HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-01-21 Public Art Commission Agenda Packet
IS POSTED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION
54954.2(a) OR SECTION 54956
PUBLIC ART COMMISSION
Ben Miyaji, Chair
Ian Klaus, Member Loren Gordon, Vice-Chair Nia Taylor, Member
Hsinya Shen, Member
City Council Liaison: Mayor Tom DuBois
Elise DeMarzo: Public Art Program Director Nadya Chuprina: Public Art Program Coordinator
Kristen O’Kane: Director of Community Services Department
http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/publicart
Thursday, January 21, 2021
7:00 pm
Pursuant to the provisions of California Governor’s Executive Order N-29-20, issued on March 17, 2020,
to prevent the spread of Covid-19, this meeting will be held by virtual teleconference only, with no physical
location. The meeting will be broadcast on Midpen Media Center at https://midpenmedia.org. Members of
the public who wish to participate by computer or phone can find the instructions at the end of this agenda.
To ensure participation in a particular item, we suggest calling in or connecting online 15 minutes before
the item you wish to speak on.
https://zoom.us/join Meeting ID: 984 6120 5387 Phone: +1 669 900 6833
AGENDA
ROLL CALL
AGENDA CHANGES, REQUESTS, DELETIONS
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Members of the public may address the Commission on any subject not on the agenda. A reasonable time
restriction may be imposed at the discretion of the Chair. The Commission reserves the right to limit oral
communications period to 3 minutes.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: PAC Meeting November 19, 2020 ATTACHMENT
STAFF COMMENTS
NON-ACTION:
1.Cal Ave Master Plan discussion – review and discussion of the Draft California Ave District
Public Art Master Plan. ATTACHMENT
2.Commissioner Handbook Adopted by City Council – discussion regarding the Commissioner
Handbook.
3.Race and Equity Public Art – Discussion of the City Council referral to the PAC to develop a
permanent public artwork on King Plaza to recognize the City’s priorities on race and equity.
ATTACHMENT
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PUBLIC LETTERS: ATTACHMENT
FOR YOUR CALENDAR:
Next PAC regular meeting – Thursday, February 18, 2021
MINUTES
PUBLIC ART COMMISSION
MEETING
Thursday, November 19, 2020
Virtual teleconference via Zoom
7:00 p.m.
Commissioners Present: Ben Miyaji, Loren Gordon, Nia Taylor, Ian Klaus joined the
meeting at 7:15 pm, Hsinya Shen joined the meeting at 7:23 pm
Commissioners Absent:
Staff Present: Elise DeMarzo, Public Art Program Director
Nadya Chuprina, Public Art Program Coordinator
Kristen O’Kane, CSD Director
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Miyaji called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
AGENDA CHANGES, REQUESTS, DELETIONS – None
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS – None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: September 24, 2020 PAC Special Meeting Minutes Moved: Commissioner
Taylor; Second: Vice Chair Gordon. All in Favor.
STAFF COMMENTS: Staff reported to the Commissioners about the kick off of the ArtLift Microgrant
project. Applications from local artists and creatives are accepted and reviewed on an ongoing basis. Staff
asked for any commissioners interested in serving on the selection panel. Staff also reported on the
completed maintenance treatments for Confluence and Arch-Cradle by artist Mike Szabo and shared
images of the artworks before and after treatments.
ACTION:
1. New Acquisition of Artwork –Staff presented the information and image of the artwork titled
Unapproachable Landscapes I by former CASP artist Yishu Wang offered for donation into the
City’s public art collection. The screen print offered for donation was created by the artist during
her residency at Cubberley. Moved: Vice Chair Gordon moved to accept the donation of artwork
into the City’s collection of public art. Second: Chair Miyaji. Commissioner Taylor – aye. All in
Favor.
