Arts Support
The City Manager’s Office coordinates citywide implementation of the City’s Arts and Culture support program, including:
- Grants to artists and community organizations in partnership with the Arts Council for Long Beach;
- Ongoing support for the Long Beach Museum of Art
- Support for the development of the African American, Latino, and Cambodian American Cultural Centers
- Coordination and tracking of the Measure B TOT for the Arts funding
- Percent for Public Art Program
- Strategic planning with the Library, Arts, & Culture Department
Arts & Culture Support
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Annual Arts Support Funding
The City’s Adopted Budget includes structural funding for contracts with the Arts Council for Long Beach to administer the City’s arts support programs, including small grants, operating grants, and a public art program; as well as for the Long Beach Museum of Art Foundation to manage the City’s art collection and galleries located at 2300 E. Ocean Blvd.
In addition to this structural funding, one-time appropriations are made to support initiatives such as a Youth Arts Contest, Arts Council Challenge Grants, and the annual Long Beach Walls & Art Renzei Festival.
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Cultural Center Support
The City has provided financial and in-kind support for the development of the African American Cultural Center of Long Beach (AACCLB), Latino Cultural Center (LCC), Cambodian American Cultural Center (CACC) and the creation of an LGBTQ+ Cultural District.
The City’s three Cultural Centers are funded through a combination of Measure B (TOT) allocations and one-time allocations through each year’s Adopted Budget.
Forms & Resources
+Cultural Center Annual Grants – Webinar (September 4, 2025)
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Measure B (TOT) Funding
In 2020, voters approved an additional 1% increase to the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) rate, to be dedicated for improvements to the Long Beach Convention Center and to operating grants for the major arts and culture organizations in the City.
Measure B funding is passed through as an operating grant to these major arts organizations through the Arts Council for Long Beach, based on quarterly collections of TOT revenue.Forms & Resources
+Measure B Adopted Allocation Percentages & Budget Projection (FY 26)
+Measure B Grantee & Cultural Centers Annual Work Plan Form
+Measure B Grantee & Cultural Centers Annual Budget Worksheet
Public Art Support
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Percent for the Arts Program
In December 2016, the City Council approved the creation of the Percent for the Arts Program to support citywide creation of public art, maintenance, and arts programming. The program is administered by the Arts Council for Long Beach in accordance with Administrative Regulation 9-1.
Through 2024, $1.35 million in total funds have been set aside from eligible projects as part of the Percent for the Arts Program to support public art installations, small grants, and operations of local arts organizations.
More information on:
+Administrative Regulation 9-1 – Percent for the Arts Program
+City Council Action (December 20, 2016)
+City Council Presentation (December 20, 2016)
+Presentation to Arts, Culture, & Tourism Committee (May 20, 2025) -
Long Beach Walls & Art Renzei
Since 2015, the City has sponsored the annual LB Walls & Art Renzei Festival (formerly POW! WOW!) which has installed over 100 murals citywide.
More information available at www.longbeachwalls.com
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Park Mural Toolkit
The Parks, Recreation, and Marine Department has created a Parks Mural Toolkit as an all-in-one guide for community members wishing to install a mural on a Park facility.
Other Initiatives
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Arts Support One-Time Funds
+Youth Art Contest
The City of Long Beach and the Arts Council for Long Beach present the City of Long Beach Youth Art Contest to engage local youth artists in designing an art piece that captures our city’s beauty and essence. -
Long Beach Recovery Act
The Long Beach Recovery Act included funding for the ActivateLB Cultural Events Program and the Creative Economy Grants Program. These programs have been completed and closed out as of December 2024.
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Resources & Links
Contact Us
Gokce Odabas, Acting Assistant to the City Manager - Special ProjectsGokce.Odabas@longbeach.gov
