On Wednesday Oct. 28, 2026, the lobby at Culver One was filled with pumpkins, straw bales, Colorful Community posters and books highlighting the Kinsey Collection; The Creative Economy Mixer brought together artists, collectors and administrators to celebrate and discuss the arts in Culver City.
Led by Assistant City Manager Adam Troy and the City’s Economic Development team, the event celebrated Culver City’s rich history as a hub for arts, entertainment, and the creative economy, while exploring the innovation and creativity shaping its future.
Award-winning journalist Ed Gordon moderated engaging conversations with renowned philanthropists and collectors Bernard Kinsey and Shirley Kinsey. Also on stage to discuss the present and the future were economist Adam J. Fowler, and Culver City Cultural Affairs Manager Sally Unsworth, exploring how art, culture, and storytelling drive economic growth, inspire innovation, and strengthen communities.
The Kinseys discussed their unique, world renowned art collection, most recently on display at SoFi in Inglewood. “We have toured 39 cities, all over the world, and millions of people have had the chance to see the collection. As much as they are African American art and artifacts, they are American history, and we need people to know it.” Bernard Kinsey offered.
Notables in attendance included Reuben Cannon, Mathew Knowles, Stan Lathan, and Bridgid Coulter Cheadle, in addition to Culver City Chamber of Commerce President DanO’Brien and Culver Arts Foundation leader Jim Clarke.
Judith Martin-Straw
Photo Credit – City of Culver City
L to R – Ed Gordon, Shirley and Bernard Kinsey
