Naperville's SECA Commission voted 5-4 on Wednesday, June 17, to eliminate the community arts set-aside from the calendar year 2027 grant cycle, forcing arts organizations to compete for funding in the same general pool as special events applicants.
The split vote means groups like Century Walk Corporation and the Naperville Arts League, which have historically relied on dedicated arts dollars through the Special Events and Community Arts program, will no longer have a protected funding category when CY27 applications open.
Who voted
Commissioner Rich Gannon made the motion to discontinue the set-aside, seconded by Commissioner Gustin. Voting yes: Commissioners Gurusamy, Gannon, Kuhn, So, and Gustin. Voting no: Chairman Judith Brodhead and Commissioners Miers, Prasad, and Zards.
The one-vote margin signals a philosophical divide on the nine-member commission over how the city's food-and-beverage-tax-funded arts dollars should be distributed. The motion's language specifies CY27, but whether the elimination is permanent or limited to one cycle is not clarified in the public record.
What's at stake
The SECA program, established in 2004, is capped at $2.5 million for CY26, according to Director of Finance Ray Munch at the May 19 City Council meeting. That cap increases annually by 2% or the Consumer Price Index, whichever is less. The specific dollar amount carved out for the community arts set-aside is not disclosed in available meeting records.
The vote came the same night commissioners denied artist Raul Rodea's request for $5,200 in CY26 public art set-aside funds for a window mural project at Pro Image Sports, recommending he return with a new application.
Century Walk Corporation, which maintains more than 52 public art installations throughout downtown Naperville, received a three-year annual SECA grant approved by City Council in 2021. The Naperville Arts League operates the Naperville Fine Art Center & Gallery and has been a primary recipient of community arts support.
Broader push toward self-sufficiency
The set-aside elimination follows direction from City Council. At the May 19 meeting, Council asked the SECA Commission to add a question requiring grant applicants to describe their efforts to secure private donations and sponsorships. Director of Community Services Melanie Marcordes and Special Events Coordinator Jake Fiedler presented an overview that included developing "a formal path to self-sufficiency for SECA applicants," according to Council records.
The commission unanimously approved a new SECA mission statement at its May 20 meeting and directed staff to develop a formal cancellation-notice procedure for CY27.
What's next
The commission met again Tuesday, July 15, to discuss the CY27 grant application and review its policies and procedures manual; minutes have not yet been posted. Residents with questions about the CY27 cycle can contact Jake Fiedler at [email protected] or (630) 420-6045. Written public comments can be submitted at naperville.il.us/bc-comment in advance of future meetings.
