San Luis Obispo is giving the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art (SLOMA) $500,000 to help its relocation and expansion project, according to a press release. The funding is coming from $4.1 million in unassigned funds, according to the Nov. 4 meeting minutes.
City staff will continue to work with SLOMA to finalize the details of the grant, according to the release. The remaining unassigned funds will be allocated to city projects in February 2026.
“It’s a dynamic place where art becomes a bridge,” SLOMA Board Member Beya Makekau said. “The expansion brings that spirit directly downtown tenfold, expanding the heart of our community so that every generation across race, gender, culture, ability, sexual orientation, age and its intersections can access art, create art and have their stories told through art and unequivocally find belonging.”
SLOMA’s expansion involves combining three Higuera St. storefronts, bringing the total property to 24,000 square feet, according to the website. The increased space means the museum can host major traveling exhibits and larger events at a new indoor gathering hall and patio.
The existing Broad Street location will become a designated Education Center, bringing back summer and after-school programs, as well as workshops and art classes for all ages, according to the website.
San Luis Obispo has invested in several arts projects recently, including the Cultural Arts District parking garage, SLO Rep Theater and the Mission Plaza Enhancement Project, according to the release.