NON-ACTION:
2. Race and Equity Public Art – Commissioners discussed the City Council referral to the PAC to
develop a permanent artwork on King Plaza to recognize the City’s priorities to advance cultural,
racial and social equity. Staff presented images of the plaza and talked the commissioners through
challenges and opportunities of the site. Due to allowable weight restrictions and inability to
permanently bolt into the plaza, staff listed alternative opportunities for integration of artwork,
including utilizing the fountain planter, or the façade of the City Hall building for ongoing public
art programming featuring rotating artworks in a banner format. Commissioners noted the
importance of a broader public and stakeholder input and the need for a bigger conversation as
the PAC works on preparing the recommendations for City Council. Commissioners discussed
the need to conduct further research to understand pros and cons, and cost implications of
permanent vs. temporary artwork and consider the process further to ensure the commissioned
artwork(s) are relevant to the community, impactful and meaningful. Staff will provide interim
information reports to City Council, continue the discussion at the next PAC meeting and
potentially conduct a special PAC meeting dedicated to the item of Race and Equity Public Art at
King Plaza.
3. Temporary Murals Update – Staff updated the PAC on the artist selection panel that identified
8 local artists to create original site-specific artworks to be digitally printed and temporarily
places across 8 various locations in downtown and California Ave district in Palo Alto. Artists
Robin Apple, Damon Belanger, Liz Hickok, Lauren Berger, Jorge Camacho, Katharine Lui,
Carrie Lederer and art duo t.w.five were awarded the commissions. Staff shared examples of the
artists’ previous artworks with the PAC.
ANNOUNCEMENTS – None
CALENDAR: Next PAC Regular Meeting – December 17, 2020 at 7 pm via Zoom.
MEETING ADJOURNED at 8:01 pm by Chair Miyaji.
City of Palo Alto Draft: California Avenue District Public Art Plan January 2021
1
Chapter One: Executive Summary
In 2016, the Palo Alto Public Art Program adopted a public art plan for the entire city. One of the
recommendations in that plan was to develop a specific public art plan for the California Avenue District.
California Avenue has evolved over the last decade in a variety of ways that are changing its character.
Streetscape changes completed in 2015 reduced vehicular traffic from 4 to two lanes, widened
sidewalks, expanded bike lanes, installed new crosswalks and pedestrian safety measures, updated
lighting and street furniture, new street trees, and updated a beautiful plaza near the train station,
including artist Michael Szabo’s Confluence fountain. Several beloved businesses have closed and new
ones have grown up in their place. With the challenges created by the Covid-19 pandemic, there are
new opportunities to think about how to stimulate greater pedestrian activity, outdoor dining and pop-
up activities on the avenue.
The City of Palo Alto has embarked on several new initiatives in the area. A 611-space parking garage,
serving the commercial, retail and restaurant area has been completed at 350 Sherman Avenue. The
Office of Transportation is planning pedestrian and bicycle improvements in the area, and restaurants
have expanded sidewalk dining. Temporary public art was commissioned at the construction site of the
parking garage, and three new artworks will be installed at the Public Safety Building.
In early 2020, the Palo Alto Public Art Program initiated the art master planning process for California
Avenue. The purpose of the California Ave Public Art Master Plan is to set clear vision for the future of
public art that will strengthen California Avenue’s unique cultural identity as the vibrant “Avenue of the
Arts”, encourage cultural tourism by retaining and attracting Palo Alto residents and visitors, and
support economic development of the California Avenue business community.
The Master Plan will articulate themes and opportunities for new permanent and temporary
installations, as well as placemaking and event-based interventions appropriate for the district. The plan
will address community engagement and educational opportunities to help broaden public’s
understanding of public art, encourage creative partnerships and collaborations. The Plan will Identify
potential gateway opportunities to distinguish Cal Ave as a unique cultural destination, different from
downtown Palo Alto.
While it was initially hoped that many community engagement events would take place in person, the
pandemic stimulated different forms of creative community outreach. The consultant team of Art Builds
Community conducted online interviews, webinars, and focus groups and two outdoor tabling events. In
addition, the planners employed CoUrbanize, an interactive mapping platform to engage the public in
conversations about the future of public art in the California Avenue district.
