Item 6. Presentation by past participants on their experience with the ESB MACC Latino Arts Residency Program — original pdf

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esb-macc latino arts residency program -------------------------------- Briefing by past participants on their experience with the macc’s residency program from 2008-2021 Advisory Board Sponsors: Navarro, Zamarripa-Saenz Presenters: Dr. Róen Salinas | Aztlan Dance Company Luis Ordaz Gutiérrez | ProyectoTEATRO Hector Ordaz Gutiérrez | ProyectoTEATRO Javier Jara | Los Bohemios Perdidos Juan Oyervides | Past MACC Advisory Board Chair 2008 grand opening & the first years A phase of trial and error driven by community feedback • Difficulty for artists and arts organizations to access the MACC for rehearsals, performances, and classes. Rental rates too expensive for community artists. High rates comparable to private event spaces for quinces and galas . • Operating hours were the same as city recreation centers; closing at 5PM during the week and 6PM on Saturdays. Closed on Sundays. • Staff aggressions towards community artists. The community spoke out and these issues catalyzed the creation of the LARP program. 2 Latino arts residency program larp The following 4 arts organizations led the inaugural 2013 LARP cohort 3  larp Feedback & Recommendations Inaugural cohort shared these recommendations to improve LARP: MACC Facility: Most spaces at the MACC were not appropriate for artists’ creative process nor performances. It was evident that artists’ were not part of the design and build-out of any of the rooms throughout the cultural center. Remodeling recommendations were made to 5 spaces. Policies and Procedures: Operation procedures hindered the standard creative process of arts organizations. LARP programs clashed with ESB-MACC programs. Calendar process was implemented by LARPers. Hours of Operation did not align with a cultural center. Rehearsal hours were granted till 10PM and Performance nights were granted till 11PM. Staff: PARD Staff did not have the experience to support and maintain the MACC’s technical inventory nor the LARP program itself. • Tech Coordinator was created • LARP coordinator was created • PT assisted in tech trainings for MACC staff • Tech equipment inventory was created 4 Multipurpose auditorium→ Performance auditorium • Install risers to correct audience sightlines • Paint curved wall black in lieu of wall removal • Install raised Tech booth • Install lighting grid + dimmer controls • Install choir mics • Install acoustic panels (shells) • Install speakers for front of house sound R r RR Rr Rr rr multi-use “Black box”→ Performance Black box • Paint all silver aluminum walls black R r RR Rr • Shift lighting grid & performance orientation • Repurpose platform staging as seating risers • Replace purple curtains with black drape system • Install tv monitors inside tech booth for visibility Rr rr multi-use room→ Dance studio • Install wall-length mirrors on north wall • Install raised wood flooring • Paint walls • Install ballet bars • Install sound system and TV • Remove flammable drapery from circular corner R r RR Rr Rr rr 2nd Larp cohort The following 6 arts organizations led the 2nd 2016-2019 LARP cohort 3 2017 Proyectoteatrobreach of contract Pard staff breaches contact arbitrarily and with no city oversight 3 Pard & City of austin investigation Investigation uncovers city negligence and unethical staff behavior PARD Investigation Findings LARP contracts not reviewed or approved by City legal ● NDA not needed ● ● Previous staff aggressions not properly handled by MACC staff ● MACC staff coerced to find violations to initiate contract termination for PT Mediation was agreed upon by both parties ● Certain city staff blocked from interacting with community and/or having physical presence at the MACC. One staff member was fired. ● MACC staff directed to communicate all changes to LARP with PT; work with all LARPers to work through any procedural or programmatic changes. 10 Mediation results • Certain city staff blocked from interacting with community and/or having physical presence at the MACC. • One MACC staff member was fired. • MACC staff directed to communicate all changes to LARP with PT; work with all LARPers to work through any procedural or programmatic changes.  2018-2019 Artist access program attempt Pard attempted to eliminate larp and implement new residency program 3 3  2025 Artist access program attempt #2 2nd attempt to implement residency program 2020: ESB-MACC Closes due to COVID + Phase 2 2025: AACME attempts to roll out AAP again during the fall of 2025, without community feedback or agreed stakeholder input. Additionally, many discrepancies are found in the guidelines and shared at community info meeting. PT meets with AACME leadership and successfully pauses program. 14 Community ask Moving forward ● Collaborate to redesign LARP program; including contracts, policies and procedures, equipment and inventory. ● Collaborate to advise on technical matters; training staff on proper use of equipment ● Collaborate in room / space buildouts ● For continuity, ESB MACC Advisory Board communication with past Board Members and past LARPers: Working Group.