TO: COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC FROM: Jen Baker
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
SUBJECT: See Below DATE: October 2, 2026
Approved Date: 10/9/26
SUBJECT: Arts Commission Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Annual Report and Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Work Plan
RECOMMENDATION
Accept the Arts Commission Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 and Work Plan for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 to comply with the City Municipal Code pertaining to Boards and Commissions.
SUMMARY AND OUTCOME
With the acceptance of the work plan for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-2027, the Arts Commission (Commission) will continue advising the City Council and the City Manager’s Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs on arts and culture matters. Through the work plan, the Commission will help shape the City’s policies and initiatives related to the arts, arts grants, cultural facilities, outdoor special events, public art, and creative placemaking. The Commission will also support the implementation of the Economic Strategy Work Plan for FY 2026-2027 and FY 2027-2028 and Cultural Connection: San José’s Cultural Plan in collaboration with the community.
BACKGROUND
Under section 2.08.850 of the San José Municipal Code, the Commission’s nonexclusive functions, powers, and duties are to:
A. Encourage the full artistic life of the City's culturally diverse community and the beautification of the city.
B. Advise the City Council on all matters affecting the arts and the beauty of the City, including the development, organization, and operation of municipal arts programs and CED COMMITTEE AGENDA: 10/26/26
ITEM: (c)1
COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
October 2, 2026
Subject: Arts Commission Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Annual Report and Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Work Plan
facilities.
C. Establish an effective liaison between the City and arts organizations, assess the needs of arts organizations, and recommend to the City Council measures to promote the strength and cultural diversity of arts organizations.
D. Advise the City Council on appropriate policies and procedures for the distribution of City funding for the arts and make recommendations to the City Council respecting grants and other funding to arts organizations.
E. Advise the City Council in coordination with appropriate boards and commissions on all matters related to public art, including the acquisition and placement of works of art as well as the maintenance, removal, relocation, or alteration of existing works of art in the City's possession, and perform all duties with respect to the Art in Public Places Program as provided in Title 22 of this Code.
F. Examine every two years the condition of the City's works of art and report to the City Council with recommendations for their care, maintenance, and improvement.
G. Render advice and assistance in the fields of art, aesthetics, and beautification to other City boards and commissions.
H. Establish an effective liaison and cooperation between the City's arts programs and the programs of adjacent communities, the county, the region, the state, and the nation.
At its August 17, 2026, meeting, the Commission took action to continue holding its regular monthly meetings 10 times per year, with no meetings scheduled in July or December. The Commission has two standing committees: the Executive Committee and the Public Art Committee, both of which meet regularly six times per year, in alternating months.
ANALYSIS
Fiscal Year 2025-2026 was a productive year for the Commission, advising the City Council on matters pertaining to the arts and culture, as detailed in the attached FY 2025-2026 Annual Report.
Among the Commission’s key activities in FY 2025-2026 were:
Reviewed and approved the panel’s recommendations for the Creative Economy Fund Awards;
Reviewed, discussed, and approved the donation of the Peace Monument, an artwork by Mario Chiodo, from donor Diane Brandenburg, the largest art donation the City has ever received;
Reviewed and accepted the panel’s recommendation for the 2026 Creative License Ambassadors;
COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
October 2, 2026
Subject: Arts Commission Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Annual Report and Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Work Plan
Received an overview of the updated Arts Commission Orientation Binder and Public Art Mural Process;
Received reports on the FY 2026-2027 budget process and related budget messages; Reviewed, discussed, and approved the recommendations for the Operating, take pART, and Festival, Parade, and Celebration grant programs for FY 2026-2027; and Selected the 2026 Cornerstone of the Arts Honorees, who are recognized at the 2026 Cornerstone of the Arts event on October 16 at the Hammer Theater Center.
Cultural Affairs staff have worked with the Commission to develop the FY 2025-2026 Annual Report and FY 2026-2027 Work Plan. The full Commission approved the FY 2025-2026 Annual Report, FY 2026-2027 Work Plan, and meeting frequency at its meeting on Monday, August 17, 2026.
COORDINATION
This memorandum was coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office.
JEN BAKER
Director of the City Manager’s Office of Economic
Development and Cultural Affairs
For more information or questions, please contact Kerry Adams Hapner, Director of Cultural Affairs, City Manager’s Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs at (408) 793-4333 or at [email protected].
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A – Arts Commission FY 2025-2026 Annual Report Attachment B – Arts Commission FY 2026-2027 Work Plan
ARTS COMMISSION
ANNUAL REPORT: FY 2025-2026
FY 2025-2026 OBJECTIVES ACHIEVEMENTS TIMEFRAME
1. Monitor and advise on the City’s
funding for arts and culture through
the Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA)
Reviewed, discussed, and recommended:
- Reports on FY 2026-2027 budget process and related
Budget Messages.