The following vision, mission, objectives/guiding principles and recommendations are a result of this
planning effort.
Vision
Public art in the California Avenue District will embody the unique cultural identity of local businesses,
residents, and artists.
City of Palo Alto Draft: California Avenue District Public Art Plan January 2021
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Mission
The Palo Alto Public Art Program art will enliven the California Avenue District by commissioning
permanent and changing artworks that reflect the historic, culturally diverse, and natural environment
of the area.
Objectives/Guiding Principles
1. Build partnerships between local businesses, arts groups, and the Palo Alto Public Art Program to
commission art that attracts people to the district.
2. Enhance pedestrian experiences and engage people of all ages by installing changing and permanent
artwork throughout identified locations within the district.
3. Build local pride and educate visitors with public art that explores the district’s history by supporting
outdoor exhibitions that highlight the work of local and regional artists.
Recommendations
1. Install changing and permanent artworks that enhance wayfinding and the pedestrian experience.
2. Commission iconic art that attracts people to the district.
3. Support changing outdoor exhibitions.
4. Commission public art that explores local history, cultures, and the environment,
5. Highlight the work of local and regional artists
6. Build in-kind and financial partnerships between local businesses, arts organizations, City
Departments and Palo Alto Public Art Program
City of Palo Alto Draft: California Avenue District Public Art Plan January 2021
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Chapter Two: Introduction
History
California Avenue began its life as the Mayfield community, established in 1853 by James Otterson, who
built a roadhouse on the road between San Francisco and San Jose. The community became an
epicenter for saloons and, by its incorporation in 1905, business owners and residents became
frustrated with the activity that saloons attracted. In 1905, the district banned saloons and in 1925,
Mayfield was incorporated into Palo Alto. In 1941, both the main street, Lincoln, and the Mayfield train
station were renamed California Avenue.
The Avenue has always been the main street for the surrounding residential area and has been unique
for its “mom and pop” businesses, restaurants, movie house, and music venues. Performers including
the Grateful Dead, Joan Baez, and Miles Davis entertained in the area during the 1960s and ‘70s.
Beginning in 1997, Palo Alto’s Public Art Program in partnership with the California Avenue Area
Development Association (CAADA) began commissioning artworks for the Avenue, which became known
informally as Avenue of the Arts. The street and surrounding area now includes a significant amount of
sculpture, a fountain, and murals.
Over time, the character of the neighborhood changed. The movie house and music venues have
closed, and the area has lost some of its retail. In 2015, a significant streetscape project was completed
on California Avenue, improving sidewalks, crosswalks, landscaping, and bicycle parking. Buildings sold,
commercial rents increased, some legacy businesses closed, and new businesses and development
including Michelin star restaurants, transit-oriented housing and multi-use development began. In 2020
a new parking garage on Birch Street between Jacaranda Lane and Sherman was completed, and
development of a new Public Safety Building is currently underway.
Outreach
In 2020, the Public Art Program initiated a public art planning process to “set clear vision for the future
of public art that will strengthen California Avenue’s unique cultural identity as the vibrant ‘Avenue of
the Arts’, encourage cultural tourism by retaining and attracting Palo Alto residents and visitors, and
support economic development of the California Avenue business community.” The plan was also
intended to “distinguish Cal Ave as a unique cultural destination, different from downtown Palo Alto.”
