where culture, arts, and the community intersect In Downtown Sausalito

The Sausalito Center for the Arts (SCA) is a wonderful example of collaboration between the City and the nonprofit SCA. The City's generous support of SCA has greatly benefited the community, and SCA has delivered significant value in return.

There have been some misunderstandings about SCA’s lease situation. Contrary to some claims, SCA is fully committed to meeting its lease obligations and has consistently demonstrated its dedication to the community.

However, SCA would like its lease terms to be in line with the other City-owned properties in town, especially when it comes to the maintenance of its aging building.

A recent City Staff Report has identified necessity of a comprehensive policy framework to ensure fair and uniform lease management of City properties. On February 20, 2024, the Sausalito City Council wisely decided to maintain SCA’s rent at the current rate of $4,000 per month for up to six months. This decision highlighted the need for consistent policies and procedures for negotiating the lease terms of all City properties, including SCA.

With the completion of the lease study, the SCA lease will be revisited by the City Council on September 17. SCA is supportive of adjusting the lease in line with new policies, even if it involves a modest rent increase. We simply ask for fairness and consistency in applying these new policies to our lease.

As we continue this valuable public-private partnership, we encourage you to show your appreciation for the Council’s continued support of SCA, by communicating the contributions SCA brings to our community, such as:

- A dedicated team of volunteers preserving Sausalito's artistic legacy

- Significant revenue generation for the City and local businesses

- Positive publicity for Sausalito at no cost to the City

- Revitalization of a vacant building and protection from overdue improvements

- A strong example of diversity, equity, and inclusion in our community

- Provides a prime location venue for other non-profit organizations

As Council Member Jill Hoffman noted when making her decision to support SCA, "It wasn’t just about money. It was about impacts and about how the building would serve our community" (Sausalito Favors Art Center At Former Bank Site, Marin IJ, Jan. 13, 2022).

We invite you to review the information on this page describing the many community benefits provided by SCA, the impact it has on the City and how it serves our community. Then, let the City Council know how much you appreciate their decision to support our community, by supporting SCA, and tell them that you support a lease agreement that helps the SCA thrive. 

If you are a resident of Sausalito, please email the City Council, state that you are a resident, and urge them to continue their support of SCA by creating a lease agreement that helps SCA thrive.

You can write to the Council at, citycouncil@sausalito.gov or use the link below. Please also consider attending the Council meeting on September 17 to voice your opinions (more info).

If you are not a resident of Sausalito, please use the form below to sign a petition stating your support of SCA.

Thank you for your continued support of The Sausalito Center for the Arts.

The Sausalito Center for the Arts Board of Trustees

If you are not a resident of Sausalito, please sign this petition thanking the Council for their continued support of SCA.

Learn about the many community contributions provided by the

sausalito center for the arts

Community Contribution

SCA Demonstrates the Commitment and Power of Volunteers Dedicated to Preserving the Legacy of Art in Sausalito.

Sausalito, boasts a long and rich artistic heritage. Known for its picturesque waterfront, charming houseboats, and stunning views of the San Francisco Bay, Sausalito has long been a haven for artists, writers, and musicians. Sausalito’s artistic roots are an authentic and significant part of Sausalito’s community fabric.

In the early to mid-20th century, Sausalito became a magnet for bohemian artists and writers seeking an alternative lifestyle. The town's unique atmosphere and natural beauty attracted creatives looking for inspiration. The natural beauty of Sausalito, with its rolling hills, waterfront views, and scenic vistas, has been a continuous source of inspiration for artists. This connection to nature is evident in much of the local artwork, which often reflects the stunning surroundings.

But, City-sponsored efforts to preserve and celebrate Sausalito's artistic heritage are few and organizations like the Sausalito Center For The Arts play a crucial role in supporting the arts and ensuring that the town's creative legacy continues to thrive.

With Marinship Park still closed, thus the demise of the celebrated Sausalito Art Festival, the Sausalito Center For The Arts has picked up the arts-banner for Sausalito and is marching forward, contributing greatly to the artistic “brand” and legacy of the City.

SCA has attracted hundreds of artists from throughout the region to exhibit at the Center, and it has attracted tens of thousands of people to its exhibits. SCA has rapidly established itself as the new center of arts in Sausalito and has planted its artistic flag in the heart of Sausalito, its downtown district.

The work conducted by SCA to maintain the artistic heritage of Sausalito is being conducted by a group of volunteers, donors, and one under-paid Executive Director. The City provides no staff for the operations of SCA, or any financial support.

