HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-07-14 - AGENDA REPORTS - ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035 VISION AND ACTIONO
Agenda Item: 3
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
.` AGENDA REPORT
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
DATE: July 14, 2026
SUBJECT: ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION
DEPARTMENT: Economic Development
PRESENTER: Tracy Sullivan
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council receive report and adopt the Arts Master Plan 2035: Vision and Action
BACKGROUND
The City Council adopted the City of Santa Clarita's (City) first ten-year Arts Master Plan in
March 2016 to establish a long-term vision for the community's arts and cultural programs. Over
the last decade, the plan has guided significant growth and development in the City's arts and
cultural offerings, including expanded arts programming, adoption of the City's Civic Art Policy,
and continued investment in Old Town Newhall as an Arts and Entertainment District.
To build on the success of the first Arts Master Plan, the City Council awarded a contract to
Keen Independent Research on January 14, 2025, to develop the Arts Master Plan 2035: Vision
and Action (Arts Master Plan 2035). Keen Independent Research was tasked with evaluating
existing programs, conducting community outreach, and assisting staff in identifying new
initiatives to guide the next ten years
Planning Process and Community Engagement
The development of the Arts Master Plan 2035 included a comprehensive review of the City's
existing arts programs, policies, and priorities, along with community engagement to help
identify future opportunities and areas of focus.
Throughout the planning process, more than 500 community members provided feedback via an
in -person discovery meeting, stakeholder interviews and focus groups, a virtual workshop
survey, visioning sessions with the City Council, Arts Commission, and City staff, as well as
ongoing public feedback opportunities through a hotline and dedicated email.
Page 1
Packet Pg. 60
O
The outreach process identified several strengths within the City's arts ecosystem, including
strong community support for arts and cultural programming, continued City investment in arts
initiatives, and the success of Old Town Newhall as a recognized Arts and Entertainment
District. Outreach also identified challenges, including limited arts funding, a need for additional
arts spaces and venues, a desire for more geographically distributed programming, and
opportunities to improve awareness of existing arts resources and programs.
Based on this outreach and research, the Arts Master Plan 2035 identifies 16 goals organized into
the following five thematic categories:
• Cultivate the Arts Throughout Santa Clarita
• Facilitate Community Arts Efforts
• Support Artists and Arts Nonprofits
• Review Arts Governance, Policies, and Procedures
• Plan for Arts Venues, Spaces, and Resources
Arts Commission Review and Revisions
The Arts Master Plan 2035 was first presented to the Arts Commission on March 12, 2026.
Following its review, the Arts Commission recommended that the plan be adopted by the City
Council.
The plan was brought before the City Council for consideration at the April 14 Regular Meeting
At the meeting, the City Council directed staff to return the plan to the Arts Commission for
additional public review and discussion prior to adoption.
The Arts Commission subsequently held a Study Session on May 21 to further review the plan
and receive public input. At the Study Session, the Arts Commission proposed several revisions
to improve clarity, incorporate community feedback, and assist with implementation.
Key revisions include adding recommendations to evaluate the City's Arts Grant Program and
funding levels, review prior arts -related plans and feasibility studies, expand Commissioner -led
community outreach and engagement, and further specify potential future arts facility and venue
opportunities.
The Arts Commission recommended adoption of the Arts Master Plan 2035, as revised, at its
regular meeting on June 11.
The complete plan is available in the City Clerk's Reading File. An Executive Summary
outlining the plan's goals and showing the Arts Commission's revisions in tracked changes is
attached to this agenda report.
Pending City Council approval, implementation of the Arts Master Plan 2035 will begin, with
recommendations prioritized over time based on available resources and community needs.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other action as determined by the City Council
Page 2
Packet Pg. 61
O
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact.
ATTACHMENTS
Executive Summary - Arts Commission Recommended Revisions
Revised Draft City of Santa Clarita Arts Master Plan 2035 (available in the City Clerk's Reading
File)
Page 3
Packet Pg. 62
3.a
ARTS COMMISSION
RECOMMENDED RED LINE REVISIONS
City of Santa Clarita Arts Master Plan 2035: Vision and Action
Executive Summary
Themes: 5 — Goals: 16
Theme 1. Cultivate the Arts Throughout Santa Clarita
Goal 1.1. Continue to develop Old Town Newhall as a premier Arts and Entertainment District
• Advocating for opportunities for new businesses, nonprofits, community groups and individual
creatives to bring arts and culture offerings to the area;
• Promoting the district year-round and throughout the week, such as through signature annual events,
ample weekday dining and activity options, and multiple ongoing arts and entertainment
opportunities;
• Activating William S. Hart Park (Hart Park), which may include a future arts and culture center, as
an asset for residents and visitors; and
• Meeting regularly with the Old Town Newhall Association to increase impact through public -private
partnerships.
Goal 1.2. Introduce resources in areas without arts and cultural assets
• Working with communities across Santa Clarita, including any future annexed areas, to identify arts
and cultural needs;
• Exploring opportunities to repurpose existing buildings into community arts resources;
• Supporting existing community spaces in incubating arts and culture programming;
• Ensuring that diverse and underrepresented residents are invited to provide input so that
programming reflects the needs of Santa Clarita's changing demographics; and
• Incorporating public art in parks, on City trails, or in open space areas with limited arts and cultural
resources.
Goal 1.3. Elevate the arts as a valued City service and key quality of life resource
• Highlighting arts and culture more in City marketing, such as elevating Santa Clarita's role in the
history of the film industry, western heritage, and community cultures;
• Identifying opportunities where the arts can be integrated with other City services, such as engaging
artists in beautification efforts and including arts programs at City venues; and
• Conducting a study to measure how the arts impact quality of life and the economy in Santa Clarita,
as well as share and act on study findings.
Goal 1.4. Explore supporting the development of additional arts and cultural hubs beyond the Old
Town Newhall Arts and Entertainment District
Approaching arts development holistically and acting on opportunities as new resources,
community -led efforts, and businesses emerge in an area;
Encouraging clustering of resources, such as incentivizing local businesses to feature neighborhood
creatives and community events; and
Promoting neighborhood arts and cultural hubs in City marketing materials, as well as through
themed travel itineraries for new residents and visitors.
Theme 2. Serve n a !`rosy Polli ato of Facilitate Community Arts Efforts
Goal 2.1. Advocate for higher education institutions to connect with Santa Clarita residents and
stakeholders
• Facilitating regular meetings with representatives from each university arts institution and
community leaders to share information, encourage resource sharing, and spark collaboration;
Packet Pg. 63
3.a
• Encouraging local higher education institutions to pursue grant opportunities for faculty and student
projects that have a positive impact on the Santa Clarita community; and
• Highlighting Santa Clarita as a desired place of residency for full-time and visiting university arts
faculty and students to further support these institutions in attracting and retaining talent.
Goal 2.2. Encourage arts education and cultural experiences in the Santa Clarita Valley
• Explore the development of arts education programs and reducing barriers to access;
• Continuing to facilitate collaboration in arts education across the Santa Clarita Valley, including
university and community collaborators, through regular meetings to encourage local partnerships
and sharing of resources;
• Adjusting City arts education programming in response to community needs; and
• Researching existing arts education programs offered by both for -profit and nonprofit organizations.
Goal 2.3. Partner with local historical organizations on preservation efforts of Santa Clarita Valley
cultural attractions
• Encouraging local nonprofit organizations to pursue grants for preservation efforts across the Santa
Clarita Valley; and
• Coordinating future historical and cultural collections and programming development with local
historical organizations and stakeholders.
Goal 2.4. Track the growth of creative industries
Conducting a study of Santa Clarita's creative industries and comparing those findings to the 2021
City of Santa Clarita Creative Economy Report; and
Regularly revising who is included and excluded from the category of a "creative industry" to
account for new media and technological innovation.
Theme 3. Support Artists and Arts Nonprofits
Goal 3.1. Promote Santa Clarita as a preferred place for creatives to live and work
• Inviting area creatives to participate in the City's annual Business for Artists Conference and
connecting individuals with business incubation programs and resources;
• Highlighting existing business -friendly opportunities to local and regional creatives in partnership
with the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Cooperation;
• Continuing to explore gr-a-ntfunding opportunities and resources for creatives at all stages of their
career; and
• Supporting creative cradle -to -career pathway efforts.
Goal 3.2. Support the development and sustainability of local nonprofits
• Convening local nonprofit leadership to encourage information and resource sharing, as well as
workshopping of shared issues;
• Encouraging Arts Commissioners to actively engage with artists, arts organizations, and residents to
gather feedback and strengthen community connections,
• Encouraging mentorship opportunities between prospective nonprofit leaders and established
organizations;
• Highlighting existing City, County, State and National resources for nonprofit development on the
Santa Clarita Arts website;
• Continuing to offer programs that support the growth of arts and cultural organizations; and-
• Evaluating the City of Santa Clarita Arts Grants program to consider increasing funding levels to be
on par with communities of a similar size and resources.
Theme 4. Review Arts Governance, Policies, and Procedures
Goal 4.1. Continue to update the municipal code to reflect best practices
• Reviewing the committee structure of the Arts Commission to align with the future of arts and
culture in the community; and
Packet Pg. 64
3.a
• Exploring expanding the Arts Commission's scope to include culture.
Goal 4.2. Review the guiding vision statement for the arts and measure progress
• Promoting the City's vision for the arts;
• Asking residents to rate the City's fulfillment of its vision for the arts through its Community
Opinion Survey; and-.
• Reviewing arts -related plans and feasibility studies to evaluate their continued relevance and identify
opportunities for updating.
Goal 4.3. Promote opportunities for civic engagement in City arts processes to ensure diversity of
input, transparency, and equity
• Conducting targeted and intentional outreach to communities who have either been underserved
and/or who are not currently involved in City arts decision -making, such as developing outreach
information in Spanish;
• Evaluating processes and procedures for efficiency and accessibility in civic engagement on a
regular basis, including by considering resident feedback; and
• Developing clear guidelines for initiating arts and culture programming.
Goal 4.4. Review public art doetiments
• Reviewing decision -making processes related to civic art that is part of capital improvement
proj ects;
• Developing sustainable policies around public art conservation and maintenance that will then
inform contracts;
• Exploring -a programs that supports new arts experiences, such as visual and performing pop-up
experiences; and
• Expanding targeted professional development to staff to ensure the implementation of public art best
practices.
Theme 5. Plan for Arts Venues, Spaces, and Resources
Goal 5.1. Integrate arts development throughout City planning
• Working with City departments to identify initiatives where the arts are especially relevant and
highlight the role of arts and culture within those efforts;
• Exploring gateway projects that attract regional visitors to explore Santa Clarita;
• Using this plan to support existing and future City plans; and
• Responding to any research resulting from the implementation of this plan, such as measuring the
growth of the creative industries in Santa Clarita.
Goal 5.2. Examine the feasibility of renovating or building new arts spaces
• Repurposing ..,,,,nor developing -spaces, such as the Santa Clarita Elementary site, as multi -use
community arts centers and creative hubs, such as for artist studios, rehearsal space, exhibition
galleries, makerspace, and/or a blaek be +he +-coffee house;
• Activating unused storefronts through pop-up programming that introduces arts and culture to
locations lacking resources;
• Encouraging the expansion of local arts organizations to better accommodate community needs,
such as through mixed -use classroom and gathering spaces;
• Exploring public gathering spaces accessible to the community in new development projects;
• Involving diverse voices in programming development;
• Conducting a feasibility study for a ^'�i'�museums; and
• Exploring future development of a theatre center, including an outdoor theater venue, oriented
towards the needs of the performing arts community.
Packet Pg. 65
0 O
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA Jul
ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035:
VISION AND ACTION
I
o� SANTA qL
�9
.n �
SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION
Introduction.....................................................................
Background....................................................................
Methodology...................................................................
SECTION 2. KEY FINDINGS
Executive Summary.......................................................
Stakeholder Engagement Methodology .........................
Arts and Culture Assets .................................................
Market Analysis..............................................................
Stakeholder Input...........................................................
City's Goals and Strategies ............................................
SECTION 3. RECOMMENDATIONS
Cultivate Arts Throughout Santa Clarita .........................
Facilitate Community Arts Efforts ...................................
Support Artists and Arts Nonprofits ................................
Review Arts Governance, Policies, and Procedures......
Plan for Arts Venues, Spaces, and Sources ..................
SECTION 4. APPENDICES
A. Market Analysis..........................................................
B. Literature Review of Current City Plans .....................
C. Overview of City Arts Programs .................................
D. Stakeholder and Community Input .............................
2-1
2-2
2-3
2-4
2-5
2-8
. 3-2
. 3-5
. 3-8
. 3-9
3-12
A-1
B-1
C-1
D-1
f
Art exhibit on view at City Hall
- - Courtesy of City of Santa Clarita
Introduction
Santa Clarita is a vibrant community situated among the mountains of
Los Angeles County. In addition to many grassroots arts organizations,
local world -class arts institutions support emerging artists and the arts
community. The City of Santa Clarita's (City) arts strategy has been
guided by an Arts Master Plan, adopted by City Council in March 2016.
To guide the next decade, the City partnered with Keen Independent
Research to develop the Arts Master Plan 2035: Vision and Action.
What is an Arts Master Plan?
An Arts Master Plan is an action plan that will help the City of Santa
Clarita make decisions related to the development of arts and culture.
This plan recognizes that the City has already invested significant
resources into supporting arts and culture and provides a framework for
continuing that support. The City's Arts Master Plan is the result of
thorough stakeholder and community engagement.
What does "arts and culture" include? The term "arts and culture"
encompasses the visual arts, performing arts, museums, libraries,
historical preservation efforts, City -run events, and the ways that the
community gathers to celebrate its identity.
How to Use this Plan
The Arts Master Plan will be primarily utilized by the City to guide
decision -making related to arts and culture over the next ten years. Arts
organizations, educational institutions, and individual artists can use this
document to help guide their planning efforts, as well as highlight how
their goals align with the City's.
This plan is designed to be flexible for the City to set and adapt goals as
appropriate with priorities and resources. Keen Independent Research
provides recommended goals and actions for the City's consideration.
This plan was made possible by City leaders and Santa Clarita residents.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH - CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION SECTION 1, PAGE 1
Introduction
Message from the Study Team
The study team thanks all who participated in the arts planning process.
Your contributions have been respected and appreciated!
City leadership and staff. City leadership participated in interviews,
focus groups, public engagement opportunities, and a group visioning
session. The study team appreciates their valuable insight.
City Council:
■ Laurene Weste, Mayor;
■ Patsy Ayala, Mayor Pro Tem;
■ Marsha McLean,
Councilwoman;
■ Jason Gibbs,
Councilmember; and
■ Bill Miranda,
Councilmember.
City staff:
Arts Commission:
■ Dr. Michael Millar, Chair;
■ Susan Shapiro, Vice Chair;
■ Patti Rasmussen,
Commissioner;
■ Jeri Seratti,
Commissioner; and
■ Tracey Thompson,
Commissioner.
■ Ken Striplin, City Manager;
■ Frank Oviedo, Assistant City Manager;
■ Tom Cole, Director of Economic Development;
■ Phil Lantis, Arts and Events Manager;
■ McKenzie Bright, Management Analyst;
■ Jennifer Shadle, Arts and Events Administrator;
■ Katherine Nestved, Arts Supervisor;
■ Ally Phillips, Executive Administration Assistant; and
■ Monica Gonzalez, Arts and Events Administrative Assistant.
Santa Clarita residents and community members. This project would
not have been possible without the active participation of Santa
Clarita's residents and community members, who contributed ideas
through the discovery meeting, the virtual workshop survey, and the
study email address and hotline.
Arts and cultural stakeholders. We thank the stakeholders from arts
and cultural organizations in Santa Clarita for inviting us to their
spaces and providing insight that has been instrumental to the
project's success.
■ California Institute of the Arts;
■ College of the Canyons;
■ The Master's University;
■ Newhall Family Theatre for the Performing Arts; and
■ Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society.
We extend a final heartfelt thank you to the representatives from
community arts organizations and individual artists in the Santa Clarita
Valley who participated in focus groups.
Study team. Keen Independent Research, www.keenindependent.com,
conducted the study. Team members included:
■ Alex Keen, Managing Principal and Co-owner;
■ Nicole Yates, Ph.D., Senior Consultant and Co-owner;
■ Roksana Filipowska, Ph.D., Consultant; and
■ Haley Adams, Consultant.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH - CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION SECTION 1, PAGE 2
Background
The City of Santa Clarita has made a tangible commitment to supporting
arts and culture through grants, public art, venues, and events. The City
hosts numerous arts and culture events throughout the year, both on its
own and in collaboration with local artists and arts organizations.
Additionally, Santa Clarita is home to California Institute of the Arts, The
Master's University, and College of the Canyons, all of which operate
robust arts programs.
This plan offers strategies for leveraging existing momentum and
resources at the City and in the community to continue developing arts
and culture in Santa Clarita.
Previous Arts Master Plan
The City and its consulting partner began developing a ten-year Arts
Master Plan in 2014, which was adopted in 2016. Three
recommendation themes appear in the 2016 Arts Master Plan:
Enhancing cultural vitality in the community;
Strengthening cultural support systems; and
Fostering greater diversity and inclusion.
In 2021, the Arts Commission updated the Arts Master Plan to provide a
progress update and add 20 recommendations. The City made
significant progress on the focus areas associated with the
recommendation themes, including Civic Art Policy, Public Art Planning
and Selection Process, Old Town Newhall's Arts and Entertainment
District, Arts Education Collaborative, annual Arts Commission Work
Plans, facility feasibility and arts communities needs assessments,
support for artists, arts organizations, and arts businesses, arts
marketing enhancements, and celebrating diversity in the community.
This Arts Master Plan builds on that progress, leverages existing arts
infrastructure, and ensures that recommended actions are realistic,
streamlined and impactful.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH - CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION SECTION 1, PAGE 3
Methodology
The following methodology was used to develop the findings
and recommendations in this Arts Master Plan.
Keen Independent conducted virtual and in -person stakeholder
engagement with City leaders and staff, arts, culture, and educational
leaders, and community members. More than 500 people shared
their perspective on the plan through the following efforts:
In -person discovery meeting;
In-depth stakeholder interviews and focus groups;
■ Virtual workshop survey;
■ Visioning sessions with City Council, Arts Commission, and
City staff; and
Study hotline and email feedback.
Keen Independent also:
Conducted extensive mapping of existing arts and
cultural assets;
Analyzed demographic and population trends; and
Reviewed existing City plans and structure.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH - CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION SECTION 1, PAGE 4
W
SECTION 2
ey Findings
0
10
Youth Arts Showcas
Courtesy of City of Santa Clarita
Key Findings — Executive Summary
The City of Santa Clarita engaged Keen Independent Research in
early 2025 to develop an Arts Master Plan. In 2016, the City adopted an
Arts Master Plan, progress from which informed the research and
resulting recommendations for this plan.
Methodology
Keen Independent examined demographics, population trends, demand
for arts and culture, relevant assets, and related City plans. The team
visited Santa Clarita during the project and toured arts and cultural
assets in the community, including William S. Hart Park, The MAIN, Old
Town Newhall Library, Central Park, Santa Clarita Sports Complex,
Canyon Country Community Center, and Newhall Community Center.
Additionally, the study team collected input from over 500 stakeholders
and community members through:
Individual interviews;
Focus groups and listening sessions;
Virtual workshop survey;
Activities at an in -person discovery meeting; and
Group visioning sessions.
Key Findings
Select key findings from this research included the following:
Santa Clarita has a range of arts and cultural assets.
California Institute of the Arts, College of the Canyons, and
The Master's University operate world -class arts programs.
Local arts organizations and artists struggle to find space to
perform or exhibit their work.
Stable population growth forecasts suggest that the City should
right -size existing offerings and focus on community needs.
Recommendations
Keen Independent proposes the City adopt the following goals to
refine their support of arts and culture:
1. Cultivate the arts throughout Santa Clarita;
2. Facilitate community arts efforts;
3. Support artists and arts nonprofits;
4. Review arts governance, policies, and procedures; and
5. Plan for arts venues, spaces, and resources.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH - CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION SECTION 2, PAGE 1
Key Findings — Stakeholder Engagement Methodology
This section describes the Arts Master Plan stakeholder and community
engagement process and presents key findings.
staKenoider and r ommunity Engagement
Keen Independent engaged City staff, leadership, arts practitioner
residents, and community members using a range of methods between
April and December 2025.
Stakeholder engagement. The study included in-depth interviews,
focus groups and a visioning session with the City Council and the
Arts Commission. We spoke with City staff, local arts and culture
leaders, business owners, and creatives. Stakeholders were asked a
series of questions, including how they describe Santa Clarita's arts and
culture scene and what related needs the community has.
Community engagement. The study team invited Santa Clarita
residents and community members to participate in multiple ways
throughout the planning process.
Virtual workshop survev The study team developed a virtual
workshop survey that focused on the City's role in supporting arts,
events, and entertainment, as well as participant preferences regarding
future arts and cultural offerings. The virtual workshop survey was live
from May to June 2025.
Discovery meeting. Keen Independent hosted an in -person discovery
meeting at California Institute of the Arts in May 2025. During this
meeting, the team provided attendees with opportunities to give their
input on arts and culture preferences via multiple interactive stations.
Study email and hotline. Residents and community members could
provide feedback on arts and culture in Santa Clarita using the study
email and hotline between April and December 2025.
Keen Independent hosted the study website, email, and hotline for the
duration of the project.
Methodology. Analyzed together, the community engagement tools
provided a breadth of community perspectives on arts and culture in
Santa Clarita, while the stakeholder interviews and focus groups offered
depth and information regarding developing, sustaining and supporting
arts and cultural initiatives.
See Appendix D for an analysis of feedback received during stakeholder
and community engagement.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH - CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION SECTION 2, PAGE 2
Key Findings — Arts and Cultural Assets
Keen Independent developed and mapped inventories of existing arts
and cultural assets, which we defined broadly to include arts businesses,
community and event centers, libraries, public art, and parks.
2-1. Map of arts and cultural assets in Santa Clarita, 2025
In addition to owning several assets, the City has a thriving grassroots
arts and culture scene. For more information on Santa Clarita's existing
arts and cultural assets, see Appendix A "Market Analysis."
Source: Esri, HERE, Garmin, SafeGraph, FAO, METI/NASA, USGS, EPA, NPS, ArcGIS, Keen Independent Research.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION SECTION 2, PAGE 3
Key Findings — Market Analysis
Keen Independent examined population projections, spending, and
attendance trends at arts and cultural events for residents as well as
data on tourism.
Population
Residents of Santa Clarita are on average more wealthy and more
racially diverse compared to the United States overall. The California
Department of Finance projects a slight decrease in population in Santa
Clarita that is in line with the rest of Los Angeles County. However,
spending on arts and cultural events and activities is higher than the
national average in Santa Clarita, indicating high interest.
2-2. Per capita spending on arts and cultural events, 2024
Entertainme nt/recreation
Index
132
100
Average
$
5,408
$ 4,105
Entertainment/recreation fees/admissions
Index
140
100
Average
$
1,158
$ 809
Live entertainment -catered affairs
Index
144
100
Average
$
29
$ 20
Tickets to theater/operas/concerts
Index
144
100
Average
$
110
$ 74
Tickets to movies
Index
141
100
Average
$
35
$ 25
Source: Esri spending potential
Index
146
100
Oatgb�19024).
Tip tg parks or museums
$
55
$ 37
Statistics Consumer Expenditure
' Lauren SchIan Consulting, Economic Impacts of Tourism in the Santa Clarita Region in
CY 2023 for Visit Santa Clarita (September 2024).
Tourism,
According to a study conducted by Visit Santa Clarita in 2024, Santa
Clarita receives about one million visitors per year in part due to its
proximity to attractions like Six Flags Magic Mountain. In 2023, visitors
spent $245 million in the City of Santa Clarita. The City also saw an
average spend of $110 per visitor per day.'
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION SECTION 2, PAGE 4
Key Findings — Stakeholder Input
Stakeholders and community members provided their thoughts on arts
and culture in Santa Clarita. In general, feedback indicated high support
for the arts and a desire to see more arts and culture -focused events,
venues, and initiatives. Many stakeholders commented that they were
interested in arts and culture that celebrates Santa Clarita's old west
and film history as well as embraces the shifting demographics of the
city with cultural celebrations.