Planning began March 2020 for comprehensive community outreach and engagement with businesses,
residents, local artists and visitors to the area to provide input for the plan. Due to the restrictions
created by the Covid-19 pandemic, most community outreach was conducted remotely via CoUrbanize,
an online community engagement platform. Over a course of 6 weeks, the public participated in
surveys, interacted with the virtual map of the district, and added their voices to the California Avenue
District Public Art Plan. Additionally, signs prompting the public to engage with the planning process and
text their thoughts and comments about public art were posted throughout the district. CoUrbanize
included survey questions about artwork and a map showing existing artworks. Participants were invited
to comment on artworks they liked, and place virtual pins on the map suggesting artwork locations and
types. The CoUrbanize page remains up for public view to allow access to the input gathered through
the community engagement platform. Additionally, two in-person socially distant tabling events were
conducted by the planners on California Ave. The Public Art Program led a social media campaign
City of Palo Alto Draft: California Avenue District Public Art Plan January 2021
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promoting the project and boosting public participation. Social media provided a space to ask questions
and share images with a rapid response rate from the community members to provide feedback both
publicly and privately.
The planners engaged with 381 participants, and conducted a series of interviews, focus groups,
webinars and online meetings with City staff, artists, business owners, and the interested public. During
the meetings people were invited to describe the types of art they wanted to see and experience,
identify potential sites and locations, as well as discuss creative partnerships, collaborations and artist
engagements to strengthen the unique character of California Ave and support economic development
of the district.
The Public Art Commissioners participated in the community engagement events and provided input to
the consultants during two of their regular meetings.
Internal Focus Groups
1. Palo Alto City Department Staff Focus Groups:
City staff members described opportunities and strategies:-
• Focus on the pedestrian experience and potential for public art as placemaking element.
• Support efforts of pandemic vehicular street closures for the use of the public and merchants.
• Compassion and consideration are key to building relationships between the City, merchants
and community members.
External Focus Groups
The following ideas were promoted by external focus groups:
1. Artists Focus Group:
• Identify blank walls for placement of murals.
• Create temporary lighting projects.
• Collaborate with other City programs including the Palo Alto Art Center and Cubberley Artist
Studio Program.
• Create temporary exhibition space for local artists/crafts people in open areas in between retail
and restaurants.
2. Businesses Focus Group.
• Commission art that helps bring people to the district.
• Commission art that celebrates the music history of area.
3. Interested Public Focus Group
• Support local artists.
• Commission artworks in a variety of media.
City of Palo Alto Draft: California Avenue District Public Art Plan January 2021
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Chapter Three: Themes and Locations
There was substantial agreement on the themes that artists could address in the California Avenue
District related to neighborhood character, Palo Alto’s people, and history. California Avenue is
embraced as a neighborhood district with a small-town feel. To the extent that some businesses have
closed and the Avenue has changed, the community input reflects a sense of nostalgia to preserve the
unique character of California Avenue. Given the need to rebuild retail districts during pandemic
recovery, this is a good time to revitalize the character of California Avenue.
Themes
The following themes recurred during our conversations and community outreach.
• History: The district has an architectural history that is more than 150 years old, featuring a variety
of building types and styles. It has a fascinating civic history as the town of Mayfield, and a Native
American history as the land of the Puichon Ohlone who lived in the Palo Alto area prior to the
arrival of Europeans.
• Nature: Both Palo Alto and the California District are graced with beautiful trees. The district has
several streets named for trees and with generous tree canopies; and there is great appreciation for
Palo Alto’s redwood-filled parks, and native plants.
• Diversity: Palo Altans are proud of the area’s cultural, ethnic, gender and artistic diversity.
• Hyper-Local: California Avenue has been called the Avenue of the Arts for its music and visual arts
history. It is also celebrated for its unique, family-owned businesses and small -own character.
• Support for local artists: include diverse artists from Palo Alto and the region when commissioning
new work.
Locations
There are many potential locations for art placement; many of them suggested by stakeholders,
community members, local artists, Public Art Commissioners, and Palo Alto staff. Most of these were
focused on the retail area including:
• Street and sidewalks
• Alleys
• Art in unexpected places
• Enhancements to existing buildings
• Entrance to California Avenue from El Camino and from Oregon Expressway
• Cal Train Station
• Blank Walls
• Parking Garages
• Corridors with heavy foot traffic
• Park Boulevard
• Light poles
City of Palo Alto Draft: California Avenue District Public Art Plan January 2021
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Chapter Four: Recommendations
Recommendation One:
Install changing and permanent artworks that enhance wayfinding and the pedestrian experience.
