Big news is rippling through California’s arts communities as the state’s California Arts Council (CAC) has officially designated ten new Cultural Districts, shining a spotlight on local creativity and heritage from Merced to Oakland. These state-recognized districts, selected through a fiercely competitive process, are poised to reshape their cities’ cultural and economic landscapes from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2030. For the people behind these efforts, the recognition is more than a title—it’s a testament to years of grassroots commitment, collaboration, and vision.
Downtown Merced, now officially known as the Downtown Merced Cultural District, is among the select few to earn this distinction. According to the Merced County Times, the district’s selection came after a rigorous process that saw 74 applicants vying for just ten spots. Colton Dennis, executive director of the Merced Multicultural Arts Center and a leader in the city’s Arts and Culture Advisory Commission, described the moment as a hard-won victory: “It was very competitive. We were competing with some big counties.”
The benefits of this new status are tangible. As Dennis explained, “Our district will receive $10,000 over a two-year period to support cultural district activities, and we’ll gain access to joint marketing and branding resources, as well as peer-to-peer technical assistance with other districts across the state. This will help us learn from successful models, raise our profile, and bring more attention and opportunity.” The funds and resources are intended to foster collaboration, drive economic growth, and strengthen community ties—ambitions that local leaders have been nurturing for years.
Merced’s journey to this moment was anything but accidental. Dennis credited a network of partners, including Gloria Valdovinos of the Downtown Merced Partnership and Jennifer Flackman from the City of Merced, for their close work on the application. “Most importantly, congratulations to all of us. This is a community achievement. It reflects the dedication and creativity of our cultural bearers, and tradition keepers, artists, and performers, and arts organizations, and venues, local businesses, arts administrators, and advocates, and our city and county leaders who continue to support and invest in the arts. This designation affirms what many of us already know. Downtown Merced is a cultural heart of our region.”
Mayor Matt Serratto, who traveled to Sacramento to advocate for Merced’s application before the CAC, echoed the optimism. On social media, he wrote: “This is a testament to everyone who believed in Downtown Merced, and all those who have worked so hard to make it special. This is just the beginning. We have come so far but still have a lot of room for growth. Embrace it. We are fortunate to have a wonderful downtown.”
The CAC’s official statement called Merced’s Cultural District a collaborative effort that “fosters collaboration among arts groups, creates equitable opportunities for historically underrepresented artists, preserves cultural traditions, and strengthens engagement among residents, visitors, and businesses, positioning Merced as a regional destination for arts and cultural innovation.” According to CAC Executive Director Danielle Brazell, “Arts, culture, and creative businesses employ people and strengthen social connection which are the conditions for vibrant communities. Cultural Districts are an integral part of our economic, civic, and cultural ecosystem that fuels innovation, reflects California’s diversity, and shapes the stories we tell and export across the globe.”
Oakland, too, is celebrating a major milestone. The city’s Black Arts Movement Business District (BAMBD), located in the heart of District 3, was also chosen as one of California’s ten new state-designated Cultural Districts. Councilmember Carroll Fife, a driving force behind the recognition, called the announcement “a testament to what Black Oakland has built—and what we continue to build when we insist on investing in our own cultural and economic power.”
BAMBD’s selection is more than symbolic. As reported by the Oakland Post, the district will receive $10,000 over two years, dedicated technical assistance, and statewide marketing and branding support. The designation is designed to boost the visibility of BAMBD’s artists, organizations, and legacy institutions, while attracting new investment and safeguarding the district’s unique identity. Fife emphasized, “This recognition by the State of California gives us another tool in the fight to preserve Black culture, build Black economic power, and protect the families and institutions that make Oakland strong.”
The path to this achievement was paved by years of advocacy and targeted action. Fife highlighted efforts such as restoring and protecting arts staffing in Oakland, creating the West Oakland Community Fund, advancing a Black New Deal study, and introducing legislation to formalize and expand BAMBD. “These efforts weren’t abstract,” she said. “They were intentional, coordinated, and rooted in a belief that Black arts and Black businesses deserve deep, sustained public investment.”
The California Cultural Districts program, established through Assembly Bill 189 in 2015, now includes 24 total state-designated districts. The program’s mission is to help communities harness their cultural assets to stimulate local economies, attract tourism, preserve historic sites, and support vibrant, inclusive creative economies. Districts are selected through an equity-centered, multistep process, including application review, site visits, and panel evaluation.
Beyond the headlines, Oakland’s commitment to community-building is evident in grassroots initiatives like Lu Lu’s House, a 501c3 organization founded by Zirl Wilson and Tracy Lambert. After their own experiences with incarceration, the pair established Lu Lu’s House to provide housing and mentorship for formerly incarcerated individuals and at-risk youth. This year, they partnered with Mayor Barbara Lee for a December 20 toy giveaway, distributing over 500 toys to local children. Sports agent Aaron Goodwin added a remarkable incentive: a promise of fully paid college tuition for eight young people from Lu Lu’s House, provided they maintain a 3.0 GPA and stay active in the program.
Meanwhile, the Bay Area’s educational and athletic landscape continues to be shaped by figures like Desmond Gumbs. Over a 25-year career, Gumbs has mentored hundreds of students at schools such as Bishop O’Dowd High School, Oakland High School, and Stellar Prep High School, guiding many toward college scholarships and personal growth. As founder of Stellar Prep and architect of Lincoln University’s athletics department, Gumbs has championed access and opportunity, often against challenging odds. His philosophy is clear: “If you have an idea, you’re 75% there—the remaining 25% is actually doing it.”
These stories unfold against a backdrop of economic struggle. According to United Way Bay Area, 27% of Bay Area households cannot afford basic necessities, with housing costs taking center stage. The affordability crisis is especially acute for Black and Latino families, reflecting ongoing disparities even as cultural and economic initiatives strive to uplift communities. Nationally, the issue has become a political flashpoint, with President Donald Trump recently referring to “affordability” concerns as a “Democrat hoax,” while polling shows most Americans remain worried about the rising cost of living.
As California’s new Cultural Districts prepare to embark on their five-year journeys, the message from Merced, Oakland, and beyond is one of hope, resilience, and the enduring power of community-driven creativity. From murals and music to mentorship and economic empowerment, these districts are staking their claim as engines of renewal—one block, one artist, and one story at a time.
