Arts quarterly

The Chico City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday (Jan. 5) to approve an ordinance that supports the continuation of the Arts Commission.

The commission has long promoted public art—such as the “Our Hands” sculpture (pictured) in front of the municipal building—and Chico as an arts and culture destination. Due to the city’s budgetary and staff constraints in the last couple of years, however, the commission’s meeting schedule was reduced from once a month to twice a year.

In October, the council directed city staff to craft an ordinance under which the commission will meet four times a year, and for City Clerk Debbie Presson to continue providing staff support at the meetings. Recruitment for four vacancies on the seven-member panel will begin this month, Presson said.