Walnut Creek Arts + Rec Annual Report (FY2019)

annual report

2019

About Walnut Creek Arts + Recreation The City of Walnut Creek’s Arts + Recreation Department is comprised of Aquatics, the Bedford Gallery, the Boundary Oak Golf Course, Center for Community Arts, the Lesher Center for the Arts and Center REPertory Company, the Public Art Program and Walnut Creek Recreation. Together our programs contribute to making Walnut Creek a regional destination, promote arts appreciation, wellness, and community engagement, and contribute to the City's overall quality of life and economic vitality.

Mission: To impact lives in an inclusive, fun, and innovative environment.

Vision: The leader in providing creative experiences that bring people together.

• Bedford Gallery • Boundary Oak Golf Course • Center for Community Arts • Center REPertory Company • Lesher Center for the Arts • Walnut Creek Aquatics • Walnut Creek Recreation Front Cover Photos (clockwise from top left): Walnut Creek Aquatics toddler swim class; Cast of Center REP’s A Christmas Carol 2018; Recreation Warrior Kids program; Community Arts Adult Dance Ensemble

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WELCOME! Each year, Walnut Creek Arts + Recreation welcomes hundreds of thousands of community members to our programs and facilities for meaningful opportunities to play, discover, grow, and connect. Our dedicated staff, many of whom have devoted their careers to public service, ensure that our programs and events have a place for everyone.

This 2019 annual report highlights some of our accomplishments from the past year, centered around the themes of our Department’s values: High Quality and Excellence Exceptional Customer Experience Innovation Collaboration and Fun! We hope these values resonate with you and reflect how our programs help make Walnut Creek a vibrant place to live, work and play. In the following pages you’ll see examples of how we build positive, strategic, and enduring partnerships to further our reach and enhance our value to the community. You’ll note the impressive depth and breadth of activities we provide, while maintaining exceptionally high standards and always bringing a big dose of fun. But most of all, we hope you’ll see your own experiences with Arts + Rec reflected back in the stories shared here.

I invite you to get out and join us! Walnut Creek Arts + Recreation has a memorable experience waiting for you.

Kevin Safine Arts + Recreation Director

CONTENTS 4 - 11 12 - 13 14 15

2019 Accomplishments Leadership & Financial Performance Coming in 2019 - 2020 Connect with Us

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HIGH QUALITY and EXCELLENCE Award Winning Programs Across the Department Center REPertory Company, the City’s resident professional theater company, received an impressive 20 nominations for the Theatre Bay Area Awards and the production of Million Dollar Quartet received the award for Outstanding Production of a Musical. In a tough field of finalists, Center REP Director Michael Butler said, “it was an amazing moment when we were announced because no one expected it.

We were really the little engine that could. And we did!” He credits the entire team; the cast, designers, production departments, marketing, administration, and box office in making this remarkable show stand out in an impressive crowd.

New Mural Program Takes Off Bedford Gallery’s Public Art Programming had a tremendous year with a newly launched Mural Program inaugurated by renowned Bay Area artist Kristin Farr. The first mural is prominently located on an exterior wall of the Lesher Center for the Arts, and brightens the Downtown Arts District with its vibrant, colorful design.

The piece was a collaborative effort with the community of Walnut Creek, as Farr created the palette for the mural by asking passersby, “What’s your favorite color?” Farr’s mural adds to the beauty of Walnut Creek, contributes to the thriving arts community, and sets a high standard for future muralists slated to create enriching works throughout the City this year.

Walnut Creek Aquatics and Walnut Creek Masters received the Outstanding Non-Profit Partner in Parks and Recreation at the California Park & Recreation Society’s District 3 annual awards ceremony. Since 2012, the Walnut Creek Masters Swim Team has been offering free swim lessons at Clarke Swim Center to non-swimming adults with funding from United States Masters Swimming. Along with 40-50 mostly Masters volunteers, the Swimming Saves Lives swim lessons have helped more than 171 swimmers build confidence and skills in the water. These skills promote health and safety in our community and have had a lasting effect on both participants and volunteers.

