Councilwoman Shanae Darby said the Wilmington Arts and Culture Commission already exists in the city code but has been inactive and without appointed members. On Thursday she introduced an ordinance to revive the commission, clarify its composition and responsibilities, and strengthen coordination between the City’s cultural affairs work and the nonprofit CityFest.

Darby said the ordinance adds responsibilities such as community outreach and cultural programming coordination, adds community gardens as an area of concern, and sets membership rules. She announced a public town hall on June 10 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Chris White Art Gallery, 701 North Shipley Street, to solicit community input and to recruit commission members. The ordinance will be scheduled for first and second reading on the June 5 City Council agenda.

No formal vote occurred at the committee meeting; Darby said the proposal is intended to increase local artist involvement in city planning and economic development.