Desired Locations
Community members supported Old Town Newhall as a location for
more arts and cultural assets, as displayed in Figure 2-3. Additionally,
many expressed desire to see more arts and culture throughout other
neighborhoods in Santa Clarita. Figure 2-4 on the next page shows a
map of locations where discovery meeting participants indicated they
would like to see more arts and cultural assets.
2-3. Virtual workshop participants' indications of where they would like to see more arts and cultural assets
200
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Old Town Newhall On or next to local Parks Roads Other Specific neighborhood
businesses
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH - CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION SECTION 2, PAGE 5
Key Findings — Stakeholder Input
2-4. Map of desired locations for arts and cultural assets
SANTA CLARITA VALLEY
�.
STREET MAP
r �p , Legend
r l�� � � robe sueon u—vatl crtr kerairtv cnv PeM a
l-I ,�lt ~—• ti r_f4� -\� I l �'�\` / ,_: \\vv.. lire Station A a �Y —Amusement Par COU14 Park
state PerF me.rmxm.en•.. r. .....
Na
u
^ r.
�` _—" _ \•f„ : :7\j �: ``(�=�"r\p V•�rY`� VPnmary CateparniveretY Mg. -ea hanal:uml
ncq
Nqh sthn � Ralk.W Gal course SunW Ctara Nivm
i nM n..n.. .. ..n....
Qcrrvas.meCtarieaswoedy I
\Ilk;
Prvvero &tree smte Anne sowoi samery (�
� f '� c -E ���;� _ , � }i�i✓� i ice, - E_ -� ,�! r I. 7 `,,, y
f. e i�"'-t ��__ � plc.. � � V+ �1r irli Wii7� � � � � �, /' I -I ^t \ •' � .ri "c.� � ! < 7 a
� _ • � �. �,� ,�1 t t / Ek rt ij `vg I! •'' i � 1';L i�..r>,.-+'t � i � �/ �J/ z � : t
_ter !i:,-
.� �!�7ey}; � r Syr i —�+�, �� ��iy � ;''-.�_ I �;I Ifi �t •t-;' �7�. ,�li_ t� • � - '
ck
t rTII_
1_y�iiii,! :`'j 5 ✓,- € �� i T �e \'7r t. tl�Re'� _ + IY Castaic*•`,
�' •I fi IL!�i'` jr''1�'t2` �tlrr, _i t �F? ; 1.1 �'� .t.\c. -�,.✓ 'F
4—� 17 ! ,.
Val Verde C �Pt7—� 1
Source: Keen Independent Research.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION SECTION 2, PAGE 6
Key Findings — City's Goals and Strategies
Challenges with Arts and Culture
The following themes provide insight into challenges stakeholders
identified with arts and culture in Santa Clarita.
Funding. Many stakeholders noted the decrease in federal funding
for the arts in recent years, making it difficult for local organizations
to expand. Local artists and representatives from schools (K-12 and
higher education) commented that funding is limited and many
indicated that the funding they do receive disproportionately goes
toward things like venue rental costs.
Venues. The lack of available venues for arts and culture was a theme
across several focus groups and was reinforced by virtual workshop and
discovery meeting participants. Theater spaces were most commonly
mentioned followed by concert spaces.
Accessibility. Several stakeholders indicated that the City could be
more inclusive in the types of events it hosts.
Advertising and awareness. Many comments indicated that residents
were not always aware of arts and culture events or offerings in
Santa Clarita.
Processes and procedures for supporting arts. Finally, a few
participants in the virtual workshop and focus groups identified
government processes as a potential barrier due to timing and
approval requirements.
"Without consistent and adequate funding, the art sector of SCV
will always struggle to thrive and provide opportunities for
artists and the community."
"The City has been a great partner, but the funding is limited —
there's so much competition for small grants, and we need
larger, multi -year commitments if we're going to build
something sustainable."
"With so many independent theatre companies expressing desire
to perform in just the last three years, The MAIN, although a
wonderful place to produce theatre, is just not enough."
"I'd love us to be known for including all kinds of populations —
people with special needs, diverse backgrounds — because our
city has come a long way but could still work closer to inclusion."
I wish the colleges in SCV could be more open to the community
— would love to attend exhibits, speakers, galleries at CalArts for
example, but they seem very closed off."
"There definitely needs to be more marketing and advertising.
Finding out what's going on in Santa Clarita is difficult to say
the least."
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH - CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION SECTION 2, PAGE 7
Key Findings — City's Goals and Strategies
This plan organizes the City's future arts and culture efforts into
realistic, achievable goals. All recommended goals are designed to align
with the City's current planning documents and arts initiatives. For more
information on City plans, see Appendix B and for more information on
City arts and culture programs, see Appendix C.
The following goals will help the City advance its support of arts
and culture, building on progress from the first Arts Master Plan:
1. Cultivate the arts throughout Santa Clarita;
2. Facilitate community arts efforts;
3. Support artists and arts nonprofits;
4. Review arts governance, policies, and procedures; and
5. Plan for arts venues, spaces, and resources.
These goals and associated actions are outlined in the following
section of this plan (Section 3). We note that these
recommendations provide a guide for the City of Santa Clarita,
ensuring the plan remains effective as circumstances evolve and
new challenges emerge. We recognize that the City's commitment
to arts and culture comes with potential limitations due to
funding, staffing, and other external factors.
Using This Plan
The recommendations in this plan were informed by all
information collected during this study, including extensive
stakeholder input. Many of our recommendations focus on how to
leverage existing community resources and momentum around
arts and culture, positioning the City as a supportive partner.
In developing an implementation plan, Keen Independent
recommends the City develop a document to prioritize, plan, and
track its goals. Components of an implementation plan may
include the following:
Recommended actions;
Suggested leaders on each action;
Core collaborators;
Suggested start date;
Suggested short-term goal; and
Suggested long-term goal.
We recommend the City use this as a living plan and make adjustments
accordingly to account for shifts in City priorities and resources.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH - CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION SECTION 2, PAGE 8
a
r- ',i:
SECTION 3 3=�+
Recommendations
Celebrate China
Courtesy of City of Santa Clarita
Recommendations — Introduction
The recommendations in this section are designed to support the
City as it continues to invest in arts and culture.
How to Use the Recommendations
This section of the Arts Master Plan is organized by the following
recommendations:
1. Cultivate the arts throughout Santa Clarita;
2. Facilitate community arts efforts;
3. Support artists and arts nonprofits;
4. Review arts governance, policies, and
procedures; and
Plan for arts venues, spaces, and resources.
Recommendations are not listed in terms of priority or start time.
Instead, the City can pursue recommendations concurrently.
This approach ensures that the City balances the needs of
Santa Clarita residents and arts nonprofits, as well as making progress
on arts strategy and preservation initiatives across the
Santa Clarita Valley.
Approaching the recommendations as a road map.
The recommendations offer the City guidance on how to reach
its goals. Each of the five recommendation themes includes action
items that reflect findings for the planning process. This Plan is
intended to be a living document, meaning the City can take the
suggestions under each action item as starting points for initiatives
while making adjustments that respond to stakeholder and resident
feedback and needs.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH - CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION SECTION 3, PAGE 1
Recommendation 1. Cultivate the Arts Throughout Santa Clarita
The first recommendation theme, "Cultivate the arts throughout
Santa Clarita," includes four action items, which are discussed
below and on the next two pages.
1-1. Continue to develop Old Town Newhall as a
premier Arts and Entertainment District
The City's investment in Old Town Newhall as an Arts and
Entertainment District has laid the foundation for the area to serve as
Santa Clarita's main arts and cultural hub. Stakeholders and community
members who participated in this planning process continue to perceive
Old Town Newhall as a key area of focus for the City. For information on
stakeholder perceptions of Old Town Newhall, see Appendix D,
"Analysis of Stakeholder and Community Input."
Continuing to develop Old Town Newhall as a premier Arts and
Entertainment District may include:
Advocating for opportunities for new businesses, nonprofits,
community groups and individual creatives to bring arts and
culture offerings to the area;
Promoting the district year-round and throughout the week,
such as through signature annual events, ample weekday
dining and activity options, and multiple ongoing arts and
entertainment opportunities;
Activating William S. Hart Park (Hart Park), which may include
a future arts and culture center, as an asset for residents
and visitors; and
Meeting regularly with the Old Town Newhall Association to
increase impact through public -private partnerships.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH - CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION SECTION 3, PAGE 2
Recommendation 1. Cultivate the Arts Throughout Santa Clarita
1-2. Introduce resources in areas without arts and
cultural assets
Santa Clarita residents who participated in the planning process
expressed interest in seeing arts and culture resources introduced into
areas of the city without such assets. For more information, see
Appendix A, "Market Analysis," and Appendix D, "Analysis of
Stakeholder and Community Input."
Introducing resources in new locations may look like:
Working with communities across Santa Clarita, including any
future annexed areas, to identify arts and cultural needs;
Exploring opportunities to repurpose existing buildings into
community arts resources;
Supporting existing community spaces in incubating arts and
culture programming;
Ensuring that diverse and underrepresented residents are
invited to provide input so that programming reflects the
needs of Santa Clarita's changing demographics; and
Incorporating public art in parks, on City trails, or in open
space areas with limited arts and cultural resources.
0"Op"—s
wamroyid
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH - CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION SECTION 3, PAGE 3
Recommendation 1. Cultivate the arts throughout Santa Clarita
1-3. Elevate the arts as a valued City service and
key quality of life resource
The 2024 Community Opinion Survey showed an increase in
residents identifying special events, promotion of arts programs, and
beautification as important City services. Elevating arts and culture as
central to resident quality of life offers a clarifying perspective shift on
how the arts fit into City services and promotes Santa Clarita as a place
where the arts are celebrated alongside natural resources and safety.
Elevating the arts as a valued City service could look like:
Highlighting arts and culture more in City marketing, such as
elevating Santa Clarita's role in the history of the film industry,
western heritage, and community cultures;
Identifying opportunities where the arts can be integrated
with other City services, such as engaging artists in
beautification efforts and including arts programs at
City venues; and
1-4. Explore supporting the development of
additional arts and cultural hubs beyond the Old
Town Newhall Arts and Entertainment District
As the City implements this ten-year plan, it may find that certain areas
beyond the Old Town Newhall Arts and Entertainment District lend
themselves to increased clustering of more arts and cultural resources.
Additional arts and cultural hubs have the potential to provide greater
access to underserved communities.
Supporting the development of additional arts and cultural hubs:
Approaching arts development holistically and acting on
opportunities as new resources, community -led efforts, and
businesses emerge in an area;
Encouraging clustering of resources, such as incentivizing local
businesses to feature neighborhood creatives and
community events; and
Promoting neighborhood arts and cultural hubs in City
Conducting a study to measure how the arts impact quality of marketing materials, as well as through themed travel
life and the economy in Santa Clarita, as well as share and act itineraries for new residents and visitors.
on study findings.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH - CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION SECTION 3, PAGE 4
Recommendation 2. Facilitate Community Arts Efforts
As the lead arts agency for the Santa Clarita community, the City's
Arts and Events Division has an opportunity to step into the role of
the facilitator of community arts efforts rather than driving all arts
programming. City, County, and community arts efforts are
stronger when all entities work together.
2-1. Advocate for higher education institutions
to connect with Santa Clarita residents
and stakeholders
Santa Clarita is home to California Institute of the Arts, College of the
Canyons, and The Master's University, which each attract creatives as
faculty, administrators, students, and guests. The planning process
showed that there is interest among higher education arts programs
and community members in forging closer connections. For more
information on university arts assets, see Appendix A, "Market
Analysis." For stakeholder feedback on this topic, see Appendix D,
"Analysis of Stakeholder and Community Input."
Forging these connections may look like:
Facilitating regular meetings with representatives from each
university arts institution and community leaders to share
information, encourage resource sharing, and
spark collaboration;
Encouraging local higher education institutions to pursue
funding opportunities for faculty and student projects that
have a positive impact on the Santa Clarita community; and
Highlighting Santa Clarita as a desired place of residency for
full-time and visiting university arts faculty and students to
further support these institutions in attracting and
retaining talent.
3
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH - CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION SECTION 3, PAGE 5
Recommendation 2. Facilitate Community Arts Efforts
2-2. Encourage arts education and cultural
experiences in Santa Clarita Valley
In 2022, the City, in partnership with the Los Angeles County
Department of Arts and Culture, established the City of Santa Clarita
Regional Strategic Arts Education Plan. This initiative fosters equity and
inclusion in arts education and cultural experiences for youth and
community members throughout the Santa Clarita Valley. Arts
education is essential for the growth of local creative expression; it
provides the foundation for comprehensive, collaborative, and diverse
learning while establishing clear artistic and professional
career pathways.
Supporting the development of arts education and cultural experiences
may include:
Explore the development of arts education programs and
reducing barriers to access;
Continuing to facilitate collaboration in arts education across
the Santa Clarita Valley, including university and community
collaborators, through regular meetings to encourage local
partnerships and sharing of resources;
Adjusting City arts education programming in response to
community needs; and
Researching existing arts education programs offered by both
for -profit and nonprofit organizations.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH - CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION SECTION 3, PAGE 6
Recommendation 2. Facilitate Community Arts Efforts
2-3. Partner with local historical organizations on
preservation efforts of Santa Clarita Valley
cultural attractions
The City should continue developing Santa Clarita Valley historic assets
in collaboration with local historical organizations. For more information
regarding the City's existing efforts, see Appendix B, "Literature Review
of City Plans, Policies, and Studies."
4
Partnering on preservation efforts may look like:
Encouraging local nonprofit organizations to pursue grants for
preservation efforts across the Santa Clarita Valley; and
Coordinating future historical and cultural collections and
programming development with local historical organizations
and stakeholders.
2-4. Track the growth of creative industries
Santa Clarita's proximity to Los Angeles, its role in the film industry, and
its university arts programs all attract creatives beyond the traditional
fine arts. Regularly tracking the growth of creative industries will ensure
that the City can plan for creative needs and economic impact.
Tracking the growth of creative industries includes:
Conducting a study of Santa Clarita's creative industries and
comparing those findings to the 2021 City of Santa Clarita
Creative Economy Report; and
Regularly revising who is included and excluded from the
category of a "creative industry" to account for new media
and technological innovation.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH - CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION SECTION 3, PAGE 7
Q
Recommendation 3. Support Artists and Arts Nonprofits
The third recommendation theme, "Support artists and arts nonprofits," features two action items.
3-1. Promote Santa Clarita as a preferred place for
creatives to live and work
Santa Clarita's business -friendly status can be leveraged to attract more
creatives to live and work in the city. See Appendix B, "Literature
Review of City Plans, Policies, and Studies" for the City's business
support initiatives for creatives.
Promoting Santa Clarita to creatives may look like:
■ Inviting area creatives to participate in the City's annual
Business for Artists Conference and connecting individuals
with business incubation programs and resources;
■ Highlighting existing business -friendly opportunities to
local and regional creatives in partnership with the Santa
Clarita Valley Economic Development Cooperation;
■ Continuing to explore funding opportunities and resources for
creatives at all stages of their career; and
■ Supporting creative cradle -to -career pathway efforts.
3-2. Support the development and sustainability of
local nonprofits
Santa Clarita is celebrated for its grassroots arts and culture efforts, as
mentioned in Appendix D, "Analysis of Stakeholder and
Community Input."
Supporting local nonprofit development and sustainability includes:
■ Convening local nonprofit leadership to encourage
information and resource sharing, as well as workshopping of
shared issues;
■ Encouraging Arts Commissioners to actively engage with artists, arts
organizations, and residents to gather feedback and strengthen
community connections;
■ Encouraging mentorship opportunities between prospective
nonprofit leaders and established organizations;
■ Highlighting existing City, County, State and National
resources for nonprofit development on the
Santa Clarita Arts website;
■ Continuing to offer programs that support the growth of
arts and cultural organizations; and
■ Evaluating the City of Santa Clarita Arts Grants program to
consider increasing funding levels to be on par with
communities of a similar size and resources.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH - CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION SECTION 3, PAGE 8
Recommendation 4. Review Arts Governance. Policies, and Procedures
The fourth recommendation theme, "Review arts governance, policies, and procedures," includes four action items.
4-1. Continue to update the municipal code to Z. Review the guiding vision statement for
reflect best practices the arts and measure progress
Chapter 2.29 of the Santa Clarita Municipal Code, which established the
Arts Commission in 2009, was most recently updated in 2015. Updating
the municipal code again is an opportunity to reflect up-to-date City
organization (where the Arts and Events Division is now grouped with
Economic Development) and national best practices. For more
information, see Appendix B, "Literature Review of City Plans, Policies,
and Studies."
Updating the municipal code may include:
Reviewing the committee structure of the Arts Commission to
align with the future of arts and culture in the community; and
Exploring expanding the Arts Commission's scope to
include culture.
Since 2016, the City plans, policies, and studies related to the arts have
featured the vision statement that Santa Clarita will be recognized as a
"city of the arts," where the lives of residents, artists, and visitors are
enriched through artistic and cultural experiences. This planning process
showed that there is room for greater alignment with the City's arts
vision statement. For more information on community input, see
Appendix D, "Analysis of Stakeholder and Community Input."
Reviewing the guiding vision statement may include:
Promoting the City's vision for the arts;
Asking residents to rate the City's fulfillment of its vision for
the arts through its Community Opinion Survey; and
Reviewing arts -related plans and feasibility studies to
evaluate their continued relevance and identify
opportunities for updating.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH - CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION SECTION 3, PAGE 9
Recommendation 4. Review Arts Governance. Policies, and Procedures
4-3. Promote opportunities for civic engagement in
City arts processes to ensure diversity of input,
transparency, and equity
The City already employs several practices to promote equity in
arts -related decision making, including offering Artist Selection
Committee members the opportunity to provide input regarding public
art projects and grants. This planning process showed that Santa Clarita
residents are interested in civic engagement opportunities, as well as
seeing more transparency regarding the City's decisions regarding the
arts. For more stakeholder and community perceptions on the topic, see
Appendix D, "Analysis of Stakeholder and Community Input."
Promoting opportunities for transparent and equitable
civic engagement around the arts may include:
Conducting targeted and intentional outreach to communities
who have either been underserved and/or who are not
currently involved in City arts decision -making, such as
developing outreach information in Spanish;
Evaluating processes and procedures for efficiency and
accessibility in civic engagement on a regular basis, including
by considering resident feedback; and
Developing clear guidelines for initiating arts and
culture programming.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH - CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION SECTION 3, PAGE 10
Recommendation 4. Review Arts Governance. Policies, and Procedures
4-4. Review public art
Reviewing all public art related processes and policies will increase
efficiency and impact. For more information on the City's
decision -making process regarding public art and civic art, see
Appendix B, "Literature Review of City Plans, Policies, and Studies."
Reviewing public art processes and policies could look like:
Reviewing decision -making processes related to civic art that
is part of capital improvement projects;
Developing sustainable policies around public art conservation
and maintenance that will then inform contracts;
Exploring programs that support new arts experiences,
such as visual and performing pop-up experiences; and
Expanding targeted professional development to staff to
ensure the implementation of public art best practices.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH - CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION SECTION 3, PAGE 11
Recommendation S. Plan for Arts Venues. Spaces, and Resources
The fifth and final recommendation theme, "Plan for arts venues, spaces, and resources," features two action items.
5-1. Integrate arts development throughout
City planning
City planning initiatives that integrate the arts could create more
opportunities for Santa Clarita residents to enjoy events and
programming. For more information on how existing City plans already
address, or impact, the arts, see Appendix B, "Literature Review of City
Plans, Policies, and Studies."
Integrating the arts into City planning may look like:
Working with City departments to identify initiatives where
the arts are especially relevant and highlight the
role of arts and culture within those efforts;
Exploring gateway projects that attract regional visitors to
explore Santa Clarita;
Using this plan to support existing and future City plans; and
Responding to any research resulting from the
implementation of this plan, such as measuring the growth of
the creative industries in Santa Clarita.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH - CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION SECTION 3, PAGE 12
Recommendation S. Plan for Arts Venues. Spaces, and Resources
5-2. Examine the feasibility of renovating or building
new arts spaces
Stakeholders and community members throughout the planning
process expressed an interest in more venues dedicated to the arts in
Santa Clarita. These perceptions are presented in Appendix D, "Analysis
of Stakeholder and Community Input." As the Arts and Events Division
increasingly acts as a facilitator of community arts efforts, it can shift its
focus from developing programming to administering resources.
Examining the feasibility of renovating or building new arts spaces might
result in:
Repurposing or developing spaces, such as the Santa Clarita
Elementary School site, as multi -use community arts centers
and creative hubs, such as for artist studios, rehearsal space,
exhibition galleries, makerspace, and/or a coffee house;
Activating unused storefronts through pop-up programming
that introduces arts and culture to locations lacking resources;
Encouraging the expansion of local arts organizations to better
accommodate community needs, such as through mixed -use
classroom and gathering spaces;
Exploring public gathering spaces accessible to the community
in new development projects;
Involving diverse voices in programming development;
Conducting a feasibility study for museums; and
Exploring future development of a theatre center, including
an outdoor theater venue, oriented towards the needs of
the performing arts community.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH - CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION SECTION 3, PAGE 13
Will
I
SECTION 4
Appendices
er
Art reception at The MAIN
Courtesy of City of Santa Clarita
Section 4. Summary of Appendices
Keen Independent provides supporting appendices for more detailed
analysis. The appendices inform the summary report.
H. Market A11d ys1s
Appendix A provides an analysis of the demographics of Santa Clarita as
they compare with national averages. This appendix also provides
population forecasts, mapping of existing arts and cultural assets in
Santa Clarita, and inventories of relevant arts and cultural businesses as
well as tourism information. ` }'
B. Review of city Plans, Policies, and Studies
Appendix B contains an overview of City plans, policies, and studies
related to arts and culture. The appendix begins with a review of the
City's 2016 Arts Master Plan and includes other City planning
documents, highlighting their relevance to arts and culture.
C. Overview of City Arts Programs
Appendix C provides an overview of the City's arts programs and related
information on venues, events, and grants.
D. Stakeholder and Community Input
Appendix D provides an overview of themes emerging from stakeholder
and community engagement conducted throughout this study, including
interviews and focus groups, in -person discovery meeting, virtual
workshop survey, visioning session, and feedback submitted through
the study email and hotline.
r IIFi) AND KJ� VI51i
C00Y: AN EVENING
WITH BUFFALO BILL
APRIL IOTH & 12TH BPM
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH - CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION SECTION 4, PAGE 1
APPENDIX A. Market Analysis
Keen Independent presents a market analysis examining the arts
and culture landscape in Santa Clarita, California.
Introduction
For this market analysis, Keen Independent gathered demographic,
spending, and market potential information about the population of
Santa Clarita. Combining this information with population projections
from the California Department of Finance and the U.S. Census Bureau,
as well as attendance data provided by the National Endowment for the
Arts, we projected potential demand for various types of arts and
culture activities through 2050.
Business inventory. We inventoried relevant arts and cultural
businesses in Santa Clarita. Business types include:
Amusement parks;
Arts and crafts vendors;
Community and event centers;
Dance, music, and recording studios;
Film production;
Libraries;
Museums and galleries;
Parks and recreation; and
Theaters and performing arts venues.
University asset inventory. For the three universities located in
Santa Clarita, we inventoried the types of arts and cultural assets that
are associated with each institution.
Public art inventory. We also inventoried Santa Clarita's permanent
and temporary public art assets.