Photos (left to right): Participants in the Swimming Saves Lives program; Kristin Farr, West Coast Barn Quilt, 2018, acrylic paint on DiBond panels, 28 x 16 feet, exterior wall of Lesher Center of the Arts 4

Boundary Oak Golf Course 50th Anniversary Celebration Widely recognized as one of the top municipal golf courses in the Bay Area, Boundary Oak Golf Course continues to be at the forefront of golf. The course is an Audubon Conservation Society property and raptor relocation property, nationally recognized for golf course environmental stewardship. Boundary Oak celebrated 50 years in July 2019 with a weekend celebration including a tournament and an open house for over 500 community members! As part of the celebration, Ladies Club Member Agnes Pruter was honored for her active participation at Boundary Oak since its opening.

Photos (top to bottom): Golfers before the 50th Anniversary tournament shotgun start; Volunteer Transportation Program driver Frank Napoli with new Chevy Bolt

Senior Transportation Program Provides Double the Number of Rides Tom Truong (79) no longer drives and his daughter is rarely able to take him places. With the Walnut Creek Transportation Program, Tom is able to attend lunch at Civic Park Community Center every day. He says, “I really enjoy life when I’m with everyone [at the community center]. No amount of money can buy the joy and happiness I feel when I come here. The [program’s] drivers help make that happen.”

The Transportation Program upgraded to a new electric Chevy Bolt, which provides ease for entry and exit, while helping the environment.

Combined with the pilot program to provide additional rides by utilizing Lyft, over 5,900 rides were provided for older adults to attend doctor’s appointments, run errands, and socialize with family and friends. That’s double the number of rides offered to seniors the previous year!

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EXCEPTIONAL CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE The World of Frida opening reception makes history at Bedford Gallery In July 2018, Bedford Gallery set new attendance records at their opening reception for The World of Frida, featuring over 200 artworks celebrating visionary painter Frida Kahlo. Advance tickets sold out early, and the line to enter wrapped around the block as over 4,000 visitors from all over the Bay Area (and well beyond!) flocked to the gallery to see the show. It was also a day to connect with a completely new audience – for many, it was their first visit to the Bedford and Walnut Creek.

Attendees also enjoyed several free events on the Lesher Center for the Arts plaza, including a curated outdoor mercado, live mariachi band, art activities, a Frida Lookalike Contest, and Frida Fashion Show. Hundreds of patrons showed up with Frida-inspired outfits, and one guest review stated, “The air was abuzz with good spirit.”

Photos (clockwise from bottom left): The World of Frida Fashion Show participants during the opening reception; The World of Frida installation view; 6

Improving Access to Scholarships to Reach More Community Members Walnut Creek Recreation expanded scholarship guidelines to include all ages and to offer tiered levels of support determined by household income, which resulted in more than triple the amount scholarship funds utilized for class registrations in the last year. Also looking to enhance the impact of scholarships provided by the Community Arts Foundation, the Center for Community Arts improved its scholarship approval timelines so that recipients can enroll at the same time as all other registrants without any delays that may impact class/workshop availability.

Camp Community Arts participants say “Thank you!” to the donors who supported camp scholarships

Did you know?

• In November 2018, smoke from area fires created significant poor air quality and caused a short notice cancellation of schools. Tice Gym staff sprang into action and hosted over 300 people for a free day of shelter from the smoke and drop-in play for all ages.

• The Lesher Center for the Arts launched American Sign Language services at selected performances, allowing members of the deaf community to enjoy performances at the Center.

• Utilizing funding from RecycleSmart, Clarke and Larkey Swim Centers added new shade structures, picnic tables and trash/recycle cans to the pool decks to enhance the customer experience and overall aesthetics.

• The Taphouse at Boundary Oak Golf Course opened in May 2019 with a whole new look and a delicious new menu. Offering local beer and wine, the Taphouse is a contemporary restaurant and offers a full bar with extended hours. An immediate hit with golfers and neighbors alike, who have been coming in steadily for a great meal with an amazing view!

• As part of the Arts + Recreation Strategic Plan initiatives, staff representatives from each program division have come together to develop customer service standards, training guidelines, and evaluation methods. As the program is rolled out to staff at all Arts + Rec locations, customers can expect a more seamless experience and even higher quality of service.

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Collaboration Grand Opening of New Courts at Heather Farm Tennis Center In November 2018, members of the City Council, Parks, Recreation & Open Space Commission, and City and Lifetime Activities staff joined with community members to celebrate the opening of new courts at the Heather Farm Tennis Center. Demand for tennis and pickleball courts in Walnut Creek has been steadily increasing, especially demand for lighted courts like the ones at Heather Farm Tennis Center.

