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...
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