C7AS - Reinstate Oolite Arts Grant

Resolutions - C7 AS

C7 AS A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, (1) REINSTATING THE GRANT AGREEMENT AND ALL RELATED GRANT DISBURSEMENTS BETWEEN THE CITY AND OOLITE ARTS INC., FORMERLY KNOWN AS SOUTH FLORIDA ART CENTER, INC. ("OOLITE ARTS"), AND (2) LIFTING THE PAUSE ON THE EXECUTION OF ALL FUTURE GRANT AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE CITY AND OOLITE THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY DIRECTED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION VIA RESOLUTION NO. 2024-33265, FOLLOWING OOLITE ARTS' HIRING OF A NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND THE CITY COMMISSION'S REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF OOLITE ARTS' STATEMENT OF INTERNAL CONTROLS. Applicable Area:

COMMISSION MEMORANDUM

RECOMMENDATION

Adopt the resolution.

BACKGROUND/HISTORY

On September 11, 2024, the Mayor and City Commission approved Resolution #2024-33265 (Attached), suspending the grant agreement and all related grant disbursements between the City and the South Florida Art Center, Inc. (Oolite Arts), and pausing the execution of all future grant agreements between the City and Oolite Arts until otherwise directed by the Mayor and City Commission to allow Oolite Arts to hire a new Executive Director and to enable the City Commission to review and approve Oolite Arts’ statement of internal controls.

ANALYSIS

Update on Oolite Arts President and CEO: On January 25, 2025, John Abodeely was appointed President & CEO of Oolite Arts. Since taking the role, Abodeely has met with several Miami Beach elected officials, as he has familiarized himself with the city and organization’s 40-year history on Lincoln Road in Miami Beach. Having replaced more than half of the Oolite staff since taking the role, Abodeely has been working on building new and improved programs and services for artists and the Miami Beach community that visits the organization’s gallery shows on Lincoln Road.

Abodeely has previously served as CEO of the public art agency for the city of Houston, the nation’s fourth largest city, where he overhauled grant making and public art processes representing more than $20 million in annual arts investments. In Houston, Abodeely designed and launched the nation’s first disaster resilience program for a local arts ecosystem. Prior to his role in Houston, Abodeely worked as a senior federal official in the arts in Washington, D.C. and held roles at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Americans for the Arts.

Update on Oolite Art’s Statement of Controls for the Walgreens Windows Exhibition Program:

Oolite Arts has made significant updates to their staffing and standard operating procedures for their “Walgreens Windows” exhibition program and has presented the updated language below and attached as follows:

To ensure a smooth and successful exhibition process with appropriate oversight over all aspects of the public exhibition process, Oolite Arts is implementing the following updated procedures:

Oolite Arts Walgreen’s Windows Exhibition Procedures:

For spaces owned or controlled by third parties, such as corporate clients, the client’s policies and decisions supersede Oolite’s.

Curatorial and Contracting Processes • Oolite contracts will include artwork images and requirements of adherence to Oolite policies regarding diversity, discrimination, and disparagement. They will also include adherence to the policies, procedures, and expectations of the owners of the exhibition space. • The Director of Exhibitions will clearly communicate procedures, check points, obligations, and consequences regarding the curatorial, installation, and deinstallation processes, which are also outlined in the Oolite contract signed by the artist. • The Director of Exhibitions will collaborate with all contracted artists to obtain installation proposals, images, and any written materials at least four weeks before the scheduled installation. Site-specific installations created for a particular venue require schematic approvals prior to installation. • These materials will undergo review by Oolite Arts leadership, and final written approval of all works will be required before the exhibition officially opens. o Deviations from the original proposal that have not received written approval from the Exhibitions Director may be refused at the sole discretion of Oolite Arts. • The Director of Exhibitions will view artwork in person prior to installation. • If contracts are violated, the artist may face legal and financial implications.

Installation • The Director of Exhibitions will preside over the installation and deinstallation of artwork, viewing the process in person at least once per day of installation and deinstallation. • Access to the exhibition space will be provided only after all approvals have been provided for the artist and can be revoked at any time. Access will not be permitted before or after the installation and deinstallation period in the Oolite-Artist contract.

Exhibition Materials • Oolite will publish comprehensive materials that identify the artist, the exhibition, and provide relevant context and history of the work to support understanding of the exhibition. • For works that may spark dialogue, Oolite will create opportunities for community dialogue to support the development of educational programming around the exhibit. • Oolite retains rights to final approval or revision of language or other materials supported by the contracted artist for inclusion in educational or published materials.

