Public Art Program

Public Art Program

• Public Art Tour Guide and Map
• View Public Art Opportunities
• View the Public Art Projects
• View the Active Public Art Projects
• View the Municipal Art Collection
• The Conservation Program

Ventura's Public Art Program was enacted in 1991 and since then has incorporated an artist's vision to capital improvement projects providing visitors and residents alike with a new understanding of urban design in Ventura. Recognizing the substantial economic and social benefits gained through an aesthetic treatment of public spaces and consequent increased retail activity, the City established an ordinance allocating 2% of eligible City capital improvement project costs for the commissioning of artist design services and artwork integrated in the construction of public works. Policy oversight of the program is the responsibility of the Public Art Commission, a seven person volunteer advisory body.

Goals of the Ventura Public Art Program:

• Promote and support the work of local and national innovative and accomplished artists
• Respond to and reflect the diverse nature of Ventura's population, history and growth
• Cultivate audiences for public art
• Consider ways in which public art can play a role in achieving other community building goals and objectives
• Approach the entire city as a showcase for public art
• Foster sponsorship and stewardship of public art
• Leverage CIP program resources with other sources of support

City of Ventura Municipal Art Acquisition Program

• View the Municipal Art Collection

In May of 1999, the Municipal Art Acquisition program was established by City Council to document the history of visual art in Ventura by featuring and highlighting important works of art created by area artists. The collection provides increased access to artwork of high artistic merit and aesthetic quality through its display in the public areas of City Hall and other municipal buildings.
The Municipal Art Acquisition Committee, a subcommittee of the Public Art Commission, oversees the purchase of master works in a variety of artistic media. The Public Art Commission plans to expand the collection in future years through annual purchase of major artworks created by leading area artists.

To ensure the overall quality of the collection, City Council established the following art acquisition policies:

• Artworks must be created by artists residing in Ventura County and/or by artists who have made a direct contribution to the history of art in Ventura County.
• Acquisitions should be directed toward artworks of the highest quality and of distinctive artistic merit.
• Acquisition of artworks creates a commitment to the ongoing preservation, protection, maintenance, and display of the artworks for the public benefit.

Visit The Art Collection
The Municipal Art Collection is currently on display on the second floor at Ventura City Hall, 501 Poli St., Ventura. City Hall is open from 8am to 5pm Monday through Thursday and alternating Fridays.

If you are heading north on the 101:
Take the California Street exit, turn right off the exit onto California Street. California Street intersects Poli Street, and City Hall sits at that intersection. There are two free parking lots in front of City Hall.

If you are heading south on the 101:
Take the Main Street exit and turn left on California Street. California Street intersects Poli Street, and City Hall sits at that intersection. There are two free parking lots in front of City Hall.

Since its inception in 1999, the Municipal Art Collection has grown to more than 90 distinctive pieces of art, representing the best historical and contemporary works by area artists. The original vision was to make the collection accessible to the community by displaying the artwork in the public areas of City Hall and other municipal buildings.

We are pleased and excited that this is the third year we are able to curate an exhibit beyond the walls of City Hall. Photographs by Horace Bristol, Donna Granata, John C. Lewis, John Nichols, and Stephen Schafer were selected and are now on loan for one year to the E. P. Foster Library in downtown Ventura where they will be enjoyed by thousands of library visitors.

Contact Information
City of Ventura Public Art Program
501 Poli Street, Room 226
Ventura, CA 93002-0099
(805) 658-4793