Civic Art Program - Los Angeles County Arts Commission

In December 2004, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors adopted the County's first Civic Art Policy which allocates one percent of design and construction costs on new County capital projects to a Civic Art Special Fund.  Civic art dollars are flexible and, in most cases, may be pooled.  The policy is structured to allow for integrated permanent public art enhancements, temporary art commissions, restoration of historic artworks, and the creation of cultural spaces or activities.

Civic Art provides leadership in the development of high quality civic spaces by integrating artists into the planning and design process at the earliest possible opportunity; encouraging innovative approaches to civic art; and providing access to artistic experiences of the highest caliber for the residents of Los Angeles County.

Since establishing its first budget in mid-2006, the Civic Art Program has commissioned over 50 artists to create artwork for public libraries, parks, pool houses, community centers, sheriff stations, prisons, and health centers.  It has also undertaken a comprehensive inventory of County-owned public art, hired art conservators to examine artworks, and initiated restoration activities.

Civic Art follows these guiding principles: 1) to achieve high quality artwork and art experiences, 2) to be innovative, 3) to facilitate art that is site-specific, 4) to encourage community participation and civic engagement, and 5) to transform people, places and communities.