Handling Public Complaints Post-Exhibition Opening:

If complaints are received from the public after an exhibition has opened, Oolite Arts will take the following steps:

First Response:

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Whoever becomes aware of the complaint should immediately share it with the President and CEO, who will share it with and engage in discussion with the Director

of Programs, Board Chair, and other leadership as they see fit and convene an initial conversation to review this process and choose next steps. • Primary actions will include 1. Soliciting the complaint in writing for clarity and confirmation. Written complaints are required, identifying the artwork, and articulating the complaint, the nature of the harm, the parties harmed, and an explanation of the experience so Oolite might understand fully. 2. Contacting the artist(s) and scheduling an immediate discussion with them. 3. Sharing regular updates with the board and any other community leaders, as appropriate. 4. Enacting this process.

Review and Discussion:

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The exhibition will remain as it is while Oolite Arts establishes a period for review and discussion involving the artist, Oolite staff, Oolite board members, and members of the community who have lodged complaints. The President and CEO may choose to engage a consulting partner to facilitate a dialogue and analysis.

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Evaluation of Complaints:

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Oolite staff, with board consultation as appropriate, will assess the nature of the complaint and the motivations, experiences, and needs of the individuals or groups involved. With consultation from Oolite staff and board, the President and CEO will determine whether the complaint is sincere, complicated by other agendas, requiring remediation, the type of response it requires, and the needs of all parties to be treated with dignity and respect.

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Learning Opportunities:

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Response may include educational opportunities concerning the controversial subject, fostering dialogue among concerned stakeholders, and addressing the issue raised by the artwork through a community-engaged process.

Contract and Agreement Review:

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Review any relevant contracts or agreements between Oolite Arts and the venue where the art is being exhibited, unless the exhibition is within an Oolite facility.

Guiding Principles for Decision-making:

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Artistic Expression: Artistic expression is protected and valued; removal is considered only under serious concern. Inclusivity & Equity: Concerns are treated with respect and urgency. Transparency: All steps of the review process will be documented and communicated appropriately. Due Process: Artists, curators, and community members are given an opportunity to participate in discussions.

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Board Engagement:

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The board will be informed initially or not at the discretion of the board chair who is part of the team of first review. If initially informed, the board will be kept informed throughout the process.

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The board will be engaged if the removal of artwork or any other response affects institutional policy, legal, financial or donor obligations.

Final Decision and Communication:

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The Oolite Arts President and CEO will be responsible for evaluating any complaints and making final decisions regarding the art in question, following a period of thoughtful and inclusive discussions. The President and CEO will communicate the final decision to the artist, those who have lodged complaints, staff, board members, and any other relevant stakeholders, such as the public.

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On October 16, 2025, Oolite Art’s CEO John Abodeely shared the above updated procedures for the Walgreen’s Windows exhibition program with the City of Miami Beach Cultural Arts Council (CAC) at their October meeting. The CAC motioned to support and recommend the release of past funds based upon the policies that Oolite Arts has put in place, which includes the changing of staff and leadership. The motion passed unanimously and shared via LTC #443-2025 (Attached).

It is important to note that since the appointment of the new CEO in January 2025, Oolite Arts has worked to strengthen its organization by restructuring its staff and continuing to provide arts programming and exhibitions to the community.

Should the Mayor and Commission approve the reinstatement of Oolite Arts as City grant funded organization, the following funding, approved and allocated in the current budget, would be disbursed:

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FY 2024 Cultural Arts Council Grant Second Payment: $15,318.50

This would bring the total amount of paused funds needed to be disbursed to South Florida Art Center (Oolite Arts) to $15,318.50.

FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT

The pending Cultural Arts Council funding for South Florida Art Center (“Oolite Arts”), which is approved and allocated in the current budget, is $15,318.50

Does this Ordinance require a Business Impact Estimate? Click or tap here to enter text. (FOR ORDINANCES ONLY)

If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE) was published on: See BIE at: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/meeting-notices/

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FY 2024 CAC Grant Award - $15,318.50 - 140-6080-000349-25-406-555-00-00-00

CONCLUSION

The Administration recommends adopting the Resolution to reinstate the grant agreements between the City and the South Florida Art Center, Inc. (“Oolite Arts”), along with all related grant disbursements. This recommendation follows the City of Miami Beach Cultural Arts Council's advisement to lift the pause on executing future grant agreements with Oolite Arts, considering

the appointment of the new CEO, John Abodeely, and the update of the standard operating procedures for the "Walgreens Windows" exhibition program.

If the Mayor and Commission approve Oolite Arts' reinstatement as a City grant-funded organization, the City will release the previously paused funding, which is both approved and allocated in the current budget, totaling $15,318.50.

Applicable Area

South Beach

Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481, includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No

If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):

Department

Tourism and Culture

Sponsor(s)

Co-sponsor(s)

Condensed Title

Reinstate S. Florida Art Center (Oolite Arts) Grant Agreement and All Related Grant Disbursements. TC