Report Prepared by: Jennifer Flachman, Senior Management Analyst
Title
SUBJECT: Approval of Subcommittee Recommended Art Projects
REPORT IN BRIEF
Approval of subcommittee recommended public art projects
RECOMMENDATION
Arts and Culture Advisory Commission - Adopt a motion approving the subcommittee recommended remaining art projects in the 2025/26 budget for City Council’s consideration.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommend by Staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to other than recommended by Staff; or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer to Staff for reconsideration of specific items; or,
5. Continue to a future meeting.
AUTHORITY
Arts and Culture Advisory Commission Ordinance #2489, Section 2.54.060 Jurisdiction of the Commission.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the Council Goals and Priorities.
DISCUSSION
As part of the 2025/26 Budget, the City Council allocated $75,000 for art installations throughout the City of Merced. Of that amount, $58,000 is available for additional projects. The Arts and Culture Advisory Commission Subcommittee recommends the following projects for review by the Arts Commission and approval by the City Council.
• $20,000 for a 250th Anniversary Commemorative Mural. Funding would support the design and installation of a mural on a City-owned exterior wall or structure. The artwork could commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States, celebrate California through imagery such as the California brown bear, California poppies, and the California quail, or incorporate a combination of these themes. The final artistic concept would be developed by the selected artist and subject to City Council approval.
• The subcommittee identified the following potential locations:
o The M Street Bridge at Bear Creek beneath the flag displays.
o The exterior wall of the Public Works Corporation Yard on West Avenue.
• $8,000 to continue programming in Bob Hart Square (dates to be determined). Funding would support 16 community events at $500 per event, featuring activities such as line dancing, swing dancing, karaoke, and performances by emerging local musicians.
• $10,000 for a splash pad mural at Stephen Leonard Park
• $20,000 for the utility box refresh project - Council previously approved $12,000 for this project. Due to the preparation process and labor required to repair and refresh existing utility box murals, additional funding has been allocated to support the work. Approximately $2500 per utility box - a total of eight boxes included in the refresh project.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
$58,000 Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget for these expenses in the City Council’s Professional Services Account Line 10000500-511012.
ATTACHMENTS
None.