A successful public/private partnership with Lifetime Activities, the contractor who operates the center on behalf of the City, resulted in a new practice tennis court and two pickleball courts that are packed with players each day and night! The project was funded by In-Lieu Parkland Dedication Funds and a $100,000 contribution from Lifetime Activities.

Community Arts outreach programs for all Through a grant with the Clay Glass and Art Foundation, Center for Community Arts partnered with Ygnacio Valley High School to integrate the arts into one of their special needs classes. The students in this class were building different life skills as part of their curriculum, such as cooking and working together to prepare meals. The teaching artist used ceramics as a means to explore the larger question of “how can we build community through clay?�

The students learned how to create bowls and then used their finished ceramic wares to create and eat a meal together. This partnership with the high school allowed students with special needs, who often do not have the opportunity to work directly with a teaching artist, to participate in art making in a meaningful way that supported their development and curriculum.

In a separate program, Community Arts completed the fourth year of arts education in partnership with the Trinity Center, offering Creative Writing workshops for individuals who are homeless and underhoused. This year participants created an anthology of their work that accompanied a gallery of their photographs displayed at the Walnut Creek Library. The program is supported a grant from the Walnut Creek Civic Pride Foundation. Both programs are continuing and expanding in 2019 - 2020.

Photos (left to right): Teaching Artist Emily Dezurick-Badran at a Trinity Center Creative Writing workshop; Specialized Recreation Summer Camp participants and counselors

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New Arts District Offers Opportunities for Local Businesses and Center Patrons The Lesher Center for the Arts launched the Arts District in collaboration with downtown businesses to enhance the Center patron experience and increase the vitality of the downtown. As part of opening night events for Center REP productions, business partners can showcase their services at a festive, red carpet event. Patrons love these new events, with survey results showing 96% would be likely to attend an opening night event again specifically because of the collaboration with local businesses. In one respondent’s words, “the event was so fun! Cleverly planned and thoughtfully put together. It makes me want to attend more opening nights!”

Specialized Recreation Partnerships Offer Life-Changing Opportunities The Specialized Recreation program, which provides recreational opportunities for youth and adults with special needs, partners with Environmental Traveling Companions (ETC) in Sausalito for kayaking trips for adults and youth with special needs. One summer a young boy, who was diagnosed on the autistic spectrum as nonverbal, was so engaged by his kayak experience and touching the water that when he saw his mom at the end of the trip he started repeating “Mommy water, Mommy water” over and over. When his mom heard this, she burst into tears. She told staff, “…you don’t understand. This is the first time I have ever heard my son speak...”

Our partnerships allow for life-changing opportunities year round for all participants!

A SAMPLE OF OUR PARTNERS AARP Art Museum at University of West Virginia Bridge Program Buena Vista Elementary Chevron Clay Arts Guild Community Arts Foundation Contra Costa County Aging Services Contra Costa County Library Contra Costa Homeschool Group Contra Costa Jewish Community Center Contra Costa Musical Theatre Core Education Academy CourseCo Covia Creakers Softball League Diablo Magazine Diablo Regional Arts Association Diablo Valley Volleyball Club Fantasy Forum Huntsville Museum of Art, AL International Museum of Arts & Sciences Lesher Foundation Life Steps Foundation Lifetime Activities LPGA Girls Martinez Community Academy Meadow Homes Elementary School Meals on Wheels Diablo Region Mechanics Bank Oak Grove Middle School Oliver Ranch Parkmead Elementary School Renaissance ClubSport Senior Access The First Tee of Contra Costa The Oaks Trinity Center Villa Vasconcellos Walnut Creek Adult Softball Association Walnut Creek Aquabears Walnut Creek Aquanuts Walnut Creek Library Walnut Creek Little League Walnut Creek Masters Walnut Creek Seniors Club Walnut Creek Surf Soccer Club Walnut Creek Swim Club Walnut Creek Visitors and Convention Bureau Walnut Creek Youth Athletic Association Ygnacio Valley High School

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INNOVATION Bedford Gallery Reaches Nationally to Build Community and Enhance City’s Reputation Bedford Gallery’s traveling exhibition program continues to excel with three, and soon to be six, exhibitions on the road, visiting museums and art venues across the country. Over the course of nearly a decade, the gallery’s traveling exhibition program was built from the ground up with the intent to raise Walnut Creek’s profile nationally and develop a new revenue stream.