Although it is a popular neighborhood shopping district, California Avenue’s entrances could benefit
from increased visibility – Camino Real, Alma, and the CalTrain station. Street-oriented, artistic
enhancements will make the district more visible to drivers in automobiles and will improve
pedestrian and bicycle navigation. The following recommendations provide long and short-term
guidance.
Short Term: One to Three Years
a) Commission an artist team to create a visual strategy from the California Avenue train station
to Park Boulevard, creating a more vibrant entrance to the district.
The blocks leading from the CalTrain Station to Birch do not reflect the vibrant active California
Avenue district beyond. These can be easily and inexpensively enlivened with color and pattern.
Adding artistic flair to these blocks will signal the entrance to a lively district.
Engage property owners in conversation with the artists and encourage their participation in
planning the project.
Hire artist/team to create and implement a visual strategy for walls facing California Avenue
from CalTrain parking lot to Park.
b) Collaborate with OOT to include art in pedestrian and traffic improvements.
The City of Palo Alto Office of Transportation is embarking on a series of pedestrian
improvements in the California Avenue District. These improvements provide an opportunity to
reinforce the unique identity of the district.
Commission artist -designed crosswalks at the intersection of El Camino Real and California
Avenue, bringing attention to the entrance of this district.
Include artist-designed street murals, banners and bike lanes on California Avenue.
Add artistic enhancements to row of bike racks adjacent to fountain plaza.
c) Commission a series of artworks in the alleys that lead people from parking structures and
parking lots to California Avenue.
There are seven alleys leading from parking lots and structures on streets parallel to California
Avenue. Commissioning a series of bold, interconnected artworks on the alley walls and lighting
them adequately will make the alleys more welcoming, assist with pedestrian navigation, and
improve the feeling of safety.
Award a commission to one artist/artist team and encourage them to think of the alleys as a
sequence of connected experiences.
City of Palo Alto Draft: California Avenue District Public Art Plan January 2021
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d) Designate eight to ten additional locations for wall art.
Permanent or temporary wall art that invites participation will bring attention and add interest
to the district, stimulating curiosity, participation, and acting as a “selfie spot”.
Designate blank walls on the sides of parking lot-facing buildings for large-scale mural art.
Commission temporary murals on the Birch Street stairwell wall of the new parking
structure.
Repurpose planter frames and blind windows of the Lot 5 Cambridge Street East parking
structure for changing wall art.
Mid-Term: Three to Five Years
a) Place functional, placemaking art in unexpected places.
There are ‘leftover’ spaces around the district that can become welcoming with the help of
artists.
Commission artist-designed parklets include seating, shade, planters or plinths for changing
sculpture.
Pilot this project on the Public Safety Building plaza across the street from the Birch
Street/350 Sherman Avenue Parking Garage.
b) Employ an artist or artist team to enliven the façade of the Ted Thompson 275 Cambridge
Avenue parking garage.
This parking garage offers multiple opportunities for artwork to be integrated into the site
visible from Cambridge and California Avenue.
Commission an artist/designer team to develop a project that refreshes the appearance of
the structure, to better compliment the tree canopy on Cambridge Avenue, the street-side
planters, and lighting.
Commission temporary public art installations in the window cutouts visible from California
Avenue.
Recommendation Two:
Commission iconic art that leads people to the district.
The entrances to California Avenue from Camino Real, Birch and Oregon Expressway could benefit from
increased visibility. Well designed, visible public art can call greater attention to the district.
Short Term: One to Three Years
a) Develop a strategy that makes the entrance to the district more visible from Oregon
Expressway.
