Westminster City Council
SUBJECT
Title
Acceptance of Grant Award from the California Arts Council for the Westminster Signal Box Art Program in Fiscal Year 2026-27.
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From: Christine Cordon, City Manager
Requested by: Administration
Prepared by: Shaunna Hunter, Senior Management Analyst
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommendation
A. Accept the grant award from the California Arts Council for the Westminster Signal Box Art Program in the amount of $18,750; and
B. Authorize the City Manager or her designee to execute the Grant Agreement and any other necessary documents to accept and implement the grant; and
C. Amend the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Adopted Budget by increasing Community Promotion Intergovernmental-State- Other revenue account by $18,750 and increasing the Community Promotions Special Department expense account by $18,750.
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BACKGROUND
The City of Westminster has been awarded an $18,750 grant from the California Arts Council (CAC) to support implementation of the City’s Signal Box Art Program through September 2027. Grant funds will support the development and installation of public artwork on traffic signal control boxes throughout the City, with a focus on youth engagement in the arts.
The Signal Box Art Program was recommended for adoption by the Cultural Arts Commission and subsequently adopted by the City Council as a public art and beautification initiative. The program is intended to enhance City infrastructure, incorporate arts and culture into the public realm, and provide opportunities for local artists to contribute to Westminster’s community.
The initial phase of the program will include the installation of artwork on a maximum of 10 signal boxes between January and June 2027. The City opened a call for artists on August 6, 2026, with submissions due September 17, 2026.
The CAC grant will support eligible program expenses, including artist outreach and selection, artist stipends, artwork development and installation, community engagement, youth arts classes and instruction, and other eligible project costs. The grant period through September 2027 will allow the City to complete artist and youth engagement activities associated with the initial program implementation.
FISCAL IMPACT
Acceptance of the California Arts Council grant award will require an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Adopted Budget by recognizing the grant revenue in the amount of $18,750 to the Community Promotion-Intergovernmental-State- Other account 75000-34294 and an increase in the Community Promotions Special Department expense account 75000-44020 for the Signal Box Art Program.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed as to form.
CONCLUSION
The $18,750 California Arts Council grant will provide essential funding to support implementation of the City’s Signal Box Art Program, including artist outreach and selection, artist stipends, artwork development, community engagement, and installation. The initial phase will bring a maximum of 10 new public art installations to Westminster intersections between January and June 2027, creating opportunities for artists to contribute to the City’s public spaces and reflecting Westminster’s diverse community.
Acceptance of the grant will allow the City to advance this public art and beautification initiative while leveraging state funding to expand arts and cultural opportunities throughout the community.
ATTACHMENTS
1. California Arts Council Grant Award Letter
2. Draft California Arts Council Grant Agreement
3. Signal Box Art Program Guidelines
REVIEWED BY
Erin Backs, Finance Director
City Attorney’s Office
Christine Cordon, City Manager