During this time, exhibitions have been booked at 68 venues across 26 states, and have impacted thousands of people. Several museums such as Huntsville Museum of Art in Alabama, the Art Museum at the University of West Virginia, and the International Museum of Arts & Sciences in Daytona Beach in Florida have rented multiple Bedford Gallery exhibitions over the years.

Bedford Gallery has been so successful that several world-class Bay Area arts organizations have asked our staff to consult on how to replicate such a high quality, traveling program.

Developing The Next Generation of Leaders in Recreation and Aquatics Two Recreation programs give high school students hands on work and leadership experience. Recreation Summer Day Camps have opportunities for Junior Leaders and entry level counselors, who receive on-the-job training and exposure to working in the public sector.

Participants are encouraged to step up and lead activities, problem solve in the moment, and make every day a special experience for campers.

The inaugural Junior Lifeguard Camp was a huge hit with participants and parents in Summer 2019. Participants spent their mornings learning rescue techniques, CPR and first aid, and their afternoons putting their training into action by shadowing lifeguard staff. With 100% attendance and participation, participants showed their commitment and enthusiasm, which led to volunteer opportunities for the remainder of the summer. This rewarding learning opportunity will lead to future job opportunities as campers meet the qualifications to become a lifeguard!

Featured Staff Member: Kristen Jung

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Kristen has risen through the ranks of Summer Camp staff since 2012, where she served as a Junior Rec Leader, to serve as a Senior Rec Leader and Camp Administrator focused on marketing and community outreach. Her dedication to Summer Camp opened new opportunities, as her administrative duties were molded to suite her career aspirations and utilize skills she was gaining in college. Kristen shares that “seeing the joy and memories we create for the campers that keeps them returning every summer is a privilege of this role.”

After Summer Camp 2019, Kristen is off to launch her career as an Associate in Digital Partnerships at Initiative, a global communications agency.

FUN

Walnut Creek Arts + Rec is committed to delivering fun for all, while having fun doing it!

FY19 BY THE NUMBERS

1,545

875,000

Scholarships provided, valued at over

$114,000*

Program visits

Residents and Non-Residents

Arts + Rec Classes & Workshops: 57% | 43% Boundary Oak Golf Course: 60% | 40% Lesher Center Performances: 32% | 68%

7,900

16,000 Volunteer hours provided by community members

Rides provided for seniors and disabled patrons

Cindy Silva | Mayor Loella Haskew | Mayor Pro Tem Matt Francois Justin Wedel Kevin Wilk

Arts Commission

Iasmine Abdennabi-Klauber Glynnis Cowdery Jane Emanuel Ann Merideth Anita Sagastegui

Park, Recreation & Open Space Commission

Jodi Davenport Robert Kearsley Brendan Moran Arthur Oller Fred Weston 12

Events produced at Lesher Center

26,700

Rental hours in community centers, gyms, and sports fields

*Scholarship funding provided by Clay Arts Guild, Community Arts Foundation, Diablo Regional Arts Association, and many generous individual donors.

LEADERSHIP City Council

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City Manager Dan Buckshi

Arts + Recreation Leadership

Kevin Safine | Director Jim Carlson | Program Manager, Recreation Sports, Camps & Facilities Scott Denison | General Manager, Lesher Center for the Arts & Center REP Jacquelyn Harbert | Business Manager Karen Heaston Martin | Program Manager, Aquatics Carolyn Jackson | Community Relations Manager Carrie Lederer | Curator of Exhibitions & Programs, Bedford Gallery Maile Ogasawara | Program Manager, Center for Community Arts Kat Reisinger | Program Manager, Recreation Classes & Social Services

Arts + Recreation Staff

55.5 Full-time equivalent staff 350 Hourly staff during peak summer season

Financial Results FY19 Arts + REc Program FUNDING: $17M*

FY19 Arts + REc Program EXPENDITURES: $17M* Public Art , 1% Bedford Gallery, 4%

General Fund (Taxes), 35%

Sports, Camps & Facility Rentals, 15%

Center REP , 15%

Aquatics, Tennis & Event Rentals, 11%

Art + Rec Program Revenue, 65%

Rec Classes & Social Svcs, 11%

Lesher Center 21%

Administration, 5% Ctr for Community Arts, 17%

*Excludes Boundary Oak Golf Course Revenue and Expenditures

The financial story General Fund support for Arts + Rec programs: • All Arts + Rec programs, except the Boundary Oak Golf Course, are part of the City’s General Fund. The General Fund is comprised of revenues generated from user fees, sales tax, property tax and other taxes.

