In a momentous decision for San Diego's cultural scene, the City Council has approved a 25-year lease for the WorldBeat Center in Balboa Park. Championed by Mayor Todd Gloria, this move solidifies the home of a renowned multi-cultural arts organization that has been a Park Boulevard mainstay since 1995. The agreement sets the stage for the Center to continue its mission of promoting cultural programs, art exhibits, and educational classes.
"For 30 years, the WorldBeat Center has provided cultural education and programing in a surplus water tank without formal recognition by the City," Mayor Gloria stated, as per the City of San Diego. The mayor's acknowledgment highlights a significant posture shift from the city towards embracing cultural diversity through institutional backing. The WorldBeat Center, which has been fostering an appreciation for the African diaspora and Indigenous cultures through its programs, now looks to a future aided by potential federal and state grants, thanks to the new lease.
Councilmember Stephen Whitburn hailed the lease as a critical milestone for his district and the broader community, emphasizing the city's dedication to fostering cultural diversity and promoting unity. WorldBeat's Executive Director, Makeda Dread Cheatom, reflected on the journey and the guiding principles of the center, particularly the values of Kwanzaa, which have helped navigate adversities such as unity, self-determination, and faith. "The WorldBeat Cultural Center has used the principles of Kwanzaa as a guide when facing adversities including Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination) and Imani (faith)," Cheatom stated on the WorldBeat Cultural Center's Instagram post commemorating the lease.
The fresh lease deal corresponds with the objectives set out in Balboa Park's Master Plan and gives WorldBeat Center the option to extend for an additional ten years after the initial term. As part of the agreement, the Center is responsible for maintenance and will contribute an annual nonprofit administrative cost recovery fee to the city. This new arrangement marks an era of stability and growth for the WorldBeat Center. It has yearned for recognition and space to expand its offerings from a museum to even more educational programming, as detailed in its celebratory social media post.
