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Date: |
October 27, 2026 |
11 |
Title
Authorization to Execute Grant Agreement with the San Diego African American Museum of Fine Art for the San Diego Black Arts and Culture District and Related CEQA Exemption; District: All
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Overview
On May 5, 2026 (14), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved the Investing in San Diego County Arts and Culture Initiative, a comprehensive, multi-year effort to strengthen the region’s arts and culture ecosystem. This action strengthened the County’s role in supporting arts, culture, and the creative economy through investments in artists, creative spaces, cultural programming, and place-based cultural development. As part of this effort, the Board allocated a one-time $500,000 investment to support the development, activation, and long-term sustainability of the San Diego Black Arts and Culture District (District). Today’s action seeks approval to execute a grant agreement with the San Diego African American Museum of Fine Art to implement this investment.
Body
Recommendation by Chief Administrative Officer:
1) Find that the authorization to execute this grant agreement is not subject to review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines sections 15060(c)(2) and (3), 15061(b)(3), and 15378(b)(4) & (5) because the action is an administrative action intended to facilitate state and federal funding, does not commit the County to a specific project, and will not have a reasonably foreseeable direct or indirect effect on the environment.
2) Authorize the Chief Administrative Officer or designee to execute a grant agreement with the San Diego African American Museum of Fine Art utilizing the $500,000 allocated by the Board on May 5, 2026 (14) for the benefit of the San Diego Black Arts and Culture District and any subsequent amendments that do not materially change the terms.
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Equity Impact Statement
Advancing equity for a cultural district that has historically been under-resourced expands access to creative opportunities for artists, cultural practitioners, and residents. The action supports implementation of the County’s investment in the District’s cultural spaces, programming, and economic pathways that address long-standing disparities in public funding and access to arts infrastructure
Sustainability Impact Statement
Strengthening the District supports sustainability by enhancing community well-being, expanding equitable access to arts programming, and bolstering the local creative economy. Improvements to cultural infrastructure and public space activation advance County Sustainability Goal No. 2 by providing more inclusive and accessible cultural opportunities for residents.
Fiscal Impact
Funds for this request are included in the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Operational Plan in Finance Other. The funding source is General Purpose Revenue. There will be no change in net General Fund costs and no additional staff years.
Business Impact Statement
Implementation of the County’s investment in the District supports local businesses, creates opportunities for artists and creative entrepreneurs, and drives economic activity in surrounding sectors such as hospitality, tourism, and retail. The District serves as a social, cultural and economic anchor designed to stimulate place-based cultural and economic development.
Advisory Board Statement
N/A
Background
The San Diego Black Arts and Culture District (District) was established by the San Diego City Council on June 14, 2022 (Resolution R-2022-508) to promote local cultural activities, enhance community awareness, and stimulate culturally based economic development. The District spans an eight-block area along and adjacent to Imperial Avenue in the Encanto community of the City of San Diego and serves as a cultural center for San Diego County’s Black community. The San Diego African American Museum of Fine Art is designated as the organization responsible for overseeing the District. As a long-standing Black arts institution, it collaborates with a wide network of stakeholders and the District’s Advisory Committee to guide development, operations, and programming. The organization has successfully activated the District through public art projects, music festivals, placemaking initiatives, and culturally focused events.
On May 5, 2026 (14), the Board of Supervisors (Board) affirmed the County’s commitment to arts, culture, and the creative economy by investing in artists, creative spaces, and cultural development. This action recognized the District as a vital space where Black arts, culture and history can flourish, local talent can grow, and creative businesses can expand, despite long-standing inequities in public investment that have required the District to rely on limited resources. As part of this action, the Board allocated a one-time $500,000 investment to support the District’s development, activation, and long-term sustainability. These funds will advance public space activation and cultural infrastructure improvements, arts and cultural programming, and workforce and economic opportunities for creative businesses.
The grant allocation will be in alignment with prior Board direction to support District activities that enhance public space activation and cultural infrastructure through physical improvements, arts and cultural programming, and economic and workforce development initiatives. Execution of a grant agreement with the San Diego African American Museum of Fine Art is needed to implement the County’s investment and carry out these planned efforts.
Linkage to the County of San Diego Strategic Plan
Today’s proposed actions support the Strategic Initiatives of Sustainability, Equity, Community
in the County of San Diego’s 2026-2031 Strategic Plan.
Respectfully submitted,
Dahvia Lynch
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer
Attachment(s)
N/A