REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on a Grant Agreement with Triton Museum of Art for FY 2026/27 to Support General Museum Operations, Art Exhibitions, and Educational Programs and Delegation of Authority for Future Grant Agreements
Report
BACKGROUND
Founded in 1965, Triton Museum of Art (Triton Museum) was the first non-university art museum in Santa Clara County known for collecting and exhibiting contemporary and historical works with an emphasis on Greater Bay Area artists. In 1967, the Triton Museum relocated from San Jose to Santa Clara, where it currently remains across the street from the Santa Clara Civic Center.
The existing site is owned by the City of Santa Clara (City), which resulted in both entities entering into a 30-year land lease agreement dated November 24, 1967. This agreement instructed Triton Museum to construct new buildings on the property (now known as the Pavilion) and transfer building ownership to the City at the end of the lease. The City and Triton Museum re-entered into an Agreement for Lease and Operation of Triton Museum of Art (Lease and Operation Agreement) on April 16, 1998, that had an initial term of 20 years through April 15, 2018 (Attachment 2). The Lease and Operation Agreement allowed the City and Triton Museum to extend the lease term for two additional five-year periods. In accordance with Council delegated authority, prior City Managers executed an Amendment No. 1 to the Lease and Operation Agreement which extended the term for five years, through April 15, 2023, and Amendment No. 2, which extended the term for an additional five years, through April 15, 2028 (Attachments 3 and 4).
Both the City and Triton Museum hold key roles as parties to the Lease and Operation Agreement. Triton is responsible for maintaining and operating a museum that is open and free to the public at least six days a week, maintaining other buildings on the property such as the Jamison Brown House and the Pavilions, paying for labor and utilities (except those that are covered by the City as detailed below), and preserving the City’s collection of art, which includes the Warburton Native American Collection and paintings by Theodore Wores, a 19th and early 20th century California Impressionist, among other things. The City is responsible for maintaining the exterior of the buildings on the property and certain building systems, and the cost of electricity, water, sanitary sewer, landscaping, and janitorial services, among other things.
Separately, the City has provided an annual grant contribution to Triton Museum to support payment expenses related to the museum’s general operations, art exhibitions, and educational programs for the community. Through this grant funding, the City is able to ensure that the community has access to art and educational programs that showcase cultural art and regional artists.
Staff is recommending the City Council’s approval of a Grant Agreement with Triton Museum of Art to provide $314,084 in grant funding for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026/27 (July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2026) (Attachment 1). These grant funds will be distributed equally between twelve monthly installments of $26,173.66 to support quality art exhibitions, events, and educational programs.
While grant agreements typically require Council approval, as part of the City Council’s September 11, 2018 approval of a Contribution Agreement with Triton Museum of Art, to provide grant funding for FY 2018/19, it also authorized the City Manager to execute future Contribution Agreements in substantially the same form as long as the City had a valid Lease and Operation Agreement with the Triton Museum, subject to annual budget appropriations, and to make minor modifications to the Contribution Agreement if necessary. As communicated in a September 16, 2025 agenda report regarding actions taken during the City Council recess in 2025 (RTC #25-895), the most recent Grant Agreement with Triton Museum has been updated to reflect new or modified Grantee requirements consistent with other City agreements, including the City’s standard Qualifications of Grantee-Standard of Care, Hold Harmless/Indemnification, and Compliance with Laws obligations. It is also amended to include obligations that Grantee provide the City with annual certified determination letters confirming its non-profit 501(c)(3) status to comply with Measure I Bond requirements.
As such, staff is also recommending that the City Council re-delegate authority to the City Manager to execute future Grant Agreements with Triton Museum as long as the City has a valid Lease and Operation Agreement with the Triton Museum, subject to annual budget appropriations, and to make minor modifications to the Grant Agreement as needed.
DISCUSSION
In return for receiving the grant funds under the Grant Agreement, Triton Museum is responsible for the following activities:
1. Providing quality art exhibitions, events, and educational programs for the community;
2. Providing community outreach programs targeted towards art education for students and families;
3. Providing a qualified museum staff person to serve as a juror for City-sponsored art competitions;
4. Exploring opportunities for collaboration on City-sponsored and Grantee- sponsored events. Upon written request from the City, the City has free use of Triton Museum of Art, Jamison-Brown House, and the surrounding grounds, subject to availability;
5. Upon the City’s request, distribute promotional materials or information provided by the City to residents, businesses, and visitors that promote City services and facilities, encourage people to visit Santa Clara, and/or encourage the location of businesses in the City; and
6. Providing annual certified determination letter(s) confirming Triton Museum’s non-profit 501(c)(3) status and good standing from an authorized representative and legal counsel.
The Grant Agreement also requires Triton Museum to keep the City informed of its activities on a monthly period and for the grant period. Per the Grant Agreement, the City receives a monthly informational summary report, highlighting art and education activities, funding sources, special appearances of shows for which attendees were charged admission, the dates of special events that require rental of the museum and Jamison Brown House for the previous month, attendance numbers for all Triton Museum-sponsored events and activities, and membership numbers. Following the end of the grant period, Triton Museum is responsible for submitting a descriptive report to the City demonstrating that the grant funds were used for the activities described in accordance with the Grant Agreement.
Staff recommends approval of the FY 2026/27 Grant Agreement with Triton Museum in the amount of $314,084 to continue the City’s support of publicly accessible art exhibitions, events, and educational programs. To further streamline City operations, staff is also recommending that the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute future annual Grant Agreements with Triton Museum as long as the City and Triton Museum have an active Lease and Operation Agreement, subject to annual budget appropriations, and to make minor modifications to the Grant Agreement as needed.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(4) in that it is a fiscal activity that does not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potential significant impact on the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Grant Agreement is for a one-year term with total not to exceed amount of $314,084. The grant will be divided into twelve monthly installments of $26,173. Funding for the grant was included in the City’s FY 2025/26 and FY 2026/27 Adopted Biennial Operating Budget. Grant funding for future grant agreements with Triton Museum will be subject to future budget appropriations.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the Finance Department and the City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
1. Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute the Grant Agreement with Triton Museum of Art in the form presented for an amount not-to-exceed $314,084;
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute future Grant Agreements with Triton Museum of Art in substantially the same form as long as there is an active Agreement for Lease and Operation of Triton Museum of Art between the City and the Triton Museum of Art, subject to budget appropriations; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to make minor modifications to the Grant Agreement as needed, in a final form approved by the City Attorney.
Staff
Reviewed by: Christine Jung, Deputy City Manager
Approved by: Jovan Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Grant Agreement between the City of Santa Clara, California and Triton Museum of Art
2. Agreement for Lease and Operation of Triton Museum of Art
3. Amendment No. 1 to Agreement for Lease and Operation of Triton Museum of Art
4. Amendment No. 2 to Agreement for Lease and Operation of Triton Museum of Art