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Date: |
November 17, 2026 |
24 |
Title
Protecting San Diego's Cultural Assets and Activating Arts Across Communities (Districts: All)
End
Overview
San Diego County's arts and cultural ecosystem is essential to the region's identity, economic vitality, and quality of life. From local artists and neighborhood arts organizations to museums, theaters, cultural institutions, and public spaces, this ecosystem preserves our region's diverse cultural heritage, inspires creativity, and creates opportunities for education, artistic expression, and human connection. These institutions and spaces are more than cultural destinations; they are vital community assets that bring people together, strengthen neighborhoods, and shape the character of our region.
The value of arts and culture extends far beyond the experiences they provide. A growing body of research demonstrates that engagement in arts and cultural activities is associated with better physical and mental health, reduced stress and social isolation, and stronger community connections. Studies have linked regular cultural participation to significantly lower risks of depression and premature mortality, while arts-based interventions have shown promise in improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare utilization. These findings reinforce an important principle: access to arts and culture is not simply a cultural or economic priority, but an investment in public health, community well-being, and the strength of our social fabric. Protecting these institutions means preserving the places where people find belonging, where traditions are passed between generations, and where communities come together. Investing in arts and culture is ultimately an investment in the health, vitality, and future of San Diego County.
Yet the organizations that contribute so much to our communities are facing mounting financial pressures. Federal funding cuts, reductions in other sources of public and private support, rising operating costs, and growing infrastructure needs are making it increasingly difficult for arts and cultural organizations to sustain operations, maintain programming, and plan for the future. These challenges affect organizations of all sizes, from neighborhood-based arts programs to major cultural institutions, and threaten the strength and accessibility of the region's broader cultural ecosystem. Meeting this moment requires timely, targeted support to help organizations navigate current financial challenges, maintain essential operations, and preserve the cultural programs and services that communities rely upon. By weaving the arts into everyday life, organizations like these contribute to the health of the public, supporting people’s physical, mental, and social health.
The proposed action would establish a $3 million investment over two years to help stabilize arts and cultural organizations throughout San Diego County. This investment would complement the Conrad Prebys Foundation's broader $8 million commitment over two years, representing a combined $11 million in public and private investments to strengthen the region's arts and cultural sector. Through a third-party funding administrator, the County would provide flexible support for operational needs, organizational capacity, and shared resources, while working with the Foundation to establish consistent grant criteria. This collaborative approach would align resources, reduce administrative burdens, and sustain the cultural institutions, programs, and creative opportunities that enrich communities throughout San Diego County.
Balboa Park is among San Diego County's most significant cultural and public assets, bringing together museums, historic resources, cultural institutions, and public spaces that serve residents and visitors from across the region. Like many cultural organizations throughout the County, its institutions face financial and operational challenges that underscore the importance of continued support. The proposed Arts Under the Stars at Balboa Park initiative would establish a six-month pilot from May through October 2027, expanding evening access to participating museums and cultural institutions while activating the Park's public spaces through live performances, local artist engagement, and arts and cultural programming. This coordinated effort would support participating institutions while creating new opportunities for residents to experience and enjoy the Park.
Balboa Park is also home to longstanding cultural institutions that celebrate the rich histories, artistic traditions, and contributions of San Diego's African Diaspora and Indigenous communities. For decades, WorldBeat Cultural Center has provided an important space for cultural expression, bringing generations together through music, dance, visual arts, education, and community celebrations. WorldBeat plays a vital role in preserving cultural heritage, supporting local artists, and ensuring that diverse voices and traditions remain an integral part of San Diego's cultural landscape. Artists and culture bearers have long supported community health and wellness, and WorldBeat carries that tradition forward through intergenerational programming that nurtures cultural identity and well-being. The proposed investment would support its continued operations, programming, and facility needs, helping sustain this important cultural institution and expand opportunities for community engagement in Balboa Park.
The Fleet Science Center is also expanding opportunities for young people to engage in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) education beyond traditional classroom settings. Through hands-on learning, creative exploration, and community partnerships, the Fleet brings educational experiences to underserved youth, including young people involved in the juvenile justice system and students in communities with limited access to enrichment opportunities. Creative learning also supports young people’s engagement, and links arts participation with better school attendance and performance. The proposed investment would support these efforts, helping more young people explore new interests, develop skills, and access meaningful educational experiences.
