City Staff coordinating the new City Playhouse, a state-of-the-art performing arts center, are seeking input from the Arts & Cultural Affairs Commission to strike the appropriate balance between community use and city use of the space.
The Playhouse, located in the heart of West Hollywood, will be made available to the community at a reduced fee pursuant to the City’s booking/rental fees policy. The policy will have two use rates, namely, the Non-Profit rate and the Commercial/For-Profit rate. Both rates will be designed to be affordable and approved by City Council. However, exceptions to the approved fees will be subject to negotiation and may require a city agreement.
Community use of the facility will be open to current Arts Grantees, independent performing artists and arts organizations based in West Hollywood, arts non-profits, commercial/for-profit arts agencies, producers, and cultural/education organizations. This is expected to help support the development and growth of the arts scene in West Hollywood while providing affordable access to top-notch facilities.
City use of the facility will also be available under the “City Days” program. City staff will be allowed to book the venue without a rental fee, although labor and other fees may still be required. City Days will be subject to availability, and city use of the facility shall be done pursuant to the City’s rental policies. Council Office or City Department-sponsored events qualify for City use and may be counted towards public use of the facility.
The management staff of the Playhouse is excited about the potential opportunities for both the community and the City to utilize the new facility. However, they understand that finding the right balance between community use and city use of the space will be critical to its long-term success. As such, they are eagerly awaiting input from the Commission to help guide their decision-making process.
In an effort to provide diverse programming options for the community, staff at the local playhouse have presented three potential scenarios for the use of their space. The scenarios are based on real theater operations from existing theaters in the region and offer unique ways to engage the arts community.
The first scenario, Scenario A, is a Non-Profit Residency. Under this scenario, the playhouse would reserve the majority of their time for one arts organization to provide programming throughout the year. As an example, the staff referenced the Los Angeles Theater Company (LATC), a 5-theater performing arts complex owned by the City of Los Angeles, which hosts the Latino Theater Company in their space to provide a world-class arts center.
While this scenario offers a potential rehearsal and performance home for no or low cost to a non-profit arts organization, it may be problematic for the larger community. Community rentals, including grantees, would have limited access to the space, approximately one week per month. Additionally, this scenario may confuse the playhouse identity with the identity of the resident organization.
The second scenario, Scenario B, is a “Curated Season” Community Arts Program/Rental House. Under this scenario, the playhouse would curate a season of performances and events from a variety of arts organizations. The playhouse would also be available for rentals to the community for events and performances.
This scenario offers more opportunities for community involvement, as the playhouse would be open for rentals and curated programming from a variety of arts organizations. However, it may be more difficult to coordinate and schedule events, as the playhouse would need to work with multiple organizations.
The third scenario, Scenario C, is a combination of Scenarios A and B. Under this scenario, the playhouse would reserve a portion of their time for a resident non-profit arts organization, while also curating a season of performances and events from other arts organizations.
Bond issuance proceeds I presume? Pay down the bonds. In case you did not notice, liquor taxes feel off a cliff, hotel occupancies are not planning out, and new construction is mostly affordable housing. We are in, what could be, a long recession in Los Angeles County. The studios are desperately trying to maintain the regional status for production. Meanwhile, Atlanta just sits patiently for this cesspool of mafia/Biden #$@& to officially land the studios on their turf.
Is Baby Jane playing?
Looks just like the building across from the old circus of books/Gold Coast.
The overused phrase “state of the art” describing this facility is more than disingenuous, it borders on ludicrous. Equally considering the Arts & Cultural Affairs Commissioners who qualify as Hobbyists that are absent good sense and real knowledge. The director of this division is also problematic. Failure! Let’s avoid using the “creative city” misnomer. The city has actually destroyed more contributions by recognized architects, designers, decorators and artists while paving over original structures in the design district and creating faux “state of the art” facilities. Enough of this state of silliness activity. The world outside of Weho considers it a… Read more »
State of the arts-is what?
Ugh…..Not the Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission! What could they possible have to do with this building?!
spend the money on more police. we don’t need this. please grow up.
Is this the former Coast Playhouse? What’s the address? What is absolutely so ludicrous about this is there’s not that much talent here. There’s lots of amateur talent who think they’re actually working talent. This sounds something like state-run theater in a town with 33,000 people in it.
The building looks like a cheap apartment building or an old Motel 6,
Clean up the streets. Get more cops. And quit pretending this is the Creative City.
Girl
Someone is on fire!
A creative city, run by Con-Artists.