Public Art Commission - January 31, 2025

Commission approves $50,000 King Plaza artist residency

The Public Art Commission unanimously approved the recommended next artist for the King Artist-in-Residence Program and allocated $50,000 for a residency that will culminate in a temporary artwork for King Plaza.

Commissioners accepted staff’s recommendation to select a previous finalist rather than begin a new artist search. Staff said the proposed residency would explore cultural identity through engagement with Black, Indigenous and people of color and immigrant communities, including workshops and surveys that would inform the artwork.

The allocation includes $20,000 for research and community engagement, $10,000 for creative outreach materials and $20,000 for artwork design and fabrication. Staff will now develop the contract, scope and schedule with the approved artist.

Ad hoc committee will help expand Code:ART

The Public Art Commission formed an ad hoc committee to work with staff on expanded programming, partnerships and sponsorship levels for Code:ART 2025. The main festival is scheduled for Oct. 16–18, with projection mapping on City Hall continuing through the following weekend.

Staff said it lacked the capacity to develop all partnerships independently and asked commissioners to assist with merchants, sponsors, tours, surveys and artist-installation support. The committee will concentrate on supplemental programming and sponsor benefits before reporting to the full commission.

Commissioners discussed performances before projection mapping, storefront activities and a possible passport or scavenger-hunt program. Staff cited roughly 13,000 attendees at the prior festival and estimated that about three-quarters visited local businesses. Staff will also explore whether greater flexibility in event hours is possible.

New commission leaders will begin in March

The commission unanimously elected a new chair and vice chair. The newly elected officers are set to begin serving in March.

Primary sources

Watch the meeting on YouTube · Read the official meeting agenda