DATE: MARCH 24, 2026
DEPARTMENT: LIBRARY & COMMUNITY SERVICES
FROM: KRISTAN LUNDQUIST, DIRECTOR
TITLE: ANNUAL PUBLIC ART PLAN FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
A motion to approve a Resolution adopting the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Public Art Plan including the appropriation of $60,000 from the Municipal Art Fund with subsequent appropriation of $206,000 during the budget development process to support the projects identified in the 2026-2027 Public Art Plan.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Public Art Plan includes four components (Public Art Event Grants, Murals/Sculptures, Noblewins sustainable park benches, and Alebrijes & Nahuales Exhibt) and recommends a total appropriation of $60,000 from the Municipal Art Fund with subsequent appropriation of $206,000 during the budget development process to support these projects.
BACKGROUND:
On May 16, 2017, the City Council adopted an Ordinance establishing a Public Art Program. Originally set an amount not to exceed one-half percent (0.5%) of the total project cost of each eligible capital improvement program project and with a cap of $50,000 for any one project and a cap of $100,000 for spending in one year, the City’s contribution from eligible construction projects is currently set at one percent (1%) with no cap on maximum contributions per project or year. In addition, the Municipal Art Fund (MAF) receives an annual General Fund contribution in the amount of $100,000 A key tool for the Commission is the MAF. The money for the fund comes from a fee on the value of qualified capital improvement program construction projects funded by the General Fund, Measure G and E. The fee is 1% of qualified completed CIPS. The money is deposited into the fund every June at the end of the fiscal year. The annual General Fund contribution is transferred twice each Fiscal Year in December and June. The Current balance is $500,416.88.
One of the Public Art Commission’s (PAC) primary activities is the preparation of an Annual Public Art Plan that includes specific activities that promote public art and that recommends the release of funds from the MAF to cover the costs of the activities described in the annual plan. The Public Arts Plan is submitted to the City Council annually no later than April 1.
At the May 19, 2025, Public Art Commission meeting a Public Art Plan sub-committee was established. The sub-committee met five times (on Oct. 21, 2025, Nov. 17, 2025, Dec. 9, 2025, Jan. 6, 2026 & Jan. 20, 2026) to prepare a draft plan that includes four components:
PUBLIC ART EVENT GRANTS: Consistent with the 2024 Annual Public Art Plan, the PAC recommends continuing the grant program that would support new or existing art centered events. The sub-committee recommends $20,000 be made available for the grant program.
MURAL/SCULPTURES: PAC recommends allocating an amount not to exceed $20,000 for mural(s)/sculpture(s). A Call for Artists would be issued with a focus on local artists.
NOBLEWINS SUSTAINABLE PARK BENCHES: PAC recommends allocating an amount not to exceed $26,000 for the purchase, installation and art associated with this project. The bench(es) would be located in one or more of the City’s parks, and a Call for Artists would be issued to select the art to be displayed on the bench.
ALEBRIJES & NAHUALES: PAC recommends allocating an amount not to exceed $200,000 to bring this cultural exhibit to Salinas including the exhibit, coordination and installation. This effort is being led by the City of Salinas, local artists, and the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce. The exhibit includes (8) 25-28 ft. high spirit animals to be displayed throughout Salinas and up to (30) small pieces that could be on display in an indoor setting. The exhibits would be on display for 4-6 weeks and could include a one-day festival as well. There would be a local fundraising effort with the hope that these resources could be used to offset the MAF contribution so that not all $200,000 would be used. Unused MAF dedicated to this project would stay in the MAF for future allocation and plans. If this is a successful model, it would position the MAF to be used as a driver and/or catalyst fund for future public art installations, performances, etc., as envisioned by the City of Salinas Public Art Master Plan, thereby magnifying the impact of the fund.
The draft Public Art Plan was presented to the Public Art Commission at its February 23, 2026, meeting. The Commission voted unanimously to receive the annual public art plan and to recommend that the City Council adopt the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Public Art Plan..
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
Not a Project. The City of Salinas has determined that the proposed action is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378).
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES:
No.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
The adoption of the FY 2026-2027 Annual Public Art Plan will support the following City Council’s Strategic Plan Goal of Youth and Seniors by:
Increasing community events throughout the City for youth and seniors; and Partnering with regional stakeholders to improve access to the arts DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
LCS staff will coordinate with the following Departments when implementing the draft plan:
City Attorney’s Office: Necessary Agreements and Call for Artists Public Works: Encroachment Permits
Community Development: Site Plan Review for Murals and Sculptures Administration Department: Alebrijes & Nahuales Exhibit FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
The Municipal Art Fund is funded by 1% of City qualified completed Capital Improvement Projects and $100,000 annual contribution from the General Fund.
Fund
General Ledger Number
(Operating/CIP)
General Ledger Account Name
Remaining Budget Appropriation
Amount Requested
2507
00.0000-63.5010
Outside services-Other professional
$95,000
$60,000
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Power Point
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