HomeMy WebLinkAboutCM Cultural Districts Grant Organizational PartnershipD3cul.ign Envelope ID: 76BF66A8-3440-4224-B615-4B0246F7DC3A
LETTER OF AGREEMENT
Cultural Districts Grant Organizational Partnership
Effective Date: July 31, 2025
Grant Activity Period: January 1, 2026 — December 31, 2027
This Letter of Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into by and between the following lead
partner organizations ("Parties") for the purposes of applying jointly for the California Arts
Council's 2025 Cultural Districts Grant and working collaboratively during the designation
period of January 1, 2026 — December 31, 2030.
1. Parties to the Agreement
• City of San Rafael 1400 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901
Albert J. Boro Community Center 50 Canal Street, San Rafael, CA 94901
A unit of municipal government overseeing land use for the proposed district. City of San
Rafael's Economic Development and Innovation Division is dedicated to supporting its
businesses by fostering collaboration between businesses, community, and the City.
Working together with local partners, the city strives to create and maintain a thriving
economic environment for businesses and residents.
• Canal Alliance 711 Grand Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization representing immigrant communities and providing
cultural and economic empowerment programs. With a 43-year history of responding to
community, Canal Alliance has garnered a deep sense of trust for its approach to resident
capacity building as well as authentic and meaningful community engagement. Through its
Leadership academy, Canal Alliance supports local leaders in building confidence, tools,
and understanding to speak on issues that matter to them, such as affordable housing,
transportation, public safety, climate resilience and more. Canal Alliance is stewarding
Nuestro Canal, Nuestro Futuro (NCNF), a Canal neighborhood vision plan alongside the
Consejo, a resident governance body across these issues. Canal Alliance has also
commissioned public art to increase visibility of immigrants and provides Latino youth
access to art education.
0 Marin Society of Artists (MSA) 1515 3rd Street, San Rafael, CA 94901
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A 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization supporting visuaI arts, exhibitions, and cultural
engagement. Marin Society of Artists is a non-profit organization dedicated, since 1927, to
promoting the arts in the San Rafael community and Marin County. MSA partners with non-
profit organizations and others to provide a broad array of multi -disciplinary arts and
enrichment opportunities.
MSA and its partners sponsor ongoing programs, at the Art Center and in the community,
that promote cultural enrichment and the arts in all forms. Their Main, Flex and Ground
Floor Galleries house new displays of original art every month, most of which is available
for purchase. MSA manages 17 artist studios as well as flex space made available to the
communityfor a variety of arts and cultural activities.
Theyfoster activities that encourage the public and underserved communities to explore
and incorporate arts and enrichment activities into their lives. MSA supports artists of
multiple disciplines at all stages of their development.
• The Canal Arts 711 Grand Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901
A community -based arts collective supporting Latinx and multicultural arts and culture.
The Canal Arts creates and teaches lively public art in Marin and San Rafael's Canal. Art
that inspires. Canal Arts works with artists in Marin and the Canal community, visually
celebrating its cultures and building connections to other Marin communities. They believe
art nourishes a thriving community and its environment, and is vital to a good life.
• San Rafael Chamber of Commerce 817 Mission Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901
A local business association representing the interests of San Rafael's business
community. The San Rafael Chamber of Commerce is a member -driven organization that
advocates for economic vitality, fosters innovation, and embraces diversity to
build a resilient and inclusive business community.
2. Purpose
The Parties agree to collaborate in fulfilling the goals and objectives of the 2025 Cultural
Districts Grant, as outlined in the California Arts Council guidelines, to support, sustain,
and grow a designated cultural district in Southeast San Rafael.
3. Roles and Responsibilities
Each party agrees to the following:
ffocusign Ifnvelope ID: 76BF66A8-3440-4224-B615-4B0246F7DC3A
City of San Rafael
• Serve as the government partner overseeing land use and infrastructure support.
• Provide technical assistance, planning, and policy alignment for the district.
• Contribute to marketing and community visibility efforts.
• Participate in cultural mapping, communications, and district visioning. It is
anticipated that the Southeast San Rafael Specific Plan will incorporate the
Cultural Designation and land use policies that preserve culture in the area.
Canal Alliance
• Serve as the primary nonprofit lead and fiscal agent.
• Lead coordination and communication among partners.
• Conduct program development, ensure equity and accessibility, resident capacity
building and engagement, and alignment with the vision plan and Southeast San
Rafael Specific Plan.
• Organize cultural planning workshops, listening sessions, and impact evaluations.
Leads an inclusive process for cultural mapping, communications, and district
visioning.
Marin Society of Artists
• Lead on visual arts programming, exhibitions, public art and artist engagement.
• Provide space for arts activities when available.
• Participate in cultural mapping, communications, and district visioning.
The Canal Arts
• Lead community engagement initiatives and support artistic storytelling, teaching
and creating public art in the Canal.
• Develop cultural programming with a focus on Latinx heritage.
• Provide insight into equitable practices and access for underrepresented voices.
• Participate in cultural mapping, communications, and district visioning.
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San Rafael Chamber of Commerce
• Act as the business association partner for the district.
• Connect local businesses with cultural activities and sponsorship opportunities.
• Promote district visibility through chamber events and member networks.
• Participate in cultural mapping, communications, and district visioning.
4. Commitment
The Parties jointly commit to:
• Sharing resources, data, and strategies to support district success.
• Upholding equity, accessibility, and community priorities as core values.
• Meeting reporting deadlines and contributing to program evaluation.
• Participating in site visits, designation reviews, and cohort activities as requested by
the California Arts Council.
5. Term and Termination
This Agreement is valid from the date of signing through December 31, 2027. It may be
extended by mutual written consent or terminated by any party with thirty (30) days' notice.
6. Signatures
By signing this agreement, each party affirms their commitment to the collaborative
development and support of the San Rafael Cultural District. This Agreement may be
executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all
of which together shall constitute one document. Counterpart signature pages may be
delivered by telecopier, email or other means of electronic transmission.
s,gncd by,
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Signature]
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City of San Rafael
Name: John Stefanski for CA
Title: Acting City Manager
docusign Envelope ID: 76BF66AB-3440-4224-B615-4B0246F7DC3A
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1) SI d by
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Canal Alliance
Name:
Karen Rodriguez
Title: karenr@canalalliance.org
Date: 7/30/2025
D"uSigned by:
[Authorized Signature] [
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Marin Society of Artists
Name: Meg Reilly
Title: Treasurer
Date: 7/30/2025
Signod by:
[Authorized SignatureE&' Stovt,
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The Canal Arts
Name: Rich Storek
Title: Exec Dir
Date!/30/2025
Sipped by:
[Authorized Signature] CDIVIDBM15448
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San Rafael Chamber of Commerce
Docusign Envelope ID: 76BF66A8-3440-4224-B615-4B0246F7DC3A
Name: Karen Strolia
Title: President & CEO
Date: 7/29/2025