Arts and cultural institutions also have opportunities to serve communities in ways that extend beyond their traditional missions. The proposed investment in a Community Resilience Center at the San Diego Museum of Art would support planning for accessible spaces that could provide resources during extreme heat, wildfire smoke, and other emergencies, with particular attention to individuals with disabilities and other vulnerable populations. This initiative recognizes the potential for cultural institutions to contribute to broader community needs while building upon their existing educational and public service roles.
Beyond these direct investments, the County has an opportunity to strengthen its role in advancing policies and securing resources that support the region's broader arts and cultural ecosystem. By incorporating arts and culture priorities into its Legislative Program, the County can advocate for additional state and federal investments in cultural institutions, historic preservation, infrastructure, public spaces, and arts and cultural programming, including the continued preservation and vitality of Balboa Park. This effort would also support broader initiatives that strengthen the regional creative economy, including artist housing, cultural arts districts, creative land trusts, and workforce development. Together, these priorities recognize that sustaining a vibrant arts and cultural sector requires not only direct financial support, but also policies and investments that preserve creative spaces, expand opportunities for artists, and strengthen the cultural vitality of communities throughout San Diego County.
Together, these actions reflect a commitment to protecting the cultural institutions, creative spaces, and community programs that are essential to San Diego County's identity and quality of life. At a time when financial pressures threaten the organizations that have spent decades enriching our communities, the County has an opportunity to help preserve what makes our region unique. These investments are about more than sustaining organizations; they are about protecting spaces where cultures and traditions are celebrated, artists and young people find opportunities, and communities come together through shared experiences. By investing in arts and culture today, the County can help ensure that these opportunities remain accessible and continue to strengthen the health, connection, and well-being of residents for generations to come.
Through these actions, San Diego County is taking an important step toward strengthening its arts and cultural ecosystem, bringing together more than $12 million in public and private investments that recognize the vital role creativity, cultural expression, and shared experiences play in the life of our region. By leveraging County resources and philanthropic support, strengthening cultural institutions, and expanding access to arts and education, the County is helping build a future where arts and culture remain central to the vitality, diversity, and character of San Diego County.
Body
Recommendation by Chair Supervisor Terra Lawson Remer And Vice Chair Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe:
1) Find, in accordance with California Government Code Section 26227, that funding to strengthen the stability, capacity, and long-term sustainability of arts and cultural organizations and programs throughout San Diego County, as set forth in Recommendation 2 through 6, is necessary to meet the social needs of the population.
2) Authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to identify and allocate up to $3,000,000 to provide annual funding of $1,500,000 for two years to arts and cultural organizations that serve as important community and cultural assets, contribute to the regional arts and cultural ecosystem, and expand opportunities for artistic expression, cultural engagement, and public participation. Further, direct the Chief Administrative Officer to return to the Board in a Fiscal Year 2026-27 quarterly status adjustment to transfer or establish necessary appropriations, contingent upon the identification of available funding in Fiscal Year 2026-27. The following parameters shall govern the use of funds:
a. Funding will be distributed through a separately contracted third-party funding administrator.
b. Funding must support organizational operations, financial stability, capacity building, shared resources and services, and other activities that strengthen organizational resilience and support a vibrant and accessible arts and cultural sector.
c. The funding administrator will work with Conrad Prebys Foundation in consultation with the County, to establish award criteria and select recipients.
3) Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to identify and allocate up to $500,000 to establish Arts Under the Stars at Balboa Park, a six-month pilot initiative to expand evening access to Balboa Park's museums and cultural institutions, support arts and cultural programming, and activate the Park's public spaces through a coordinated series of evening events. Further, direct the Chief Administrative Officer to return to the Board in a Fiscal Year 2026-27 quarterly status adjustment to transfer or establish necessary appropriations, contingent upon the identification of available funding in Fiscal Year 2026-27. The $500,000 would be distributed as follows:
a. Balboa Park Cultural Partnership - $350,000. Provide funding to the Balboa Park Cultural Partnership to coordinate participation among museums and cultural institutions and distribute operating grants and programming stipends to support extended evening hours and additional arts and cultural programming.
b. Forever Balboa Park - $150,000. Provide funding to Forever Balboa Park to activate Balboa Park's public spaces through outdoor arts and cultural programming, live performances, local artist engagement, and activities that enhance the visitor experience and create a vibrant, welcoming, and cohesive park-wide cultural experience.
4) Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to allocate $500,000 within the Unlocked Reserves Framework to provide annual funding of $250,000 for two years to the San Diego Museum of Art to support the planning and development of an accessible Community Resilience Center at Balboa Park, demonstrating how arts and cultural institutions can serve as trusted community anchors for climate resilience, emergency preparedness, and public well-being, particularly for individuals with disabilities and other vulnerable populations; and transfer appropriations of $500,000 from Finance Other, Services & Supplies to the Land Use and Environment Group Executive Office, Services & Supplies to support the planning and development efforts of a Community Resilience Center at Balboa Park based on available prior year Unrestricted General Fund balance identified as Unlocked Reserves.
5) Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to identify and allocate up to $450,000 to provide annual funding of $150,000 for three years to the Fleet Science Center to expand access to science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) education for underserved youth, including summer enrichment programming for youth involved in the juvenile justice system and community-based educational opportunities for students in underserved communities. Further, direct the Chief Administrative Officer to return to the Board in a Fiscal Year 2026-27 quarterly status adjustment to transfer or establish necessary appropriations, contingent upon the identification of available funding in Fiscal Year 2026-27.
6) Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to identify and allocate up to $100,000 to WorldBeat Cultural Center to support organizational operations, facility maintenance and improvements, and arts and cultural programming that preserves and celebrates African Diaspora and Indigenous cultural traditions, expands opportunities for cultural education and artistic expression, and supports community engagement for Balboa Park. Further, direct the Chief Administrative Officer to return to the Board in a Fiscal Year 2026-27 quarterly status adjustment to transfer or establish necessary appropriations, contingent upon the identification of available funding in Fiscal Year 2026-27.
7) Authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to execute grant agreements and other documents, and to include appropriate grant terms and deliverables, necessary to implement the funding opportunities identified above.
8) Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to add a legislative proposal to the County's Legislative Program Sponsorship Proposals section, consistent with Board Policy M-1, that would seek state and federal investment in Balboa Park and the broader regional arts and cultural ecosystem, including, but not limited to, historic preservation, cultural institutions, infrastructure improvements, public spaces, accessibility enhancements, arts and cultural programming, and projects that support the Park's long-term sustainability. The proposal would further support policies, programs, and investments that expand access to arts and culture, strengthen the regional creative economy, and sustain a vibrant arts community throughout San Diego County, including, but not limited to, artist housing, cultural arts districts, creative land trusts, workforce development, and other initiatives that support artists, cultural organizations, and creative communities.
9) Authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to accept up to $400,000 in grant funding from the Conrad Prebys Foundation, and to execute a grant agreement, for use toward the funding administrator’s fee and/or arts and culture consultant costs. Waive Board Policy B-29, Fees, Grants, Revenue Contracts - Department Responsibility for Cost Recovery. Further, direct the Chief Administrative Officer to return to the Board in a Fiscal Year 2026-27 quarterly status adjustment to transfer or establish necessary appropriations, if needed.
10) Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to amend the annual reporting requirement established by the Board on May 5, 2026, to return to the Board each May, rather than January, with a comprehensive annual update and presentation highlighting County investments, initiatives, partnerships, and opportunities in arts, culture, and the creative economy, including the San Diego County Film Initiative, and their impact on communities throughout the region; and, allow the May 5, 2026 directed Artist Space Grant Program to focus on public-facing arts and cultural opportunities on or off County-owned spaces to expand public access to experiencing arts and culture in free and public spaces throughout the region.
11) Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to amend the role established by the Board on May 5, 2026 of the San Diego County Arts and Culture Commission to receive quarterly updates on arts and cultural programs, investments, and activities occurring across County departments rather than serving an advisory body. The Commission’s role related to the May 5, 2026 Board action and the actions approved herein shall focus on outreach, awareness, community engagement, and connecting artists and cultural organizations with County arts and cultural opportunities.