Revenue from user fees, such as ticket sales, registration fees, and daily admissions, account for 65% of the Arts + Rec programs’ support. The General Fund contributes the remaining 35%. The General Fund’s investment generates big returns for the quality of life of residents!

About the Boundary Oak Golf Course: • • •

Boundary Oak is a self-supporting enterprise. No tax revenue is used to support the Golf Course.

Revenue from golf operations (e.g., rounds played, cart rentals, driving range) and food and beverage services fund Boundary Oak’s expenses including improvements, debt service, City oversight and annual contributions to reserves.

The championship caliber Boundary Oak Golf Course is a top performer within the highly competitive Bay Area!

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COMING IN 2019-2020 •

The Lesher Center for the Arts will celebrate its 30th Anniversary with an expanded and enhanced outdoor plaza that will create a public gathering space bustling with art and energy!

The popular outdoor Summer Sounds series and Chevron Family Theatre Festival will be able to accommodate more audience members on the expanded plaza, and new programming opportunities will be available such as art festivals, lunchtime concerts, and temporary public art displays.

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Development of Arts + Rec Inclusion Program, putting into practice an individualized set of services and supports required by some participants with disabilities in order to play and recreate alongside peers without disabilities.

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Significant expansion of the Bedford Gallery’s Public Art Mural Program, including a mural on Civic Park Assembly Hall by Bay Area artists Monica Canilao and Xara Thustra, a mural on Tice Gym by Berkeley-based artist Nigel Sussman, and a rotational program of five murals in the Duncan Arcade located between Main Street and Commercial Lane in downtown Walnut Creek.

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Center REP will present In The Heights, the Tony-Winning Best Musical from Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator of Hamilton, about home, family and finding where you belong.

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Center for Community Arts will deepen partnerships with local schools through grant-funded programs in the classroom and after school. In addition, the center is offering a new professional development opportunity for classroom teachers to develop their skills in arts integrated learning.

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As part of the Arts + Rec Strategic Plan initiatives, staff committees will develop an Arts + Rec employee recognition program and pilot a collaborative, department-wide event for the entire community.

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Continuation of Your Parks, Your Future, a multi-year planning process to shape the future of Arts + Rec programs, Civic Park, Heather Farm Park and our community facilities (Civic Park Community Center, Clarke Swim Center, Heather Farm Community Center and Shadelands Art Center). Visit www.walnut-creek.org/yourparks to learn more and see how you can get involved.

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CONNECT WITH US playboundaryoak.com 925-934-4775 @playboundaryoak Boundary Oak Golf Course

communityarts.org 925-943-5846 @CommunityArtsWC

bedfordgallery.org 925-295-1417

@CommunityArtsWC

@BedfordGallery

@CommunityArtsWC

@BedfordGallery @BedfordGallery

lesherartscenter.org 925-943-7469 @LesherCenter @Lesher Center

centerrep.org 925-943-7469 @CenterREP @CenterREP

walnutcreekrec.org Registrations: 925-943-5858 Aquatics: 925-943-5856 Facility Rentals: 925-256-3575 @WalnutCreekRec @WalnutCreekRec

Back Cover Photos (clockwise from top left): Amanda Leigh, Michael McCarty, Jeannie Perazzo, Michael Doppe* and the Cast of Center REP’s A Christmas Carol 2018; Recreation Tiny Tot Science program; Leanne Borghesi*, Alison Quin, and Lynda DiVito* in Center REP’s Mamma Mia! 2018; Community Arts Family Art Day participant; Bay Area Artists Monica Canilao and Xara Thustra working on their upcoming mural on the Civic Park Assembly Hall; Guests at the Lesher Center opening reception for Woody Sez; Pickleball at Tice Gym; Bedford Gallery’s traveling exhibition My Hero! on view at the South Dakota Art Museum, Artwork: Winston Tseng, International Superheroes 1, 2, 3 & 4, 2009, silkscreened wood skateboard decks, 31.25 x 7.75 x 2 inches each; Inflatable obstacle course at Clarke Swim Center. *Member, Actors Equity

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Walnut Creek Arts + Recreation • Bedford Gallery • Boundary Oak Golf Course • Center for Community Arts • Center REPertory Company • Lesher Center for the Arts • Walnut Creek Aquatics • Walnut Creek Recreation Learn more at WalnutCreekArtsRec.org