Arts & Culture Advisory Commission

Arts & Culture Advisory Commission

Current Members
The City is looking for interested individuals to apply to be on this Commission. If interested please use the application on the City's webpage: https://www.astoria.gov/Boards_Commissions.aspx 

Membership

The Commission shall consist of five (5) voting members. Voting members shall serve for three-year terms and must be Astoria Residents.

The Commission can appoint no more than three Ex-officio advisory members to serve at the pleasure of the Commission. Ex officio advisory members provide policy advise to the Commission and do not vote. All Ex officio advisory members shall serve three-year terms with no residency requirements.

Appointments should to the extent practicable, reflect the diversity of the Astoria community and its arts and cultural sectors. Voting members shall collectively possess experience or demonstrated interest in on or more of the following: 

• Visual, performing, literary or digital arts;
• Arts administration;
• Emerging arts;
• Historic preservation;
• Architecture, design, or public spaces;

Ex officio advisory members may additionally posses experience or demonstrated interest in on or more of the following:

• Tourism or hospitatlity;
• Education;
• Community engagement or nonprofit leadership.

Purpose

The Arts & Culture Advisory Commission was established by the City of Astoria on August 17, 2026 with the purpose of:

• Advising the City Council on arts and culture policy
• Serving as the City's Liaison to the Arts and Culture community.

The Commission has the following responsibilities:

• Commission shall serve as a central forum for communication, shared planning and collaboration-ensuring that artists, organizations, creative businesses, and cultural partners have a structured, consistent opportunity to engage with the City. Duties and responsibilities shall include: 
  • Administer designated art and culture programs, projects and initiatives for the purpose of promoting or enhancing the arts and culture in Astoria to include: 
    • Review matters referred to by the City Council.
    • Oversee or advise on Council-designated programs.
    • Review proposals for public art on City property and make recommendations.
    • Encourage partnerships among artists, nonprofits, schools, businesses, neighborhood organizations, tourism organizations, and governmental agencies.
    • Identify grant opportunities and if authorized, recommend awards under City arts grants programs.
    • Perform additional duties assigned by the City Council.
  • Assist in the advancement and periodic review Astoria's long-range Arts & Culture Strategic Plan to include:
    • Develop, periodically update and recommend to the City Council a strategic plan for the advancement of arts, culture and heritage within the City, and monitor implementation of arts related Council-approved goals and priorities.