Arts funding

An artist and arts council director urged the council to spend the $4.1 million on murals, festivals, cultural corridors and affordable housing instead of surveillance.

The Garcia Center director asked that item 14 be pulled and urged support for item 17 and $3 million in creative-economy investment in the budget.

Supported dedicating money to arts and beautification in the 2026-27 budget, saying investment in the arts beautifies the city and attracts economic development.

Garcia Center director asked for a $3 million annual arts budget, adoption of the E Street corridor, recorded and accessible commission meetings, and preservation of historic sites.

Supported the E Street cultural district and the $3 million ask ($2 million programming/staffing, $1 million to restore visual and performing arts grants), noting a state cultural district application failed without city backing.

Lifelong artist advocating for the $3 million arts funding and for grant partnerships to improve Perris Hill pickleball and tennis courts, lighting, and restrooms.

Downtown gallery landlord asked for $3 million in arts funding, noting his subsidized gallery spaces bring customers and sales tax downtown, and spaces like Sol Alley matter.

Urged the city to stop chasing outside investors and focus on local housing and transit-oriented development, saying the budget is a category, not a strategy.

Executive director of García Center for the Arts, asked for at least $3 million annually for arts, plus corridor adoption and recorded commission meetings for transparency.

Filmmaker Foundation representative endorsed the corridor approval and the $3M arts request, noting state grant money was lost when the city lacked supporting designation.

Seventh-district resident with Generation Now; said Riverside won a state grant because it had sustainable systems in place and urged $3M to build that infrastructure here.

Artist and gallery renter downtown; said $3M in artists' hands would go far, citing gallery spaces, public art, and gathering spaces like the Soali alley.