Fresno Arts Coalition calls for transparency in Measure P grant process

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The metropolis of Fresno is known for having a divers creation country with galleries, thoroughfare creation and overmuch more.

Two years ago, Measure P passed, enacting a 3/8 percent income taxation for 30 years to money metropolis parks, recreation, streets, and arts.

Annually, 12% of that wealth is for expanded entree to arts and culture, a fiscal boost galore are excited astir but the process to get the funds has mixed reactions.

Thursday morning, the Coalition for Fresno Arts (FAC) held a property league addressing their concerns astir the assistance enactment process.

"The assistance reappraisal process has lacked consistency and neutrality," Ome Lopez with the Coalition for Fresno Arts said. "The arts sub-committee continues to enactment with powerfulness implicit millions."

Several panelists who took portion successful the multi-layered process shared their idiosyncratic experiences.

"When providing feedback, FAC's Lilia Chavez consistently offered anecdotal feedback regarding applicants she was acquainted with, this felt biased and unequitable," Former PRAC commissioner & panelist Christina Soto said.

The conjugation is asking for transparency and equity successful the enactment process.

The Fresno Arts Council has a 5-year declaration to administer the process. Executive Director Lilia Chavez says contempt that responsibility, they don't person the last say.

After volunteers reappraisal and people applications, the sub-committee of the "parks, recreations and arts committee" besides reappraisal them and marque the last determination connected who gets funding.

"There is equity successful the strategy and its unfortunate that radical who didn't instrumentality the clip to truly recognize the process," Chavez said.

Chavez is consenting to person a speech astir the flagged concerns.

We reached retired to the metropolis of Fresno connected the substance and received the pursuing connection from Mayor Jerry Dyer:

"Although the City does not person ineligible authorization to intervene the medication welcomes the accidental to enactment unneurotic and find solutions."

There is simply a Measure P gathering connected Monday astatine 5:30 p.m. astatine City Hall, wherever respective radical program to talk connected their concerns.

For quality updates, travel Elisa Navarro connected Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.