San Luis Obispo Public Art

Welcome to the City of San Luis Obispo's Public Art Program, proudly managed by the Parks & Recreation Department.

The Public Art Program has over 150 unique pieces of public art ranging from murals, mosaics, oil and watercolor paintings, utility box art, stained glass, sculptures, benches, bridge railings, and more may be seen throughout the City.

The City's vibrant Public Art Program which consists of three distinct components:

City-owned Public Art

The cornerstone of our program is the Visual Arts in Public Places initiative. This initiative actively integrates art into new and existing public spaces such as buildings, parks, and streets. To fund these installations, the City allocates 1% of the construction costs from most capital projects into a citywide fund. This fund supports the creation and maintenance of diverse public art projects throughout San Luis Obispo, fostering a visually engaging community for all to enjoy.

Private Art in Public Places (AIPP)

Our commitment to public art extends to private developments through the AIPP ordinance. This ordinance requires that private, non-residential construction projects with costs exceeding $100,000 include public art valued at a minimum of 0.5% of the total construction cost. This integration of art into private projects ensures that the cultural and aesthetic benefits of public art are widespread, touching spaces across the City.

Private Donations of Public Art

An invaluable component of our program is the addition of artwork through private donations. Many exceptional pieces displayed throughout the City have been generously donated by private individuals and organizations. These contributions significantly enhance the public art landscape, adding unique and meaningful works to the community. If you are interested in enriching our public spaces through art, please fill out the Art Donation Application to contribute to this thriving artistic community.

Report a Maintenance Need

Notice something that needs a little TLC? Help by being our eyes and ears out in the field. To report a problem or maintenance request email: agriesho@slocity.org