End
Equity Impact Statement
San Diego County’s art and culture ecosystem are encountering significant pressures that threaten its long-term sustainability, including rising living and business costs, and reduced federal support. These challenges are intensified by the lack of affordable spaces, limited job opportunities, and the presence of “arts deserts” in several areas across all five districts. By investing in San Diego’s art and cultural ecosystem in an equitable way, today’s item serves to enhance accessibility and affordability for organizations of all sizes.
Sustainability Impact Statement
Implementation of these creative sector actions will result in sustainability enhancements in terms of health/well-being, equity, economy, and environment. Transforming the regional creative sector toward low-barrier access modes will contribute to County of San Diego Sustainability Goal No. 2 to provide just and equitable access to County services by providing a wider availability and range of supportive and inclusive options
Fiscal Impact
Funds for the actions requested in Recommendations 2, 3, 5 and 6 are not included in the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Operational Plan. If approved, these actions will result in costs totaling up to $4.05 million with spending anticipated over three fiscal years, including:
• $3.0 million for support of various arts and cultural organizations (over two fiscal years)
• $500,000 to establish Arts Under the Stars Balboa Park, including $350,000 for the Balboa Park Cultural Partnership and $150,000 for Forever Balboa Park
• $450,000 for the Fleet Science Center (over three fiscal years)
• $100,000 to support the WorldBeat Cultural Center
These amounts are subject to the identification of funding source(s) and the transfer or establishment of appropriations through future Board action. There will be no additional staff years resulting from these recommendations.
Funds for the action requested in Recommendation 9 are not included in the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Operational Plan. Approval would result in $400,000 of revenue from the Conrad Prebys Foundation to the County in Fiscal Year 2026-27 to help offset administrative costs associated with the funding the administrator’s fee in Recommendation 2 and/or arts and culture consultant costs. There will be no additional staff years resulting from this recommendation.
Funds for the action requested in Recommendation 4 are included in the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Operational Plan in Finance Other. If approved, this action will result in a cost of $500,000 to provide annual funding of $250,000 for two fiscal years to the San Diego Museum of Art to support the planning and development of an accessible Community Resilience Center at Balboa Park, including the transfer of appropriations from Finance Other to the Land Use and Environment Group Executive Office. The proposed center would place particular emphasis on individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, people who are blind or have low vision, and their families and caregivers. The funding source is prior year Unrestricted General Fund balance made available as unlocked reserves and included in Finance Other to address the Safety Net. This action reduces the safety net services balance of funds in Finance Other to $24.6 million remaining to be allocated. There will be no additional staff years resulting from this recommendation.
There is no fiscal impact associated with Recommendations 1, 7, 8, 10, and 11. There will be no change in net General Fund cost and no additional staff years as a result of these
recommendations.
Business Impact Statement
Investing in San Diego County’s arts and ecosystem will help to sustain a $1.4 billion sector that
supported 19,771 jobs in 2022. Arts and culture organizations are themselves businesses that
employ staff in a variety of roles and purchase goods and services from suppliers. They also
drive business activity in adjacent industries such as hospitality, tourism, and retail.
Advisory Board Statement
N/A
Background
San Diego County's arts and cultural ecosystem is an important part of the region's identity, economy, and quality of life. From local artists and neighborhood arts organizations to museums, theaters, cultural institutions, and public spaces, this ecosystem supports creativity, education, cultural preservation, and community connection. These organizations and spaces serve as anchors in our communities, bringing people together, creating opportunities for learning and engagement, and contributing to the vitality of neighborhoods throughout the County.
Integrating the arts into community life can strengthen the health of both participants and the community around them. For individuals, regular participation is linked to lower stress, less loneliness, and better physical and mental health. Research suggests the effect is meaningful: attending an arts or cultural event just once a month has been associated with a 31 percent lower risk of early death and a 20 percent lower likelihood of depression. At the community level, access to arts and culture supports a higher quality of life for residents, and when utilized, they can help reduce healthcare costs and shorten hospital stays.
At the same time, arts and cultural organizations are facing increasing financial strain. Federal funding cuts, reductions in other sources of public and private support, rising operating costs, and growing infrastructure needs are making it increasingly difficult for organizations to sustain operations, maintain programming, and plan for the future. These pressures threaten the strength of the broader cultural ecosystem and underscore the importance of timely investment in organizational stability and long-term sustainability.