Inventory Map. Figure A-1 on the next page visualizes the location of
inventory offerings in Santa Clarita. The type of offering is illustrated
using different symbols. This map shows areas of asset saturation or
potential gaps.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH - CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX A, PAGE 1
A. Market Analysis— Spending and Behavior
A-1. Map of Santa Clarita inventory of arts and cultural assets
City of Santa Clarita Existing Assets
Arts and crafts
Community and event centers
Q Dance, music and recording studios
* Exhibition spaces
WWI AL Film production
- _ Libraries
Public art
0 Theatres and performing arts
• (•) College of the Canyons, Other Assets
V Canyon Country Campus I Parks and recreation
t7 YY
Six Flags Magic Mountain
0 •
junction (�
Lang o
College of the Canyons t nt as r a
�/4 V NEWHA
EL
� SCHOOL i1 _
7r Ij1'4'/r!
n P 0
a
A- 0
Q
Stevenson _
Ranch
•
California Institute of the Arts Q ewh
The Master's University
N
Newhall W+ AA
S
Source: Esri, HERE, Garmin, SafeGraph, FAO, METI/NASA, USGS, EPA, NIPS, ArCGIS, Keen
Independent Research.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX A, PAGE 2
A. Market Analysis— Spending and Behavior
Keen Independent analyzed the population and consumer behaviors in
Santa Clarita and compared them to national averages.
Population
Figure A-2 displays population, median age, race/ethnicity, and
disability demographics for Santa Clarita compared to the
United States overall.
Median age. The median age of Santa Clarita (39.6) is aligned with the
national average.
Race and ethnicity. Santa Clarita has a higher percentage of residents
who identify as Asian American (12.6%), two or more races (16.4%),
and other races (17.1%). There are fewer residents who identify as
white (48.3%) compared to the national average. There are more
residents who identify as Hispanic American (36.5%) compared to the
national average.
Disability. The percentage of households with one or more persons
with a disability (23.5%) is slightly lower than the national average
of 25.9%.
A-2. City of Santa Clarita demographics, 2024
Total population 227,948 338,273,465
Median Age 39.6 39.3
Race
African American
4.3 %
12.5 %
Asian American
12.6
6.4
Native American
1.2
1.2
Pacific Islander
0.2
0.2
Other race
17.1
8.8
Two or more races
16.4
10.7
White
48.3
60.3
Total
100.0 %
100.0 %
Ethnicity (of any race)
Hispanic American
36.5 %
19.6 %
Non -Hispanic
63.6
80.4
Total
100.0 %
100.0 %
Households with 1+ persons
with a disability
23.5 %
25.9 %
Note: Numbers may not add up to 100 due to rounding.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX A, PAGE 3
A. Market Analysis— Spending and Behavior
Household income. The median household income in Santa Clarita, at A-3. City of Santa Clarita demographics, 2024
$118,562, is close to $40,000 higher than the national average. Almost pp
60% of Santa Clarita's residents report an income of $100,000 or higher, Santa United
which is 20% higher than the national average for categories in that
range (Figure A-3).
Education. Figure A-3 shows that residents in Santa Clarita have, on
average, more formal education than residents in the United States
overall. Only about 19% of Santa Clarita residents have a high school
degree as their highest level of formal education compared to nearly
27% in the United States.
Total households
Household income
$24,999 or less
$25,000 to $49,999
$50,000 to $74,999
$75,000 to $99,999
$100,000 to $199,999
$200,000 or more
Total
Median household income
Education (population age 25+)
78,146 130,644,648
8.3 %
14.9 %
10.5
16.8
10.7
15.7
11.1
12.8
35.6
27.2
23.9
12.6
100.0 %
100.0 %
$ 118,562 $ 79,061
Less than high school
7.8 %
9.4 %
High school
18.5
26.8
Some college
31.7
27.1
Bachelor's degree
28.6
22.5
Graduate degree
13.4
14.3
Total
100.0 %
100.0 %
Note: Numbers may not add up to 100 due to rounding.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX A, PAGE 4
A. Market Analysis— Spending and Behavior
Entertainment Spending and Market Potential
Data on arts, enrichment, entertainment, and recreation -related
consumer spending and behavior in Santa Clarita can help inform an
understanding of potential demand for different types of experiences.
Spending potential. Figure A-4 presents selected spending potential
indices (SPI) for Santa Clarita in categories such as parks and museums,
movies, theater performances, and entertainment. Spending potential
indices compare the average amount spent locally for a product to the
average amount spent nationally. An index of 100 reflects the U.S.
average. An SPI of 70, for example, indicates that average spending by
local consumers is 30% below the national average. All SPIs measure a
12-month period unless otherwise stated in the chart.
All SPIs for money spent on arts, entertainment, and recreation are
higher than the national averages. Spending on live entertainment -
catered affairs, tickets to theaters/operas/concerts, tickets to movies,
and tickets to parks or museums are all over 40 points higher than
national averages.
A-4. Spending potential indices and averages, 2024
Entertainment/recreation
Index 132 100
Average $ 5,408 $ 4,105
Entertainment/recreation fees/admissions
Index
140
100
Average
$ 1,158
$ 809
Live entertainment -catered affairs
Index
144
100
Average
$ 29
$ 20
Tickets to theater/operas/concerts
Index
144
100
Average
$ 110
$ 74
Tickets to movies
Index 141 100
Average $ 35 $ 25
Tickets to parks or museums
Index 146 100
Average $ 55 $ 37
Source: Esri spending potential database based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer
Expenditure Survey (2024).
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX A, PAGE 5
A. Market Analysis— Spending and Behavior
Market potential. Figure A-5 presents relevant market potential
indices (MPI) for Santa Clarita. Market potential indices measure the
relative likelihood of local consumers in the specified areas to engage in
selected activities or demonstrate potentially relevant behaviors or
purchasing patterns. An MPI of 100 represents the national average.
This measure indicates the percentage of residents who have engaged
in an activity or behavior at least once in the given time period. All MPls
measure a 12-month period unless otherwise stated in
the chart.
The study team reviewed MPls for going to museums, art galleries,
live theater, dancing, and fairgrounds, as well as attending
performances of classical/opera, country music, dance, movies, and
rock music.
Santa Clarita residents are 9 to 14 points higher than the
national average to have gone dancing or have visited an art
gallery, live theater, or museum within the last 12 months.
Santa Clarita residents are 11 to 12 points higher than the
national average to have attended a classical/opera
performance or rock performance in the last 12 months. They
are ten points higher than the national average to have
attended a movie within the last six months.
Santa Clarita residents are 16 points below the national
average for having attended a country music performance
and 21 points below the national average for having attended
a state or county fair.
Source: Esri market potential database based on MRI Simmons Survey (2024).
A-5. Market potential indices for attending certain types of events in
Santa Clarita, 2024
Went ...
Dancing
8
%
7 %
Index
108
100
To an art gallery
10
%
9 %
Index
113
100
To a live theater
10
%
9 %
Index
114
100
To a museum
14
%
13 %
Index
109
100
Attended a...
Classical/opera performance
4
%
3 %
Index
111
100
Country music performance
4
%
5 %
Index
84
100
Dance performance
4
%
3 %
Index
105
100
Movie (last 6 months)
49
%
44 %
Index
110
100
Rock music performance
9
%
8 %
Index
112
100
State or county fair
9
%
11 %
Index
79
100
Note: 100 is the national average and findings are based on a 12-month period.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX A, PAGE 6
A. Market Analysis— Demand Projections
Population Forecasts
Keen Independent presents the population forecasts for the
City of Santa Clarita.
Population forecasts. Figure A-6 depicts the population projections for
the City of Santa Clarita based on data from the California Department
of Finance and the U.S. Census Bureau. In 2022, the City population was
just under 235,000 and it is projected to decrease to over 220,000
people by year 2050. We note that these projections do not account for
an anticipated influx of residents due to forthcoming housing
development projects in Santa Clarita and should be interpreted as part
of a larger picture.
Population by age in 2022. Figure A-7 on the following page illustrates
the age distribution of the City of Santa Clarita population. The graphs
show the population grouped according to widely recognized
generations beginning with the Silent Generation (born between 1926
and 1945) to Gen Z (born between 1996 and 2010) and the Alpha
Generation (born in 2011 and later years). In 2022, most generations
under 55 have populations that hover just above or below 15,000
people. The Baby Boomer generation (ages 55 to 74) has populations
ranging from 8,000 to just under 14,000. The Silent Generation (70 and
older) ranges from 3,000 to 5,000.
Population by age in 2050. Figure A-7 also presents the projected age
distribution for the City of Santa Clarita population in 2050 based on the
California Department of Finance and the U.S. Census Bureau
projections for the area. In 2050, it is projected that only generations
between ages 40 to 69 will have populations between 12,000 and
16,000. Overall, Figure A-7 shows that in 2050, most generations are
decreasing in overall size.
A-6. Population Projections, 2022-2050
250,000
225,000
200,000
175,000
150,000
125,000
100,000
75,000
50,000
25,000
2022 2030 2040 2050
Year
Source: Demographic Research Unit of the California Department of Finance (2023), U.S. Census
Bureau (2022), Keen Independent Research.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX A, PAGE 7
A. Market Analvsis— Demand Proiections
rGamma Gen (2041-2055)
A-7. City of Santa Clarita population by age in 2022 and 2050 Beta Gen (2026-2040)
Alpha Gen (2011-2025)
20,000 , Gen Z (1996-2010)
18,000 , Millennial (1981-1995)
16,000 , Gen X (1966-1980)
Baby Boomer (1946-1965)
12,000
1,000 Silent Generation (1926-1945)
10,000
8,000
6,000
4,000
2,000
0
20,000
18,000
16,000
14,000
12,000
10,000
8,000
6,000
4,000
2,000
0
O S VO VS SO SS 60 6s, >O mod` �O �S
Q 9 Q�O S� S9 6� 69 ,,9 x
Q
2022 Age
O S 19 'j0 �.S �O `'10�S VO VS `SO S,S 60 6S >O �S &O c4.S
rt 9 v 9 rT 9 v 9 v 9 v 9 st 9 rr
2050 Age
Source: Demographic Research Unit of the California Department of Finance (2023), U.S. Census
Bureau (2024), Keen Independent Research.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION
APPENDIX A, PAGE 8
A. Market Analysis— Demand Projections
Demand Scenario
Keen Independent developed a demand scenario for Santa Clarita from
the age -specific California Department of Finance population
projections and national attendance data generated by the National
Endowment for the Arts (NEA) 2022 Survey of Public Participation in
the Arts (SPPA).
Key assumptions. These demand projections assume that the
2022 rates for arts and culture participation do not change and that the
national trends of age -specific rates of attendance are consistent with
Santa Clarita's population.
Demand projections. Displayed in Figure A-8 on the next page,
Keen Independent projects that unconstrained demand (not limited by
inventory and capacity) for most Santa Clarita's arts and cultural
activities will decrease between 2 to 15% between 2022 and 2050. For
example, demand for Latin, Spanish, and Salsa music is projected to
decrease by 15% over the next 25 years. Please note the following:
Demand change is at zero percent for 2022, because that is
the starting year from which change is measured;
Projected demand is based on residents, not tourists; and
Demand changes are relative to current attendance. Relative
changes in categories with small numbers of current
participants can appear to be more substantial than they are.
For example, a small absolute change in the number of people
interested in opera can result in a large percentage change.
(See Figure A-8 for absolute demand).
F1
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH - CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX A, PAGE 9
A. Market Analysis- Demand Projections
Absolute demand. In Figure A-8, Keen Independent also presents
unconstrained absolute demand for arts and cultural activities in
Santa Clarita. Unconstrained demand is the estimated number of annual
attendances of each type of event from 2022 to 2050 ordered by overall
% change. Please note that demand projections are based on national
attendance trends and are not necessarily reflective of local
consumption behaviors.
Visits to art museums and galleries are projected to decrease by
approximately 11,000 between 2022 and 2050. Visits to see ballet and
musical plays are projected to decrease by around 3,000 by 2050.
Attendance of all other types of arts events listed in Figure A-8 (besides
opera) are also projected to decrease over time, but more models in
overall attendance change.
A-8. Arts demand projections for Santa Clarita relative to 2022 demand and unconstrained number of attendances at arts events of the Santa Clarita population
Latin, Spanish,or salsa music
17,842
16,646
-7 %
16,198
-9
% 15,186
-15 %
-2,655
Art museums and galleries
107,911
104,575
-3
101,517
-6
96,541
-11
-11,370
Ballet
6,195
6,197
0
5,931
-4
5,622
-9
-573
Jazz music
37,767
36,208
-4
36,216
-4
34,464
-9
-3,303
Dance (other than ballet)
15,910
15,298
-4
14,791
-7
14,430
-9
-1,480
Musical plays
48,805
47,682
-2
47,099
-3
45,724
-6
-3,081
Classical music
27,747
26,764
-2
26,030
-3
25,246
-6
-2,501
Non-musical plays
15,485
15,566
1
15,363
-1
15,159
-2
-325
Opera
1,810
1,886
4
1,954
8
1,854
2
44
Source: Demographic Research Unit of the California Department of Finance (2023), U.S. Census Bureau (2022), NEASPPA (2022) and Keen Independent Research.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH - CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX A, PAGE 10
A. Market Analysis— Inventory
Arts and Culture Assets in Santa Clarita
Santa Clarita has 126 arts and cultural businesses and venues within city
limits, as displayed in Figure A-9. Businesses include:
Venues for experiencing live music and theater;
Gathering places to enjoy art and cultural activities,
such as event centers, libraries, and museums;
Parks and recreational spaces;
Studios for creating visual, digital, musical, and
performing arts; and
One major amusement park.
Santa Clarita has many businesses that focus on creating art,
including 25 dance, music, and recording studios, 12 arts and crafts
businesses, and 8 film production studios. They also have 40 parks and
recreation spaces spread throughout the city.
A-9. Arts and cultural businesses in Santa Clarita (1 of 4)
Six Flags Magic Mountain Amusement park
ARTree Community Arts Center Arts and crafts
Barn & Charm Arts and crafts
Board & Brush Creative Studio - Santa Clarita Arts and crafts
Ceramic Artist Studio, Inc. CASI Arts and crafts
Craftopia on Main
Drawn2Art Valencia
Lidya's Fine Art Classes
Painting with a Twist
Painting with a Twist
Picasso's Playmates Creative Center
Purple Planet
Textilepop
City of Santa Clarita Activities Center
City of Santa Clarita Canyon Country Community Center
City of Santa Clarita Newhall Community Center
City of Santa Clarita The Cube
City of Santa Clarita Valencia Community Center
Hart & Main
Kelly's Wedding Garden
Locale Studios
Rolling Hills Ranch
Sand Canyon Country Club
The Club at Five Knolls
The Paseo Club
Valencia Country Club
Vista Valencia Golf Course
Source: Keen Independent Research.
Arts and crafts
Arts and crafts
Arts and crafts
Arts and crafts
Arts and crafts
Arts and crafts
Arts and crafts
Arts and crafts
Community and event centers
Community and event centers
Community and event centers
Community and event centers
Community and event centers
Community and event centers
Community and event centers
Community and event centers
Community and event centers
Community and event centers
Community and event centers
Community and event centers
Community and event centers
Community and event centers
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX A, PAGE 11
A. Market Analysis— Inventory
A-9. Arts and cultural businesses in Santa Clarita (2 of 4)
Arthur Murray Dance Studio Valencia Dance, music and recording studios
Command Recording Studios Dance, music and recording studios
Dance Studio 84
Dance, music and recording studios
Dance Vibe Dance Studio
Dance, music and recording studios
Dynamic Movement LA
Dance, music and recording studios
Elite Dance Studios
Dance, music and recording studios
Golden Oak Music Lessons
Dance, music and recording studios
Ignite Studio
Dance, music and recording studios
Impulse Music Co.
Dance, music and recording studios
LA Audiobooks
Dance, music and recording studios
Uamore Dance Performing Arts Studio
Dance, music and recording studios
Little School of Music
Dance, music and recording studios
Mindful Movement Center for Dance
Dance, music and recording studios
Nathaniel Sellin at Harmony House
Dance, music and recording studios
New World Dance Academy
Dance, music and recording studios
Nick Rail Music
Dance, music and recording studios
Podcast SCV
Dance, music and recording studios
Santa Clarita Ballet Academy
Dance, music and recording studios
School of Rock
Dance, music and recording studios
Shooting Stars Dance Studios
Dance, music and recording studios
Sing, Sign and Play
Dance, music and recording studios
Star Dance Center
Dance, music and recording studios
Studio 1 Dance Academy
Dance, music and recording studios
To the Pointe Dance & Pilates Centre
Dance, music and recording studios
West Coast Music Academy
Dance, music and recording studios
LA North Studios - Rockefeller
Film production
LA North Studios - The Ranch
Film production
LA North Studios - Tibbitts Film production
Melody Movie Ranch Film production
Rye Canyon Studios Film production
Sable Ranch Film production
A-9. Arts and cultural businesses in Santa Clarita (3 of 4)
Almendra Park Parks and recreation
Begonias Lane Park Parks and recreation
Bike Park Of Santa Clarita
Bouquet Canyon Park
Canine Country Dog Park
Canyon Country Park
Central Bark Park
Central Park Trail Head
Chesebrough Park
CircleJ Ranch Park
Discovery Park
Duane R Harte Park
Fair Oaks Park
Five Barks
George A. Caravalho Santa Clarita
Sports Complex Gymnasium
Golden Valley Park
Marketplace Park
Newhall Park
North Oaks Park
Pacific Crest Park
Pamplico Park
Plum Canyon Park
Santa Clarita Aquatics Center
Santa Clarita Park
Santa Clarita Skate Park
Summit Park
Todd Longshore Park
Valencia Glen Park
Valencia Heritage Park
Valanria Maardnwa Park
Veterans Historical Plaza
Parks and recreation
Parks and recreation
Parks and recreation
Parks and recreation
Parks and recreation
Parks and recreation
Parks and recreation
Parks and recreation
Parks and recreation
Parks and recreation
Parks and recreation
Parks and recreation
Parks and recreation
Parks and recreation
Parks and recreation
Parks and recreation
Parks and recreation
Parks and recreation
Parks and recreation
Parks and recreation
Parks and recreation
Parks and recreation
Parks and recreation
Parks and recreation
Parks and recreation
Parks and recreation
Parks and recreation
Parka and rarraatinn
Parks and recreation
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX A, PAGE 12
A. Market Analysis— Inventory
Santa Clarita Studios
Valencia Studios
Source: Keen Independent Research.
Film production
Film production
Vista Canyon Park
West Creek Park
Source: Keen Independent Research.
Parks and recreation
Parks and recreation
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX A, PAGE 13
A. Market Analysis— Inventory
A-9. Arts and cultural businesses in Santa Clarita (4 of 4)
Canyon Country Jo Anne Darcy Library
Libraries
Old Town Newhall Library
Libraries
Valencia Public Library
Libraries
California Institute of the Arts
Museums and galleries
Canyon Country Community Center
Museums and galleries
Canyon Country Jo Anne Darcy Library
Museums and galleries
College of the Canyons Art Gallery
Museums and galleries
Law Enforcement Hall of Fame
Museums and galleries
Melody Ranch Museum
Museums and galleries
Santa Clarita Artists Association
Museums and galleries
Santa Clarita City Hall - First Floor Gallery
Museums and galleries
Santa Clarita History Center
Museums and galleries
The MAIN
Museums and galleries
Valencia Public Library
Museums and galleries
William S Hart Museum
Museums and galleries
California Institute of the Arts (private)
Theater and performing arts
Canyon High School Performing Arts Center
Theater and performing arts
Canyon Theatre Guild
Theater and performing arts
Curtain Call Performing Arts
Theater and performing arts
ESCAPE Theatre
Theater and performing arts
Golden Valley High School Theatre
Theater and performing arts
Hart High School Auditorium
Theater and performing arts
Laemmle Newhall
Theater and performing arts
Limelight Acting Studio
Theater and performing arts
Newhall Family Theatre for the Performing Arts
Theater and performing arts
Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center at COC
Theater and performing arts
Newhall Family Theatre for the Performing Arts
Theater and performing arts
Santa Clarita School of Performing Arts
Theater and performing arts
Saugus High School Forum Auditorium
Theater and performing arts
The MAIN
Theater and performing arts
The Master's University (private) Theater and performing arts
Source: Keen Independent Research.
Valencia High School Theatre Theatre and performing arts
Vibe Performing Arts Theatre and performing arts
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX A, PAGE 14
A. Market Analysis— Inventory
College and University Arts and Cultural Assets
Figures A-10 to A-12 depict arts and cultural assets associated with
three universities within the City of Santa Clarita.
Arts and cultural assets at CalArts. Figure A-10 shows that
The California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) has 30 arts and cultural
assets, including 7 labs for creating different types of art and 10
galleries for art exhibitions. They also have 11 venues for theater
and performing arts productions.
A-10. California Institute of the Arts arts and cultural assets
Animation A -Block Arts and crafts
Ceramics Lab Arts and crafts
MacLab
Photo Lab
Print and Media Lab
Super Shop
Video Lab
Library
Reading Room
A402 Gallery
D300 Gallery
D301 Gallery
Installation Space
Lime Gallery
L-shaped Gallery
Main Gallery
Mint Gallery
Stevenson Blanche Gallery
WaveCave
Black & White Studio
Coffeehouse Theater
Film Directing Studio
Lund Theater
Permanent Set
Roy and Edna Disney CalArts Theater (REDCAT)
Roy O. Disney Concert Hall
The Bijou
The Floor
Walt Disney Modular Theater (The MOD)
Wild Beast
Source:
Keen Independent Research.
Arts and crafts
Arts and crafts
Arts and crafts
Arts and crafts
Arts and crafts
Libraries
Libraries
Museums and galleries
Museums and galleries
Museums and galleries
Museums and galleries
Museums and galleries
Museums and galleries
Museums and galleries
Museums and galleries
Museums and galleries
Museums and galleries
Theater and performing arts
Theater and performing arts
Theater and performing arts
Theater and performing arts
Theater and performing arts
Theater and performing arts
Theater and performing arts
Theater and performing arts
Theater and performing arts
Theater and performing arts
Theater and performing arts
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX A, PAGE 15
A. Market Analysis— Inventory
Arts and cultural assets at College of the Canyons. Figure A-11
shows that College of the Canyons has 11 arts and cultural assets.
These assets include five parks and recreation fields and stadiums
that have seating and/or also function as event and performance
spaces, three stages or theaters for the performing arts, one gallery
space, one library, and one community event space.
A-11. College of the Canyons arts and cultural assets
Civic Center Community and event spaces
Library
Libraries
Mentry Hall 108
Museums and galleries
Cougar Cage
Parks and recreation
Cougar Field
Parks and recreation
Cougar Stadium
Parks and recreation
Soccer Facility
Parks and recreation
Whitten Field
Parks and recreation
Halsey Hall 101- Cinema Theater
Theater and performing arts
Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center - Black Box
Theater and performing arts
Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center - Main Stage
Theater and performing arts
Source: Keen Independent Research.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX A, PAGE 16
A. Market Analysis— Inventory
Arts and cultural assets at The Master's University. Figure A-12
shows that The Master's University has seven arts and cultural assets,
including four parks and recreation fields and stadiums that have
seating and/or also function as event and performance spaces, two
theaters for the performing arts, and one library.
A-12. The Master's University arts and cultural assets
Powell Library/Legacy Room
Intramural Sports Field
Lou Herwaldt Stadium
Reese Field
The MacArthur Center
Music Recital Hall
Oaks Pavillion
Source: Keen Independent Research.
Libraries
Parks and recreation
Parks and recreation
Parks and recreation
Parks and recreation
Theater and performing arts
Theater and performing arts
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX A, PAGE 17
A. Market Analysis— Inventory
Keen Independent inventoried public art assets within Santa Clarita city
limits. Santa Clarita has about 120 public assets located in indoor and
outdoor spaces. These assets are organized into charts based on type:
permanent public art, including murals, functional design,
and sculptures, and temporary public art.
Permanent public art. Santa Clarita has 113 permanent public art
assets, including murals, functional design elements, and sculptures
Murals. Santa Clarita has 17 murals, which are installed on local
businesses and community buildings throughout the city (Figure A-13)
Most are outdoors, but some are also located inside public libraries.
A-13. Murals in Santa Clarita's permanent public art collection
Adventures in Fantasy
Murals
California Vaqueros
Murals
Circle Song
Murals
City of Golden Dreams
Murals
Community in Action
Murals
Community Mosaic Mural
Murals
Connecting Through the Arts
Murals
Cowboy in California/Vaquero en Alta
California (Private Collection)
Murals
History of Santa Clarita's
Southern Hotel
Murals
Howdy Cleaners
Murals
Imagination Tree
Murals
Inertia
Murals
Into the Blue
Murals
The Ever Changing Wall
Murals
The Final Lap
Murals
Untitled (Private Collection)
Murals
Walk of Western Stars
Murals
Source: Keen Independent Research.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX A, PAGE 18
A. Market Analysis— Inventory
Functional Design. Figure A-14 lists functional design assets in A-14. Santa Clarita's functional design permanent public art assets (1 of4)
Santa Clarita. These assets are functional elements, such as
sidewalks, bike racks, or maintenance hole covers, that are also adorned
with artistic expression.
The majority of these assets are part of the Sidewalk Poetry Project
and Concert Rehabilitation Program. This collaboration with the
Public Works Department stamps poems into cement sidewalks
during construction.
Bike Book Bike Rack
Going on a Picnic
Iconic Gas Pump Bike Rack
On the Move
Trek Park Bike Rack - BMX Tribute
Fire Pit (Los Angeles County Collection)
Bronco Buster (replica)
Bronze Fountain (replica)
Street Gates (Los Angeles County Collection)
Cloud 9
Golden Dream
H2O - Water is Life
Hydro -Flora
Koi
Queen Clarita
Santa Clarita Slider
Sunset Canyon
Tentacles
Three Flowers
Water One
Source: Keen Independent Research.
Bike rack
Bike rack
Bike rack
Bike rack
Bike rack
Firepit
Fountain
Fountain
Gate
Maintenance hole cover
Maintenance hole cover
Maintenance hole cover
Maintenance hole cover
Maintenance hole cover
Maintenance hole cover
Maintenance hole cover
Maintenance hole cover
Maintenance hole cover
Maintenance hole cover
Maintenance hole cover
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX A, PAGE 19
A. Market Analysis— Inventory
A-14. Santa Clarita's functional design permanent public art assets (2 of 4)
A-14. Santa Clarita's functional design permanent public art assets (3 of 4)
A Little Night Music
Poem
Golden Dreams
Poem
A Sage Welcome
Poem
Golden Sweet
Poem
After Ginsberg
Poem
Grandma's Marinara
Poem
Arrival
Poem
Grandmother
Poem
Bison and Cowboys
Poem
Here the Sun
Poem
Blackened Oaks
Poem
Home is Dust
Poem
Broken Song
Poem
Howling Winds
Poem
Buzzing Hummingbirds
Poem
Inner Child
Poem
Calm Riverside
Poem
Kind Words
Poem
Chasing Rainbows
Poem
LA Boomer
Poem
Childhood
Poem
Lucky Penny
Poem
Climbing Trees
Poem
Manzanita Me
Poem
Cloud Spotting
Poem
Memories of my Childhood Home
Poem
Consider
Poem
Molly's Puddles
Poem
Cottonwood
Poem
Monarch
Poem
Cracked Pavement
Poem
My Daughters are Poems
Poem
Desire
Poem
New Roots
Poem
Dew Drops on Sage
Poem
Once Upon a Time Stanley Glenn Jones
Poem
Drifting
Poem
Paths Our Children
Poem
Drifting in Sunlight
Poem
Rooted
Poem
Elsmere Canyon
Poem
Sacred River
Poem
Faces Split Into Smiles
Poem
Santa Anas
Poem
Forbes Black
Poem
Santa Clarita Morning
Poem
Full Moon
Poem
Seeds without Soil
Poem
Source: Keen Independent Research.
Source: Keen Independent Research.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX A, PAGE 20
A. Market Analysis— Inventory
A-14. Santa Clarita's functional design permanent public art assets (4 of 4)
Shadows Cast
Poem
Small Brown House
Poem
Small Town Remembered
Poem
Song of Today
Poem
Thank You
Poem
That Guy on the Bike
Poem
The Golden Dream
Poem
The Oaks
Poem
The Park Down the Road
Poem
The Sky, So Pure
Poem
This Space Carries Life
Poem
This Valley
Poem
Thousands of Leaves
Poem
Today It May Be That All I Am
Poem
Twilight Coaster
Poem
Unfettered by Geography
Poem
Unity Rings
Poem
Unmatched is Home
Poem
Vasquez Bluffs
Poem
Walked Their Dreams to School
Poem
Walking on Tree Lined Paths
Poem
Who Says
Poem
Wild Wind
Poem
Wildflower's Reply
Poem
Source: Keen Independent Research.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX A, PAGE 21
A. Market Analysis— Inventory
Sculptures. The City of Santa Clarita has 26 sculptures in their
permanent public art collection (Figure A-15). These sculptures are
located throughout the City, with a concentration near City Hall and the
Old Town Newhall Library. Sculptures are also installed throughout
green spaces and around community buildings. Materials used to create
these sculptures include different types of metals, fiberglass, and stone.
A-15. Sculptures in Santa Clarita's permanent public art collection
Amongst the Wildflowers
Archways
Birds of Valencia (Private Collection)
California Scape
Climbing Tree Bear
Communitree
Crossroads
Endangered Fossils
Friends
Full Bloom
Golden Valley Bear
I MAG_N E
In The Wind
Nexus (Private Collection)
Santa Clarita Cycling Bear
Santa Clarita History Bear
Santa Clarita Sunrise
Simi Dabah Sculpture Collection
- Canyon Country (Private Collection)
Simi Dabah Sculpture Collection
- Valencia (Private Collection)
The Dreams of the Golden Oak
The Heritage Bear
Transit Bear
Union at the End of the Tunnel
Western Tiger Swallowtail
& Yerba Santa
When Cloud Met a Cloud
Willie Johnston
Source: Keen Independent Research.
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX A, PAGE 22
A. Market Analysis— Inventory
Temporary public art. Temporary art are works of art to be exhibited
on a temporary basis or for a specific occasion, time frame, or event.
Santa Clarita has 11 temporary public art assets on view in 2025, which
include a mix of sculptures, video projections, photography, and two
augmented reality apps (Figure A-16). Many of these works were
created in collaboration with CalArts and one augmented reality app
was developed with a local technology company. Several of the
sculptures were created as additions to City trails.
A-16. Santa Clarita's temporary public art collection
Santa Clarita Augmented Reality App
Western Stardust Augmented Reality App
Dawn/Eclipse of New Era
Astral Projection Yellow
Basics #56
Endangered Fossils
Idaean Fingers
Joyful Rhythms
Link of Humanity
Living Quilt
Projecting West
Source: Keen Independent Research.
Augmented reality app
Augmented reality app
Photography
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Video projection
Video projection
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX A, PAGE 23
A. Market Analysis— Tourism
Keen Independent also considered Santa Clarita's tourism market.
Location and Attractions
The Santa Clarita Region is located about 35 miles north of Central
Los Angeles. The City is easily accessible by highway and is about
one hour northeast of the Los Angeles International Airport.
The region attracts a mix of regional, domestic, and occasional
international visitors. Common visitation motivations include
family -friendly attractions (such as Six Flags Magic Mountain),
outdoor recreation, film tourism, sports tournaments, and special
events. Other arts and culture events, such as concerts, art exhibits,
and festivals also play a role in attracting visitors.
Visitor Volume
Visit Santa Clarita conducted a tourism economic impact study in 2024
that compared visitor volume, spending, days, tax revenue, and jobs
generated to their previous reporting in 2019. In 2023, visitors to the
Santa Clarita region totaled five million, of which one million visited the
City of Santa Clarita. The region saw a 4% increase from 2019.1
Local Employment
Visitor activity in 2023 supported a total of 7,415 jobs in the Santa
Clarita region, including 2,023 jobs in the City. The region saw a
six % increase from 2019. Sectors with the highest percentage
of jobs included the recreation/entertainment sector (58%) and
food and beverage (20%).2
Visitor Spending
In 2023, visitors to the Santa Clarita region spent $781 million, with
$245 million spent in the City. The region also saw an average spend of
$118 per -capita per day, with $110 spent in the City.
In most cases, current visitor spending was higher in 2023 compared to
2019; however much of those increases can be attributed to inflation of
goods and services (Figure A-17). On a real dollar (as opposed to current
dollar) basis, spending was lower in 2023 compared to 2019.3
Figure A-17. Santa Clarita visitor spending
Total visitor spending
(in millions) $ 780.7 $ 244.6 $ 536.2 $ 633.3 $ 172 $ 462
Per -capita
visitor spending 112.84 109.95 139.09
Source: Lauren Schlan Consulting and Visit Santa Clarita.
1 Lauren Schlan Consulting, Economic Impacts of Tourism in the Santa Clarita Region in Z Ibid, 24.
CY2023 for Visit Santa Clarita (September 2024). 3 Ibid, 7.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION
94.00 84.00 122.00
APPENDIX A, PAGE 24
A. Market Analysis— Tourism
Hotels and Motels
While visitation to the Santa Clarita region comprises of mostly
day visitors (92%), day visitors only consist of roughly half of the City's
overall visitation (56%). Overnight City visitors spend an average of
one night and are likely to stay in hotels, private homes (with friends
and family), or other paid lodging, such as short-term rentals.
In 2023, the City of Santa Clarita Tourism Marketing District reported
an average hotel/motel occupancy rate of 80%, ranging from a low of
69% in January and a high of 87% in June and July. They also reported
an average daily rate of $162 and an average revenue per available
room of $130. Figure A-17 depicts an inventory of hotels in Santa
Clarita, including their total guest rooms and meeting rooms.
The City of Santa Clarita has a 10%Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) that
is paid by each hotel room occupant that goes toward the City's General
Fund. In 2023, this fund generated $5.3 million. 4
A-18. Santa Clarita hotels and rooms available
Best Western
118
1
Courtyard by Marriott
140
2
Embassy Suites
156
5
Holiday Inn Express
108
1
Homewood Suites
107
1
Hotel Lexen
43
1
Hyatt Regency
244
12
Residence Inn Santa Clarita
90
7
Residence Inn Valencia
99
2
Santa Clarita Motel
33
0
Springhill Suites
83
2
Super 8
50
0
Source: Visit Santa Clarita and Keen Independent Research.
4 City of Santa Clarita, Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Annual Report (2024). chrome-
extension://efaidn bmnnni bpcaj pcglclefindmkaj/https://santaclarita.gov/engineering-
services/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/07/TM D-An nual-Report-2024.pdf
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION
APPENDIX A, PAGE 25
APPENDIX B. Literature Review of City Plans. Policies, and Studies — Introduction
This appendix includes a summary of current plans, policies, and studies
for the City of Santa Clarita ("City") with specific consideration given to
initiatives that include or impact arts and culture. Information for each
document is represented as it was written at the time it was adopted.
Introduction
Keen Independent Research assessed many plans, policies and studies
provided by the City in the development of the City of Santa Clarita Arts
Master Plan 2035: Vision and Action. Note that a significant portion of
the appendix is dedicated to the 2016 Arts Master Plan because it
served as the City's roadmap for subsequent arts -related planning,
policy development, and research. This appendix distills the most salient
document and groups them according to themes whenever possible
as follows:
City of Santa Clarita Arts Master Plan (2016);1
City Santa Clarita Arts Master Plan Update (2021);2
Arts Commission:
Chapter 2.29 (2009; Updated 2015)3; and
Arts Master Plan Culmination Report (2025).4
List of themes and relevant City plans, policies, and studies continues on
the following page.
1 City of Santa Clarita Arts Master Plan (February 2016). Supplied by City of Santa Clarita 3 Chapter 2.29 Arts Commission (2009; Updated 2015). Retrieved on April 23, 2025 from
and accessed April 14, 2025. https://www.codepublishing.com/CA/SantaClarita/html/SantaClarita02/SantaClarita022
Z City of Santa Clarita Arts Master Plan Update (February 2021), 73. Supplied by City of 9.html
Santa Clarita and accessed April 15, 2025. 4 Arts Master Plan Culmination Report. Supplied by City of Santa Clarita and accessed
September 22, 2025.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION
B. Literature Review of City Plans. Policies. and Studies — Introduction
Relevant reviewed City plans, policies, and studies include:
® Public art:
>, City of Santa Clarita Civic Art Policy (2017);5
>, Public Art Planning and Selection Process (2022);6
>, City of Santa Clarita Arts Commission
Public Art Report (2025)'; and
> Santa Clarita Historical Assets Presentation (2025).8
Economic development:
• Arts and Economic Prosperity IV (2012);'
• City of Santa Clarita
Creative Economy Report (2021)10; and
> City of Santa Clarita Arts and Business Leadership
Council Presentation (2024).11
5 City of Santa Clarita Agenda Report (October 24, 2017). Provided by the City of Santa
Clarita and accessed April 14, 2025. Page 1.
6 City of Santa Clarita Agenda Report (2022). Provided by the City of Santa Clarita and
accessed April 14, 2025. Page 1.
7 City of Santa Clarita Arts Commission 2025 Public Art Report (2025). Provided by the
City of Santa Clarita and accessed April 14, 2025. Page 18.
8 Santa Clarita Valley Historical Assets (November 14, 2024). Provided by the City of
Santa Clarita and accessed April 28, 2025.
9 Arts and Economic Prosperity IV (2012). Americans for the Arts., 18. Provided by the
City of Santa Clarita and accessed April 15, 2025.
10 City of Santa Clarita Creative Economy Report (September 2021). Provided by the
City of Santa Clarita and accessed April 15, 2025.
■ Arts and education:
>, Newhall Family Theater for the Performing Arts
Agreement (2018)12; and
>, City of Santa Clarita Regional Strategic
Arts Education Plan (2022).13
• City of Santa Clarita Arts Marketing Plan (2019); 14
• City of Santa Clarita Diversity and Inclusion
Assessment (2019);15
• City of Santa Clarita Community Opinion Survey (2024);16
• Museum and Cultural Center Feasibility Study (2025);17 and
• City of Santa Clarita Pathway Forward (2025).18
12 Newhall Family Theater for the Performing Arts Agreement (March 27, 2018), 1.
Provided by the City of Santa Clarita and accessed April 15, 2025.
13 City of Santa Clarita Regional Strategic Arts Education Plan (2022), 1. Provided by the
City of Santa Clarita and accessed April 15, 2025.
14 City of Santa Clarita Arts Marketing Plan (2019). Provided by the City of Santa Clarita
and accessed April 15, 2025.
15 City of Santa Clarita Diversity and Inclusion Assessment (2019). Provided by the
City of Santa Clarita and accessed April 15, 2025.
16 Community Opinion Survey (July 2024). Retrieved on May 8, 2025 from
https://santaclarita.gov/public-opinion-polls/
17 Santa Clarita Museum & Cultural Center Feasibility Study (October 2025). Provided by
the City of Santa Clarita and accessed January 5, 2026.
11 City of Santa Clarita Arts and Business Leadership Council Presentation 18 City of Santa Clarita Pathway Forward (2025). Provided by the City of Santa Clarita
(October 18, 2024). Provided by the City of Santa Clarita and accessed April 15, 2025. and accessed January 5, 2026.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX B, PAGE 2
B. Literature Review of City Plans, Policies, and Studies — Arts Master Plan (2016) Themes
We begin with a discussion of the 2016 Arts Master Plan, which outlines
a roadmap for a decade of cultural development and community
engagement in the arts.
Background
The City initiated this Arts Master Plan in 2014 with a goal of enhancing
cultural development. At the time, the Arts & Events Office's budget
increased to $2.2 million with key initiatives including public art, arts
funding and the Newhall Arts District.19 The 2016 Arts Master Plan
process was facilitated by The Cultural Planning Group.20
Community Engagement Overview
Approximately 1,250 residents and community members participated in
the community engagement process.zl
Vision statement. The community engagement process resulted in a
vision statement, which is featured on the right. Framed as the
"community's collective definition of successful cultural development in
Santa Clarita in the coming decade," the statement was developed
through several visioning exercises. City Council and the Arts
Commission participated in a joint visioning workshop and the
Stakeholder Committee, a group of 17 stakeholders, participated in
another dedicated visioning exercise.
Quotes from the 2016 Arts Master Plan
The City of Santa Clarita will be recognized as a `city of the arts,'
where the lives of residents, artists and visitors are enriched through
artistic and cultural experiences.22
City of Santa Clarita 2016 Arts Vision Statement
The community's vision is not merely for more, but rather an
evolution in the way arts and culture fit in the community: increasing
the quality and sophistication of local offerings, enabling community
creativity, celebrating diverse cultures and going beyond children
and families to meet the needs of young adults.23
19 City of Santa Clarita Arts Master Plan (February 2016), 4. 22 Ibid., 6.
20Ibid., 1. 23 Ibid., 32.
21 Ibid., 4. Participants included residents, CalArts students, people who work in Santa
Clarita but live elsewhere, multicultural leaders, realtors, developers, social services, the
faith community and active agers.
Conclusion to the Arts Master Plan
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX B, PAGE 3
B. Literature Review of City Plans. Policies. and Studies — Arts Master Plan (2016) Themes
Key findings. The community engagement process identified several
key findings, which are listed on this page. Relevant findings to the Arts
Master Plan 2035 are listed in the order they appear in the
Executive Summary of the 2016 Arts Master Plan.
Santa Clarita residents describe themselves as "very active in
their arts and cultural interests.1124
■ Santa Clarita "loses audiences to other cities for most types of
cultural activities and has a strong demand for additional
offerings provided in the city."25
■ The community expressed demand for more arts festivals,
live performances, museums, informal performances, and
independent film to be available in Santa Clarita;26
■ Residents express "strong interest in celebrating history and
cultural heritage as well as ... contemporary experiences;21
■ There is consensus that Old Town Newhall is the "cultural
heart of the city" but residents also expressed interest in
seeing arts amenities and programming in other areas of
Santa Clarita;28
■ Regarding the topic of arts education, residents stated that:
Children are "very involved in arts activities both in
and outside of school;"
"There is a strong desire for enhanced arts and
cultural opportunities for children and youth"; and
> There is a demand for additional class offerings for
children and adults.29
■ Arts and culture are seen as "an excellent way to promote
diversity and inclusion";30
■ Community engagement showed an interest in supporting
local artists and creatives, including "design professionals, film
industry professionals, and owners of small businesses in the
creative industries," as a foundation for the community's
cultural development;31
There is "very high support for the City taking the leadership
role in arts and cultural development;"32 and
■ Residents expressed interest in better access to information
about arts events and having a role in providing feedback to
help shape Santa Clarita's "cultural life.1133
24 City of Santa Clarita Arts Master Plan (February 2016), 4.
29 Ibid.,
5.
25 Ibid., 5.
30Ibid.,
5.
26Ibid., 5.
31 Ibid.,
6.
27 Ibid., 5.
32 Ibid.,
6.
28 Ibid., 5.
33 Ibid.,
6.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX B, PAGE 4
B. Literature Review of City Plans. Policies. and Studies — Arts Master Plan (2016) Themes
The 2016 Arts Master Plan is organized according to three
recommendation themes and accompanying focus areas, which are
outlined in the purple box to the right. We discuss the recommendation
themes, which have informed the City's efforts over the last decade,
below and on the following pages.
Theme 1. Enhancing Cultural Vitality
The first recommendation theme begins with public art.
Public art. By 2016, the City had commissioned 16 artworks but did not
yet have a percent for art program, which allocates a portion of a
construction project's budget to fund public art.34 This section of the
2016 Arts Master Plan includes the following recommended actions to
enhance cultural vitality through public art:
• Implement a public art planning and selection process;
■ Designate "thematic areas for public art projects" so that each
neighborhood features a coherent public art theme;
■ Enact a percent for art requirement for all new public capital
improvement projects;
• Explore extending the percent for art requirement to new
private development;
• Consider issuing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for
pre -registered artists for small-scale public improvement; and
• Create a program of temporary public art."
34 City of Santa Clarita Arts Master Plan (February 2016), 4.
35 Ibid., 43.
Three recommendation themes and accompanying focus areas
■ Theme 1. Enhancing cultural vitality in the community
> Public art;
> Old Town Newhall Arts and
Entertainment District; and
> Arts education.
® Theme 2. Strengthening cultural support systems
> Governance of the arts;
> Cultural facilities, venues, and spaces;
> Supporting artists and arts organizations;
Arts funding;
> Creative economy; and
> Marketing the arts.
■ Theme 3. Fostering greater diversity and inclusion
> Celebrating diversity.36
361bid., 7-8.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX B, PAGE 5
B. Literature Review of City Plans. Policies, and Studies — Arts Master Plan (2016) Themes
Theme 1 continues with a discussion of Old Town Newhall.
Old Town Newhall. At the time of the 2016 Arts Master Plan, Old Town
Newhall's Arts and Entertainment district included the following assets:
Repertory East Playhouse (currently operating at The MAIN);
Canyon Theatre Guild;
William S. Hart Museum; and
The Santa Clarita Public Library's Old Town Newhall branch.37
Following a review of a completed area specific plan for the Newhall
District, The Cultural Planning Group made the following
recommendations regarding the development of Old Town Newhall:
Explore City management and programming of the
Newhall Elementary School auditorium;
Consider the feasibility of a museum;
Sustain an ongoing program of public art placement;
Begin development of a "creative live/work facility" in
partnership with private and/or public developers;
Encourage a concentration of art galleries in the district by
providing incentives;
Launch a film festival drawing on Santa Clarita's heritage and
ongoing relationship with the film industry; and
Develop historic assets as a "collection of attractions,"
including Old Town Newhall, William S. Hart Park and others.38
37 City of Santa Clarita Arts Master Plan (February 2016), 44. 38 Ibid., 53. In addition to Old Town Newhall and William S. Hart Park, the "other sites"
listed include Mentryville, Newhall Pass, St. Francis Dam site, golden spike railroad site
and old filming locations.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION
B. Literature Review of City Plans. Policies. and Studies — Arts Master Plan (2016) Themes
Theme 1 recommendations conclude with a focus on arts education. Arts education recommendations
Arts education. The planning processes showed that Santa Clarita a Convene a citywide arts education collaborative to assess arts
residents value arts education. Study participants see the arts as education needs in the schools and identify joint strategies,
contributing to children's overall education and adult lifelong learning.39 building on the College of the Canyon's K-12 Consortium.
Participants can include:
Existing arts education infrastructure. At the time of completion of
the 2016 Arts Master Plan, each of the five school districts serving Santa
Clarita offered some level of arts education in partial fulfillment of the
California Visual and Performing Arts curriculum standards.40 Four of the
school districts are enrolled with Arts for All, a countywide agency
promoting K-12 education."
Santa Clarita is home to the following three institutions of higher
education, each of which offer arts programs:
■ CalArts;
■ College of the Canyons; and
■ The Master's University.
Additionally, the planning process showed that many local arts
organizations and other nonprofits in Santa Clarita provide arts
education programs.42 Recommendations under the focus area of
"arts education," which are listed in the box to the right, aim to
coordinate efforts across City departments, K-12 school,
universities, organizations, and foundations.
39 City of Santa Clarita Arts Master Plan (February 2016), 54.
40 Ibid., 54.
41 Ibid., 54.
> City;
> School districts;
> College of the Canyons (COC);
> COC'S K-12 Consortium;
> CalArts;
> The Master's University;
> Arts educators;
> Arts organizations; and
', SCV Education Foundation.
■ Align the City's arts education programming with needs
identified by the above convened collaborative.
■ Expand the curriculum of classes offered for children, youth
and adults through City Parks, Recreation and Community
Services Department and consider developing more
sequential classes that build advanced skills and communities
of interest.4a
42 Ibid., 54.
43 Ibid., 55.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX B, PAGE 7
B. Literature Review of City Plans, Policies, and Studies — Arts Master Plan (2016)
We continue with a discussion of focus areas listed under Theme 2
Theme 2. Strengthening Cultural Support Systems
The second recommendation theme includes six focus areas.
Governance of the arts. In 2016, the Arts and Events Divisions was part
of the Community Services Division of the Parks, Recreation, and
Community Services Department." Note that the Arts and Events
Division was moved to the City's Economic Development Department
before planning started for this Arts Master Plan.
The 2016 Arts Master Plan contained the following recommendations
for improving governance of the arts:
Adopt a process of developing grants and public art projects
that utilizes outside peer panels;
Designate the Arts Commission to develop an annual arts
work plan and submit that plan to City Council for review;
Conduct an annual joint workshop session between City
Council and the Arts Commission to define priorities and
issues in advance of the annual arts program work plan; and
Create a standing City Council subcommittee for the arts,
whose role is to provide an ongoing link between City Council
and the Arts Commission."
44 City of Santa Clarita Arts Master Plan (February 2016), 56.
Cultural facilities, venues, and spaces. According to the
2016 Arts Master Plan, "a fundamental finding of this plan in relation to
cultural facilities is that the public demand for cultural programming will
require additional facilities."46 This focus area cross-references previous
discussion of developing and repurposing facilities in Old Town Newhall,
as well as introduces the new recommendations listed below.
Cultural facilities, venues, and spaces recommendations
L, Develop a plan for an outdoor amphitheater;
22 Facilitate private investors to create arts -related businesses ...
by providing assistance, such as marketing, identifying
available properties, helping with permitting, and other
compliance issues;
Explore future development of a community arts center;
Consider future development of a larger regional performing
arts center; and
Include one or more cultural spaces and uses in the planned
Saugus Library.47
46Ibid., 59.
45 Ibid., 58. 47 Ibid., 62.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX B, PAGE 8
B. Literature Review of City Plans. Policies. and Studies — Arts Master Plan (2016)
An overview of the focus areas under Theme 2, "Strengthening Cultural
Support Systems," continues on this page.
Supporting artists and arts organizations. This section of the Arts
Master Plan discusses the importance of the City's Arts and Events
Division and the Arts Commission to "help build the capacity of local
arts and cultural organizations."48 The following recommendations are
identified to focus City efforts regarding capacity building:
■ Increase the total Arts Grants budget incrementally to a
benchmark of $144,000 or approximately nine percent of total
annual arts organization revenues;
■ Create a new capacity -building category of grants for arts and
cultural organizations (estimated cost of $10,000 annually);
■ Make available business and career training for individual
artists (estimated cost of $10,000 annually); and
■ Explore development of leadership training and placement
program for business owners and community leaders to serve
on boards of arts and cultural organizations (estimated cost of
$10,000 annually).49
48 City of Santa Clarita Arts Master Plan (February 2016), 63.
49Ibid., 64-65.
Arts funding. The 2016 Arts Master Plan makes a distinction between
"arts" and "culture" to say that approximately $1.4 million annually of
the $2.2 million total Arts and Events Division budget is dedicated to the
arts.50 In this section of the Plan, Arts and Events are described as
serving as "a programming and event coordination agency,"51 whose
purpose is to run about 200 events per year, oversee permitting, and
coordinate non -City produced events. This section mentions that Plan
implementation will require additional funds to hire more arts -focused
staff beyond the existing two positions within the department.52
Evaluation of a prospective Arts Foundation. This section of the
document also evaluates the prospect of developing an
Arts Foundation, or nonprofit agency dedicated to fundraising and grant
writing for the arts in Santa Clarita but ultimately concludes that it is
more feasible to begin by creating an Arts and Business Leadership
Council focusing on cultivation of philanthropic support."
Arts funding recommendations
. Assist in the formation of an Arts and Business
Leadership Council; and
ta Consider allocating a portion of the proceeds from the Transit
Occupancy Tax to supplement other sources of arts funding,
including the general fund and the recommended percent -for
art program.14
52 Ibid., 66.
53 Ibid., 68.
50Ibid., 66. 54Ibid., 69. The Arts and Business Leadership Council has since been created.
51 Ibid., 66.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX B, PAGE 9
B. Literature Review of Citv Plans. Policies. and Studies - Arts Master Plan (2016
Our discussion of focus areas under Theme 2 concludes below. Creative economy recommendations
Creative economy. According to the 2016 Arts Master Plan, the Create periodic convenings for Santa Clarita creative
following target industries in the Santa Clarita Valley intersect with the industries based on shared needs;
creative economy:
Digital media and entertainment;
Aerospace and defense;
Medical devices;
Advanced manufacturing;
Information technology; and
Tourism."
Featured on the right, the recommendations in this section
address how to capture and build upon the economic impact of
the creative economy.
Film. Additionally, the 2016 Arts Master Plan identifies the film
industry as a major driver of economic development that employs
artists and creatives. As of 2016, the Santa Clarita Valley had
seven movie ranches, two film studios, and more than 20
sound stages.
Marketing the arts. This focus area features one recommendation to
develop a comprehensive, communitywide arts and culture marketing
program, which is estimated to cost $25,000 annually plus potential
part-time staff or contract program.56
55 City of Santa Clarita Arts Master Plan (February 2016), 70.
561bid., 74.
Adapt and provide small business development services for
the formation and growth of small creative businesses;
Develop a creative industries directory for Santa Clarita
(estimated cost $15,000);
Consider the development of an economic development plan
for Santa Clarita's creative economy; and
Participate in regional efforts to develop the
creative economy.s'
57 Ibid., 72.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX B, PAGE 10
B. Literature Review of City Plans. Policies, and Studies — Arts Master Plan (2016)
We conclude our review of the 2016 Arts Master Plan with a discussion
of recommendation Theme 3.
Theme 3. Fostering Greater Diversity and Inclusion
The final recommendation theme includes one focus area, which is
celebrating diversity.
Celebrating diversity. While the City was already approaching arts and
culture as ways to celebrate diversity, bring together populations, and
foster increased cultural understanding, the 2016 Arts Master Plan
includes the following recommendations to further these efforts:
Create a Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee of the Arts
Commission to promote relevant programming, awareness,
and opportunities;
Explore projects that address diversity and inclusion through
the City's Arts Grants and Community Services Grants;
Increase culturally diverse programming produced or
supported by the City, such as community festivals celebrating
cultural diversity; and
Make available technical assistance services to culturally
specific organizations and support their
organizational development.58
58 City of Santa Clarita Arts Master Plan (February 2016), 76.
I
11
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX B, PAGE 11
B. Literature Review of City Plans, Policies, and Studies — Arts Master Plan Update (2021)
In 2021, the Arts Commission completed a five-year update to the
2016 Arts Master Plan. The 2021 Arts Master Plan Update consists of
the original Plan and updates on City progress in fulfilling its
recommendations, as well as 20 new recommendations to focus City
arts -related efforts until the adoption of this Arts Master Plan 2035. In
instances where the City passed a policy or conducted a study to fulfill a
recommendation, these updates are discussed in this appendix. Keen
Independent presents updates to recommendations that resulted in City
programs in Appendix C, "Overview of City Arts Programs."
Cultural Facilities, Venues, and Spaces Needs
The 2021 Arts Master Plan Update identifies the following additional
needs related to cultural facilities, venues, and spaces:
■ Outdoor theatre venue with a 500 to 750 attendee capacity;
■ Mixed -use and storage space for the arts community; and
■ Location dedicated to performance recitals and instruction.59
Amphitheater Feasibility Study. Responding to a
recommendation in the 2016 Arts Master Plan, the City
commissioned an amphitheater feasibility study, which City
Council reviewed in 2018. Two sites were determined to be
suitable for an amphitheater with an approximately 6,000
attendee capacity. The 2021 Arts Master Plan Update mentions
that "both of the sites are not currently available for development
but could be reassessed."60
Diversity and Inclusion Statement
The Arts Master Plan Update introduces a diversity and inclusion
statement, which was developed by the Diversity and Inclusion
Committee and is shown in excerpt below. Most of the new
recommendations introduced in 2021 relate to the diversity and
inclusion statement, such as launching new City events to highlight
Santa Clarita's vibrant cultural diversity."
... Diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion are integral to
enriching our community through arts and culture.... The arts should
play a significant role in supporting cultural representation and
opening pathways to meaningful community engagement and
understanding.... we seek out opportunities, of all sorts, to support
cultural equity and diverse participation.
From the grant programs to public art, to the development of our
non profits and the Old Town Newhall Arts and Entertainment
District, in each area that we engage or advise, we would like to
consistently strive to serve all the various communities that make up
the City of Santa Clarita, invite the creation of artwork and events
that are inclusive and that amplify our community's full and diverse
range of cultural assets; and prioritize engagement and strive to
widen our reach to include groups and individuals who are not
currently participating.
City of Santa Clarita Diversity and Inclusion Committee Statement62
59 City of Santa Clarita Arts Master Plan Update (February 2021), 73. 62Ibid., 94-95. Note that the Arts Commission has had a Diversity and Inclusion
60 Ibid., 73. Committee since 2016.
61 Ibid., 93.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX B, PAGE 12
B. Literature Review of City Plans. Policies. and Studies — Arts Commission
This section of the literature review focuses on City documents specific
to the Arts Commission.
Arts Commission Ordinance
Chapter 2.29 of the Santa Clarita Municipal Code establishes the
Arts Commission. This chapter was first adopted on August 25, 2009,
and updated on November 24, 2015.63
Members. The Arts Commission consists of five members, who are
residents of Santa Clarita and serve for a term of four years.64
Duties. The column on the right lists Arts Commission duties, which are
closely related to the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community
Services. The ordinance has not been updated since Arts and Events
Division moved to the Economic Development Department.
63 Chapter 2.29 Arts Commission (2009; Updated 2015).
64 Ibid.
Arts Commission duties
us Advise City Council and the Director of Parks, Recreation, and
Community Services, or City Manager, in all matters pertaining
to arts programming and public art [... ];
Formulate general policies on the arts for approval by
City Council;
Advise City Council, with the Director of Parks [... ], or City
Manager, on the development of arts events, facilities,
programs and improvement of arts services;
® Make periodic inventories of arts services that exist or may be
needed; interpret and convey the needs of the public to City
Council, the Director of Parks [... ], or City Manager;
ta Aid in coordinating arts services with programs and revenue
enhancement of other governmental agencies;
22 Interpret the policies and functions of the Parks, Recreation
and Community Services Department for the public; and
Advise the Director of Parks [... ], or City Manager, in the
preparation of the annual budget of the Department and the
preparation of a long-range arts program plan.65
65 Ibid.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX B, PAGE 13
B. Literature Review of City Plans. Policies. and Studies — Arts Commission
The Arts Commission prepared an annual Work Plans for
City Council review since the adoption of the 2016 Arts Master
Plan. Each Work Plan provides updates on progress with
recommendations. The Arts Master Plan Culmination Report,
published in September 2025, includes status updates on the
recommendations in the 2016 Plan and 2021 Update.
City of Santa Clarita Arts Commission
Culmination Report
The 2025 Culmination Report places all 61 recommendations into three
categories based on status:
■ Addressed (complete or planned);
■ Continuing (in early stages of exploration); and
■ Unprioritized (not recommended for further pursuit).
Overall, the Arts Commission addressed 54 recommendations. We focus
on the continuing and unprioritized recommendations, as they
represent opportunities for development in the 2035 Arts Master Plan.
Continuing recommendations. The following four recommendations
are in progress in Santa Clarita:
■ 513.1. Explore the development of an outdoor theater
venue. The theater community is leading the conversation
about an outdoor venue with a proposed theater center
concept which will feature many different spaces. This
concept should be further explored.
66Arts Master Plan Culmination Report. Supplied by City of Santa Clarita and accessed
September 22, 2025.
■ 513.2. Identify a shared space to support the various
needs of arts community. The theater center concept would
include performance spaces as well as space for rehearsals
and storage.
■ 6.1. Increase the total Arts Grants budget to $144,000.
The Arts Grants budget has increased twice since the original
2016 Plan. It is recommended that the Grants Committee
discuss further increases.
■ 913.1. Increase the arts marketing budget and expand
regional marketing strategies. The marketing budget
allocation of $15,000 has been augmented by coordination
with the Tourism area of the Economic Development Division.
It is recommended that the City further increase this budget.66
Unprioritized recommendations. The Arts Commission
recommended not pursuing the three recommendations below:
■ 4.4. Create a standing City Council subcommittee for
arts, which was not needed due to regular updates and
coordination between the Arts Commission and City Council;
■ 5.4. Explore development of a regional performing arts
center, because the spaces at local institutions are meeting
the need for performing arts groups; and
■ 5.5. Include one or more cultural spaces and uses in the
Saugus Library, due to the project being put on hold.67
67 Ibid.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX B, PAGE 14
B. Literature Review of City Plans. Policies. and Studies — Public Art
Since the adoption of the 2016 Arts Master Plan, the City has developed
several policies to address the focus area of public art. This section
discusses the Public Art Planning and Selection Process and the
Civic Art Policy.
Public Art Planning and Selection Process (2022)
Originally adopted in 2016, updated by the Arts Commission, and
approved by City Council in 2022, the Public Art Planning and Selection
Process is the Arts Commission's "guiding document to provide arts,
entertainment, and cultural development throughout the
community."68 The goal of the document is to ensure that all public art
projects go through a clear and consistent process.69
The City's public art planning and selection process has the following
seven phases:
1. Project identification;
2. Request for Qualifications (RFQs)/
Request for Proposals (RFPs);
3. Jurying;
4. Proposed project selection;
5. Appeal period;
6. Fabrication/installation; and
7. Promotion.70
Overview of decision making. City Council decides on whether to
proceed with the project at two key junctures: at the end of phase one,
after review of allocated funding streams; and at the end of phase two,
once a selection has passed several rounds of review. In an instance that
an appeal is filed during phase five, or the "appeal period," City Council
decides on how to proceed. Throughout the process, a Public Art
Consultant, the Public Art Committee, which is a subcommittee of the
Arts Commission, and City staff work to advance the project through
each of the seven phases.71
Artist Selection Committee (Committee). During the second phase,
which involves development of an RFQ or an RFP, a Committee is
formed to comprise the following members:
A member of the Arts Commission;
Professional public artist or art expert;
• Professional arts administrator or art expert;
• Local professional artist; and
• Community member or representative of
key stakeholder group.72
The Committee reviews RFQ/RFP materials in phase two, serves as the
jury to rate submissions during phase three, and selects a project
proposal to recommend to the Arts Commission during phase four. If
the Arts Commission approves the Committee's selection, it notifies
City Council.
68 City of Santa Clarita November 22, 2022 Agenda Report (2022), 1. 71 Ibid., 6.
69 City of Santa Clarita Public Art Planning and Selection Process (2022), 9. 72 Ibid., 5.
70Ibid., 3.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX B, PAGE 15
B. Literature Review of City Plans. Policies. and Studies — Public Art
We continue with a discussion of policies that address the 2016 Arts
Master Plan focus area of public art with the Civic Art Policy.
Civic Art Policy (2017)
Adopted in 2017 and reviewed in 2024, the Civic Art Policy mandates
that eligible City Capital Improvement Projects (CIPs), which are funded
wholly or in part by the City, allocate one (1) percent of eligible project
costs for the design, construction, integration, acquisitions, delivery,
and conservation of art unless otherwise ordered by City Council.73
Civic Art. The Civic Art Policy defines "civic art" as "artistic and cultural
facilities, objects, and amenities, whether created before or after the
adoption of this policy,"74 such as:
• Sculpture, murals, or portable paintings;
• Artworks featuring new, non-traditional, or mixed media;
• Functional design;
• Exhibit/performance space;
• Restoration of City -owned artworks and historic landmarks;
Performing arts;
Literary art;
Media art;
Education;
• Special events; and
• Arts services as approved by City Council.75
73 City of Santa Clarita Agenda Report (October 24, 2017), 1.
74Ibid., 5.
Roles and responsibilities. The Civic Art Policy includes a guide for City
entities involved in Civic Art. These entities include:
City Council, who receives and approves recommendations
from the Arts Commission and approves annual City budget
allocation for Civic Art projects;
Arts Commission, who recommend policy and procedure
changes, select commissioners to serve on relevant
subcommittees (including the Public Art Subcommittee
discussed on the previous page), and develop an annual Civic
Art Report as part of the Arts Commission Work Plan;
Arts and Events staff, whose scope includes:
> Coordinating all aspects of the program;
> Developing budgetary recommendations;
> Maintaining an inventory, which is accessible to
City staff and the public;
> Overseeing the maintenance and conservation of
existing artworks; and
Determining the acceptance of gifts and coordination
of loans based on recommendations of the
Public Art Subcommittee; and
The City Manager's Office, which determines the applicability
of Civic Art to proposed new and refurbishment projects.76
75 Ibid., 5 -6.
76Ibid., 8.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX B, PAGE 16
B. Literature Review of City Plans. Policies, and Studies — Public Art
Since 2018, the City's Arts Commission has prepared annual Public Art
Reports, which address the focus area of the public art in the 2016 Arts
Master Plan. We present an overview of the most recent Public Art
Report below. Each of these reports includes:
Projects completed;
Projects in progress;
Projects for consideration;
Update on temporary public art;
Update on conservation and maintenance; and
Update to the public art inventory.
2025 Public Art Report
Referencing the 2016 Arts Master Plan as an ongoing motivation for the
document, the 2025 Public Art Report states that the City "recognizes
the valuable role that public art plays in enhancing the quality of life in
the community and what art contributes to the well-being of its
residents."" Relevant to the Arts Master Plan 2035, this annual report
begins with following highlights:
Launch of the Santa Clarita Arts app, which consists of
10 digital 3D art installations created by artist Drake Arnold
and which can be used as a guide through Old Town Newhall.
Success of the Temporary Public Art California Institute of the
Arts Partnership, which is a collaboration with California
Institute of the Arts' faculty and students.'$
Public art in progress. The 2025 Public Art Report identifies the
following developing public art projects, which are all connected
to the City's parks and recreation -related assets:
Large-scale sculpture in Central Park;
Santa Clarita Roller Skating Rink, which will feature a large-
scale wall mural with interactive elements, at the
Santa Clarita Sports Complex;
Artist -designed bench at Old Orchard Park; and
Series of themed sculptures that will line paths in
David March Park.79
VOA
"City of Santa Clarita Arts Commission 2025 Public Art Report (2025), 18. 79 Ibid., 8 - 11.
78 Ibid., 3.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX B, PAGE 17
B. Literature Review of City Plans. Policies, and Studies - Public Art
Overview of the 2025 Public Art Report continues below.
Public art projects for consideration. The Arts Commission
identify the following projects for consideration:
Continuation of the Sidewalk Poetry Project, which is a
collaboration with the City's Public Works Department; and
Construction of Via Princessa Park, which would include a
nature-themed playground and natural play area.80
Temporary public art. The 2025 Public Art Report presents an
update on temporary public art projects. City Council approved an
annual budget of $38,000 for temporary public art starting in fiscal
year 2019-2020.81 The City's temporary public art program has
three components:
Rotating public art installed at trailheads (current pieces are
located at six major throughfares along City trails);
Experimental Arts, which supports emerging and established
artists exploring new media and formats; and
Murals, which is a strategic initiative to reduce graffiti through
the creation of temporary murals.82
80 City of Santa Clarita Arts Commission 2025 Public Art Report (2025), 18.
81 Arts Master Plan Tracking Sheet (2025). Provided by the City of Santa Clarita and
accessed April 15, 2025.
Conservation and maintenance. The annual reports also include a
section dedicated to conservation and maintenance, which includes an
up-to-date inventory of permanent and temporary public art. Based on
the 2025 Public Art Report, the City's maintenance efforts involve
working directly with artists, who either perform the work themselves
or provide instruction to City staff on conservation.83
82 City of Santa Clarita Arts Commission 2025 Public Art Report (2025), 18.
83 Ibid., 14.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX B, PAGE 18
B. Literature Review of City Plans. Policies. and Studies — Public Art
Related to the topic of public art, the City is working on developing
Santa Clarita Valley Historic Assets in response to a recommendation in
the 2016 Arts Master Plan, which encourages the City to approach
historic assets as cultural attractions.84
Presentation of Santa Clarita Historic Assets
On November 14, 2024, City staff presented an overview of
Santa Clarita Historical Assets to City Council. This initiative to develop
historical assets across the Santa Clarita Valley involves a collaboration
between City staff, the Arts District Committee, and local historical
organizations.85 Note that the presentation makes general mention of
Santa Clarita Valley film sites as possible assets for development.
Identified historical assets. The presentation featured the following
historical assets and suggested next steps for development:
■ Old Town Newhall, with suggested next steps of developing
walking tours. Old Town Newhall Association and the
Newhall Library are identified as stakeholders.
■ William S. Hart Park, which includes mention of a "transfer
to City of Museum/Mansion, the Hart collection, former
Senior Center, and multiple departments."86The City would
work with the Friends of Hart Park on this initiative.$'
■ The History Center, which includes historic buildings and a
collection. Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society is named as a
stakeholder for this asset."
■ Mentryville, a historic ghost town that was established in the
1870s around the first commercially successful oil well in
California, which is currently managed by the Mountains
Recreation and Conservation Authority and supported by the
Friends of Mentryville.89
■ Newhall Pass, a low mountain pass that links the San
Fernando Valley main entry to the Greater Los Angeles area
and includes the historic San Fernando Tunnel.90
■ St. Francis Dam, which is registered as a National Memorial
and National Monument, managed by the U.S. Forest Service
and supported by the St. Francis Dam National
Memorial Foundation.91
■ Golden Spike, which celebrates the union of train tracks that
connected Los Angeles and San Francisco and includes the
Vista Canyon Multi -Modal Center.92
84 Santa Clarita Valley Historical Assets (November 14, 2024). 89 Ibid.
85 Arts Master Plan Tracking Sheet (2025). 90 Ibid.
86 Santa Clarita Valley Historical Assets (November 14, 2024). 91 Ibid.
87 Ibid. 92 Ibid.
88Ibid.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH - CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX B, PAGE 19
B. Literature Review of City Plans, Policies, and Studies — Economic Development
In this section, we review City plans, policies, and studies related
to arts and economic development.
Arts & Economic Prosperity IV (2012)
In 2012, the City of Santa Clarita participated in Art and Economic
Prosperity IV, a nationwide study conducted by the nonprofit
organization Americans for the Arts. The City has not participated in an
Arts & Economic Prosperity study since then.
B-1. Total economic impact of the nonprofit arts and culture industry in Santa Clarita
Participation. Of the 13 eligible nonprofit arts and culture organizations
identified by the City, 11 participated for an overall participation of
85%.93 A total of 830 audience -intercept surveys were collected from
attendees to arts and culture performances, events, and exhibits
during 2011.94
Key findings. The 2012 study estimated that the economic impact of
the entire nonprofit arts and culture industry in Santa Clarita totaled
$11.4 million.95 This calculation combines spending by both
organizations and their audiences. Figure B-6 is a table from the 2012
study that shows how Santa Clarita compares to the national median.
TOTAL Economic Impact of the Nonprofit Uts and Culture Industi-y in the City of Santa C Wita
(Spending by Nonprofit Arts and Culture Ofganizatioous and Their Audiences)
Median of
Similar Stud- Regions
City of Santa Clarita
Pop.=100,000 to 249.999
National'Median
I3trect Expenditures
S11,371.G15
523.870__203
$_081.'79
Full -Time Eq►uvalent Jobs
309
836
1.333
Resident Household income
S9,861,000
S18.6S2.000
S3>.1'4.300
.Local Governnwat Revenue
S436.000
$1_227.000
S1 946.300
State Governmmt Revenue
S673.CIOQ
S1_11 000
S-1498.000
Source: Arts & Economic Prosperity IV (2012).
93 Arts and Economic Prosperity IV (2012). Americans for the Arts., 18.
94Ibid., 19.
95 Ibid., 4.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX B, PAGE 20
B. Literature Review of City Plans. Policies, and Studies — Economic Development
We continue the section of the literature review dedicated to arts -
related economic development with the 2021 Creative Economy Report
City of Santa Clarita Creative Economy Report
In 2021, the City conducted research into its creative economy to fulfill
several recommendations listed in the 2016 Arts Master Plan. Note that
this document uses the terms "creative economy" and
"creative sector," as well as "creative industries" and
"creative establishments" interchangeably.96
Methodology. The methodology used in the report is modeled after
similar studies completed by Otis College of Art and Design, Culver City,
and El Segundo.97 Data from the California Employment Development
Department's Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) was
used to analyze the economic impact of creative industries in Santa
Clarita.98 The data set spans years 2010 to 2020, but the economic
analysis component of the report focuses on data from 2019.99
Growth of creative industries. According to the report, "creative
establishments" in Santa Clarita grew an average of six per quarter
between 2010 and 2021.10o The highest number of creative
establishments (441) was recorded during Q4 of 2020 despite the
COVID-19 pandemic."'
96 City of Santa Clarita Creative Economy Report (September 2021).
97Ibid., 11.
98Ibid., 11.
99Ibid., 12.
100Ibid., 14.
Employment and wages. The report analyzed 2019 annual average
employment and wages by the following creative sectors:
Architecture and related services;
Creative goods and products;
Entertainment and digital media;
Fashion; and
Fine arts and performing arts.102
Overall, Santa Clarita's creative economy was estimated to generate
over $151 million in annual wages.103 Entertainment and digital media
comprised 59% of total annual wages of the creative sector and
employed significantly more workers than the fine and performing arts
(1,151 compared to 176).104
101 Ibid., 4.
102 Ibid., 4.
103 Ibid., 4.
104Ibid., 4.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX B, PAGE 21
B. Literature Review of City Plans. Policies, and Studies — Economic Development
The economic development section of this appendix concludes with
review of the 2024 City of Santa Clarita Arts and Business Leadership
Council Presentation.
City of Santa Clarita Arts and Business Leadership
Council Presentation
On October 18, 2024, City staff presented an update to City Council of
internal efforts to develop the creative economy in Santa Clarita
through the following goals:
Data collection for the creative economy;
Creative cradle -to -career pathway from youth to
adulthood; and
Business support initiatives for creative businesses."'
The presentation references recommendations in the 2016 Arts Master
Plan and the 2021 City of Santa Clarita Creative Economy Report. See
appendix C, "Overview of City Arts Programs," for specific programs,
including the Business for Artists annual conference and
"cradle -to -career" initiatives.
Next steps. The presentation identifies the following next steps to
support the development of the creative economy in Santa Clarita:
Assembling a focus group of Arts and Business Leadership
Council members to provide input on the Arts Master Plan 2035;
Gathering updated creative economy data; and
"Collective support for creative businesses."106
105 City of Santa Clarita Arts and Business Leadership Council Presentation
(October 18, 2024).
106Ibid.
IF
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX B, PAGE 22
B. Literature Review of City Plans. Policies. and Studies — Arts and Education
This section focuses on plans, policies, and studies that involve
local education institutions and/or arts education.
Newhall Family Theater for the Performing Arts
Agreement
On March 27, 2018, City Council approved and authorized the
City Manager to "execute an agreement with Newhall School District for
the Newhall Family Theater for the Performing Arts, in the amount of
$75,000."107 Note that the agreement renews every three years since
2018. See the box on the right for terms of agreement.
Background. The agreement fulfills a recommendation of the 2016 Arts
Master Plan and acknowledges a revitalization of a site that was closed
to the public since the 1970s and impacted by an earthquake in 1994.
The auditorium of the Newhall Elementary School campus was restored
through efforts by community members (through a bond) and nonprofit
organizations over the course of 24 years."'
Community organization status and qualifications. Organizations
must do the following to qualify and maintain
"Community Organization" status:
■ Apply through the City;
■ Be a nonprofit entity;
■ Have a business address within the Santa Clarita Valley; and
■ "Admission fees must be expended for the welfare of the
District's students or other charitable purpose.""'
107 Newhall Family Theater for the Performing Arts Agreement (March 27, 2018), 1.
108 Ibid., 1.
109 Ibid., 3.
Scheduling use of the theater. The agreement specifies that the
District will provide a "Theatre Availability List" to the City after it has
scheduled its own events, including any blackout dates for any repair,
maintenance, holidays, or school closure."'
Terms of Agreement between the City of Santa Clarita and the
Newhall School District
City and District will enter into a three-year agreement;
The District is responsible for coordinating and scheduling the
use of the Theatre by community organizations;
■ Community organizations will be entitled to the use of 70 days
per year, with 30 days during the week (Monday through
Thursday), and 40 days during the weekend
(Friday to Sunday); and
ta The City and District will work together to coordinate cross
marketing efforts."'
110 Ibid., 3.
i11 Ibid.,
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX B, PAGE 23
B. Literature Review of City Plans. Policies. and Studies — Arts and Education
We continue the section focused on arts education with the City
of Santa Clarita's Regional Strategic Arts Education Plan, which
fulfills several recommendations in the 2016 Arts Master Plan.
City of Santa Clarita Regional Strategic Arts
Education Plan
Adopted in 2022, the City of Santa Clarita Regional Strategic Arts
Education Plan is a five-year plan dedicated to enhancing arts education
and community engagement across the Santa Clarita Valley through
collaboration and strategic initiatives."'
Arts Education Collaborative. Sparked by recommendations in the
2016 Arts Master Plan, the Arts Education Collaborative formed in 2019
to assess arts education needs."' When the Collaborative decided to
create a strategic plan for Santa Clarita Valley, the Los Angeles County
Department of Arts and Culture (County) led the initiative and involved
several local school districts throughout the planning process."' Note
that the Collaborative is ongoing whereas a Strategic Planning
Committee, comprising representatives from the City, local school
districts, and arts organizations, was assembled for this plan."'
Implementation. Phase II, which spans from 2024 to 2026, focuses on
identifying new sources of funding and "amplifying community diversity
[... ] through civic art projects.""'
Identified strengths and challenges. The following strengths and
challenges were identified pertaining to arts education across the
Santa Clarita Valley:
■ Strengths. Ongoing arts education programming, which
reflects collaboration between the City and local schools
throughout the region, a well -developed City Arts Website
and procurement of arts grants.117
■ Challenges. Unfocused vision, availability of funding sources,
outreach efforts to engage diverse community members and
clear message regarding the value of arts education."'
City of Santa Clarita's "vision elements" for arts education
A City committed to vibrant arts expression and creativity;
Inspiring and innovative professional development for artists
and teachers;
■ Comprehensive, collaborative and diverse arts education;
■ Dynamic and fulfilling career pathways in the arts;
■ Commitment to inclusive and diverse access;
■ Responsive and holistic Social Emotional Learning for all ages;
■ Sustainable, diversified, and equitable community
funding; and
■ A central infrastructure of support.119
112 City of Santa Clarita Regional Strategic Arts Education Plan (2022), 1. 116 Ibid., 5.
113 Ibid., 2. 117 Ibid., 3
114 Ibid., 2. 118 Ibid., 3.
115 Ibid., 14. 119 Ibid., 4.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION
APPENDIX B, PAGE 24
B. Literature Review of City Plans. Policies, and Studies — Arts Marketing Plan (2019)
The City engaged Lundmark Advertising + Design, a design, brand Measurement Metrics for Success Evaluation
building and marketing agency, to create the City of Santa Clarita The Arts Marketing Plan recommended the following for the City to
Arts Marketing Plan, which was adopted in 2019. This plan fulfills a track progress in growing audience in 2020:
recommendation in the 2016 Arts Master Plan.121
Audience Analysis
Focusing on Google Analytics of SantaClaritaArts.com and the City's
social media, Lundmark found that:
Most website visitors (64%) and Facebook followers (75%)
were female.121
Highest ranking "personas," or consumer profiles, to visit
SantaClaritaArts.com were:
> "Music loving vacationers;"
> "Home and garden shoppers;" and
> "Healthy foodies."122
"Flourishing families," or a household with one or more
children between the ages of 10 and 12, was identified as an
audience segment within Los Angeles County that "indexes
high for having interest in the arts."123
120 City of Santa Clarita Arts Marketing Plan (2019).
121 Ibid., 6.
122 Ibid., 9.
Monitor website metrics;
Track social media engagement; and
Evaluate attendance at arts events for participation growth.124
123 Ibid., 11.
124 Ibid., 37 - 40.
LDNDMARR ADVERTISING + DESIGN
NOVEMBER 14, 2019
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX B, PAGE 25
B. Literature Review of City Plans. Policies. and Studies — Diversity & Inclusion Assessment (2019)
In 2019, the City of Santa Clarita completed a Diversity and Inclusion
Assessment to fulfill recommendations in the 2016 Arts Master Plan and
the 2021 Update.121
Methodology
To conduct the diversity and inclusion assessment, the City reviewed
data regarding the following in Santa Clarita:
In Demographics;
• Businesses;
• Arts and cultural facilities;
• Events;
• Tourism and leisure; and
■ Arts and culture programming.121
The City also used organizational profiles, web -based inquiries, and
telecommunications to establish an accurate City profile and to
generate a directory to serve as a guide for community members who
are in search of cultural arts programming.121
Arts and Cultural Events
The assessment features a list of arts and cultural events offered in
Santa Clarita in 2018 and 2019.128 For information on events, see
Appendix C, "Overview of City Programs."
Arts and Cultural Organizations Directory
Most of the Diversity and Inclusion Assessment consists of a directory
that lists arts and cultural organizations in Santa Clarita. Organizations
are listed according to the following categories:
■ Cultural arts, which feature four organizations dedicated to
Mexican, Armenian, Indian, and Pacific Islander
culture, respectively;
Dance, which includes 15 entities;
■ Lingual, which offer lessons and programming in "ancient
South Indian" and Chinese language, as well as American Sign
Language (ASL);129
• Music arts, which features seven organizations;
• Social, which is a category that includes five groups, including
the Holistic Mom's Network, the Italian Catholics Club, and the
Santa Clarita Valley Asians;
• Theater Arts, which has seven listings; and
• Visual arts, which feature four entries."'
In addition to serving as an inventory of arts and cultural organizations
active in Santa Clarita in 2019, the directory is a starting point for the
Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee of the Arts Commission to
develop a survey to identify needs, including "capacity building,
leadership development and marketing plan, grant workshops, etc.""'
125 City of Santa Clarita Diversity and Inclusion Assessment (2019). 129 Ibid., 8.
126 Ibid., 2. 130 Ibid., 5 —11.
127 Ibid., 2. 131 Ibid., 4.
128Ibid., 12-14.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX B, PAGE 26
B. Literature Review of City Plans. Policies. and Studies - Community Opinion Survey (2024)
The City works with True North Research to conduct a Community
Opinion Survey (Survey) every two years.112 This literature review
focuses on the most recent Survey, which was published in July 2024
Methodology
The 2024 Survey features many of the same questions from those asked
in 2022 to ensure that the City can assess its performance over time.133
Survey results reflect a random sample of 831 registered voters who
reside in the City.134
B-2. Statistically significant change (p < 0.05) between 2022 and 2024 surveys
Perceived Importance of Arts -related Services
Significant to this 2035 Arts Plan, the 2024 Survey shows an increase in
residents identified the following arts -related services as important:
Providing special events;
• Providing information on City programs; and
• Beautifying roadways, medians, etc.
See Figure B-2 for the statistically significant change in ratings.
2024
Study Year
2022 2020
2018
Change in
% Extremely + very
2022 to 2024
Providing sports and recreation programs
75.3
70.8
72.3
69_2
+4.5 t
Providing special events li ke Cowboy Festival, surmier concerts
57.0
53.6
54.0
49.7
+3A
Communicating and providing information on City programs
71.7
69.6
74.4
69.1
+2_1
Beautifying roadways, medians, ind landscaping, litter, graffiti removal
79.3
77.8
76.0
75.2
+1.5
Managing traffic congestion
93.0
91.7
99.0
96.1
+1.3
Beirg fiscally responsible with the Ciry's budget
91.5
90.2
91.5
93.5
+1.3
Preparing for and managing emergencies
94.4
93.2
93.8
NIA
+1.2
Providing Sheriff or police services
90.1
89.0
83.5
94.3
+1 _l
Addressing youth drug use
80.3
79A
78.3
80.1
+0.9
Protecting the environment
81.6
81.1
81.3
79.9
+0.5
Providing public transit and transportation services
70.3
69.8
70.7
69.8
+0.4
Maintaining city streets and sidewalks
92.3
91.9
91.9
94.1
+0.4
Providing fire protection and prevention services
97.0
96.9
96.5
96.5
+0.1
Providing parks and recreation facilities
85.1
85.1
85.1
81.8
-0.0
Preserving open space
79.2
80.6
82.0
81.3
-1.4
Providing trails and paseos for public use
73.7
75.2
77.4
71.6
-1.5
Providing library services
69.5
72.1
737
66.8
-2.6
Providing diversity and inclusion programs
52.2
55.8
60.2
NIA
-3.6
Supporting homeless services
1 66.0
71.6
65.8
N/A
1 •5.6
Source: True North Research and City of Santa CIarita (2024), 19.
132 Community Opinion Survey (July 2024).
133 Ibid., 44.
134 Ibid., 2.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH - CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX B, PAGE 27
B. Literature Review of City Plans. Policies. and Studies — Museum and Cultural Center Feasibility
One of the priorities in the 2016 Arts Master Plan was to explore the
development of a museum in Old Town Newhall. With the assistance of
a consultant, the City commissioned a study to determine the feasibility
of a Santa Clarita Museum and Cultural Center (M&CC) that was
published in October 2025. The study included review of key City
documents, input from City leadership, and community engagement.135
Vision for the Museum and Cultural Center
A vision for what the M&CC could be was developed through
community engagement. Highlights from the community survey
indicated strong preferences for the M&CC to:
■ Primarily serve residents, but play a role in attracting tourism;
■ Offer free or low-cost entry;
■ Showcase local arts, culture, and history;
Have rotating exhibits;
■ Promote hands-on experiences through classes and
workshops; and
■ Offer food and beverage services.131
Key Considerations
The report provides insight into several key considerations for the City
related to the feasibility of the M&CC. This literature review highlights
operations, exhibits, attendance, and location considerations.
Operations. The City will own and operate the facility, with funding
coming from ticketed event revenue, facility rentals, donations, and
grants. The City may consider developing a "friends of" program to
directly solicit donations.131
Exhibits. The M&CC could offer both temporary and permanent
exhibits on subjects that are important to Santa Clarita's history and
community. The report suggests the City hire an in-house curator to
manage exhibits. Given the probable space limitations, the M&CC could
serve as a connector that points visitors to other museums and
historical markers in Santa Clarita, such as the Hart Museum at William
S. Hart Park.131
Attendance. Based on square footage estimates, benchmark
institutions, and the increasing popularity of Santa Clarita attractions
like William S. Hart Park, the M&CC may have nearly 30,000 visitors per
year.131 More than half of these visitors would be for specific programs
and activities (e.g., workshops, festivals), along with rental clients.
Location. The report focuses on the former Senior Center as the
proposed site for the M&CC. The former Senior Center site on
Market Street poses challenges due to its accessibility, limited usable
square footage, and overall building condition. However, the space does
offer several different rooms for workshops, access to a parking lot, and
a central atrium that make it possible for use as a museum given
significant investment and a proposed expansion."'
135 Santa Clarita Museum & Cultural Center Feasibility Study (October 2025). 138 Ibid.
136Ibid. 139Ibid.
137Ibid. 140Ibid.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH - CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX B, PAGE 28
B. Literature Review of City Plans. Policies. and Studies — Museum and Cultural Center Feasibility
Benchmarks
The M&CC study included programmatic assessments of:
® El Paso Mexican American Cultural Center (El Paso, TX);
• Muzeo Museum and Cultural Center (Anaheim, CA);
• California Indian Museum and Cultural Center (Santa Rosa, CA);
Palo Alto Art Center (Palo Alto, CA); and
Longmont Museum and Cultural Center (Longmont, CO).141
In all profiles, museums engage their visitors in experiences similar to
those that the community highlighted as important to the M&CC.
Additionally, profiles provided insight into public -private partnerships.
Financial Analysis
Analyses of potential expenses and revenue provide insight into the
scale of the M&CC's operations.
Expenses. The annual operating budget for the M&CC is estimated to be
over $1.3 million, with nearly 50% going toward staff salaries.141
Revenue. The City's primary source of revenue from the M&CC will be
ticketed events. The City could seek a public -private partnership in the
future for the organization of this center.
141 Santa Clarita Museum & Cultural Center Feasibility Study (October 2025). 142 Ibid.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION
APPENDIX B, PAGE 29
B. Literature Review of City Plans. Policies. and Studies — Santa Clarita Path Forward
Santa Clarita Pathway Forward is the City's 2030 strategic plan that
contains six areas of focus, each with associated actions:
• Community Connections;
• Planning and Economic Vitality;
• Environmental Conservation and Beautification;
• Sustainable Public Infrastructure;
• Organizational Excellence and Innovation; and
■ Public Safety and Resiliency.143
This literature review focuses on the first four areas, as they have the
most relevancy to arts and culture.
Community Connections
In this area, the strategic plan focuses on meeting community needs
through access to recreational programming and outreach to
underserved populations. Actions include:
Completion and programming of new facilities, such as The
Rink Sports Pavillion at the Santa Clarita Sports Complex and
the Arts, Cultural, and Veterans Center;
Development and programming of William S. Hart Park and its
associated Museum;
® Reduction of barriers to participating in recreational
programming and conducting a Parks Needs Assessment to
inform future parks planning; and
Developing library programming and collections."'
Planning and Economic Vitality
This area of the strategic plan centers on the economic future of Santa
Clarita through many initiatives like affordable housing, business
support services, and tourism."' Santa Clarita is home to well over one
hundred arts and culture businesses that generate economic impact for
the City (see Appendix A. Market Analysis for an arts and culture
business inventory). Additionally, arts and cultural attractions can drive
tourism and may be incorporated into the City's economic strategy.
Environmental Conservation and Beautification
Actions in this section focus on maintaining the City's open spaces and
supporting Citywide efforts to beatify public spaces, facilities, and the
greater community."' A program focused on the removal of graffiti may
have an arts education component that ties into other public art efforts.
Sustainable Public Infrastructure
Maintaining and developing parks and recreational infrastructure is the
focus of this area.14' In the design process for several planned projects
named in this section, the City may consider including artistic elements.
143 City of Santa Clarita Pathway Forward (2025). Provided by the City of Santa Clarita 145 Ibid.
and accessed January 5, 2026. 146 Ibid.
144Ibid. 147
Ibid.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX B, PAGE 30
B. Literature Review of City Plans. Policies. and Studies — Summary
Since adopting the 2016 Arts Master Plan, the City has been active in
fulfilling the proposed recommendations to support the arts in
Santa Clarita. Keen Independent offers a high-level summary of
strengths and opportunities regarding integrating arts planning within
City-wide efforts below.
Strengths of City Arts Plans, Policies, and Studies
Keen Independent identified the following as strengths of the City's
arts -related plans, policies, and studies.
Dedication to the arts. The volume of City documents available for
review is an indication that the City values the arts and is dedicated to
supporting its residents and local creatives through planning efforts that
foreground the arts.
Active collaborations. Several City programs, such as public art, The
MAIN, and Arts Grants, involve collaboration across multiple City
departments. Programming at the Newhall Family Theatre for the
Performing Arts is a collaboration between the City and the Newhall
School District. The City also works with school districts, historical
societies, and businesses across the Santa Clarita Valley and
Los Angeles County.
Inclusion of the creative economy in the arts. The City's arts plans,
policies, and studies often consider Santa Clarita Valley's creative
economy, indicating that the City sees its arts ecosystem connected to
greater Los Angeles, which is a hub of filmmaking and digital innovation
Opportunities
Review of City plans, policies, and studies indicates that there are
several opportunities to update policies, activate existing resources, and
reduce costs by streamlining art -related processes.
Measuring progress on the City's vision for the arts. Since 2016, the
City plans, policies, and studies related to the arts have featured the
vision statement that Santa Clarita will be recognized as 'a city of the
arts.' The planning process for this Arts Master Plan 2035 measures
whether Santa Clarita is perceived as "a city of the arts" and what the
idea of
'a city of the arts' looks like for stakeholders, residents, and
community members.
Updating Municipal Code. Chapter 2.29 of the Santa Clarita Municipal
Code, which established the Arts Commission, has not been updated
since 2015. Updating the Municipal Code is an opportunity to introduce
nationwide best practices related to arts commissions.
Activating local philanthropic groups. The City's recent focus on
historic assets, many of which are supported by a Foundation or a
Friends group, across the Santa Clarita Valley is an opportunity to
explore coordinating philanthropic and grant -writing efforts.
Reviewing costs related to public art. Several components in the
City's public art program, such as the role of the consultant in the
public art selection process and the allocation of new budget for artists
to return to conduct conservation treatment of their public artwork,
Long-standing commitment to celebrating resident diversity can be streamlined. The City can factor in a commitment to
through the arts. The City has been committed to celebrating and conservation within its initial contract with an artist, for instance.
supporting the diversity of its residents through the arts since the
adoption of the Arts Master Plan in 2016.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH - CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX B, PAGE 31
APPENDIX C. Overview of City Arts Programs — Introduction
This appendix provides an overview of arts programs offered by
the City of Santa Clarita ("City").
Introduction
The overview of the City's arts programs is organized according to the
following categories:
Spaces and venues;
Santa Clarita Arts website;
Visual arts programming;
Events;
Youth programs;
Grants; and
Business development.
Arts and Events Division. The Arts and Events Division
coordinates the City's arts programs.' Within the
City's organizational structure, the Division is grouped
within the Economic Development Department.
Arts Commission. Established in 2009, the Arts Commission
provides strategic direction for the City's support of the arts.
Arts and Events Division staff work closely with the
Arts Commission on several programs, such as public art and
professional development opportunities for local creatives.
' Santa Clarita Public Art (2025). Accessed on May 5, 2025 and retrieved from
httPs:Hsantaclaritaarts.com/publicart/
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX C, PAGE 1
C. Overview of City Arts Programs Spaces and Venues
The City manages several spaces and venues dedicated to
arts programming.
The MAIN
Located in Old Town Newhall, the City describes The MAIN as
"the home for music, comedy, film, theatre, visual art, classes,
workshops, and meetings."' The City took over operations and
management of The MAIN in February 2017. As of 2025, the over
20-year-old facilities serves multiple purposes, including as a:
Venue for performing arts with an 81-seat theater;
Art gallery, which is located in the lobby and showcases
rotating exhibitions; and
Rental space.
Programming. The City's website states that, since municipal
oversight began in 2017, the "theater has been transformed
into a multi -use arts center including a ... rotating gallery."3
Rentals. The MAIN's website describes the municipal asset as a
"user-friendly and versatile venue" that can be rented for
"corporate events, parties, meetings, film shoots, auditions,
readings, plays, movies, and much more."'
Z City of Santa Clarita, The MAIN (2025). Accessed on May 5, 2025 and retrieved from
https:Hsantaclarita.gov/arts-and-culture/events/the-main/
3 Ibid.
3Ap AR�� $Ir
418
I�
4The MAIN, About (2025). Accessed on May, 2025 and retrieved from
httPs:Hatthemain.org/about/
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION
C. Overview of City Arts Programs Spaces and Venues
In addition to The MAIN, the City oversees several art exhibition spaces
throughout Santa Clarita.
Art Exhibition Spaces
The City has seven designated gallery spaces in which juried and solo art
exhibitions are showcased. These gallery spaces are located within the
following buildings:
City Hall;
Canyon Country Community Center;
Canyon Country Jo Anne Darcy Library;
Newhall Community Center;
Old Town Newhall Library;
Valencia Library; and
The MAIN.
See the "Visual Arts Programming" section in this appendix for
more information on the City's programming of the above art
exhibition spaces.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH - CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX C, PAGE 3
C. Overview of City Arts Programs — Santa Clarita Arts Website
Managed by the Arts and Events Division, Santa Clarita Arts is a website
dedicated to promoting City and community arts programming.'
Resources Available Through Website
Santa Clarita Arts organizes information according to the following tabs:
Calendar;
Explore, which includes:
> Calls for artist submissions;
> Business development opportunities;
> Grants;
> An inventory of regional professional development
resources; and
Profiles of events offered by the City.
Galleries;
Public Art;
Arts Education; and
Santa Clarita Arts Commission.
Insights. At the time of review, the Santa Clarita Arts website included
several features that, when engaged, resulted in an error message. In
addition to maintaining the website to eliminate broken links,
Keen Independent proposes developing a landing page that introduces
Santa Clarita Arts to the visitor, as well as reorganizing the tabs to better
highlight grants and business development opportunities.
