Revisions to SecondStage Fee Waiver Program

The Performing Arts Committee (PAC) is proposing revisions to the SecondStage Fee Waiver Program, renaming it the SecondStage Vitality Program. The primary goal is to make the program more accessible and equitable, encouraging a wider range of organizations and individuals to produce performances in the SecondStage theater at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts (MVCPA).

Key Changes:

• Program Title: Renamed from "SecondStage Fee Waiver Program" to "SecondStage Vitality Program."
• Eligibility: The previous requirement that applicants must not have had a prior agreement with MVCPA is removed. The program will now be open to any organization or individual wishing to produce an event in the SecondStage.
• Timeline Alignment: The application and approval timeline will be coordinated with the MVCPA's Primary reservation process, ensuring selected applicants can secure performance dates concurrently with other venue renters.
• Applicant Support: Community Services Department (CSD) staff will offer an application workshop to guide prospective applicants on proposal development, budgeting, and outcome measurement.

Rationale: The Ad Hoc Committee found that the previous program had low awareness and restrictive eligibility. The revisions aim to increase the diversity of performance genres and attract new audiences to the MVCPA and Downtown Mountain View. The program will continue to cover rental fees for the SecondStage, but labor and equipment costs will be the responsibility of the awarded recipients. An annual review of the program's outcomes and participant experience is recommended, with a more comprehensive review every three to five years.