Community Contribution

SCA Generates a Significant Amount of Revenue For The City and its Downtown Businesses

A recent survey conducted by SCA (Aug, 2024, over 500 respondents), shows that when asked the question to people who have visited SCA, “When you visit SCA for events or exhibits, which statement best describes you?”

• Over 73% answered, “I, or someone in my party drive to SCA.”

• Another 15% answered, “I, or someone in my party sometimes drive to SCA, but sometimes I/we do not drive to SCA.

When asked the question, “If you or someone in your party have ever driven to SCA, which statement best describes you?”

• Over 48% answered, “I/we pay for parking while at SCA.”

• Another 22% answered, “I/we sometimes pay for parking while at SCA, but sometimes I/we do not pay for parking while at SCA.”

It is clear that the majority of people who visit SCA drive to SCA and pay for parking in City-owned lots during their visits.

Through Eventbrite ticket sales and through daily visitor counts, SCA estimates that over 35,000 people visited SCA in 2023, and SCA is on track to post similar visitor numbers for 2024.

If 70% of the 35,000 visitors drove to SCA, and over 50% of those who drove also parked in a City parking lot for 2 hours at $4.00/hr, that amounts to $98,000 a year in parking revenue. But just to be conservative, let’s cut that number in half and say it’s $49,000/year or $4,000/mth in parking revenue created by SCA for the City of Sausalito.

The same SCA study shows that when asked the question, ““Prior to, or after your visit(s) to SCA, have you ever eaten at any Sausalito restaurant?” Over 82% answered, “Yes, I have eaten at any Sausalito restaurant prior to, or after an SCA visit.”

When asked the question, “Prior to, or after your visit(s) to SCA, have you ever explored any store or art gallery in Sausalito?” Over 68% answered, “Yes, I have explored a store or gallery prior to, or after an SCA visit.”

No matter how you calculate it, there's no denying that SCA consistently produces events that attract visitors who drive to SCA, pay for City parking, and frequent Sausalito’s restaurants and shops. This activity generates significant revenue for both the City of Sausalito and its downtown businesses, all without any support from the City.

For comparison, consider the Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC), a City of Sausalito commission. One of EDAC’s goals is to “identify actions to promote the economic health of the business community while preserving our unique characteristics as a welcoming waterfront community.” The Sausalito Center For The Arts is a shining example of how the City’s EDAC goals are being met by SCA.

Community Contribution

SCA Generates a Significant Amount of Publicity for the City of Sausalito, at No Cost to the City

Through its diverse range of events, SCA consistently generates positive press coverage for both the Center and the City of Sausalito. While most of this publicity comes from local news outlets, SCA has also garnered national attention. It was featured in The Guardian by Veronica Esposito as one of “The Best US Exhibitions and Art Events for Pride Month” and highlighted in The New York Times by Soumya Karlamangla as one of “Your Favorite Places to See Art in California.”

The City recently cut its advertising contract with Creative Digital Agency (CDA) at $82K/year, a marketing organization that was hired with the following key objectives (see City Staff Report):

1. To increase sales tax revenue

2. To increase hotel occupancy between December and April

3. To attract new businesses, and to retain existing businesses

4. To perform marketing and communications-related activities for the City to encourage local spending from residents, and to educate residents about the impact of visitor-generated revenue on the community.

CDA measured much of its success based on media statistics such as:

• Number of articles written

• Number of visitors to City websites

• Number of Facebook and Instagram followers of City accounts

• Etc.

As a key part of its marketing strategy, CDA promoted Sausalito events and a large percentage of the events it promoted were produced by SCA. Unlike events produced and paid for by Parks & Rec, the Library, and other City organizations, SCA provided event content to CDA at no cost to the City, thus helping the City meet its marketing objectives.

With the contract between the City and CDA now discontinued due to budgetary restrictions, SCA remains a key source of publicity for the City of Sausalito, at no cost to the City. As a point of reference, CDA recently estimated that it would charge SCA in excess of $8,000 per month to replicate the marketing efforts currently conducted by SCA, efforts that clearly benefit the City of Sausalito.

• See articles written about SCA

• Visitors to SCA website (YTD 2024): >25,000

  • Top 10 City of Origin for Visitors to SCA website (YTD, 2024)

    • San Francisco > Mill Valley > Sausalito > San Jose > San Rafael > Oakland > Belevdere/Tiburon > Freemont > San Anselmo > Los Angeles

• Top 5 City of Origin for Eventbrite Ticket buyers to SCA events (YTD, 2024)

  • San Francisco > San Rafael> Mill Valley > Sausalito > San Anselmo

• Size of SCA email database: >20,000 unique email addresses

• Monthly marketing efforts by SCA

  • Paid Facebook/Instagram

  • Organic Facebook/Instagram

  • Multiple Calendar Listings, Paid and Free

  • Eventbrite Email Broadcast

  • SCA Email Broadcasts

  • Print Media

  • Online Newsletters

There’s no question that SCA consistently produces events that generate valuable media coverage benefiting the City, and attracts visitors to Sausalito from across the region—all at no cost to the City. While SCA is in no way a replacement for CDA, SCA is successfully achieving the same objectives the City sought through its own paid marketing efforts to promote Sausalito.