The entrance to the California Avenue District from Oregon Expressway at Birch is easy to miss.
It is marked by a small, white sign, written in 1950s style script and does little to announce the
district.
City of Palo Alto Draft: California Avenue District Public Art Plan January 2021
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Initiate a conversation between the City of Palo Alto Public Art Program and the Office of
Transportation to create a more visible entrance to the district from Oregon Expressway.
Commission an artist to work with community members and OOT to develop permanent
‘gateway elements’ to the district working with existing infrastructure such as light poles,
curbs or retaining walls leading from Oregon Expressway and Birch Street.
Mid-Term: Three to Five Years
The intersection of California Avenue and Camino Real is busy and the entrance to the retail district
is difficult to see. The existing monument sign and surrounding area would benefit from and artistic
update for higher visibility.
a) Remove California Ave monument sign and remaining elements of the deaccessioned artwork
at El Camino Real and California Avenue
Commission an artist to rethink the entrance to California Avenue as a sculptural gateway
that is adequately tall and illuminated, visible day and night.
Recommendation Three:
Support changing outdoor exhibitions and events.
While there is an active gallery behind the Printers Cafe and the street boasts a storied history of
music performances, there is little remaining presence of artmaking activity on the street.
a) Install permanent exhibition structures to accommodate changing digitally-printed exhibits at
the plaza corner at the southeast side of California and Park.
Build a series of uniform, robust structures that can accommodate digitally printed copies of
original art in all media including photography and poetry.
c) Install a structure that can accommodate pop-up art events at the northeast side of the
fountain plaza adjacent to the CalTrain parking lot.
While the fountain plaza at California Avenue is attractive and welcoming, it is a passive space at
an active the train commuter entrance to the district. Adding a small, pop-up arts venue will
create a livelier welcome to the district and encourage people to gather after hours.
Commission an artist-designed shipping container-type structure to accommodate a gallery,
performance space, popup art/craft shop or classroom.
Recommendation Four:
Commission public art that explores local history and environment
Community members and artists described specific themes that can be used as inspiration for
artwork in the district.
a) Encourage artists to focus on history, nature, cultural diversity in developing their work.
City of Palo Alto Draft: California Avenue District Public Art Plan January 2021
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Consider historical and cultural themes for permanent murals facing parking lots.
Focus on environmental theme at the Ted Thompson parking garage.
b) Include small scale artworks at historic sites.
Consider artwork that explores Mayfield history at the Mayfield School historic sign.
Commission art that pays tribute to Sarah Wallis at the park that bears her name.
Recommendation Five:
Highlight the work of local and regional artists.
There is a wealth of artistic talent in Palo Alto and the surrounding communities. Some of these
artists are part of the Cubberley Artist Studio Program, some have exhibited, taught and
participated in classes at the Palo Alto Art Center, some teach at Stanford University, or show their
work in local galleries.
a) Affirmatively seek out Palo Alto and regional artists of diverse backgrounds to apply for public
art commissions.
Highlight the work of Palo Alto and regional artists at events that introduce them to the
community.
Commission regional artists to create projects that invite interaction including “selfie spots”
and artworks that invite people to add their own words or visual elements.
Animate empty storefront with commissioned temporary artworks, light-based and digital
art.
Create outdoor exhibits featuring the work of Palo Alto and regional artists.
Seek out emerging artists who are currently working in the service industry to showcase the
talents of under-represented regional artists.
Recommendation Six:
Build in-kind and financial partnerships between local businesses, arts organizations, City
Departments and Palo Alto Public Art Program.
The key to the success of the projects recommended above is to create partnerships with
businesses, community groups, or other government entities to employ art to address a mutual
interest. These partnerships will be particularly important as California Avenue emerges from the
shutdowns created by the Covid-19 pandemic. There are several potential partnerships and funding
opportunities that will support other plan recommendations.
a) Partnerships
a. Use the Percent for Art in Private Development as an incentive match for partnership
projects.
b. Approach a local paint company to be an in-kind partner in transforming the walls from the
CalTrain station to Park Avenue.
c. Collaborate with local arts organizations to commission exhibits, classes, arts retail, and
performances at Confluence fountain park.