Arts and cultural organizations require different forms of support depending on their size, mission, and the communities they serve. Flexible investments can help organizations maintain essential operations, strengthen financial stability, build organizational capacity, and explore shared resources and services. Supporting these needs helps preserve the institutions, community relationships, and creative opportunities that contribute to a vibrant and accessible cultural sector.
The proposed action would establish a $3 million investment over two years to help stabilize arts and cultural organizations throughout San Diego County. Funding would be distributed through a separately contracted third-party administrator, providing flexible support for organizational operations, financial stability, capacity building, and shared resources and services. This approach recognizes the varied needs of organizations across the region and the importance of preserving the cultural institutions, creative spaces, and community programs that residents rely upon.
The County's investment would complement a broader commitment by the Conrad Prebys Foundation, which is investing approximately $8 million over two years to strengthen San Diego's arts and cultural ecosystem. The Foundation's approach focuses on sustaining organizations and creative spaces, strengthening organizational capacity, and advancing collaborative solutions to shared challenges. Together, these efforts represent approximately $11 million in complementary public and private investments to support the region's arts and cultural sector.
To build on these complementary investments, the third-party funding administrator would work with the Conrad Prebys Foundation, in consultation with the County, to establish consistent grant award criteria. This coordination would help align public and private funding priorities, streamline administration, and reduce burdens on participating organizations while directing resources toward pressing financial and operational needs. By bringing together public and philanthropic investments, the County can help strengthen organizational stability, preserve important cultural assets, and support a more resilient and accessible regional arts and cultural ecosystem.
Balboa Park is one of the region's most significant shared public assets, bringing together museums, cultural institutions, historic resources, open space, recreation, education, and community gathering in a single destination. Its reach extends across San Diego County, offering residents and visitors opportunities to experience arts and culture while contributing to the region's identity and sense of community.
Yet the Park and many of its institutions face increasing financial and operational pressures, substantial infrastructure needs, and challenges that require greater coordination and sustained investment. Strengthening Balboa Park requires not only supporting the institutions within it but also creating new opportunities for residents to experience its cultural offerings and public spaces.
The proposed Arts Under the Stars at Balboa Park initiative would establish a six-month pilot program from May through October 2027, featuring coordinated evenings during which participating museums and cultural institutions would offer extended hours alongside arts and cultural programming throughout the Park. The initiative would create opportunities for residents throughout San Diego County to explore museums, experience live performances, engage with local artists, and participate in cultural activities in a welcoming and connected evening environment.
Successful implementation will require close coordination with participating museums and cultural institutions to address the operational needs associated with extended evening hours, including staffing, security, custodial services, visitor services, and other necessary expenses. The Balboa Park Cultural Partnership would coordinate directly with participating institutions to establish event schedules, identify operational requirements, and administer operating stipends to help offset the costs of participation. Each participating museum or cultural institution would receive an operating stipend for each Arts Under the Stars evening in which it participates, with funding distributed through a transparent and consistent process that accounts for the operational requirements of extended hours.
Forever Balboa Park would work in coordination with the Balboa Park Cultural Partnership and participating museums and cultural institutions to activate the Park's public spaces through outdoor performances, local artist engagement, and other arts and cultural activities. Programming would be developed in consultation with participating institutions to ensure that event locations, schedules, visitor circulation, and activities complement museum operations and contribute to a cohesive park-wide experience. Coordination would also address shared operational considerations, including accessibility, public safety, wayfinding, and event logistics.
The participating organizations would establish a coordinated calendar of Arts Under the Stars evenings, develop a shared approach to outreach and promotion, and evaluate participation and implementation needs throughout the pilot. These efforts would help ensure that County resources support meaningful museum participation, responsible event operations, and expanded public access to arts and culture. The experience and lessons learned during the six-month pilot would also help inform future opportunities for evening programming at Balboa Park.
Balboa Park is also home to longstanding community-based cultural institutions that play an important role in preserving San Diego's diverse cultural heritage and expanding access to arts and cultural experiences. Among these is WorldBeat Cultural Center, which has served generations of residents by providing a space for artistic expression, cultural education, and community engagement, while elevating historically underrepresented artists and cultural traditions.
