a part-time position that coordinates the Final Fridays activities in downtown and publicizes various activities associated with Final Fridays events.

LCAC Recommendation:

The Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission considered these requests at its November 14, 2012 meeting. The LCAC endorses these requests from the Lawrence Arts Center and recommends them to the City Commission for consideration and funding.

Suggested Action: