01 & 14 (206)Public Comment
From: rstein@artsoc.org
Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2021 9:51 AM
To: Public Comment
Cc: info@anaheimballet.org
Subject: Public Comment - 4/27 Council Meeting
Attachments: Anaheim Ballet Support Letter 4-27-21.pdf
Importance:
Please find our letter attached.
Richard Stein
President & CEO
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Arts Orange County
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17620 Fitch, Suite 255
Irvine CA 92614
April 27, 2021
Mayor Harry S. Sidhu
Mayor Pro Tem Stephen Faessel
Council Member Jose Diaz
Council Member Jordan Brandman
Council Member Jose F. Moreno
Council Member Avelino Valencia
Council Member Trevor O'Neil
Re: Support for Anaheim Ballet
Dear Mayor Sidhu, Mayor Pro Tem Faessel and Council Members,
Arts Orange County is the nonprofit, countywide arts council, designated as Orange County's official
local arts agency and State -Local Partner by the Orange County Board of Supervisors. While I know that
some of you are already aware of our work on behalf of the entire community of artists and arts
organizations, you may learn more at our website haps://artsoc.or- . In particular, through our work
during the COVID-19 pandemic, we helped secure $2.7 million in relief funds for 138 arts organizations
and 175 artists in 27 Orange County cities (including Anaheim) last autumn from public and private
sources.
It is our understanding that when you meet this evening, you will vote on whether or not to approve an
agreement stating the city and Anaheim Ballet have one year to negotiate a home and continued
partnership. There is a possibility of saving the building and Anaheim Ballet's residency if a majority of
City Council members write a letter requesting that the state rescind the mandate for affordable
housing at this site.
We are mindful of the need for more affordable housing in communities around the state, including
Anaheim, however displacing one of our community's premier cultural institutions should not be a
necessary step to achieve that. In particular, the work that Anaheim Ballet has done for three decades in
working with disadvantaged youth in the community must be taken into account when weighing your
decision.
We urge you to take action to preserve this facility for Anaheim Ballet and for the public benefits it
provides.
Sincerely,
Richard Stein
President & CEO