CULVER CITY
ARTS DISTRICT
2026–2027 WORKPLAN
Proposed 2026–2027 CCAD Fiscal Year Work Plan
The Culver City Arts District Business Improvement District (CCAD BID) is comprised of numerous art galleries, architecture firms, creative businesses, specialty retail, restaurants, professional services, and design/wholesale firms located on the east side of Culver City (Exhibit B-1). Formed in February 2016, CCAD BID works to encourage engagement among the business community and to create and promote an identity for the area. Current objectives of the district include marketing and promotion, advocacy, and maintenance/beautification of the area to visually connect the community.
Accomplishments to date include the creation of a brand style guide, social media marketing, median replanting, increased streetscape maintenance, a street-pole banner program, implementation of an outdoor dining and retail program, the Washington Boulevard lighting program, execution of the annual Art Walk & Roll Festival, launch of a district-wide mural program, advocacy and partnership with the City of Culver City, the Arts District Residents Association, the Culver City Academy of Visual and Performing Arts, the Culver City Chamber of Commerce and other local arts agencies, and the formation of a non-profit 501(c)(6). By pooling resources, business owners in the BID can collectively pay for activities which they may not be able to afford individually, and can continue to revitalize and strengthen the Culver City Arts District.
Boundaries
The Arts District is primarily located along Washington Boulevard between the Metro Expo Line (National Boulevard) and Fairfax Avenue, and along La Cienega Boulevard from Washington Boulevard to Blackwelder Street. In addition, the district encompasses a portion of Fairfax Avenue from Washington Boulevard to La Cienega Boulevard and Adams Street from Washington Boulevard to Fairfax Avenue. It also includes all of Helms Avenue, Wesley Street, Perry Street, Smiley Drive, Blackwelder Street and Hines Avenue. Please see Exhibit B-1.
Advisory Board
The Advisory Board is appointed by the City Council and serves on a volunteer basis. The Board meets to progress the annual work plan. The composition of the CCAD BID Board is as follows:
• Member 1 – Restaurant – Francesco Sinatra
• Member 2 – Café/Restaurant – Limi Abdusemed
• Member 3 – Restaurant – Alex Majurinen
• Member 4 – Art/Professional Services – Jeff Morrical
• Member 5 – Commercial Sublease/Property Owner – Noah Baylin • Member 6 – Art/Professional Services – Carlo Marcucci • Member 7 – Temporarily vacant
• Member 8 – Temporarily vacant
• Member 9 – Art Gallery Owner/Operator – Krista Moase
Proposed Improvements and Activities for 2026–2027
The activities proposed for the 2026–2027 CCAD BID are focused in three areas:
maintenance/beautification, advocacy/administration, and marketing and promotion.
Maintenance / Beautification
• NEW Design, fabricate and install artist-created utility box wraps at signal cabinets and utility boxes throughout the District, coordinated with the City’s Public Works Department and prioritizing Washington Boulevard and La Cienega Boulevard gateway locations. • NEW Commission and install artist-designed vinyl cling artwork on bus stop shelters and transit stops within the District, in coordination with the City and Culver CityBus, to extend the District identity to transit riders and improve the pedestrian experience. • NEW Explore an “Adopt-a-Bus Stop” program allowing District businesses and property owners to sponsor a nearby transit stop, supporting its upkeep and artwork. • NEW Clean up and refresh the District medians and work with the City to incorporate public art into the median program.
• NEW Begin long-term planning for a District gateway project, including siting, design concepts and funding options for a welcoming sign or monument marking entry into the Culver City Arts District.
• Expand and maintain the decorative lighting program to help promote and support outdoor dining and retail in the District.
• Continue to increase street maintenance beyond the City standard to improve appearance, walkability and safety with additional weeding, sweeping and trash pick-up in landscaped areas. • Continue to build out the District-wide mural program, adding new wall locations and artist partnerships.
Advocacy / Administration
• Address the City Council and the community with one voice and strengthen partnerships with community organizations.
• Partner with the City to enhance multi-mobility and circulation throughout the District. Continue to explore parking opportunities and additional crosswalks in collaboration with the City’s Parking and Traffic Subcommittee.
• NEW Explore retaining a consultant to support the bus stop artwork program, including design direction, artist selection, permitting and coordination with the City and Culver CityBus. • NEW Secure the encroachment permits, City approvals and property-owner consents required for the utility box wrap, transit shelter artwork, median art and mural programs. • Explore and pursue grant opportunities, including public art, transit and placemaking grants that can extend the reach of the District’s capital projects. • Continue to advocate for the needs of property and business owners in the District and relay concerns to City staff and City Council.
• Oversee administration and management of the BID, adherence to the Brown Act, and ongoing communication between City staff and the Board.
Marketing / Events / Promotion
• Produce and host pop-up markets and events in partnership with local businesses to increase BID awareness and participation in the CCAD.
• Plan and execute the 2026 Arts Festival with the City. • Update and maintain the District website(s), manage social media accounts, email marketing and the printed newsletter.
• Complete the street-pole banner project throughout the District. • NEW Issue an open call to artists and promote the utility box and transit shelter artwork programs as a District-wide public art initiative, including a self-guided art map. • Develop and maintain relationships with businesses located within the District. • Examine the feasibility of a second event in the spring with a focus on art and community building.
Annual Assessment
The CCAD BID is an annually renewable program. Funding to implement the annual work plan is collected via assessments to businesses. Funds may only be used on the approved programs within the CCAD BID.
The Assessment Schedule has three levels based on both the City’s business license activity codes and the physical location of the businesses within the district.
