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South El Monte Arts District

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Your City. Your Art. Your Voice.

Shape the Future of the South El Monte Arts District

Welcome to the official hub of the South El Monte Arts District. We are transforming an industrial corridor into a vibrant cultural destination where industrial businesses can thrive as manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and retaurants...the True Makers.   By blending grand-scale public art with our local "maker" economy, we are creating a place where creativity, commerce, and community thrive together.


🌟 The Vision 

On January 20, 2026, the South El Monte City Council provided direction to staff to create an arts district in the industrial corridor generally centered by Chico Avenue and Rush Street (Alternate 1 - Industrial West). The staff report and presentation outlined examples, alternative locations, and allowable uses. The Arts District is more than just paint on walls and streetscapes. It is an economic engine and a community pride project designed to:

  • Stimulate Revitalization: Turning an industrial corridor into an "Instagrammable" destination and community hub where wholesalers, manufacturers, and distributers can thrive with maker spaces, retailers, restaurants, galleries, hotels, and housing.
  • Support Local Makers: "Buy Local" and support existing maker spaces (e.g., manufacturers and wholesalers) and encourage retail sales (e.g.,  breweries, apparel, food and artisanal products).
  • Celebrate Heritage: Using art to tell the story of South El Monte’s and San Gabriel Valley's past, present, and future through cross marketing opportunities of local businesses and artists.
  • Encourage Connectivity: Creating an event oriented, walkable, bikeable district with unique food and beverage opportunities with physical paths from our neighborhoods to this creativity community hub.

Wynwood Arts District


πŸ“¬ Get Involved

We are currently inventorying our community’s talent and looking for partners to help the district thrive. Whether you are an artist, a curator, a property or a business owner, a sponsor, or a resident or volunteer with a vision, we want to hear from you.  We are also in the market to restore used art and coordinate community art projects.  Please contact us to tell us your ideas, talents and resources and how you'd like to be involved.  

πŸ‘‰ Learn More or submit Your Interest & Resources and/or a request to join our mailing list to info@SEM.art

What We Are Analyzing (The EIR Process)

Because this is a significant transformation, the City is preparing a full Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Arts District overlay. This ensures the project is built responsibly. Our analysis includes:

Land Use & Zoning:

  • Overlay Zoning: Exploring high-density and intensity uses including Maker Spaces, Boutique Hotels, Retail, Restaurants, Galleries, etc..

  • Residential & Hospitality: Evaluating the feasibility of Mixed-Use zoning with housing. 

  • Density & Intensity: Studying increased Floor Area Ratios (FAR) and building heights to support a vibrant "Maker" ecosystem.

  • Vibrancy: Considering Live Music, Outdoor Festivals, Outdoor Dining, and Nighttime Programming to create a community hub and placemaking and of course allowing and encouraging artwork throughout the district.

Environmental & Community Impacts:

  • Traffic & Mobility: Studying how new destinations will change traffic flow and parking needs with the Arts District.

  • Noise & Vibrancy: Analyzing impacts from Live Music, Outdoor Festivals, and Nighttime Programming to create balanced performance standards.

  • Air Quality & Health: Ensuring a healthy environment for residents and visitors within a mixed-use industrial corridor.

  • Aesthetics & Light: Evaluating how grand-scale art and event and district lighting will define the district’s new visual character.

Public Open House & Scoping Meeting

We want to hear your vision—and your concerns. Participation in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) EIR "Scoping" process helps us determine what environmental factors we need to study most closely and what we should consider for the Arts District.

Attend our Official Public Open House & CEQA Scoping Meeting

  • When: April 9, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

  • Where: South El Monte City Hall (address below)

  • Activities: View project posters, speak with planners, provide written comments, and participate in our Coloring Contest: "What Does Art Mean to You in South El Monte?" (Paper and crayons provided! Prizes for all age groups).

Can't make it? Submit your formal comments to info@SEM.art or via mail or in person to City Hall (address below).

Note: To receive formal legal notifications regarding the EIR process (Notice of Preparation and Notice of Availability), please email us with "Add to CEQA Mailing List" in the subject line. A formal Notice of Preparation is forthcoming and will be posted on this webpage. 

Coloring Contest Details (All Ages)

Help us visualize the district!

  • Prompt: On an 8.5" x 11" page, draw "What Does Art Mean to You in South El Monte."

  • Submission: Include scans/photos of artwork and a completed Creative Consent Form & Parental Authorization form (also available at City Hall).

  • Deadline: Email submissions to info@SEM.art or to City Hall by April 12, 2026.

  • Prizes: SEM SWAG, local business gift cards/merchandise, and art materials will be awarded in categories (e.g., Elementary, Middle School, High School, College (ages 19 to 25), Adult, Senior). Must be a South El Monte resident to win. Donations now being accepted for prize winners.

Legal Notice: This page serves as a supplemental information hub for the Notice of Preparation (NOP) of an Environmental Impact Report for the South El Monte Arts District. Formal documents are available for review at the South El Monte Planning Department.


🎨Business Mural Program

Are you a business or property owner in the Arts District? Join our Business Mural Program as our "Partner in Art" and let us help you cross-market your business.

  • Digital Integration:  include "SEM.art" and the QR code in your art or on a plaque recognizing the artwork.
  • Visibility: Get featured on our Arts Map with direct links to your Google Maps business website with a brief description of the business and the artwork and the artist's biography.  Include your business identity and name in the artwork.  
  • Marketing: Benefit from City-led cross-marketing featuring the art in the City newsletter and social media, an unveiling reception, and City Council recognition.

πŸ‘‰ Learn More & Apply for the Business Mural Program


πŸ–Œ Become a Featured Artist or Artist on the Art Registry

Become a creator of our community art installations.  From muralists to metalworkers, our Featured Artist Program showcases the talent making South El Monte beautiful.  We are also creating a list of interested artists who would like to participate in the creation of the Arts District, whether as a volunteer or as a paid professional, register to be on the City's Art Registry today.  

  • Artist Bios: Allow readers to learn about you and the inspiration behind the art on our designated webpage.  
  • Portfolios: Connect your Instagram directly on our designated webpage.
  • Visibility: Get featured on our Arts Map with direct links to your artwork’s location with a brief description of the artwork.  
  • Marketing: Benefit from City-led cross-marketing featuring the art in the City newsletter and social media, an unveiling reception, and City Council recognition.

πŸ—Ί Arts Map

Want to see where the art is happening? View our Arts Map to see current installations, artist bios, and participating business locations.


πŸ“ About 

The Arts District Map is your guide to the district location and "Opportunity Sites" for art installations and maker space projects. 

Arts District Map

Arts District Alt 1 approved

Project Projected Timeline

  • Currently: Public Outreach & Community Noticing.
  • Summer 2026: Official Ordinance Adoption & CIP Budget Finalization (includes Planning Commission and City Council public hearings and environmental review and consideration).
  • September 2026: Commencement of branding, marketing, capital improvements, grant applications, art installations, industrial conversion projects, and events.

Contact:

Office of Economic Development

City of South El Monte

1415 Santa Anita Ave.

South El Monte, CA 91733

Contact Us

  1. City of South El Monte

  1. 1415 Santa Anita Avenue

  1. South El Monte, CA 91733

  1. Hours: Monday through Thursday

  1. 7 am to 5:30 pm

  1. Closed Fridays & Major Holidays

  1. Phone: 626-579-6540

  1. South El Monte California Homepage

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