Public Art
Public Art
The City of San Rafael recognizes the critical value that public art provides to our community. Public art is accessible and free for all to enjoy. From providing cultural enrichment to driving economic development, public art plays an important role in developing thriving, vibrant communities. In 2017, the City of San Rafael’s Downtown corridor was selected as one of ten California Cultural Districts by the California Arts Council. The arts district provides a unique place to create and appreciate arts and culture – San Rafael arts partners provide programming for people to come together, make connections, and get involved in the larger community.
Recently, the City has experienced an increase in interest in public art projects from the community, with individuals and groups across the City exploring opportunities to develop public art projects. In response to this increase in demand, the City of San Rafael is looking to partner with and support those interested in pursuing public art projects.
To facilitate the public art approval process, the City has developed a Public Art Review Board and a streamlined Public Art Review Process.
Call For Artists - 2025
SAN RAFAEL ARTS DISTRICT PUBLIC ART OPPORTUNITIES
The City of San Rafael, the Downtown San Rafael Arts District (DSRAD) committee, and Local Edition Creative invite artists and artist teams to apply for (5) public art opportunities available in the San Rafael Arts District. The City of San Rafael intends to enhance its Downtown vitality by implementing new permanent and temporary art installations in the form of murals, mosaics, and sculptures. Installations are expected to take place in the Spring/Summer of 2026.
Three (3) mural opportunities are available to artists and artist teams residing in California.
Two (2) sculpture opportunities, one permanent and one temporary, are available to artists residing in the United States.
Complete details for the opportunities and application submissions are available on the Call For Artist Entry (CaFÉ) website via the links provided below. All applications are required to be submitted through CaFÉ.
Apply for MURAL opportunities HERE
Apply for SCULPTURE opportunities HERE
Application Deadline: July 25, 2025 at 5:00 PM PT
San Rafael Cultural District
Downtown San Rafael has been designated one of 14 California Cultural Arts Districts by the California Arts Council (CAC), and has received a critical grant of financial support for this project. California Cultural Districts “celebrate the diversity of California while unifying under an umbrella of shared values—helping to grow and sustain authentic grassroots arts and cultural opportunities, increasing the visibility of local artists and community participation in local arts and culture, and promoting socioeconomic and ethnic diversity.”
The Downtown San Rafael Arts District (DSRAD) collaborates with local arts leaders, businesses, city officials, and community members to create a vibrant and engaging environment that promotes well-being, equity, and inclusivity through the arts.
Visit DSRAD.org
Public Art Review Board
The Public Art Review Board is the entity appointed by the City Council to help administer the public art review process and to advise the City Council on public art installations. The Board meets quarterly to review public art applications.
The formation of the Board was approved by City Council on May 16, 2022. The meeting schedule for 2022 is still being finalized, and will be posted here when confirmed.
For more information on the Board, please visit this page.
Public Art Review Process
For those interested in submitting a proposal for art on public property, the City has developed the below Public Art Review Guidelines and Public Art Application Instructions, which outline the review process, the criteria that the Public Art Board uses to evaluate proposed projects, and the application requirements. Before submitting a proposal, applicants are encouraged to read the guidelines and the application instructions thoroughly.