Urbanowski: The World Cup and our international city

People will often ask, “What is it that makes San Jose unique? What is that cultural identity?”

Recently, I heard a wise, globe-traveling civic and cultural leader describe San Jose as the place where everyone from all over the world can find a piece of home. In San Jose, you can find your people, your culture, your community. The breadth of cultural diversity is not just expansive — it is authentic, nuanced and thriving.

This month, that global representation is echoed by the spirit of international sports, specifically World Cup soccer, as teams from across the world play here in Santa Clara County and on screens at watch parties across our region.

In anticipation of the FIFA World Cup 2026 soccer tournaments being hosted in the U.S., the National Endowment for the Arts has recognized the relationship between international sports and cross-cultural arts programming by awarding 11 grants to support arts projects in the 11 U.S. communities hosting these games. These projects will celebrate American creativity and highlight local artistic and cultural traditions in connection with soccer-related celebrations.

“As audiences around the world focus on this global moment, the National Endowment for the Arts is excited to support these community-centered projects that link American cultural expression and highlight local creativity with the excitement of international soccer,” Mary Anne Carter, chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, said.

The 11 Arts Projects Spotlighting the Spirit of Sports grants cover a wide range of projects, including performances, exhibitions, concerts, festivals and educational programming.

In San Jose, SVCREATES (our county arts council), as the local administrator of these funds, will partner with the San Jose Office of Cultural Affairs to co-produce CityDance San Jose 2026, a culturally vibrant participatory dance and music program throughout the month of June. Designed to celebrate diversity and build bridges across cultures, CityDance San Jose is an evening of socializing, music and open-air dancing located in the heart of downtown San Jose. With live bands and a professional dance instructor to teach the fine points of the evening’s dance style, you can learn something new, tune your skills or just show off! The event is open and free to the public.

The opening event on Friday, June 12 will be held at Parque de los Pobladores, a public city park in the center of the SoFA San Jose arts district. It will be presented in partnership with San Jose Jazz and MACLA, as part of MACLA’s annual ¡WEPA! Festival — a free, family-friendly celebration of Puerto Rican and Caribbean culture. There will be live performances by musicians from San Jose Jazz, one of our region’s largest arts organizations supporting, presenting and uplifting the most experienced, quality musicians and emerging local talent.

Subsequent events will take place on June 15, 18, 21, 24 and 30, celebrating global dance traditions inspired by the diverse nations participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Programming will reflect the international spirit of the tournament and the lived cultural diversity of San Jose residents, fostering cross-cultural exchange, civic pride and inclusive community gathering in shared public space.

Come out to CityDance San Jose 2026 and celebrate our international city this month with music and art representing many cultures across the globe and neighborhoods right here at home.

Alexandra Urbanowski is CEO of SV Creates, the state and county designated arts service organization and local arts agency for Santa Clara County. She serves on the leadership committee for the California Coalition of County Art Agencies and is on the board of the statewide arts advocacy organization California for the Arts/California Arts Advocates. Her columns appear every first Wednesday of the month. Contact Alexandra at [email protected].