Elk Grove to consider changing the Arts Commission to The Creative Arts and Economic Commission

The city of Elk Grove has several discretionary commissions. Some are dynamic and visible, while others are low-profile and considered staid.

At the end of the Wednesday city council meeting, a suggestion was made to explore changing one of the city's long-standing and staid commissions, the Arts Commission.

Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen proposed two changes to the five-member commission. The first change would require all commissioners to reapply for their positions next month.

The second recommendation is to change the commission's focus. Referencing a vendor she met with during the recent League of California Cities conference, Singh-Allen suggested changing the commission's role to incorporate the creative economy and renaming it the Arts and Creative Economy Commission.

Also called the Orange Industry or the cultural industries, the creative economy encompasses economic development based on the arts and creative undertakings. 

With the concurrence of her four councilmen, the city council agreed to explore the changes during its last meeting of 2024 on December 11. The city manager's office will prepare a report that includes components of a creative economy focus for the city council's consideration.

Singh-Allen's entire presentation can be seen in the video.  The Art Commission's next meeting is on December 12.