Report Prepared by: Jennifer Flachman, Senior Management Analyst
Title
SUBJECT: Update on the Status of Art Projects and Funding for Art Projects
REPORT IN BRIEF
Staff to provide a report on outstanding and completed art projects and the status of funding for art projects.
RECOMMENDATION
Information Only.
Body
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2023/24 Council Goals and Priorities: Public Works & City Beautification
DISCUSSION
Update on the following art projects:
Caltrans Clean California Art Projects -
• R Street & 99 Undercrossing - Pending completion May 2024.
• O Street & 99 Undercrossing - Graffiti Abatement Provider removed graffiti and artist reapplied sealant
2022/23 City Art Projects
• Glen Camarda Photography Portrait - Pending installation on exterior wall of Multicultural Arts Center
• Eddie Rodriguez - McNamara Park Mural Restroom Facility - Pending
• Eddie Rodriguez - Utility Box Murals (G and Main, G and Olive, R and Yosemite) - Pending
• Cheryl Barnett - Sculpture Bob Hart Square - Pending Bob Hart Square Project Design and Start Date
• Patricia Pratt - Skate Park Mural - Complete
• Patricia Pratt - Dumpster Enclosures 18th Street City Parking Lot/Tower Theater - Complete
• Urbanists Collective - Utility Box Murals - Bear Creek Drive and 26th and G - Pending Completion
• Joel Aguilar - Applegate Park Zoo Mural - Pending Completion
• Andrea Torres - Dumpster Enclosure 18th Street City Parking Lot (Near Toni’s Café)
• Krystal Shehadey - McNamara Pool Mural - Artist moved out of state - funding reallocated to photography project and maintenance funding.
• Jazz Diaz - Applegate Park Restroom Facility - pending completion of restroom door maintenance
• Karen McComb - Utility Box Mural - Olive and M Street
Heartland Grant
• McNamara Park Basketball Court Project - June 1st Start Date and Mural Kick Off Celebration
• McCombs Youth Center - relocated due to High-Speed Rail Project
• Naninni Youth Sports Complex - Project in progress - third base bleachers painted; 1st base bleachers in progress.
• Joe Herb Park - Project completed.
• Gilbert Macias Basketball Court - June 8th Start Date and Mural Kick Off Celebration
• Gilbert Macias Restroom Facility - Two Walls - In progress
YLI Funded Project
• McNamara Skate Park
Smiley Riley Utility Box Mural
• Project pending
Project Funding
Last year's funding for art projects was not allocated to new projects primarily because the focus was on completing the pending projects from the 2022/23 allocation, along with the Caltrans Clean California projects and the Heartland Grant Projects, administered by the United Way of Merced County. Additionally, weather conditions posed many unexpected delays, and staffing resources were lean.
Lastly, the $100,000 initially set aside for art projects in the 2023/24 budget has been recommended for reallocation in the 2024/25 budget. Staff will research available city-owned locations for future art installations and provide recommendations on projects and funding.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
None.
ATTACHMENT
1. Completed Art Projects