By Lookout Staff

January 6, 2026 -- A total of 28 community projects commemorating Santa Monica's 150th anniversary were supported with $50,620 in microgrants provided by the City, officials said Tuesday.

The "community-driven" projects took place from July through December in parks, galleries, libraries, historic sites and public spaces across the city.

The projects "represented a range of ideas" and "helped bring the 150th Anniversary to life by honoring our shared history, elevating underrepresented voices, and celebrating creativity, resilience, and connection, Cultural officials said.

The projects -- funded by microgrants of $500 to $5,000 -- included art exhibitions, community conversations, history walks, hands-on workshops, cultural celebrations, live performances, storytelling activations and neighborhood gatherings.

"Together, they brought thousands of Santa Monicans together to explore our past and imagine our future," City officials said.

Among the projects were a collaborative game design and a community storytelling event and digital time capsule that collected photos, memories, and reflections from residents and visitors.

There was also a citywide scavenger hunt that guided families through local landmarks and stories and a staged reading series exploring the impact of banned books.

Other events celebrated a diversity of groups that included Latinos, women and veterans.

"The goal was simple and intentional: to allow Santa Monica to program itself -- uplifting local voices, surfacing untold stories, and offering residents the chance to see the anniversary through many different perspectives," City officials said.