Community Contribution

SCA Has Given A Vacant Building A New Life And Is Shielding The City From Long Over-Due Building Improvements

Bank of America closed its branch at 750 Bridgeway to walk-in customers in May 2019. Built in 1956, the 5,875-square-foot building was purchased by the city for $2 million in 2020. Bank of America agreed to pay the city a monthly fee of $2,000 for five years to retain the ATMs on the building's exterior, with the fee set to increase incrementally every four years over the following 20 years.

The building remained vacant for several years until SCA took occupancy. Upon signing the lease, SCA immediately began Phase I of its renovation, investing in substantial improvements without financial support from the city.

In 2022, SCA launched a capital campaign to fund the transformation of the former Bank of America building into a versatile artistic venue. According to the lease terms, SCA is responsible for all costs related to remodeling and maintenance.

During Phase I Buildout, SCA invested over $125,000 to remove banking infrastructure, replace carpeting, paint the interior, acquire production equipment, and repair plumbing, electrical, fire, and alarm systems. Although interior renovations are ongoing, the venue has already demonstrated its capability to host a diverse range of events, including art exhibits, live music, dance performances, theater, panel discussions, and fundraising galas. In fact, in our first year, we hosted 58 events and are on track to surpass that number in our second year (see Year 1 Highlights).

As we move into Phase II Buildout, our immediate priorities include replacing interior lighting, painting the building’s exterior, and acquiring additional equipment to support a broader range of professional events. We anticipate an expenditure exceeding $125,000 to achieve these goals.

At its own expense and through the generosity of donors, SCA has taken a vacant building and created an anchor in downtown Sausalito where culture, arts and the community intersect. It has carried the financial burden of maintaining and renovating the building for the benefit of the City and its community.

Community Contribution

SCA is A Leading Example of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the City of Sausalito

SCA aims to ensure that 20% of its events focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Our commitment to DEI is not just a policy on our website; it’s woven into the fabric of our programming. Since its inception, SCA has amplified the voices of artists and organizations representing diverse communities from across the region.

We recognize and honor the arts not only for their ability to bring beauty into the world but also for their power to drive cultural change in profound and interconnected ways. We believe that art serves as both a mirror reflecting societal values and a catalyst for transformation.

The arts often spotlight social issues, injustices, and cultural dynamics that might otherwise go unnoticed. By provoking thought and evoking emotional responses, art inspires people to question the status quo and consider new perspectives.

Through storytelling, music, dance, and visual representation, art allows individuals to step into the lives and struggles of others, fostering empathy and understanding across different cultures and communities. This shared emotional experience helps bridge cultural divides and promotes inclusivity.

With a commitment to "diverse artistic expression for the benefit of all," SCA strives to uphold the artistic beauty and legacy of our community while challenging societal norms and conventions, pushing boundaries, and encouraging progressive thought.

An example of just some of the diverse programs we have brought to our community include:

The Sausalito Center For The Arts, through its programming and commitment to DEI, helps the City of Sausalito reach its own DEI goals and brings our community together in a common language spoken by all, the language of art.

Community Contribution

Provides a Prime Location Venue for Other Non-profit Organizations

SCA has created a unique venue that intersects culture, art and community. In doing so, it has established a real Center of the City that is provides a prime location venue for other non-profit organizations.

Our programs are meant to offer diverse creative expression that builds connections, creates dialogue and reflects and transforms our community. Topics can be serious or whimsical, but relevant to the world today.

The Center supports all aspects of community and has establish a collaborative and supportive environment for group activities, social engagement, public information and other purposes.

Since it’s inception, the Center has hosted a number of local non-profit and for-profit organizations including:

• Sausalito Pride

• Sausalito Village

• The City of Sausalito

• Marin Open Studios

• The ICB Group of Artist

• The Sausalito Art Festival Foundation

• Sausalito Makers Faire

• Sausalito Books By The Bay

• EDAC

• Sausalito Winter Market

• Shakespeare On The Water

• MLK Jr. Academy Gala Fundraiser

• Sausalito Herring Festival