COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Alex Posada, Recreation and Parks Director
DATE: October 21, 2025
SUBJECT: Proclamation Proclaiming October 2025, as Arts and Humanities Month
The City Council will p resent a Proclamation declaring October 2025 as Arts and Humanities Month in the City of Santa Maria to recognize the importance of arts and humanities in enhancing quality of life, promoting community identity, and supporting local culture and economy.
BACKGROUND:
Each October, National Arts and Humanities Month is observed across the United States to celebrate the vital role that the arts and humanities play in our society. The month promotes public awareness and participation in arts and cultural programming, as well as the value these efforts contribute to education, civic engagement, and economic development.
The City of Santa Maria supports this national observance through ongoing investments in public art, cultural partnerships, and arts programming, particularly through the work of the Recreation and Parks Department.
DISCUSSION:
The City of Santa Maria is home to a vibrant arts and humanities community that continues to thrive through public engagement, cultural diversity, and creative expression.
The Recreation and Parks Department has been instrumental in leading the City’s public art initiatives, completing its first five-year Master Art Plan and receiving recognition from the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors in 2024 for outstanding contributions to public art and quality of life improvements for residents.
Recent accomplishments include the completion of multiple community murals, the expansion of the City’s utility box art program, and the integration of cultural displays in new public facilities su ch as the Japanese Community Center and Veterans’ Memorial Park. These efforts reflect the City’s commitment to enhancing civic spaces and fostering a shared community identity through the arts.
2 The attached Proclamation declares October 2025 as Arts and Humanities Month in the City of Santa Maria. Staff recommend the City Council present the proclamation during the Council meeting and encourage residents to participate in and support local arts and cultural events throughout the month.
Proclamation Requested by: Dennis Smitherman, Recreation Services Manager
Attachment(s): Proclamation