The Sedona City Council gave its blessing – albeit a cautiously optimistic one – for staff to proceed with a new street performer program.

The idea was first brought up nearly two years ago and since then has seen several revisions, the biggest of which came earlier this year. It was determined that any ordinance that may be in place could be challenged in court based upon First Amendment rights.

Senior Planner Cynthia Lovely and Arts and Culture Coordinator Nancy Lattanzi presented the updated plan to council on Tuesday, Oct. 13. The two said they did quite a bit of research on how other tourist-based cities deal with the issue of street performers and what types of ordinances or policies they have. They also hosted community outreach meetings to gauge interest among the artists and get feedback from business owners in Uptown.

“The idea of having a street performer program in Sedona is because we are a community animated by the arts,” Lovely said. “So, this is another attempt to add artistic activities in the city.”

The program did not require a council vote but staff was looking for direction and will now continue to move forward.

A city report states, “The street performance program is intended to promote street performance as a positive activity that supports the rights of individuals to express themselves in a creative manner. The program’s guidelines clarify expectations for the conduct and safety of street performance activities in public spaces. The city of Sedona welcomes street performance artists as a way to enhance the arts and culture experience of residents and visitors.”

To read the full story, see the Friday, Oct. 16, edition of the Sedona Red Rock News.