Santa Cruz City Arts programs are managed by Santa Cruz Economic Development in consultation with the City's Arts Commission.

Appointed by the City Council, the seven-member Arts Commission makes recommendations regarding the public art programs and the establishment of policies and guidelines pursuant to the Percent for Art Ordinance.

The City’s Percent for Art Program enhances infrastructure and education efforts and includes innovative programs like the Santa Cruz Recycled Art Program (SCRAP) in coordination with Public Works at the City’s Resource Recovery Facility.

Funded through Santa Cruz Economic Development, our ongoing programs include sculpTOUR, Graphic Traffic, and the Mural Matching Grant program. Economic Development staff initiates and implements long-term planning projects as determined by City Council. These programs include the Rail Trail Arts Master Plan and the Citywide Arts Master Plan - which lay out a vision for investments in public art.

Partnerships with local organizations such as Arts Council Santa Cruz County, the Downtown Association, the Art League, the Museum of Art and History - and more, support a vibrant arts culture in Santa Cruz and multiply the impact of CityArts funds.