HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-10-2017 - Museum of ArtJanuary 2, 2017
Mayor Heidi Harmon and Members of City Council
City of San Luis Obispo
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, California 93401
Dear Mayor Harmon,
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The San Luis Obispo Museum of Art (SLOMA) is a beacon for the visual arts on the
California Central Coast. Being the sole art museum between San Jose, the Valley,
and Santa Barbara, SLOMA prides itself in providing superior arts education,
exhibitions, and programs that have an essential influence on our economy, health,
and sense of community. As one of the City's formally recognized Community
Partners, SLOMA's ongoing mission is to continually meet the cultural needs of the
City of San Luis Obispo's residents and visitors.
In looking to our future, SLOMA recently launched a $15 million capital campaign to
fund the construction of a new building on the west end of Mission Plaza and create a
three-year cash reserve. In two short years, SLOMA will be emerging from its outdated
facility into a brand new home that already has received the blessing of City advisory
bodies and Council alike.
As a key economic driver for our downtown, SLOMA would like the City to consider a
financial contribution to the Museum's new home. As has been done in the past with
organizations such as the Performing Arts Center, the History Center, the historic
adobes, and the Railroad Museum, we ask the City to consider an allocation of
$500,000 over two years for infrastructure support in the 2017-2019 budget. SLOMA
has a sixty—year history with the City-, an investment in the Museum ensures the
positive growth of San Luis Obispo's excellent arts and culture.
Already a top destination for residents and visitors coming to the Central Coast,
SLOMA's current building is bursting at the seams. A new, enlarged, and
contemporary facility in the City's downtown cultural center, coupled with SLOMA's
unique calendar of art opportunities will add exceptional value to the City's lively art
scene and sophisticated lifestyle.
The time is now to build a new home for SLOMA. The City of San Luis Obispo and
SLOMA have this one synergistic opportunity to accomplish more together than we
ever could apart.
Sincerely,
Karen Kile Rq r Carm
Executive Director Pre ' ent, BoaPofDirectors two BROAD STREET rel Moalefq
SAN LUIS 01315PO, CALIFORNIA 93401
SLOMA