ABOUT US

OUR PURPOSE:	Through its innovative promotions and advocacy actions, San Buenaventura Foundation for the Arts, founded in 1999, is the catalyst bringing together Ventura’s varied arts organizations and collectively improving access to the arts for all of the citizens of Ventura and the surrounding communities. SBFA, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is also a proactive supporter of all the arts education outreach programs available to our youth. SBFA’s long-range goal is to create a Cultural Arts Village in the heart of Ventura.
VENTURA ARTS WEBSITE:	As the umbrella support organization to the arts, the Foundation launched Ventura Arts Online, www.venturaarts.org, as the first step toward promoting the extraordinary talent of our broad range of performing and visual artists. Engaging the diverse interests and tastes of our citizens and visitors, Ventura Arts Online provides a calendar of cultural events and an interactive flow of information – using chat rooms and bulletin boards – about local performances, events and exhibitions all in one virtual central location.The website also allows the members of the community to post their own reviews of the local arts organizations’ shows, and of the movies being shown in the local theaters. See Local Reviews by Local People. Visitors to the site can read these reviews by their friends and neighbors. The website also has a section for Ventura Kids featuring special interest information for parents and children, and including a calendar of events for youth and an online catalogue of youth arts education programs available in the community.
ARTS EXPLOSION:	In addition, by sponsoring family-oriented programs such as “Arts Explosion,” a year-long series of free-admission events presented by many different arts organizations, SBFA is improving the level of access and exposing the wonders of the arts to all ages and income levels. Hugely successful in its first year (2004) and co-sponsored by the City of Ventura, “Arts Explosion” is planned to continue as an annual series.

CULTURAL ARTS VILLAGE

Finally, with its original goal of creating a Cultural Arts Village as the ultimate way to improve access to the arts, attract cultural tourists and make Ventura one of the most desirable places to live, work, raise a family, and visit, SBFA is working to make this dream a reality. In June of 2004, the organization reached a true milestone in its five-year history with the unanimous, enthusiastic approval by the Ventura City Council to begin the development process of the future home of a Village for the Arts. The location selected is the Mission Paseo site, located in the heart of Ventura that includes the Ventura County Museum of History & Art, Mission park, and the San Buenaventura Mission.
This Arts Village will be a vital part of Ventura’s exciting and ambitious Downtown Development Program in the heart of Ventura. These overall plans include residential, commercial, parking, pedestrian, and entertainment development. Using proven successful planning techniques and designs while maintaining the character of our distinctive downtown, these projects will combine aesthetic appeal with long-range investment value. Ventura’s already enviable position will explode to new heights as one of the most desirable communities in America.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jordan Laby ChairmanTerence Ragan Vice-ChairmanBetsy Chess President of SBFA Publisher, Broadcaster MagazineTodd Collart County of Ventura, Planning DivisionSally Davis WriterRay Di Guilio Former Mayor, City Councilman, VenturaStan Friedman Retired Corporate V.P., ITT TreasurerDebbie Golden VUSD Board of EducationMallory Hammer Former Executive Search Director

Stephen Kipp Registered Investment Advisor Complete Retirement Mangement, Inc.Sandra Laby Retired Educator Corporate Property ManagementJim Ludwig Principal, KL AssociatesSteve Magidson Retired VP Marketing, Puma Technologies, Inc.Cynde Magidson Retired Director of Marketing, Xircom, Inc.Mike McGuire President, Affinity BankBarbara Meister Vice-President, Barber FordMike Merewether Partner, Tolman & Wiker InsuranceZoe Taylor President/CEO, Ventura Chamber of Commerce

ADVISORY COUNCIL

Mr. David Augustine Dr. Paul Carlson Ms. Suzanne Chadwick Mr. Chuck Cohen Mr. Al Contarino Ms. Ann Deal Mr. Nick Deitch Ms. Merle DiVita Mr. Dick Fausset Mr. Tim Gallagher Mr. Spencer Garrett Mr. Victor Georgino Mr. Jim Graca Mr. Doug Halter Mr. John Katch Mr. Bill Kearny Mr. & Mrs. Bob & Sharon MaHarry

Mr. Kevin McAtee Ms. Kate McLean Ms. Rosa Lee Measures Monsignor Patrick O’Brien Honorable Steven Z. Perren Mr. Larry Rasmussen Ms. Eileen Riddle Dr. Richard Rush Mr. & Mrs. Marty & Nancy Schechtman Mr. Rick Stewart Mr. Mel Swope Mr. Ed Warren Ms. Hiroko Yoshimoto