-Annual allocation of funds for arts and culture.
- Allocation and use of the City’s Transient Occupancy Tax Funding
- 3/16/25; 5/18/26; and
6/15/26
- 5/18/26
- 5/18/26
2. Monitor progress on implementation
of Cultural Connection
Workplan items
- Received reports, provided input as needed, and took action on recommended items for implementation.
-Monthly throughout the year
3. Monitor and advise on the Cultural
Funding Portfolio: Investments in
Art, Creativity and Culture
comprised of grant programs:
a. Festival, Parade and
Celebration Grants
b. Take pART Grants, and
c. Arts Operating Grants
d. Creative Economy Fund
e. 2026 Cultural Tourism Marketing
Opportunity
- Reviewed and discussed annual grant programs’ guidelines, policies, and procedures.
- Received, reviewed, and approved the Creative
Economy Fund Awards.
- Reviewed, discussed, and approved the appointments on the grant review panel pools and included Commission
representation on panels.
- Reviewed, discussed, and made recommendations for
annual allocations of funds between arts grants
programs.
- Received an updated report on the 2026 Cultural
Tourism Marketing Opportunities
-Periodically throughout the
year
- 9/15/25
- 2/23/26
- 3/16/26
- 11/17/25
4. S teward the sustainability of Cityowned cultural facilities - Received reports and provided input about cultural
facility issues.
- Received an update on the Levitt Pavilion at St. James Park by the Friends of Levitt Pavilion San Jose
-Periodically throughout the
year
- 11/17/25
1 Attachment A
ARTS COMMISSION
ANNUAL REPORT: FY 2025-2026
5. Review actions of the Public Art
Committee (PAC) and provide
oversight for the Public Art Program
including: approval of updates to the
Five-Year Public Art Work Plan as
part of the
City’s Capital Improvement Program
(CIP) Budget, review of public art
projects and initiatives, and
monitoring the Public Art Collection
Maintenance and Conservation Plan
- Received regular reports on the matters reviewed by and actions of the PAC.
- Received staff reports on status of current public
artworks and initiatives.
- Monitored public/civic meetings for public art project designs.
- Made presentations at dedications, grand openings, and related events.
- Received, reviewed, and approved Mario Chiodo’s concept and design proposal for the Peace Monument at Arena
Green East to receive the artwork as a donation.
- Received, reviewed, approved, and made a recommendation to City Council for the Five-Year Public Art Workplan as part of the FY 2026-2030 Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
budget.
- Received a report on the inventory of artwork featuring imagery of Cesar Chavez.
- Ongoing throughout the
year
- Periodically throughout
year
- Periodically throughout
year
- Periodically throughout
year
- 9/15/25
- 5/18/26
- 5/18/26
6. P rovide oversight for the City Hall
Exhibits Committee
- Received reports on the status of City Hall Exhibits - Ongoing
7. M onitor and provide input on matters
related to the City’s Special Events
Program policies, services, and
venues
- Received reports on policy development, services, and initiatives.
- Received reports on SJ’26 activations
-Periodically throughout
year
-Periodically throughout
year
8. R eview and advise on support for the
arts industry and arts programs
- Received ongoing reports from the OCA on programs and initiatives.
- Received reports on Downtown and SoFA activation strategies. - Received a report on the San José Climate Art Program. - Reviewed, discussed, and approved the 2026 Creative
License Ambassadors.
- Monthly
- Monthly
- Periodically throughout the
year
- 11/17/25
2 ARTS COMMISSION
ANNUAL REPORT: FY 2025-2026
9. M onitor operations of community
based partners through Commission
liaison relationships and other forms
of engagement with the City’s arts,
cultural, and civic sectors.
- Received presentations and reports from and about key partners including Team San Jose, SV Creates, Silicon
Valley Arts Coalition, and others.
- Received presentations by arts and cultural organizations on a regular basis.
-Attended arts and cultural events and related activities. - Maintained relationships with key organizations through Commissioner liaison assignments with regular reports from liaisons.
- Monthly and on an
ongoing basis through the
year
- Monthly and on an
ongoing basis through the
year
- Monthly and on an
ongoing basis throughout
the year
10. Review actions of the Executive
Committee
- Received regular reports on the matters reviewed by and actions of the Executive Committee, to include program updates and special issues.
- Ongoing
11. Advise on the annual Cornerstone of
the Arts Award and annual recognition
event
- Participated in event planning for the annual Cornerstone of the Arts presentation as assigned by the Chair.
- Reviewed, discussed, and took action on the selections for the 2026 honorees for Cornerstone of the Arts Award,
Creative Impact Award, and Luminary Artist Award.