Business Activity
Those businesses that have business activity codes reflecting “creative” or artistic enterprise, that support artistic or creative enterprise in the arts (art, architecture, marketing, entertainment, production, design services, culinary, etc.), or that directly benefit from these enterprises (retail, restaurant, etc.) are identified as primary beneficiaries. Those businesses whose activity may not be directly related to the arts but that support the arts/creative businesses or their employees, and/or receive some benefit by being part of an “arts” or organized district, are classified as secondary beneficiaries. All other businesses in the CCAD are classified as tertiary. Tertiary beneficiaries, similar to primary and secondary businesses, derive benefits from the maintenance, beautification and business promotion services provided by the CCAD.
Dues & Assessment Schedule (Effective Calendar Year 2026) Primary Tier: $375 annually (Washington Blvd., National Blvd., La Cienega Blvd., Helms Avenue, Wesley Street) / $281.25 (Smiley Dr., Blackwelder St., Adams St., Hines Ave., Fairfax Ave., Perry Dr.)
Secondary Tier: $250 annually (Washington Blvd., National Blvd., La Cienega Blvd., Helms Avenue, Wesley Street) / $187.50 (Smiley Dr., Blackwelder St., Adams St., Hines Ave., Fairfax Ave., Perry Dr.)
Tertiary Tier: $125 annually (Washington Blvd., National Blvd., La Cienega Blvd., Helms Avenue, Wesley Street) / $93.75 (Smiley Dr., Blackwelder St., Adams St., Hines Ave., Fairfax Ave., Perry Dr.) A detailed listing of Business Activity Code and Benefit Level is provided below.
Primary Tier: $375 / $281.25 annually
Business Activity
Code
Activity
29 Cannabis / distribution
126 Clothing – retail
144 Misc. retail
152 Graphic arts
157 Art galleries
168 Interior decoration
186 Advertising / marketing
205 Talent / modeling agency
216 Photography / studio
225 Public relations
294 Architect
390 Restaurant – no alcohol
396 Food retail
399 Liquor store
410 Private school
456 Hotel / hospitality
488–490 Entertainment industry
675, 678 Restaurants
744 Bar / tavern
828 Rentals – backdrops / cameras
Secondary Tier: $250 / $187.50 annually
Business Activity
Code
Activity
36 Arts / crafts
96 Jewelry store
138 Wallpaper / paint retail
160 Sales of real property
162 Tailor / alteration
180 Misc. trade / service
198 Consultants – misc.
216 Photographer
222 Property management
240 Professional services
255 Woodworking / cabinetry / welding
276 Beauty shop
Business Activity
Code
Activity
288 Accountant – CPA
300 Attorney
306 Dentist
312 Therapist / doctor
314 Chiropractor / acupuncture
324 Finance / escrow service
336–337 Real estate brokers
348 Travel agency
384 Newspaper / publications
402 Pharmacy / drugs
414 Apartment rentals
432 Commercial property sublease
474 Manufacturing / retail / wholesale
551 Computer software development
557 Telephone service
774 Fitness center / gym / health spa
822 Rentals – motor vehicles
894 Animal hospital
Tertiary Tier: $125 / $93.75 annually
Business Activity
Code
Activity
102 Lumber / building supplies
108 Mail order / retail
192 Business office service
204 Staffing / employment
208 Insurance agent
227 Coach / teacher
285 Computer services
354 Contractor in city
420 Automotive repair
438 Laundry / dry cleaning
444 Gasoline station
505 Computer repair services
510 Repair services – misc.
522 Wholesale
528 Warehouse < 5,000 sq. ft.
Business Activity
Code
Activity
540 Warehouse < 10,000 sq. ft.
784 Export / import
786 Impound yard
864 Towing service
882 Automobile dealers – new / used
Notes
1. Fees for individual business owners with multiple business licenses/operations at the same address will be based on the single highest category reflective of their primary business operation.
In the event of a dispute, the CCAD Advisory Board shall review the request and make disposition on the appropriate category.
2. Business owners with multiple business locations within the BID area will be assessed separately at each location.
3. Commercial rentals will be assessed for each building location, not each tenant space.
4. Multiple independent business owners at the same address will be assessed separately at their respective rates, excluding beauty and health service professionals.
The above codes represent known business activity currently within the district. New businesses within the district will be assessed on a pro-rata basis. If a business code is not listed above, the beneficiary level will be determined by the Advisory Board or default to a tertiary level until the work plan can be updated.
2026–2027 Proposed Collection
The CCAD will work with the City to develop an appropriate collection schedule to encourage full payment and receipt of the assessment fees. Carryover funds may be used to augment budgeted expenses if revenues fall short. If any additional funds are received beyond anticipated revenues, they shall be allocated to the maintenance/beautification line item. Please see Exhibit B-2.
Exhibit B-1: Arts District Boundaries
Exhibit B-2: 2026 Statement of Revenue & Expense
BUDGET FOR THE PERIOD 1/1/2026 TO 12/31/2026
Budget Summary Year 2026
Revenue
BID Assessments $65,000.00
Arts Festival Revenue $101,784.00
Total Revenue $166,784.00
Carryover (from 2025 year-end fund balance) $52,314.02
Expenses
City Administrative Cost $1,280.00
HdL Collection Fees $975.00
Admin. & Operations Services $29,200.00
Insurance $4,976.00
SBA Loan Repayment $1,932.00
General Administrative $17,492.67
Arts Festival $98,000.00
Marketing (includes street-pole banners, $16,000) $20,989.43 Total Expenses $174,845.10
Net Available (Revenue + Carryover – Expenses) $44,252.92 Funds allocated to maintenance and beautification within the General Administrative and Marketing line items support the utility box wrap program, bus stop cling artwork, median cleanup and art, mural program, decorative lighting and enhanced street maintenance described in this work plan. The District gateway project is a long-term initiative; planning and design will be pursued in 2026–2027, with construction funding to be identified through grants, City partnership and future-year budgets.