Alameda City Council: Fair Process Needed for Public Art Fund

Public processes can't take place behind closed doors. But that's just what's happening in the City of Alameda, right now, with funding for public arts. 

The City of Alameda has a Public Art Fund with over $200,000 to be disbursed. Since a public art ordinance was adopted in 2003, the City has taken more than 13 years to put a disbursement process in place  and to date, not one penny of the Fund has been spent for public art. 

Now, the City is considering sweeping amendments to the public arts ordinance, which have been reviewed by Alameda's Public Arts Commission. In addition, City staff has recommended that Council “appropriate” $100,000 of the total $224,698 now in the public arts fund to be used exclusively for public art in Jean Sweeney Open Space Park (JSOSP).  

What does it all mean? It means that money set aside for public art isn't going to be disbursed fairly. Recommendations are being made behind closed doors without public input. And there isn't a process in place to guarantee equal access. Before any funds are "appropriated" from the public arts fund, a fully transparent, equitable public process must be put in place, so the funds can be disbursed in a way that is fair for everyone, including artists who want to propose public art projects in JSOSP or anywhere else in Alameda.

We need your help. Tell the City Council that we won't stand for subterfuge. Urge the City Council to develop a transparent application process for public art projects as soon as possible.