Founded by Makeda Cheatom, WorldBeat Cultural Center has been an important cultural and educational institution in Balboa Park for decades, celebrating the arts, histories, and traditions of the African Diaspora and Indigenous communities worldwide. Located in a former water tower transformed into a vibrant multicultural center, WorldBeat brings residents and visitors together through music, dance, visual arts, cultural celebrations, and educational programming. Its performances, exhibitions, workshops, and intergenerational activities help preserve cultural traditions, support local and international artists, and foster greater understanding and connection among diverse communities.
WorldBeat’s contribution to community life is also a contribution to community health. For many residents; cultural spaces offer something clinical settings often cannot: a place to see their heritage reflected, share traditions across generations, and feel they belong. That sense of belonging and connection is a recognized protective factor for health, reducing isolation and stress, and culture bearers have long used music, dance, and storytelling to sustain individuals and families. In this way, WorldBeat advances the vision of a healthy, safe, and thriving region and supports efforts to reduce health disparities by reaching residents where they already gather and feel welcome.
Like many community-based cultural organizations, WorldBeat faces ongoing operational and facility needs that can challenge its ability to sustain programming and maintain accessible cultural spaces. The proposed County investment would provide flexible support for organizational operations, facility maintenance and improvements, and arts and cultural programming. By supporting WorldBeat, the County can help preserve an important cultural asset, strengthen opportunities for artistic expression and education, and ensure that this space continues to serve residents and visitors for generations to come.
Arts and cultural institutions also play an important role in expanding educational opportunities beyond traditional classroom settings. Through partnerships with schools, community organizations, and public agencies, these institutions can bring hands-on learning experiences directly to young people and families who may otherwise face barriers to participation.
The Fleet Science Center has developed community-based educational programs that integrate science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM), creating opportunities for students to explore new interests, develop skills, and engage with scientists, educators, and creative professionals.
One such initiative is STEMQuest, which has provided educational programming to students at Soar Academy within the County's Youth Transition Center. The program combines hands-on science and technology learning with community partnerships and arts-related activities to create meaningful educational experiences for youth involved in the juvenile justice system. During a six-week program, the Fleet and its partners served 105 students, providing approximately 945 hours of student engagement through on-site workshops, educational activities, and field trips. The program demonstrates the value of bringing educational and enrichment opportunities directly to young people in rehabilitative settings.
The Fleet’s work with youth in the juvenile justice system also supports public safety goals. Young people who are engaged in constructive, hands-on learning, supported by caring adults, and connected to opportunities beyond the justice system are better positioned to reenter their communities successfully and make positive choices. Programs like STEMQuest bring that support directly into the Youth Transition Center, complementing the efforts of the County’s Public Safety Group to rehabilitate youth and keep communities safe. By investing in prevention and rehabilitation, the County strengthens public safety while expanding pathways to education, employment, and long-term stability for young people.
The Fleet also organizes the San Ysidro STEM Fair, a community-centered event that brings together students, families, educators, scientists, and local organizations for hands-on learning and exploration. The event integrates science and technology with arts and cultural experiences, including programming focused on art and planetary health. The Fleet reported attendance of approximately 3,100 participants in 2026, demonstrating the event's reach and the opportunities it provides for community engagement.
As arts and cultural organizations navigate an increasingly challenging funding environment, sustaining community-based educational programs requires continued investment and strong partnerships. The proposed County investment would support the Fleet Science Center's efforts to maintain and expand access to STEAM education for underserved youth, strengthen community partnerships, and adapt programming to the needs of participating students and families.
Arts and cultural institutions also have the potential to serve a broader public purpose by supporting emergency preparedness, climate resilience, and community well-being. Museums and other cultural facilities often have established community relationships, educational resources, and physical spaces that can be adapted to provide additional public benefits during emergencies.
Community Resilience Centers are accessible, community-serving spaces designed to help residents prepare for and respond to climate-related emergencies. Depending on their facilities and capabilities, these centers can provide cooling and clean-air refuge during extreme heat and wildfire smoke events, access to information and resources, and safe gathering spaces. Outside of emergencies, they can support community education, preparedness activities, and ongoing engagement. These centers also serve as public health infrastructure, reducing exposure to heat and smoke and connecting residents with information and support.
