Public Art Commission - October 29, 2024

Commission discusses review of $2.3 million public art fund

The Public Art Commission discussed a staff proposal for a three-member ad hoc committee to recommend future uses of a public art fund with a reported balance of about $2.3 million. No formal appointments were made at the Oct. 29 special meeting; interested commissioners were expected to confer afterward about participation and schedules.

The fund was established in 2014 when the Percent for Art and Private Development ordinance took effect and receives private-development in-lieu contributions. Staff said it has collected a little more than $320,000 a year on average. A previous ad hoc group considered gateway art but recommended allowing the fund to grow because funding levels and coordination with Caltrans and other agencies posed challenges.

Amber Smith, Harriet Stern and Tara de la Garza expressed interest in serving on the proposed committee. Ben Miyaji had participated in an earlier Public Art Fund committee and conducted related research. Staff anticipated that the new group would examine opportunities consistent with the Public Art Master Plan and bring recommendations to the commission’s January retreat. The work was expected to require no more than about five hours.

Cubberley arts activation planning moves to a future retreat

The commission deferred further work on plans to expand arts activity at Cubberley until a future retreat, taking no formal action after discussing programming, facilities, staffing and partnerships. Staff planned to circulate additional possible retreat dates.

Staff said the City Council had unanimously approved the commission’s work plan on Oct. 7 and directed it to pursue, in collaboration with artists, a plan for extensive artistic activation at Cubberley. Commissioners explored public installations, open studios, exhibitions, outdoor markets, evening events, projection mapping, school participation, improved signage, community liaison support and a dedicated budget. They also noted constraints involving staffing, food-service health requirements, revenue collection and competing rentals.

Cubberley offers 22 artist studios, including one rotating studio. Artists are required to provide free community events, participate in Open Studios and donate an artwork to the City’s collection.

The City also reported an option agreement with the school district to acquire another seven acres at Cubberley, potentially bringing City ownership to about 15 acres. Planning is anticipated for a possible 2026 bond measure, while interim activation—including potential art activity—may be considered as a future redevelopment scope is developed.

Code Art draws more than 100 applicants

Code Art received more than 100 applicants before applications closed Oct. 18, staff reported. The selection panel was conducting online scoring and was scheduled to meet the following Friday, with another update planned for the commission’s next meeting. The commission took no action on the update.

Primary sources

Watch the meeting on YouTube · Read the official meeting packet