The San Buenaventura Foundation for the Arts (SBFA), a non-profit organization that provides marketing support to performing and visual arts organizations in the Ventura area, will be hosting, for the fifth consecutive election cycle, the Ventura City Council Candidates Arts Forum on Wednesday, October 17, 2007, from 6:30-9pm. The event will be held at the Bell Arts Factory, 432 N. Ventura Ave., Ventura.

The Arts Forum has consistently been the most well-attended candidates' forum in the City since its launch in 1999, far out-stripping attendance at other forums. "The terrific attendance at these past forums is a telling indication of the level of support for the arts in Ventura," says Betsy Chess, President of SBFA. "Ventura now bills itself as 'California's New Art City' and it is important to gauge the level of commitment new City Council candidates have to this ideal."

Another unique aspect to this candidates forum is the webpage SBFA has launched on its website, www.venturaarts.org, to post candidates' names and statements, and to allow citizens to submit questions to the candidates via an online form. "We highly encourage every arts supporter to log on and submit questions in advance online," says Chess. "The questions we'll ask on the night of the Arts Forum will be chosen from those submitted both at the Forum and online. The level of support for the arts in this town will not only be demonstrated by the attendees, but by the sheer volume of questions we can get in advance. We'll certainly let the candidates know the numbers."

The candidates will be asked their positions on subjects as diverse as public funding for the arts and the importance of arts in education. The arts organizations in the Ventura area recognize that city leaders are needed who will commit to the following principles:

1. A healthy arts community means a healthy economy.
2. Education in the arts enhances our children's lives.
3. The Arts improve the quality of life for all our citizens.

Over fifty different organizations representing the visual and performing arts from throughout Ventura County have lent their names in support of the Arts Forum; along with The Bell Arts Factory, The Ventura County Star, Gold Coast Broadcasting, and The V C Reporter as co-sponsors of the event.

The Forum will provide an opportunity for the artistic community and city leaders to meet, mingle and share ideas. Door prizes, refreshments, information on local arts organizations, and displays of visual art will be featured. Anyone who submits a question either online or at the event will be entered into a drawing automatically. Prizes to be given away will include tickets to local performances.

Jordan Laby, Founder and Chairman of the Board of the Foundation, sees this kind of direct approach on behalf of the arts community as a model for political action which could be replicated across the country. For additional information, contact Sharon Taylor, Director of Operations and Community Outreach, SBFA at (805) 653-6100 or e-mail: info@venturaarts.org.