The San Diego Museum of Art is working to establish a Community Resilience Center at its Balboa Park campus as part of its broader planning for the Museum's West Wing expansion. The initiative would explore how the Museum's facilities can support accessible gathering spaces, cooling and clean-air capabilities, resilient energy systems, and emergency operations while continuing to serve as a center for arts, education, and cultural engagement.
The proposed center would place particular emphasis on individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, people who are blind or have low vision, and their families and caregivers. These populations can face additional challenges during emergencies, including inaccessible communications, transportation barriers, and facilities that do not adequately accommodate mobility or sensory needs.
This initiative offers an opportunity to demonstrate how cultural institutions can contribute to the region's broader resilience infrastructure. By connecting existing cultural and educational resources with emergency preparedness and accessibility, the project could provide a model for expanding the public value of arts and cultural institutions throughout San Diego County.
The Community Resilience Center also aligns with the County’s climate and sustainability priorities. Extreme heat and wildfire smoke are growing risks in the San Diego region, and they do not affect every community equally; residents with disabilities, older adults, and those without reliable access to cooling or clean air are the most vulnerable. The County’s Land Use and Environment Group (LUEG), leads work on climate resilience, equity, and regional decarbonization, and a resilience center at the Museum could complement that work by showing how trusted community institutions can serve as places of refuge and preparedness. Coordination with LUEG as planning moves forward would help ensure the project reflects County climate and environmental justice goals and could inform similar efforts in other communities.
Beyond these direct investments, the County has an opportunity to play a stronger role in advancing state and federal policies and securing resources that support Balboa Park and the broader regional arts and cultural ecosystem. Incorporating these priorities into the County's Legislative Program would strengthen advocacy for historic preservation, infrastructure improvements, accessibility, cultural institutions, public spaces, and arts and cultural programming that contribute to the Park's long-term sustainability. This effort would also extend beyond Balboa Park to advance policies and investments that strengthen San Diego County's creative economy and address longstanding challenges facing artists and cultural organizations. Priorities such as affordable artist housing, cultural arts districts, creative land trusts, and workforce development can help preserve creative spaces, expand economic opportunities, and support the artists and organizations that contribute to the region's cultural vitality. By establishing these priorities within its legislative agenda, the County can pursue additional resources, strengthen partnerships, and help create the conditions for a thriving and sustainable arts and cultural sector throughout the region.
As the County expands its investments in arts and culture, greater coordination and visibility across County departments, programs, services, and public spaces will help connect residents and organizations with available opportunities.
The proposed action would amend the Board's May 5, 2026, annual reporting direction to require the Chief Administrative Officer to return to the Board each May with a comprehensive update and presentation highlighting the full scope of the County's arts and cultural investments, programs, initiatives, and partnerships across County departments. This annual return would include the San Diego County Film Initiative, County-supported arts and cultural programming, funding opportunities, community partnerships, and creative economy initiatives. The update would also highlight legislative advocacy efforts and opportunities to secure additional state and federal resources for Balboa Park and the broader regional arts and cultural ecosystem, including initiatives supporting historic preservation, cultural institutions, artist housing, creative spaces, and workforce development. Together, these updates would provide the Board and public with a coordinated overview of the County's efforts, their impact on communities throughout the region, and opportunities to strengthen partnerships, expand public access, and advance arts and culture as a Countywide priority.
The action would also clarify the role of the San Diego County Arts and Culture Commission, establishing quarterly updates on County arts and cultural activities rather than advisory body, while focusing the Commission's responsibilities on outreach, awareness, community engagement, and connecting artists and cultural organizations with County opportunities.
Together, these efforts would support a more coordinated approach to arts and cultural investment, strengthen public engagement, and provide the Board and community with greater visibility into the County's ongoing initiatives.
The proposed actions pair near-term organizational stabilization with investments in public access, educational opportunity, community resilience, and long-term sustainability. By supporting the organizations that sustain the region's cultural ecosystem while activating public spaces and expanding the role of cultural institutions in community life, the County can help strengthen San Diego's cultural assets and create more opportunities for residents throughout the region to experience and benefit from arts and culture
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,
Terra Lawson-Remer Monica Montgomery Steppe
Supervisor, Third District Supervisor, Fourth District
Attachment(s)
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