' Santa Clarita Arts (2025). Accessed on May 5, 2025 and retrieved from
https:Hsantaclaritaarts.com/
UPCOMING EVENTS
in the Santa CLarita Arts Community
"Things With Wings' Art Exhibit - SCAA Gallery
Creativity isanu[Nrat—wththe[etebatianntThingsWith —gs This
5-week art exhibit features 17 heal artists hom the Santa Clanta Artistz
Association uniquely..
The C ty of -11. Clat➢e
nvites yae to lake me ivl...um
& c0t—1 Center surveyl
C- the.mwre w b. athe
o .nw..Ew..
R11 The OLd Town Newhall Ann Walk —
The ota ro,.o Newnan A Walk -: a new eeer,t preee�eea q[he oid row„
wewbau Assoc anon - tuba n n unto me coy oe sama clan
august, eee erx[rc ub k1
_� • • . _
";"�.S�rlNot�toW�k�w�att -
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX C, PAGE 4
C. Overview of City Arts Programs — Visual Arts Programs
Related to the seven art exhibition spaces listed on the previous
page, this section discusses how the City solicits artists and juries
to showcase visual art in Santa Clarita.
xhibition Proposals for Municipal Galleries
The City invites community members to submit exhibition proposals for
solo or group exhibits at any of the seven previously mentioned
municipal galleries. An exhibition proposal form is accessible through
the Santa Clarita Arts website and submissions are accepted on a rolling
basis.' The exhibition proposal form specifies that the City "retains the
authority to make the final decision on which artworks are accepted"
and has "curatorial authority over the placement of artwork on
exhibit."' Artists are responsible for the sale of their own artwork.'
Artist Selection Committees
The Santa Clarita Arts website also invites "art experts, professional arts
administrators, local professional artists, and community members" to
submit an interest form to serve on the Public Art and Selection
Process's artist selection committees.9
Artist selection committee interest form. Accessible through the
Santa Clarita Arts website, the public art interest form states that the
typical commitment consists of "three Zoom meetings and scoring the
submitted entries through CAFE, an online call for entry system.
' Call for entries (2025), Santa Clarita Arts. Accessed on May 5, 2025 and retrieved from
https:Hsantaclaritaarts.com/galleries/callsforentries/
' Exhibition proposal form (2025). Accessed on May 5, 2025 and retrieved from
https://www.cognitoforms.com/cityofsantaclaritaartsandevents/exhi bitionproposalfor
m
8 Ibid.
9 Call for entries (2025), Santa Clarita Arts.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX C, PAGE 5
C. Overview of City Arts Programs — Visual Arts Programs
An overview of the City's visual arts programming continues below.
Public Art
The City has a robust public art program, which includes permanent and
temporary art. See Appendix A, "Market Analysis," for an inventory of
public art in Santa Clarita. For policies related to public art, see
Appendix B, "Literature review of City Plans, Policies, and Studies."
Santa Clarita Public Art Tour. The Arts and Events Division makes the
City's public art inventory accessible through a Tour, which is available
through a web version and as an App for Android and Whone users."
Santa Clarita Augmented Reality App. Created by ADVRTAS with
artwork by artist Drake Arnold, the app consists of ten unique site -
specific artworks. Some in the collection connect to the historical
elements of Old Town Newhall to tell stories and create a dialogue. The
App is available for download for Android and iPhone."
10 Santa Clarita Public Art (2025). Santa Clarita Arts. Retrieved on May 6, 2025 from 11 Augmented Reality App (2025). Santa Clarita Arts. Retrieved on May 6, 2025 from
Augmented Reality App - Santa Clarita Arts Augmented Reality App - Santa Clarita Arts
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION
C. Overview of City Arts Programs — Events
Since the early 1990s, the City has organized and hosted
large-scale events including the Concerts in the Park series,
weekly July and August events, and its annual Cowboy Festival."
City -run or community -organized events are offered year-round."
City -Run Annual Arts Events
The City's Arts and Events Division runs several annual events dedicated
to the arts. These include:
ARTober, which is a month -long celebration of the arts in
Santa Clarita that takes place in October;`
Cowboy Festival, a two-day celebration of cowboy culture
that takes place in April;`
FestAbility, an inclusive event designed for residents with
special needs;16
Newhallywood Film Festival, which highlights Santa Clarita's
"unique role in film history" and occurs in May;17 and
Youth Arts Showcase, which "celebrates creativity and art of
Santa Clarita's youth" and usually takes place in March.18
12 Santa Clarita Public Art (2025). Santa Clarita Arts. Retrieved on May 6, 2025 from 16FestAbility (2025). City of Santa Clarita. Retrieved on February 3, 2026 from
https://santaclaritaarts.com/publicart/ httPs:Hsantaclarita.gov/arts-and-culture/events/festability/
13 Events (2025). City of Santa Clarita. Retrieved on May 6, 2025 from 17 Newhallywood Film Festival (2025). Santa Clarita Arts. Retrieved on May 6, 2025 from
httPs:Hsantaclarita.gov/arts-and-culture/events/ httPs:Hsantaclaritaarts.com/newhallywood/
14 ARTober (2025). Santa Clarita Arts. Retrieved on May 6, 2025 from 18 Youth Arts Showcase (2025). Santa Clarita Arts. Retrieved on May 6, 2025 from
httPs:Hsantaclaritaarts.com/artober-2024/ httPs:Hsantaclaritaarts.com/youth-arts-showcase/
15 The City of Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival (2026). Retrieved on February 3, 2026 from
httPs:Hcowboyfestival.org/
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX C, PAGE 7
C. Overview of City Arts Programs — Events
City Arts Events Series
The Division also organizes the following arts -focused series:
Celebrate, which highlights a different culture monthly
between May and September to reflect the diversity of
Santa Clarita residents;19
City Cinemas, which shows a different movie at a City park on
the fourth Friday from June to September;20
SENSES Block Parties, which take place on the Market and
Main block of Old Town Newhall every third Thursday
between March and October;21 and
Concerts in the Park, which offer music and activities for
families every Saturday during the summer months."
19 Arts Plan Art Offerings and Events (2025). Provided by City of Santa Clarita and 21 Arts Plan Art Offerings and Events (2025).
accessed on May 12, 2025. 22 Concerts in the Park. (2025). Retrieved December 29, 2025 from
20 City Cinemas. (2025). City of Santa Clarita. Retrieved February 3, 2026 from https:Hsantaclarita.gov/arts-and-culture/events/concerts-in-the-park/
https:Hsantaclarita.gov/arts-and-culture/events/city-ci nemas-i n-the-park/
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX C, PAGE 8
C. Overview of City Arts Programs — Events
Community and Regional Events
Based on the City's 2019 Diversity and Inclusion Assessment,
which Keen Independent reviewed in Appendix B, "Review of City
Plans, Policies, and Studies," the City coordinates its events with
local community groups and regional entities. Annual events in
Santa Clarita that are organized by community and regional
groups include but are not limited to:
California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) for the World Music
and Dance Festival;
Friends of Hart Park for the Artisan Row Home Arts and Craft
Show in May and the Silence Under the Stars, a festival
highlighting silent film; and
Santa Clarita Artists' Association for Arts Classic.23
23
Wed W
0. �'
I
r
)( I� IF"j
)
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX C, PAGE 9
C. Overview of City Arts Programs — Events
Community Participation in City Events
The City invites vendor and performer inquiries, as well as
submission of community -organized arts events for
City promotion through the websites below.
Vendor and performer inquiries. The "Events" tab on the City of
Santa Clarita website includes vendors and performers to submit
interest forms for participation in City -run events.24 Note that
there is a separate interest forms for food trucks.zs
City promotion of community arts -related events. The
Santa Clarita Arts website includes a section where community
members can submit events, if they are "arts related, held in the
Santa Clarita Valley and open to the public. Non-profit and for -
profit events are welcome.""
Thank you #or your interest in participating at Cityof Santa Clanta events. In order to be considered, you must first fill out
this interest form. If opportunities apse, we will send you Information on upcoming events.
PLEASE NOTE- this is not an official vendor application for any events below. This vendor interest farm is intended for
vendors and pertormers to submit interest to participate at our events.
Date:
Dale will be captured an form submission
Contact Information
First Name: ` Last Name:'
Peformerl6and Name:' Phone:` E-mail"
City:State: Zip Code:
Website: Facebook: Instagram:
24 Events (2025). City of Santa Clarita. Retrieved on May 6, 2025 from 26 Santa Clarita Arts (2025). https:Hsantaclaritaarts.com/calendar/submit-an-event/
https:Hsantaclarita.gov/arts-and-culture/events/ Keen Independent is not linking the website submission section to this appendix in case
25 Ibid. the website is updated.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX C, PAGE 10
C. Overview of City Arts Programs — Grants
According to the City of Santa Clarita website, the Community Services
and Arts Grants Programs are "designed to assist community -based,
nonprofit organizations with providing community services and art
activities, programs, and events for Santa Clarita residents."27
Arts Grants
The Arts Grants Programs is designated to assist community -based,
nonprofit organizations with providing art activities, programs and
events for Santa Clarita residents.
Grant categories. Arts Grants are divided into the following
three categories:
■ Community Arts Grants, dedicated to community arts
programming.28
■ Arts Organization Capacity Grant. dedicated to addressing
specific infrastructure needs, such as support for technology
upgrades, storage or project -based staffing; and
■ Santa Clarita Presents, designed to support specific
performing arts and theatre productions.29
Selection process. The City's grant process starts with the Grant
Committee, which meets annually to decide on funding categories and
the theme of the grant cycle. From there, a peer review panel is
assembled to carefully review and rate art grant applications. The peer
review panel's recommendations are presented to the Arts Commission
to be finalized by the City Council.ao
27 Community Services and Arts Grants (2025). City of Santa Clarita. Retrieved on May 6, 29 Ibid.
2025 from https://santaclarita.gov/arts-and-culture/grants/ In 2025, the City awarded 30Ibid.
22 applicants with Community Services Grants for a total grant allocation of $100,000.
28 Ibid.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX C, PAGE 11
C. Overview of City Arts Programs — Business Development Opportunities
The City offers several arts programs focused on business development
of local creatives.
Business for Artists Conference
Since 2022, the City holds an annual Business for Artists Conference in
October as part of the previously discussed month -long ARTober
event.31According to the "Save the Date" for the 2025 iteration of the
conference, the annual gathering offers "expert insights, practical
workshops, networking opportunities, inspirational talks, and resources
and tools.1132
"PLACES with SPACES" Arts and Business Program
The City manages "PLACES with SPACES," a program that "welcomes
businesses across all industries to find their perfect artist match (or
matches) to exhibit artwork in their establishment for a set period."
Visual artists can register for free to express intent in showing their
artwork at a local establishment or search for an already listed available
business. Businesses, meanwhile, can register as a potential "place" for
exhibiting art for sale or search for already registered artists.34
According to the Santa Clarita Arts website, where the inventory is
stored, the City serves as a "liaison (or matchmaker) for businesses and
artists. 3'The program has been active since 2022.36
31 Arts Plan Art Offerings and Events (2025). Provided by City of Santa Clarita and
accessed on May 12, 2025.
32 Business for Artists Conference 2025 (2025) Santa Clarita Arts. Retrieved on May 7,
2025 from https://santaclaritaarts.com/business-for-artists-conference-2025/
Attendance and growth. The PLACES with SPACES program has grown
in attendance each year of its existence. In 2025, over 150 student and
professional artists attended.
Insights. Keen Independent suggests that the City review the business
inventory in the PLACES with SPACES program annually to ensure all
data is up to date. The City can also conduct outreach to recruit new
businesses, including spas and salons, to partner with artists.
33 PLACES with SPACES (2025) Santa Clarita Arts. Retrieved on May 7, 2025 from
https:Hsantaclaritaarts.com/galleries/pws/
34 I bid.
35 I bid.
36Ibid.
I
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX C, PAGE 12
APPENDIX D. Analysis of Stakeholder and Community Input — Introduction
Keen Independent gathered input from stakeholders, including
City leaders and staff, local arts and cultural leaders, educators,
creatives, and Santa Clarita residents.
Qualitative analysis integrates results from:
A virtual workshop survey;
In-depth interviews and focus groups;
An in -person discovery meeting; and
Study hotline and email feedback.
The analysis in this appendix reflects the perspectives of nearly 500
respondents. Analysis is organized by the following topics:
Methodology and participation;
Demographics;
City's role regarding arts and culture;
Strengths;
Areas for improvement;
Perceptions of arts and culture; and
Preferences.
Throughout this appendix, sample quotes illustrate themes the
study team identified when analyzing stakeholder and
community input.
L]
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH - CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX D, PAGE 1
D. Analysis of Stakeholder and Community Input — Methodology and Participation
Virtual Workshop
Keen Independent invited Santa Clarita residents and community
members to participate in a virtual workshop related to arts and
culture. Avirtual workshop is an online, asynchronous instrument,
similar to a survey in format, but containing more open-ended
questions which encourage deep, thoughtful responses. The virtual
workshop was live for about six weeks, from mid -May 2025 to the end
of June 2025.
Questions. Survey participants responded to two primary question
types: Likert scales (where respondents ranked their agreement with
different statements on a scale from 1 to 7) and open-ended
responses. The questions covered a range of topics related to
Santa Clarita arts and culture engagement, including:
Demographics;
The City's role regarding the cultural arts;
What makes Santa Clarita unique;
Perceptions on existing cultural arts; and
Fostering arts and culture in Santa Clarita.
Distribution. Keen Independent posted the virtual workshop to the
study website and the City of Santa Clarita shared it digitally through
their networks, social media, press releases, direct contacts with
community organizations, and other means.
Participation. The survey gathered 379 total responses used in
this analysis.
Of total responses, 306 are classified as "complete" meaning that
participants progressed all the way through the survey instrument
and clicked "submit" at the end. Another 73 responses are classified
as "partial" in that respondents did not click "submit" at the end of the
survey instrument. Nearly all questions in the survey were optional. As a
result, "partial" responses may in some cases have included answers to
more questions than "complete" responses. Individual "N" totals are
provided with data tables for each question throughout this appendix.
Thank you for your interest in helping to shape the future of the arts in Santa C Iarita_ The fallowing virtu al workshop survey
includes multiple choice and open-ended questions and takes about 16 minutes to complete.
To ensure candid feedback comments will be reported in aggregate and will not be attributed to! ndividuaI participantsor
associated-th identifying details.
For more information about the planning process, please visit the study website: https./Art .keenindependent.com studies!
santadarita artsplan_
Next
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH - CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX D, PAGE 2
D. Analysis of Stakeholder and Community Input — Methodology and Participation
In-depth Interviews and Focus Groups
This appendix presents qualitative information that Keen Independent
collected and analyzed as part of its facilitation of in-depth interviews
and focus groups with community stakeholders including City leadership
and staff and municipally affiliated nonprofits, as well as local arts and
cultural leaders, business owners, artists, and educators.
Interviews and focus groups covered manytopics including
Santa Clarita's existing cultural arts, the City's role in supporting arts
and culture, and opportunities for increased collaboration.
Some comments are directly quoted, while others are summarized and
condensed. Comments have been intentionally anonymized to maintain
confidentiality and are organized by subject matter as detailed below.
Study team members used interview guides to facilitate
semi -structured conversations, meaning that predetermined questions
guided the discussion, but facilitators asked follow-up questions and
probed when necessary to deepen understanding or clarify comments.
Facilitators informed participants that their comments would be used in
aggregate and would not be attributed to individuals by name.
Questions. Questions explored the following topics in relation to
arts and culture:
Strengths and areas for improvement;
Vision for long-term success; and
Most important future priorities.
Participation. In total, about 70 stakeholders provided input to the
planning process through in-depth interviews or focus groups.
Participants included representatives from:
City Council;
Santa Clarita Arts Commission;
City staff,
Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society;
California Institute of the Arts;
College of the Canyons;
K-12 administration; and
Local artisans and performing arts groups.
Lem
OWN
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH - CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX D, PAGE 3
D. Analysis of Stakeholder and Community Input — Methodology and Participation
In -person Discovery Meeting
Study team members facilitated an in -person discovery meeting
on May 20, 2025. The discovery meeting took place at the
California Institute of the Arts and was open to all Santa Clarita
residents and community members. This public meeting was an
opportunity for Santa Clarita residents and community members to
learn about the study and to provide feedback regarding arts and
culture in Santa Clarita. The discovery meeting was advertised widely by
the City and attended by 75 participants.
Each of the five stations described below were designed to capture
different arts and culture information about Santa Clarita.
Mapping arts and culture. Community members reviewed a
map of Santa Clarita's city limits and placed stickers to
indicate where they would like to see more public art assets.
Cultivating change. Community members identified aspects
of Santa Clarita's culture that they wanted to keep intact and
what aspects of Santa Clarita they would like to see change.
Drawing corner. Community members drew in response to
the prompt, "My favorite thing to do in Santa Clarita is..."
Big ideas. Community members used sticky notes to suggest
and endorse arts and culture -related infrastructure or
programming they would like to see in Santa Clarita. The
"big ideas" station generated 50 ideas and 115 endorsements.
Benchmark cities. Community members identified cities that
could serve as references for the big ideas or changes that
they would like to see represented in Santa Clarita.
Public Communication Portals
The study team hosted a dedicated hotline and study email address to
invite comments and questions about the project. All stakeholders and
community members could use the hotline and study email to provide
anonymous feedback. Feedback received through those channels is
analyzed as part of this appendix. Santa Clarita residents and
community members had access to the study hotline and email as a
resource beginning in May 2025.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH - CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX D, PAGE 4
D. Analysis of Stakeholder and Community Input — Demographics
Keen Independent examined the demographics of virtual workshop
participants, including their race, ethnicity, gender, age, and residency
in Santa Clarita, in addition to analyzing respondents' attitudes towards
arts and culture.
Race and Ethnicity
Most virtual workshop respondents (72%) identified as white, with the
next largest group identifying as Hispanic or Latino (21%). White
participants are overrepresented in the virtual workshop compared to
the population overall in Santa Clarita (more detailed demographics can
be found in Appendix A. Market Analysis).
D-1. Race and ethnicity of virtual workshop participants
250
200
150
100
50
0
63
4
23
American Asian Blackor Hispanicor Middle Native White Other
Indian or African Latino Eastern or Hawaiian
Alaska American North or Pacific
Native African Islander
Note: N=294. Participants could select more than one answer for race/ethnicity.
Source: City of Santa Clarita Virtual Workshop, Keen Independent Research.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX D, PAGE 5
D. Analysis of Stakeholder and Community Input — Demographics
Gender
Figure D-2 shows how virtual workshop participants identified their
gender. The majority of workshop participants identified as female
(70%), followed by male (23%). Gender demographics of
virtual workshop participation are consistent with what the study team
sees in responses across arts and culture planning research.
D-2. Gender of virtual workshop participants
Mal(
28.3`.
Note: N = 276.
Non -binary
1.4%
!male
10.3%
Source: City of Santa Clarita Virtual Workshop, Keen Independent Research.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX D, PAGE 6
D. Analysis of Stakeholder and Community Input — Demographics
Age
The virtual workshop attracted participation from a wide range of ages.
Figure D-3 shows the age distribution of virtual workshop participants.
Nearly 64% of respondents were 35 to 64 years old. About
16% of respondents were ages 65 and older and about 20% were ages 34
and younger.
D-3. Age of virtual workshop participants
75 +
1 CO/
65
1
55 to 64
15.5 %
45 to 54
24.4 %
Note: N = 303.
Under 18
n 3oi
Source: City of Santa Clarita Virtual Workshop, Keen Independent Research.
18to24
4.0%
25 to 34
15.8 %
3to44
13.8%
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX D, PAGE 7
D. Analysis of Stakeholder and Community Input — Demographics
Other Demographic Identifiers
Keen Independent invited virtual workshop participants to comment on
any additional demographic identifiers they would like to share to help
the study team understand their experiences or the experiences of
other members of their household. A total of 99 participants elected to
provide additional identifiers reflecting persons with disabilities,
veteran/military, LGBTQ+, bilingual/multilingual, or other. Respondents
could select multiple options. Figure D-4 shows the demographic self -
identification of respondents.
D-4. Demographic self -identification of virtual workshop participants or their
household members
LG BTQ+ 36
Person(s) with disability 21
Bilingual/multilingual 36
Veteran/military 23
Other 8
Note: N = 99. Note that participants had the option to select as many ofthese identifiers as
theywished.
Source
City of Santa Clarita Virtual Workshop, Keen Independent Research.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX D, PAGE 8
D. Analysis of Stakeholder and Community Input — Demographics
Residency in Santa Clarita
Nearly three quarters of virtual workshop respondents indicated that
they have lived in Santa Clarita for ten or more years with over
56% of participants living in the City for 20 or more years.
Figure D-5 shows the length of time that virtual workshop participants
have lived in Santa Clarita.
D-5. Length of residency of virtual workshop participants
I do not live in
Santa Clarita
Note:
Source
6.3%
20+ yez
56.8°i
Less than one year
2.0%
1 to 3 years
5.6%
4 to 9 years
13.2%
10 to 19 years
16.2%
N = 205.
City of Santa Clarita Virtual Workshop, Keen Independent Research.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX D, PAGE 9
D. Analysis of Stakeholder and Community Input — City's Role Regarding Arts and Culture
Perceptions of the City's Role
Virtual workshop participants provided their perceptions of the
City's role in arts and culture. Figure D-6 shows all responses along a
seven -point agreement scale ranging from "strongly disagree" to
"strongly agree."
D-6. Perceptions of the City's role in arts and culture
I am supportive of the City of Santa Clarita in allocating public funds for arts
development, such as for programming, amenities and venues.
The City of Santa Clarita (government) has a key role in local arts
development over the next 10 years.
The City of Santa Clarita (government) is supportive of local arts efforts.
Nearly 90% of participants were "supportive of the City of
Santa Clarita allocating public funds for arts and culture." Many
participants also agreed (slightly to strongly) that the "City has a key
role in supporting arts and cultural offerings" (74%). Most participants
agreed (slightly to strongly) that "City (government) is supportive of
local arts and cultural offerings." About 65% of participants agreed that
the City of Santa Clarita is supportive of local arts efforts.
A
6% 20% 59%
1 = 15% 28% 31%
6% 8% 10% 24% E729%
12%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Strongly disagree Disagree Slightly disagree Neutral Slightly agree Agree Strongly agree
Note: N = 342-343.
Source: City of Santa Clarita Virtual Workshop, Keen Independent Research.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX D, PAGE 10
D. Analysis of Stakeholder and Community Input — City's Role Regarding Arts and Culture
Net rating. Net rating provides a simple representation of the overall
slant of participants toward agreement or disagreement. The net rating
is calculated by subtracting the sum of the "strongly disagree,"
"disagree," and "slightly disagree" responses from the sum of the
participants who "strongly agree," "agree," and "slightly agree."
D-7. Perceptions of the City's role in arts and culture net rating
I am supportive of the City of Santa Clarita in allocating public funds for
arts development, such as for programming, amenities and venues.
The City of Santa Clarita (government) has a key role in local arts
development over the next 10 years.
The City of Santa Clarita (government) is supportive of local arts efforts.
Figure D-7 displays the net ratings for questions related to the City's role
in arts and culture. With a net rating of 84%, almost all respondents were
"supportive of the City of Santa Clarita allocating public funds for arts and
culture." With a net rating of 70%, most respondents agreed that the City
has a key role in arts development. The net rating of 50% for the question
regarding the City's support of local arts efforts indicates that there may
be room for growth in perceptions of the City's arts support.
at
4%
100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Disagree (slightly to strongly) Agree (slightly to strongly)
Note: N = 342-343. The net rating is calculated by subtracting the sum of the "strongly disagree," "disagree," and "slightly disagree" responses from the sum of the participants who "strongly agree,"
"agree," and "slightly agree."
Source: City of Santa Clarita Virtual Workshop, Keen Independent Research.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX D, PAGE 11
D. Analysis of Stakeholder and Community Input — Strengths
This section discusses perceptions of Santa Clarita's cultural strengths.
What Makes Santa Clarita Unique
Figure D-8 is a word cloud that illustrates the range and frequency of
characteristics that virtual workshop respondents identified as unique
to Santa Clarita.
