The 2017 Agreement between the City and Sunset Cultural Center, Inc. (SCC) provides that the City shall have the right to use the theater and lobby for up to twelve (12) full days each fiscal year without charge, as long as the spaces have not already been committed to rental customers by SCC.
The Carmel Public Library Foundation (CPLF), a non-profit organization, is requesting one of the City’s free use days of the theater and lobby. CPLF plans to hold its eleventh annual fundraising benefit, on Tuesday, April 18, 2022. Proceeds from the evening will benefit CPLF, whose mission is "to fund the Carmel Public Library, to keep the doors open and to maintain the library's preeminence as a steward and cherished cultural institution on the Central Coast of California."
Carmel Unified School District (CUSD) is requesting the use of three (3) of the City's free use days of the theater and lobby for their annual district-wide choral, string, and band festivals for Spring 2023. These performances include elementary, middle and high school musicians together and showcase the developmental progression of CUSD's music programming. The parents, musicians and administration greatly appreciate holding these performances in the Sunset Center. Use of the Sunset Center for the 2023 annual music program will "provide an inspiring performance environment for our community's young musicians."
Granting the Carmel Public Library Foundation and the Carmel Unified School District free use days will result in a significant savings in facility use fees.
The Carmel Public Library Foundation and Carmel Unified School District have tentatively booked the theater and lobby for the requested dates and will confirm with Sunset Center should Council authorize the free use days.