In a special meeting on Thursday, the Fresno City Council will reveal how a recreated Measure P committee will determine eligibility for the millions of dollars in arts grants.

The long-awaited rules come as the city of Fresno takes over control and administration of the tax money.

With the meeting set to begin no earlier than 3:30 p.m., councilmembers will consider the creation of the Parks, Recreation, and Arts Commission Ad Hoc Committee.

That advisory committee will recommend on how future arts grants should be determined before heading to the council for approval.

Ad Hoc Committee Follows Measure P Debacles

Artists have been awaiting rules governing the third round of Measure P arts grants. City Manager Georgeanne White previously told the public that she and Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer were hesitant about evaluating artistic merit.

White also said that she wanted outside voices heard in awarding the grants to avoid accusations of favoritism about the Fresno Arts Council’s decisions.

The Fresno Arts Council began administering the grant money after a contentious fight in 2023 about the arts portions of the 3/8-cent sales tax measure. That tax primarily benefits city parks.

After the arts council took control of the grants, it was revealed that one of its employees, Suliana Caldwell, embezzled $1.8 million from the nonprofit.

Caldwell pled guilty in April to stealing the funds in a plea agreement negotiated with federal prosecutors. She is scheduled for sentencing on Aug. 10.

Following that controversy, the city reclaimed Measure P arts money to distribute arts grants.