D-8. What makes Santa Clarita unique
The descriptors "family," "history," "safe," "friendly," and "community"
appear largest in the image, indicating that these words and phrases
were mentioned most frequently. These words and phrases were also
echoed by stakeholders and discovery meeting participants.
unique
reenfilm I space
g � schools • townsculturalrs
arts x
4
diversity- nature
SUIJIJOI i thcatr�
main rich local
rural
n L
beautiful n paS20S CreatlVelocation
traits _great
culture
__
to
hikiy
��._,<
innovative
residents : -:I.,
Note: N = 232. Respondents were asked to share up to five words or short phrases.
Source: City of Santa Clarita Virtual Workshop, Keen Independent Research.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX D, PAGE 12
divers
D. Analysis of Stakeholder and Community Input — Strengths
Arts and Culture Strengths of Santa Clarita
Virtual workshop participants could choose up to three words to
describe the arts and culture strengths of Santa Clarita. Figure D-9 is a
word cloud that illustrates the range and frequency of characteristics
virtual workshop respondents identified as strengths of Santa Clarita.
D-9. Strengths of Santa Clarita
Participants indicated that Santa Clarita's community of artists and arts
institutions is a significant strength. Many also mentioned support for
the arts as a strength and several mentioned specific arts events,
including theatre, concerts, and other performance -based arts.
wl ngaccessi�lefilrngroaccess a fordable
inclusive %ll,ao a �a tsfh storyityartists
O C a newhall
Imm.un1tv
variety
a
safe t a l e nt
, r � supportive
support open
potentialautiful
Note: N = 232. Respondents were asked to share up to five words or short phrases.
Source: City of Santa Clarita Virtual Workshop, Keen Independent Research.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX D, PAGE 13
D. Analysis of Stakeholder and Community Input — Strengths
Residents and stakeholders provided additional comments relating to
strengths of the arts in Santa Clarita. We outline themes from
stakeholders discussing strengths below with relevant quotes from the
virtual workshop, discovery meeting, and in-depth interviews, and focus
groups listed on the right.
Grassroots arts scene. Many stakeholders commented on the sense of
community in Santa Clarita, pointing to the vibrant grassroots arts scene
and engaged community organizations. The family -friendly nature of the
city was often discussed, as was the collaborative arts pipeline between
schools and community arts groups. Several individuals noted the
growing diversity of the city and cited this as a strength to be celebrated
with more diverse art.
Old Town Newhall. Stakeholders frequently discussed existing arts
and cultural offerings in Old Town Newhall (also referred to as
downtown), including a vibrant theatre scene and varied arts events.
Old Town Newhall was described as the arts hub of Santa Clarita by
many stakeholders, with several highlighting the intentionality of
building an arts district.
Strong university art programs. The Master's University, College of
the Canyons, and CalArts were mentioned as significant assets to the
Santa Clarita community due to the strength of their arts programming
All institutions produce quality artists, some of which go on to have
flourishing careers.
We have a strong network of arts nonprofits and volunteers —from
the Canyon Theatre Guild to the Santa Clarita Artists Association —
who give this city its cultural backbone.
Focus group participant
Our community is really behind the things that we do... faithful in
returning to events.
Focus group participant
The partnerships between schools, CalArts and community groups
make Santa Clarita feel like a small city with big -city culture.
Focus group participant
I think it's wonderful the ... growing diversity that we have in our
community.
Focus group participant
Old Town Newhall has become such an arts district... the galleries,
The MAIN, and the outdoor events make it really vibrant.
Focus group participant
I think [downtown] Santa Clarita has done an amazing job of
becoming a destination for art, theater and food.
Virtual workshop participant
Santa Clarita is very lucky to have three colleges—CalArts, College of
the Canyons, and The Master's University —all with strong
arts programs.
Focus group participant
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX D, PAGE 14
D. Analysis of Stakeholder and Community Input — Strengths
History. Stakeholders and community members highlighted the rich
history of the Santa Clarita Valley (SCV) as a major strength of the area.
Silent film and western film history were often mentioned as points of
pride to the community that have been highlighted through art, though
many stakeholders commented that others outside SCV may not be
aware of this history.
Arts Commission. Many stakeholders acknowledged and appreciated
the work the Arts Commission has done to infuse arts and culture into
Santa Clarita. Comments mentioned some events the Arts Commission
has sponsored with the City as successful.
Partnership between City and other arts groups. Several participants
indicated that they appreciate the City's support of arts and culture in
addition to other groups like the Arts Commission. Many stakeholders
remarked that coordination between the City, schools, community arts
organizations, and individual artists has enriched the arts scene in
Santa Clarita.
This was the old west. Everything happened here. This is such a, you
know, nexus of history.
Focus group participant
There is no place better on planet earth ... for silent film [history] than
right here!
Focus group participant
The Arts Commission has done a greatjob in making Santa Clarita
visible as an arts destination.
Focus group participant
The City of Santa Clarita has done a good job with programming
through the Arts Commission — things like Art Slam, Cowboy Festival,
and the events downtown.
Focus group participant
We've had successful collaborations between CalArts and the City.
Focus group participant
I think the City has been a great partner. They've done a lot of work
with the Arts Commission in terms of funding and highlighting
events... and I think there's been a real shift to thinking about how to
support artists, notjust institutions.
Focus group participant
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX D, PAGE 15
D. Analysis of Stakeholder and Community Input — Strengths
Favorite thing to do in Santa Clarita
As part of the discovery meeting, residents used colored pencils and
stickers to create drawings in response to the prompt, "My favorite
thing to do in Santa Clarita is..." Figure D-10 highlights one example
drawing from this station.
Participants' drawings illustrated their affinityfor:
Performing (theater and singing);
Painting;
Teaching;
Hiking; and
Playing outdoor sports.
D-10. One example of feedback gathered through the drawing corner
activity station at the discovery meeting
My favorite thing to do in Santa Clarita is:
U U U1 1 Lk I—' - —
lam years cold.
c.
I
Source: City of Santa Clarita Virtual Workshop, Keen Independent Research.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX D, PAGE 16
D. Analysis of Stakeholder and Community Input — Areas for Improvement
This section addresses perceived areas for improvement as they relate
to arts and culture for Santa Clarita.
Challenges to Supporting Arts and Culture
In the virtual workshop, participants could list up to three words or
phrases to identify the biggest challenges to supporting or developing
arts and culture in Santa Clarita.
Figure D-11 is a word cloud that illustrates the range and frequency
of challenges identified by survey respondents. Participants most
frequently identified funding, lack of venues/space, limited
advertisement, accessibility, and City government politics as
key challenges to supporting arts.
D-11. Challenges to arts and culture in the City of Santa Clarita
advertising access
,'m o n e affordable
u PPlocation
interest vision *conservative
o rt
govennmel�t
po,ItICS dinexpensive
S paces ace f aci t;E�: --1
Penues
infrastructure
Note: N = 232. Respondents were asked to share up to five words or short phrases.
Source: City of Santa Clarita Virtual Workshop, Keen Independent Research.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX D, PAGE 17
D. Analysis of Stakeholder and Community Input — Areas for improvement
This section elaborates on themes displayed in the word cloud and
incorporates perspectives from the virtual workshop and
discovery meeting, as well as interviews and focus groups.
Arts and Culture Challenges and Requests
Santa Clarita residents and stakeholders provided additional comments
about the following challenges to developing local arts and culture:
■ Funding;
• Venues;
• Accessibility;
• Advertising and awareness;
• Vision; and
• City politics.
Funding. Many stakeholders indicated that funding was a significant
barrier to the expansion of arts and culture in Santa Clarita. Local
artists and representatives from schools (K-12 and higher education)
commented that funding is limited and many indicated that the
funding they do receive disproportionately goes toward things like
venue rental costs. Some stakeholders also noted that federal
funding for arts has decreased in recent years, posing a challenge for
organizations that previously relied on those funds for survival.
Venues. The lack of available venues for arts and culture was a theme
across several focus groups and was reinforced by virtual workshop and
discovery meeting participants. Theater spaces were most commonly
mentioned but other comments indicated a lack of concert space as
well. A few individuals also mentioned that storage space was an issue,
particularly for theater companies.
Without consistent and adequate funding, the art sector of SCV will
always struggle to thrive and provide opportunities for artists and
the community.
Virtual workshop participant
Scarce funds should be spent on our programs, improving the quality
of instruction and performance opportunities for our students, not on
price -gouging rental fees.
Virtual workshop participant
The city has been a great partner, but the funding is limited — there's
so much competition for small grants, and we need larger, multi -year
commitments if we're going to build something sustainable.
Focus group participant
We had worked really hard on a grant application that was gonna be
for like a million dollars... and then federal funding went away that
meant that whole grant process went away.
Focus group participant
With so many independent theatre companies expressing desire to
perform in just the last three years, the MAIN, although a wonderful
place to produce theatre, is just not enough.
Virtual workshop participant
We occasionally produce performances outside Santa Clarita... it's
hard to find local venues that fit our programs.
Focus group participant
We have multiple theatre companies with only two locations to work.
Virtual workshop participant
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX D, PAGE 18
D. Analysis of Stakeholder and Community Input — Areas for improvement
Accessibility. Several stakeholders indicated that accessibility is a
barrier to supporting arts. Some discussed their impressions of the local
colleges as closed off, making art occurring there inaccessible to the
community. Others commented that the City could be more inclusive
with its arts and culture events to embrace the diversity of its residents
and welcome new people.
Advertising and awareness. Many comments indicated that residents
were not always aware of arts and culture events or offerings in
Santa Clarita. Several mentioned that they followed the
City's social media pages or subscribed to a City newsletter but still miss
out on events that are not adequately highlighted.
Vision. A few stakeholders highlighted the lack of vision Santa Clarita
has in terms of its arts and culture identity, with a few indicating the
City lacks an identity altogether.
City processes and procedures for supporting arts. Finally, a few
participants in the virtual workshop and focus groups identified the City
government as a potential barrier to expanding arts and culture. A few
noted that projects can be slow to go through government approval.
I'd love us to be known for including all kinds of populations —people
with special needs, diverse backgrounds — because our city has come
a long way but could still work closer to inclusion.
Focus group participant
I wish the colleges in SCVcould be more open to the community —
would love to attend exhibits, speakers, galleries at CalArts for
example, but they seem very closed off.
Virtual workshop participant
There definitely needs to be more marketing and advertising. Finding
out what's going on in Santa Clarita is difficult to say the least. I
even get emails from the City and Art walk was not one of them.
Virtual workshop participant
I follow the City's [Facebook] page, but I feel like I miss out on a lot of
art events until after it's over.
Virtual workshop participant
There is nothing innovative, visionary, world class, or youthful on
display in Santa Clarita... Santa Clarita is fighting desperately to
maintain an identity that doesn't exist.
Focus group participant
SCVfeels like it wants to be viewed as an art community but does not
fully commit to it.
Virtual workshop participant
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX D, PAGE 19
D. Analysis of Stakeholder and Community Input — Perceptions of Arts and Culture
In this section, we discuss stakeholders' perceptions of arts and culture,
both generally and as it relates to City involvement.
Arts and Culture Scene
Virtual workshop participants provided their perceptions of
Santa Clarita's arts and culture scene. Figure D-12 shows all responses
along a seven -point agreement scale ranging from "strongly disagree"
to "strongly agree." Almost all participants (95%) indicated that arts and
D-12. Virtual workshop respondents' perceptions of arts and culture
The arts are important to me. 1 7% 24%
City -run events and local arts programming contribute to
culture are important to them and that local arts programming makes
Santa Clarita a welcoming place to live and visit (80%). More than half of
participants agree that Old Town Newhall is a hub of arts activity (65%)
and that Santa Clarita has a dynamic arts scene (59%). Participants
indicated mixed agreement to the statements that "Santa Clarita is a
'city of the arts"' and "Santa Clarita is a destination for the arts." These
data suggest that that arts and culture is important to participants but
that more could be done to support Santa Clarita as it lives up to its
vision as a "city of the arts."
63%
Santa Clarita being a welcoming place for residents and 5% 11% 20% 30% 30%
visitors from diverse backgrounds.
Old Town Newhall, Santa Clarita's Arts and Entertainment
District, is a hub of arts activity. 9% 10% 13% 28% 24% 13%
Santa Clarita has a dynamic arts scene.
11% 12% 16°% 26°%
25°%
8°%
Santa Clarita is "a city of the arts."
5% 14% 13% 18%
21% 14%
7%
Santa Clarita is a destination for the arts.
8% 17% 19% 21%
16% 15%
4%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Strongly disagree Disagree Slightly disagree Neutral Slightly agree Agree Strongly agree
Note: N = 343-377.
Source: City of Santa Clarita Virtual Workshop, Keen Independent Research .
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION
APPENDIX D, PAGE 20
D. Analysis of Stakeholder and Community Input — Perceptions of Arts and Culture
Perceptions of Arts and Culture Scene Net Rating
Figure D-13 highlights the net rating for the same perception of arts
and culture statements discussed in Figure D-12.
D-13. Virtual workshop respondents' perceptions of arts and culture net rating
The arts are important to me.
City -run events and local arts programming contribute to Santa Clarita
being a welcoming place for residents and visitors from diverse
backgrounds.
Old Town Newhall, Santa Clarita's Arts and Entertainment District, is a hub
of arts activity.
Santa Clarita has a dynamic arts scene.
Santa Clarita is "a city of the arts."
Santa Clarita is a destination for the arts.
Arts and culture are "important to me" and City -run arts events
"contribute to Santa Clarita being a welcoming place" have the highest
ratings of 70% and above. "Santa Clarita is a destination for the arts"
has a negative net rating, with more respondents disagreeing with the
statement than agreeing.
100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% 20% 40%
Disagree (slightly to strongly) Agree (slightly to strongly)
A
10%
'0%
4%
3%
3%
0%
60% 80% 100%
Note: N = 343-377. The net rating is calculated by subtracting the sum of the "strongly disagree," "disagree," and "slightly disagree" responses from the sum of the participants who "strongly agree,"
"agree" and "slightly agree."
Source: City of Santa Clarita Virtual Workshop, Keen Independent Research .
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX D, PAGE 21
D. Analysis of Stakeholder and Community Input — Preferences
Keen Independent asked virtual workshop, discovery meeting and
interview and focus group participants to identify their preferences
regarding potential future arts and cultural priorities for the City.
City -Organized Event Preferences
Figure D-14 shows virtual workshop participants' responses about
potential City -organized events. Virtual workshop participants shared a
preference for City -organized events that feature local professional
performers, celebrate resident diversity, feature local art and/or craft
and highlight innovation in the arts.
D-14. Virtual workshop participants responses to, "The City should offer more events that..."
200
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Feature local Celebrate resident Feature local art Highlight Highlight Highlight history Feature local Other Have a special
professional diversity and/or craft innovation in the connection to film and heritage school -aged theme
performers arts performers
Note: N = 232. Respondents could select up to two responses.
Source: City of Santa Clarita Virtual Workshop, Keen Independent Research.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX D, PAGE 22
D. Analysis of Stakeholder and Community Input — Preferences
Public Art and Placemaking
When asked about public art and placemaking preferences, participants
most often stated they were interested in seeing more public art made
by local or regional artists. (Figure D-15). The next most popular
response was art that is made collaboratively with the community.
Afew virtual workshop participants provided comments about public
involvement in the City's decisions regarding arts and culture.
Please make sure to include the Santa Clarita community in all
aspects of decision making about art in our city. These decisions
should be made and voted on by the public instead of a select
committee of a few people.
Virtual workshop participant
Being included [in the decision -making process] has really helped me
feel like a part of the community.
D-15. Virtual Workshop participant responses to, "I would like to see more public art and placemaking that is..."
200
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Virtual workshop participant
Made by local or Made collaboratively Interactive Highlights local history Telling a story Abstract and/or Made by national or
regional artists with the community and heritage innovative international artists
Note: N = 232. Respondents could select more than one answer.
Source: City of Santa Clarita Virtual Workshop, Keen Independent Research.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX D, PAGE 23
D. Analysis of Stakeholder and Community Input — Preferences
Desired Locations for Arts and Culture Assets
When asked where they would like to see more arts and culture, most
virtual workshop participants suggested Old Town Newhall and near to
local businesses (Figure D-16). Many participants also indicated they
would like to see more art in parks and on roads. A few participants
indicated that they would like to see more art throughout Saugus,
Canyon Country and Valencia.
D-16. Desired locations for arts and culture assets
200
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Mapping future public art assets. During the discovery meeting,
participants were invited to place stickers on a map to indicate where
they would like to see more arts and culture assets. Concentrations of
stickers appeared in all neighborhoods of Santa Clarita, reflecting the
desire to have more art throughout the community. Figure D-17 on the
next page displays the map from the discovery meeting.
Old Town Newhall On or next to local Parks Roads Other Specific neighborhood
businesses
Note: N = 232. Respondents could select more than one answer.
Source: City of Santa Clarita Virtual Workshop, Keen Independent Research.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX D, PAGE 24
D. Analysis of Stakeholder and Community Input — Preferences
D-17. Desired locations for arts and culture assets
SANTA CLARITA VALLEY
STREET MAP
1f _
' x Legend r
c CiryP.rk
M FaolRy ...
1 Alleyway •� Amusement Perk C—ly Park
/i! YL Fta svum �'�. Fr�,war .Iwy smm P.rk
mi—
} % '!T _ b. a f, �wolwy su+oot /" Pr ma,y catnaerun var.ry anAelee x.eo.,sl voreu
xgnSmm r� a.t... +catealne sranwcter.Rlrer ,.�. .... _
f.` r -a altl.alulwxe rrm s.ac,w.,r 5noonina a"ai Q at, m $ea.c�ente xaurbwy
tf\i1 Stem rtc..u> Sowal Bounaery '
to
K"`�
_ �
Ivy_
�tt�-'�`�, r !
�\�t' �,1 •'�� ,� .���a � r�r 7i e. - � �rk`�� FI4
9t
�
` 001/.. -*�'YI t *S�- �1 I. l y "� ? , .,,ay _ j Y
ll� '+S y. , — 1 f � 44
lie i{°fi �. -- c
Val V®rda c l t 4+
i
r
lam^ I I
Source: Santa Clarita Discovery Meeting, Keen Independent Research.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX D, PAGE 25
D. Analysis of Stakeholder and Community Input — Preferences
Arts -related Interests
Virtual workshop participants indicated their level of interest for
different types of art. Figure D-18 shows all responses along a
seven -point agreement scale ranging from "strongly disagree" to
"strongly agree."
D-18. Virtual workshop participant art -related interests
I would like to see more spaces dedicated to the performing
arts in Santa Clarita.
I am interested in attending performing arts shows and
events in Santa Clarita.
For all interest statements, virtual workshop participants generally
agreed (slightly to strongly) that they would like to see more art of
varying types in Santa Clarita. Attending performing arts shows and
events highlighting local creatives had the highest levels of agreement
among respondents.
10% 8% 22%
5% 10% 23%
I am interested in events that highlight local creatives. 14% 10% 26%
I would like to see more public art and design integrated into
functional elements.
I would like to see more public art in Santa Clarita
60%
61%
60%
8% 10% 29% 52%
6% 10% 24% 57%
Public art adds to Santa Clarita's appeal. 1 6% 11% 28%
Strongly disagree Disagree Slightly disagree
52% 0
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Neutral Slightly agree Agree Strongly agree
Note: N = 236-242.
Source: City of Santa Clarita Virtual Workshop, Keen Independent Research.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION
APPENDIX D, PAGE 26
D. Analysis of Stakeholder and Community Input — Preferences
Net rating. Figure D-19 highlights the net rating for statements
discussed in Figure D-18. All statements have a net score of
87% or higher.
D-19. Virtual workshop participant art -related interests net rating
I am interested in events that highlight local creatives.
I am interested in attending performing arts shows and events in
Santa Clarita.
I would like to see more public art and design integrated into
functional elements.
I would like to see more spaces dedicated to the performing arts in
Santa Clarita.
Public art adds to Santa Clarita's appeal.
I would like to see more public art in Santa Clarita.
Source: City of Santa Clarita Virtual Workshop, Keen Independent Research.
Attending performing arts shows and events highlighting local creatives
had the highest net scores at 95% and 92%. These data further support
that Santa Clarita residents are highly interested in art and want to see
more arts and cultural offerings.
Net
95%
92%
90%
88°%
88°%
87°%
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX D, PAGE 27
100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
■ Disagree ■ Agree
Note: N = 236-242. The net rating is calculated by subtracting the sum of the "strongly disagree," "disagree," and "slightly disagree" responses from the sum oft he participants who "strongly agree,"
"agree," and "slightly agree."
Source: City of Santa Clarita Virtual Workshop, Keen Independent Research.
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX D, PAGE 28
D. Analysis of Stakeholder and Community Input — Preferences
Favorite Types of Live Entertainment Plays and musicals were the more frequently selected types of
Virtual workshop participants were asked to select up to four types of entertainment (150 and 139 selections, respectively). Next most
performances or live entertainment that they enjoy. Figure D-20 shows popular responses were family -friendly shows, comedy shows,
that respondents indicated an affinity for a broad range of show types. film festivals, and cultural performances.
D-20. Favorite types of performances and live entertainment
200
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
NO,
o
—
�y
Qua
��c
�° co
2 5
�a a�
°
Note: N = 220. Respondents could select up to four responses.
Source: City of Santa Clarita Virtual Workshop, Keen Independent Research
K`' Kf,
e'
`o' `;
C-
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX D, PAGE 29
D. Analysis of Stakeholder and Community Input — Preferences
Infrastructure Preferences
Residents and stakeholders shared their ideas for future arts
infrastructure through in-depth interviews and focus groups, the virtual
workshop and discovery meeting.
Arts and culture infrastructure. Most infrastructure comments
focused on new arts and culture venues, such as:
• Amphitheater;
• Community performing arts center;
• Museum (children's museum was specifically mentioned a
few times); and
• Art gallery/exhibition space.
Multipurpose infrastructure. Additionally, many members of the
business community indicated that Santa Clarita needs conference and
meeting spaces. When a focus group participant suggested developing a
multipurpose convention center, several others agreed that there's a
need for such infrastructure.
Santa Clarita Theatre Center.
Discovery meeting participant
The MAIN is an essential resource for theatre and performance in
SCV, but we also need a Santa Clarita Theatre Center to provide the
resources The MAIN lacks: rehearsal space, storage space, set build
space, meeting space, and a variety of performance spaces.
Virtual workshop participant
We have The MAIN and the PAC, but they serve specific audiences —
we could use a mid -sized, flexible community arts center.
Outdoor amphitheater.
Focus group participant
Discovery meeting participant
Activate empty spaces (indoor and outdoor) for arts.
Discovery meeting participant
We do have a lot of local professional artists, and they need spaces to
exhibit — affordable, accessible places.
Focus group participant
[We've] been advocating for a conference center for many,
many years.
Focus group participant
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX D, PAGE 30
D. Analysis of Stakeholder and Community Input — Preferences
Benchmark Cities
Participants in the discovery meeting were invited to identify other
cities that might serve as a reference for the kind of change they'd like
to see in Santa Clarita regarding arts and culture. Participants used
index cards to respond to the following prompt:
"Which cities would you like Santa Clarita to look to as it
develops its support for the arts? Why?"
Several participants in interviews, focus groups, and the virtual
workshop survey also provided examples of cities they would like
Santa Clarita to look into (though they were not explicitly prompted to
do so).
Most cities participants listed as their exemplars are in California, and
some of the most commonly mentioned were Lancaster, Irvine, and
Long Beach. Several participants across engagement methods
(discovery meeting, focus groups, and interviews) pointed to Lancaster's
City -run museum as a significant arts asset to the community that they
would like to see in Santa Clarita. Several participants mentioned
Culver City as a place that has cultivated a strong identity based on its
film and television history that sets it apart from greater Los Angeles.
Participants who named Santa Barbara as an example praised the city's
arts venues and investment in arts.
Community Recommended Benchmark Cities
Claremont, CA
Culver City, CA
® Irvine, CA
® Lancaster, CA
® Long Beach, CA
Ojai, CA
® Paso Robles, CA
® Pomona, CA
Santa Barbara, CA
• Thousand Oaks, CA
® Ventura, CA
KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH - CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ARTS MASTER PLAN 2035: VISION AND ACTION APPENDIX D, PAGE 31