City of Palo Alto Draft: California Avenue District Public Art Plan January 2021
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d. Partner with Office of Transportation on pedestrian and bike improvements to integrate
artist-designed street murals or crosswalks, banners, and artist-designed bike lanes, helping
to direct bicycle and foot traffic to stores and restaurants.
e. Partner with businesses, restaurants and shops to sponsor and maintain long-term wall
mural projects and artistic displays in empty storefronts.
f. Approach neighborhood associations to co-sponsor changing wall-based artworks.
g. Collaborate with local arts organizations and the Cubberly Artist Studio Program to curate
changing exhibits, and conduct workshops and other activities in the popup gallery at
fountain plaza.
h. Encourage business owners and community members to serve on artist selection panels,
participate in community conversations about art, and volunteer as public art docents.
b) Funding
The Public Art Program can seek additional funding to realize the ambitions of this public art plan.
Projects with historic themes, whether related to Mayfield history, architecture, music or art
history, will be eligible for Cal Humanities grants if their scope is planned and the work
includes humanities scholars.
There is $15 billion dollars in the new COVID-19 recovery act set aside for the arts. Palo Alto
Public Art can explore the guidelines for these grants once they are made available.
Set aside a small portion of long-term parking fees from California Avenue District public
parking for any artistic improvements contemplated for parking lots and structures.
City of Palo Alto Staff Report to Public Art Commission
Meeting Date: January 21, 2021
RE: Agenda Item 3 - Race and Equity Public Art
Discussion:
At the City Council’s November 2, 2020 meeting, the City Council voted to refer the
development of permanent public art on King Plaza reflecting the City’s commitment to race
and equity to the Public Art Commission on the consent calendar. The staff report for the
November 2, 2020 City Council consent agenda item can be found here (staff report #11708).
For the temporary public art program, Public Art staff has operated under a number of
restrictions on the plaza for the protection of the existing infrastructure. Some of these
limitations include a strict weight limit of one hundred pounds per square foot and a restriction
against bolting into or penetrating the plaza in any way. Public Art met with Public Works in
November, reviewing some of these restrictions and identifying potential opportunities for the
inclusion of permanent artwork at King Plaza, including use of the former fountain and the
façade of City Hall. These barriers and opportunities were presented to the PAC at the
November 19 Public Art Commission meeting and discussion.
The PAC expressed overall support for exploring a permanent platform for ongoing rotating
artworks addressing race and equity, and staff will present some of the cost and logistical
implications of that kind of programming at the January 21st PAC meeting. Some of the
feedback from the PAC also focused on the need for community input and engagement at the
beginning of the project to ensure that whatever artwork is commissioned is meaningful and
impactful. Some commissioners also expressed a desire to review the Human Relations
Commission’s report on Black and Brown Lives in Palo Alto to use as a resource in informing the
framework of the project and any future calls to artists. The HRC report will be discussed in a
study session with City Council Tuesday, January 19th and can be read here. (staff report
#11911)
Staff will present a number of options for the PAC to consider in moving this effort forward
based on best practices and current trends in the field of public art at the January 21st meeting.
Staff would like to gather feedback from the Public Art Commission regarding some of the
following topics at the January meeting:
• General support for either a permanent artwork or a permanent platform for rotating
artwork.
• The fate of the existing temporary public art program on King Plaza and the viability of
continuing that program with the new racial equity temporary or permanent artwork.
• How the racial equity-based artwork may include an in-depth community outreach
element or might relate to an artist residency.
• Next steps in outreach and community feedback in the development of the artwork.
Based on the feedback from the Public Art Commission, staff will map out a timeline for the
path forward with critical next steps and budget implications.