Staff Report
City Council
Item No. 5.F
Meeting Date: May 27, 2026
From: Anne V. Ambrose, Assistant City Manager
Title: Approve Public Arts Commission's Funding Recommendations for the FY 2026/2027 Community Arts Grant Program
RECOMMENDATION:
To accept and approve the Public Arts Commission’s funding recommendations for the FY 2026/2027 Community Arts Grant Program
BACKGROUND:
In FY 2024/25, the City Council approved a grant program to fund art initiatives in the City.
A budget of $20,000 was allocated in FY 2024/2025 and FY 2025/2026 and grants were awarded to fund a broad range of arts initiatives from theater, music, spoken word, etc. The application process for FY 2026/2027 funding was opened with grants due by Friday April 24, 2026.
DISCUSSION:
The City received 10 applications for the FY 2025/2026 grant program. The Public Arts Commission reviewed the applications at a special meeting on May 11, 2026 and made the following recommendation on grants to be funded:
Organization Requested Proposed Program Awarded
Cathedral City Senior
Center $ 3,800 Year of performances $ 3,800.00 Palm Springs Gay
Men’s Chorus $ 5,000
Boogie Shoes disco themed
performance $ 4,519.00
Boys and Girls Club
of Cathedral City $ 3,800
Youth photography and editing
classes $ 3,800.00
Coachella Accapella $ 3,556
Spring Concert I Love a Piano
with CCHS $ 3,556.00
Denise Dede
Ondishko $ 3,325 One day bluegrass festival $ 3,325.00 Terry Hastings $ 1,000
Seminars for local artists "The
Business of Art and AI Is the
Artist's Friend $ 1,000.00
Desert Art Woman
Studios $ 3,480
Interdisciplinary project - 4 part
(rent for studio) $ -
Green Room Theater $ 5,000 Spring Shakespeare festival $ - Practical Classical $ 5,000
Operatic performances for
young adults $ -
Sunset Music and
Education
Foundation $ 5,000 Music Under the Desert Sky $ - $ 38,961 $ 20,000.00
FISCAL IMPACT:
DESCRIPTION GENERAL
LEDGER
ACCOUNT
CODES
PROJECT
CODE
AMOUNT ONE TIME or
ONGOING
2026-2027 PAC Grants 100-500-510-
513-8650-8658 G08908 $20,000 ONGOING
2026-2027 Total $20,000
FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN:
Goal F: Embracing, Inclusive Community
F-3: Promote additional community events and celebrations ATTACHMENTS:
1. Grant Application- Senior Center
2. Grant Application- Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus
3. Grant Application- Boys and Girls Club of Cathedral City
4. Grant Application- Coachella Accapella
5. Grant Application- Denise Dede Ondishko
6. Grant Application- Terry Hastings
7. Grant Application- Desert Art Woman Studios
8. Grant Application- Green Room Theater
9. Grant Application- Practical Classical
10.Grant Application- Sunset Music and Education Foundation