2017-30003 ResolutionRESOLUTION NO. 2017 -30003
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE
RECOMMENDATION OF THE FINANCE AND CITYWIDE
PROJECTS COMMITTEE AT ITS JULY 28, 2017 MEETING TO
PROVIDE $10,000 IN FUNDING FOR THE SOBE ARTS
PRODUCTION OF "TESLA," A MULTIDISCIPLINARY OPERA
TO BE PERFORMED SEPTEMBER 28 THROUGH OCTOBER
1, 2017 AT THE COLONY THEATRE IN MIAMI BEACH.
WHEREAS, Mystery Parks Arts Company d /b /a SoBe Arts is producing "Testa,"
a multidisciplinary opera, scheduled to be performed at the Colony Theatre September
28 through October 1, 2017; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Carson Kievman, Executive Director of SoBe Arts, reached out
to members of the City Commission and staff to seek assistance for possible funding of
the production due to a budget shortfall; and
WHEREAS, on July 28, 2017, a discussion was held regarding potential funding
for the production of Testa at the Finance and Citywide Projects Committee Meeting;
and
WHEREAS, following a presentation by Dr. Kievman, the Finance and Citywide
Projects Committee recommended $10,000 in funding for the SoBe Arts production of
Testa; and
WHEREAS, the City of Miami Beach has financially supported the production of
"Testa" through the FY 15/16 Cultural Arts Grants Program, which awarded SoBe Arts
$14,686.67 through a competitive grants process. Of this amount, $7,343.34 was issued
to SoBe Arts following the execution of the grant agreement. Upon completion of the
performance and submittal of a final report, the second half of the payment, $7,343.34
will be issued to SoBe Arts; and
WHEREAS, the additional $10,000 in support is being funded through the City of
Miami Beach general fund contingency; and
WHEREAS, Miami New Drama, the management and resident company of the
Colony Theatre has worked collaboratively with SoBe Arts to reduce the base rental
fees for use of the Colony. In exchange for SoBe Arts not paying the up- front rental fee,
the Colony has agreed to receive payment in the form of 25% of box office sales. SoBe
Arts is only responsible for the payment of technical labor, which is non- negotiable at
the Colony Theatre.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City
Commission hereby approve the recommendation of the Finance and Citywide Projects
Committee at its July 28, 2017 meeting to provide $10,000 in funding for the SoBe Arts
production of "Tessa," a multidisciplinary opera to be performed September 28 through
October 1, 2017 at the Colony Theatre in Miami Beach.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 25th day of September, 2017.
APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
FQR EqUTION
"A" 0-- 4
City Attorney Date
M
AM
BEACH
Resolutions - C7 AD
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
DATE: September 13, 2017
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE
FINANCE AND CITYWIDE PROJECTS COMMITTEE AT ITS JULY 28, 2017
MEETING TO PROVIDE $10,000 IN FUNDING FOR THE SOBE ARTS
PRODUCTION OF TESLA, A MULTIDISCIPLINARY OPERA SEPTEMBER 28
THROUGH OCTOBER 1, 2017 AT THE COLONY THEATRE MIAMI BEACH.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt the Resolution.
BACKGROUND
Mystery Parks Arts Company d /b /a SoBe Arts is producing Tesla, a multidisciplinary opera
scheduled to be performed at the Colony Theatre September 28 through October 1, 2017 at the
Colony Theatre. Dr. Carson Kievman, Executive Director of SoBe Arts, reached out to members of
the City Commission and staff to seek assistance for possible funding of the production, which
currently has a $20,000 shortfall On July 3, 2017, TCED consulted with Dr. Kievman and gave the
organization strategic advice on private and corporate fundraising opportunities as well as developing
a potential partnership with the Lincoln Road Business Improvement District. The entire production is
budgeted at approximately $140,000.
On July 28, 2017 a discussion was held regarding potential funding for the production of Tesla at the
Finance and Citywide Projects Committee Meeting. Following a presentation by Dr. Kievman, the
Finance and Citywide Projects Committee recommended $10,000 in funding for the SoBe Arts
production of Tesla.
ANALYSIS
Tesla was an immigrant whose transformative ideas challenged the staid society, inherited wealth,
and power structure of the Gilded Age. The opera is narrated by Mark Twain, who reveals that Tesla
was responsible for developing one of the single greatest inventions of all time, AC electrical current.
Tesla's legendary battles with Thomas Edison and their connections with George Westinghouse, JP
Morgan, and Charles Steinmetz are weaved through a libretto written by the late playwright Thomas
Babe and composer Carson Kievman.
During this production, Nikola Tesla's life story will be told with music, carefully mapped digital
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animations, mechanical stage devices, and poetic storytelling via an exquisitely crafted libretto. The
production will employ 9 vocalists, a 6 member chorus, a 25 piece chamber orchestra, stage and
music directors, costume, staging and lighting designers, projection & creative animation designers,
stage manager and crew.
The City of Miami Beach has financially supported the production of Tesla through the FY 15 -16
Cultural Arts Grants Program, which awarded SoBe Arts $14,686.67 through a competitive grants
process. Of this amount, $7,343.34 was issued to SoBe Arts following the execution of the grant
agreement. As SoBe Arts was not able to complete the production of Tesla during the FY 15 -16 fiscal
year, the Cultural Arts Council voted to extend the grant by a period of one year, allowing SoBe Arts
to complete the production by September 30, 2017. Upon completion of the performance and
submittal of a final report, the second half of the payment, $7,343.34 will be issued to SoBe Arts.
In addition, Miami New Drama, the management and resident company of the Colony Theatre. has
worked collaboratively with SoBe Arts to reduce the base rental fees for use of the Colony. In
exchange for SoBe Arts not paying the up -front rental fee, the Colony has agreed to receive payment
in the form of 25% of box office sales. SoBe Arts is only responsible for the payment of technical
labor, which is non - negotiable at the Colony Theatre.
CONCLUSION
The Administration recommends adopting the resolution.
KEY INTENDED OUTCOMES SUPPORTED
Enhance Cultural and Recreational Activities
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
During the July 28, 2017 Finance and Citywide Projects Committee Meeting, a recommendation was
made to the Office of Budget and Performance Improvement to identify $10,000 in available funds
from the FY 16/17 budget.
Legislative Tracking
Tourism, Culture and Economic Development
Sponsor
Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez
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