Public Art
Public Art Program Contact
Public Art
The City of San Rafael recognizes the critical value that public art provides to our community. Public art is accessible and free for all to enjoy. From providing cultural enrichment to driving economic development, public art plays an important role in developing thriving, vibrant communities. In 2017, the City of San Rafael’s Downtown corridor was selected as one of ten California Cultural Districts by the California Arts Council. The arts district provides a unique place to create and appreciate arts and culture – San Rafael arts partners provide programming for people to come together, make connections, and get involved in the larger community.
Recently, the City has experienced an increase in interest in public art projects from the community, with individuals and groups across the City exploring opportunities to develop public art projects. In response to this increase in demand, the City of San Rafael is looking to partner with and support those interested in pursuing public art projects.
To facilitate the public art approval process, the City has developed a Public Art Review Board and a streamlined Public Art Review Process.
Downtown San Rafael Art District (DSRAD)
The Downtown San Rafael Arts District (DSRAD) collaborates with local arts leaders, businesses, city officials, and community members to create a vibrant and engaging environment that promotes well-being, equity, and inclusivity through the arts.
Visit DSRAD.org or the California Cultural Districts
Downtown San Rafael is designated one of 14 California Cultural Arts Districts by the California Arts Council (CAC) and has received a critical grant of financial support for this project. California Cultural Districts “celebrate the diversity of California while unifying under an umbrella of shared values—helping to grow and sustain authentic grassroots arts and cultural opportunities, increasing the visibility of local artists and community participation in local arts and culture, and promoting socioeconomic and ethnic diversity.”
Get connected with the Downtown San Rafael Arts District!
- Are you an arts non-profit leader in Downtown San Rafael interested in joining the DSRAD Steering Committee? The Arts District’s steering committee is seeking new members. Applications due August 29, 2025.
- Are you interested in increasing your visibility in the Arts District or connecting in other ways to the Arts District? Contact Us!
- Do you want to view and/or add art to the Public Art Map? This mobile friendly resource is your tour guide to art around town.
Public Art Program 2025-2026
The City of San Rafael has launched a Public Art Program to enhance its Downtown vitality. The $250,000 program, funded by a California Arts Commission grant, will result in new permanent and temporary art installations in the form of murals, mosaics, and sculptures. Installations are expected to take place in the Spring/Summer of 2026. San Rafael has retained the services of Local Edition Creative to facilitate this program, with direction from the Downtown San Rafael Arts District (DSRAD) committee.
Between June 27 and July 25, 2025, an open call for artists was published on the Call For Artist Entry (CaFÉ) website. The call is now closed, however information is still available at the links below.
- Three (3) mural opportunities for artists and artist teams residing in California. HERE
- Two (2) sculpture opportunities, one permanent and one temporary, are available to artists residing in the United States. HERE
Public Art Program Schedule**
The Public Art Program selection process will include the identification of semifinalists, opportunities for public input on the draft art proposals, and final approval of each art work by the City Council.
| Call For Artists Issued | June 27, 2025 |
| Application Deadline | July 25, 2025; 5:00 PM PT |
| Curatorial Team Review Meeting | July 31, 2025 |
| Artist Semifinalists Notified | August 2025 |
| Public Review & Comment | October 2025 |
| Artist Finalists Selected | Oct/Nov 2025 |
| Public Art Review Board Meeting | January 2026 |
| City Council Review and Approval | February 2026 |
| Installation of Artwork | May/Jun 2026* |
*If the permanent sculpture selected is a newly commissioned artwork, additional time to complete fabrication past June 2026 can be accommodated
** As of July 31, 2025. Schedule is subject to change.
Public Art Review Board
The Public Art Review Board is the entity appointed by the City Council to help administer the public art review process and to advise the City Council on public art installations. The Board meets quarterly to review public art applications.
The formation of the Board was approved by City Council on May 16, 2022. The meeting schedule for 2022 is still being finalized, and will be posted here when confirmed.
For more information on the Board, please visit this page.
Public Art Review Process
For those interested in submitting a proposal for art on public property, the City has developed the below Public Art Review Guidelines and Public Art Application Instructions, which outline the review process, the criteria that the Public Art Board uses to evaluate proposed projects, and the application requirements. Before submitting a proposal, applicants are encouraged to read the guidelines and the application instructions thoroughly.