- July through October 2025
- 6/15/26
3 ARTS COMMISSION
FY 2026-2027 Work Plan
FY 2026-2027 OBJECTIVES ACTIONS TIMEFRAME
1. Monitor and advise on the City’s
funding for arts and culture through
the Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA)
- Review budget resources for public programs. - Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 - Make recommendations for annual allocation of funds for arts and culture.
- Spring 2027
- Advise on the allocation and use of the City’s Transient Occupancy Tax funding.
- Advise on funding for Public Art Program.
- Spring 2027
- Fall 2026 and Spring 2027
2. Monitor progress on implementation
of Cultural Connection Cultural Plan
- Receive reports, provide input, and, as needed, take action on recommended items for implementation.
- Periodically throughout the year
3.Monitor and advise on the
Cultural Funding Portfolio:
Investments in Art, Creativity, and
Culture comprised of grant
programs:
a. Festival, Parade and Celebration
Grants
b. Take pART Grants
c. Operating Grants
d. Creative Economy Funds
e. Arts and Cultural Exchange
Program
f. Capitalization and Sustainability
Grants
- Review and make recommendations as needed to annual grant programs’ guidelines, policies, and procedures.
- Review and make recommendations for annual allocation of funds between arts grant programs.
- Approve appointments to grant review panel pools and
include Commission representation on such panels.
- Review grant panel recommendations and make
recommendations to City Council for annual grant awards. - Review reports on the Arts Funding Report.
- Review and make recommendations on the Capitalization and Sustainability grant awards.
- Fall 2026 and ongoing
- Spring 2027
- Spring 2027
- Throughout the year
- Fall 2026
- Fall 2026
4. Steward the sustainability of Cityowned cultural facilities and venues - Receive reports and provide input about cultural facility issues. - Monitor the development of a Levitt Pavilion at St. James Park. - Periodically throughout the
year
- Periodically throughout the
year
1 Attachment B
2 5. Review actions of the Public Art
Committee (PAC) and provide
oversight for the Public Art
Program, including: approval of
updates to the Five-Year Public Art
Work Plan as part of the City’s
Capital Improvement Program
(CIP) Budget, review of public art
projects and initiatives, and
monitoring the Public Art Collection
Maintenance and Conservation
Plan
- Receive regular reports on matters reviewed by and actions of the PAC. - Receive reports on the financial status of the Public Art Program, including reports on the City’s CIP budget relative to public art. - Review and recommend to City Council inclusion of updates to the FiveYear Public Art CIP Work Plan as part of annual CIP Budget. - Review annual Public Art Collection Maintenance and Conservation Plan. - Receive staff reports on current status of public artworks and initiatives. - Monitor public/civic meetings for public art project design. - Represent Commissioners at dedications, grand openings, and events. - Ongoing
- Annually: Spring 2027,
with updates as needed
- Annually: Spring 2027,
with updates as needed
- Periodically, as needed
- Periodically
- Periodically
- Periodically
6. Provide ongoing oversight for the
City Exhibits Committee
- Receive reports on City Hall Exhibits Program. - As needed, periodically or annually
7. Monitor and provide input on matters
related to the City’s Special Events
Program
policies, services, and venues
- Receive reports on policy development, services, and initiatives. - Advise City Council, as needed, on staff recommendations related to policy changes related to events and venues.
- Periodically throughout
the year
- Periodically throughout the
year
8. Review and advise on support
for the arts industry and arts
programs
- Receive ongoing reports from the OCA on programs and initiatives. - Receive report on Downtown and SoFA activation strategies. - Receive reports and take action on staff recommendations about the Creative Entrepreneur Program.
- Monthly
- Periodically
- Periodically
- Receive reports on capacity-building programs offered through OCA. - Receive reports on the San Jose Creates and Connects Program. - Periodically
- Fall 2026 and Spring 2027
- Receive reports on the arts and culture engagement with the 2027 San José 250th activities.
- Periodically
9. Monitor operations of communitybased partners through Commission liaison relationships
and other forms of engagement
with San José ’s arts and cultural
sector
- Receive presentations and reports from and about key partners including Team San Jose, SV Creates, Silicon Valley Arts Coalition, and others. - Receive presentations by arts and cultural organizations on a regular basis.
- Attend arts and cultural events and related activities. - Maintain relationships with key cultural organizations through Commissioner liaison assignments with regular reports from liaisons. - Periodically throughout
the year on an ongoing
basis
10. Review actions of the Executive
Committee
- Receive regular reports on the matters reviewed by and actions of the Executive Committee, to include program updates and special issues. - Ongoing
11. Advise on the annual Cornerstone of
the Arts Award annual recognition event
Participate in event planning activities as assigned by the Chair and in the award event.
- Nominate and take action to identify annual awardees. - July through
September, with an
event planned on
October 16, 2026
- Spring 2027
3