October 6, 2026
City Council
DATE: October 6, 2026
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM: Councilmember Soheila Bana
Subject: Identify Potential Venues for Cultural Education and Practice by Richmond's Minority Cultural Groups
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no direct fiscal impact associated with this item.
Staff time will be required to conduct the venue review and coordinate with WCCUSD and other partners, and
this work will be completed within existing departmental workloads. No facility costs, rental fee waivers, or capital expenditures are being requested or approved at this
time.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The City Council has received requests from several
minority cultural groups in Richmond, including Aztec,
Arab, Hispanic, Cambodian, and Nepalese community
members, seeking support in identifying a consistent,
safe space where they can teach their children and
families cultural traditions such as language, music, and dance, and hold practice sessions for cultural
performances.
Access to a safe, consistent space for cultural education and practice supports the wellbeing of Richmond's
diverse communities, helps children and youth build a
AGENDA
REPORT
October 6, 2026
strong sense of cultural identity and belonging, and
strengthens intergenerational connection within families.
These are recognized protective factors for youth
development and are consistent with the City's broader
commitment to equity and support for its diverse
population.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: DIRECT the city manager to identify potential City-owned or City-affiliated venues, as well as explore opportunities with the West Contra Costa Unified School District
(WCCUSD) and other potential partners for possible use
of facilities suitable for Richmond Cultural Groups for (1) cultural education and teaching, and (2) performance
rehearsal, and to report back to the City Council within 120 days with findings and recommendations, including
options for partnerships, potential funding sources, and secure storage of instruments, regalia, and educational materials, as applicable and consistent with City policies and procurement requirements - Councilmember Soheila
Bana (510-672-3490).
DISCUSSION:
The City Council has received requests from several minority cultural groups in Richmond, including Aztec, Arab, Hispanic, Cambodian, and Nepalese community members, seeking support in identifying a consistent, safe space where they can teach their children and families cultural traditions such as language, music, and dance, and hold practice sessions for cultural performances.
Most recently, the Council received a letter from Huitzilin Aztec Dance, a community dance group whose name means "hummingbird." The group describes Aztec dance as a cultural practice that brings together multiple generations of families and helps children, youth, and adults connect with traditions rooted in discipline, identity, community, and ancestral culture. The group has supported numerous community events by sharing this tradition with local organizations, schools, and families, but reports that its biggest ongoing challenge is finding a consistent and safe place to practice, as the group does not generate sufficient income to cover regular facility fees or insurance costs.
October 6, 2026
This need reflects a broader pattern among Richmond's cultural community organizations: groups that provide meaningful cultural education and intergenerational connection for local families, but lack access to a stable, affordable venue with basic accommodations such as secure storage for instruments, books, and other cultural materials.
Staff is directed to research and report back on the following, organized into two categories of use:
1. Cultural Education and Teaching (language, music, dance instruction) Identify existing City-owned or City-affiliated facilities (community centers, recreation facilities, underutilized buildings) suitable for regular use by cultural groups for teaching children and families
Identify which candidate venues could provide secure, lockable storage (rooms or closets) for instruments, books, regalia, and other cultural/educational materials
Assess scheduling availability and any existing reservation/permit systems and associated fees
2. Performance Rehearsal (dance and music practice)
Identify existing City-owned or City-affiliated facilities with adequate space for group dance and music rehearsal (sufficient floor space and appropriate flooring) Assess scheduling availability, particularly for evening and weekend use, and associated fees
WCCUSD Negotiation
Staff shall initiate discussions with the West Contra Costa Unified School District regarding possible weekend use of school district facilities (e.g., multi-purpose rooms, gymnasiums) for both cultural education/teaching and performance rehearsal purposes, consistent with the existing Joint Use Agreement framework between the City and WCCUSD
Report back on availability, applicable fees, insurance requirements, and any scheduling or facility-use terms
Access, Fees, and Funding
Evaluate options for reduced-cost or fee-waived access for community cultural groups that lack sufficient funds for regular facility rental and insurance costs Identify potential funding sources to offset facility costs or improvements, including grant opportunities and any applicable existing City programs Access to a safe, consistent space for cultural education and practice supports the wellbeing of Richmond's diverse communities, helps children and youth build a strong sense of cultural identity and belonging, and strengthens intergenerational connection
October 6, 2026
within families. These are recognized protective factors for youth development and are consistent with the City's broader commitment to equity and support for its diverse population.
Directing the City Manager to identify potential City-owned or City-affiliated venues, as well as explore opportunities with the West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) and other potential partners for possible use of facilities suitable for Richmond Cultural Groups for (1) cultural education and teaching, and (2) performance rehearsal, and to report back to the City Council within 120 days with findings and recommendations, including options for partnerships, potential funding sources, and secure storage of instruments, regalia, and educational materials, as applicable and consistent with City policies and procurement requirements DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Letter from Huitzilin Aztec Dance, received September 23, 2026