Report Prepared by: Jennifer Flachman, Senior Management Analyst
Title
SUBJECT: City of Merced Public Art Program and Investment Report
REPORT IN BRIEF
Report on the City’s public art program, including its growth, funding and investment, artist opportunities, and the process used to review and award public art projects.
RECOMMENDATION
For information only.
Body
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
At the September 8, 2026, City Council meeting, Council Member Xiong requested a discussion about the City's mural Request for Proposals and artist compensation.
Council also asked for information about the City's investment in public art over the past several years.
Staff reviewed public art funding and projects from Fiscal Year 2021/22 through Fiscal Year 2025/26. Attachment two provides a breakdown of funding sources, project budgets, payments and project status.
Public Art Funding and Expenditures
Over the five-year period, the City identified approximately $728,000 in public art project budgets. Of that amount, $279,000 came from City funding and $449,000, or 62%, came from grants and other outside sources, including Caltrans, United Way, and the Merced County Arts Council.
City records also show approximately $539,000 in project-related payments, including payments to artists, vendors, and other project expenses.
The approximately $189,000 difference between budgets and payments does not represent available funding. Some projects remain underway, funding has carried forward, and unused funds from certain projects may return to the City's unencumbered General Fund.
Artist Compensation and Project Costs
The City has supported a range of public art projects, including murals, sculptures, utility box art, photography exhibits and live performances.
Artist payments have ranged from $150 and $464 photography stipends and $750 utility box commissions to $1,000 performance payments and larger mural contracts of approximately $50,000.
Project budgets may also cover materials, equipment, site preparation and installation, so contract amounts do not necessarily reflect an artist's earnings.
The City does not use a standard cost-per-square-foot formula to establish compensation. Budgets are based on available funding, project scope and anticipated costs, with expectations outlined in the Call for Artists, Request for Proposals or Request for Qualifications.
Public Art Review and Award Process
Public art proposals are reviewed by a subcommittee of the Arts and Culture Advisory Commission, which includes artists and professionals with experience in the arts and related fields.
Scoring criteria provides a framework for evaluation, but the process involves more than numerical scores. The subcommittee discusses each proposal, considers how the design relates to the project site and evaluates how well it meets the project's objectives before developing its recommendation.
The full Commission reviews the recommendation before forwarding it to City Council for final consideration and award.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
None at this time.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Presentation
2. Summary of Art Funding FY 2022 to FY 2026