All About 1% for Art Programs in San Francisco, Oakland, and The Bay
Art has the power to transform public spaces, and many cities have recognized this by implementing 1% for Art programs, which require a percentage of funds for public development projects to be allocated to public art. In the Bay Area, several cities have established such programs, including San Francisco and Oakland, each with its own unique requirements and regulations.
San Francisco's 1% for Art Program
San Francisco's 1% for Art program was established in 1985 and is managed by the San Francisco Arts Commission. The program requires that 1% of the total construction cost of certain public and private development projects be allocated to public art.
Projects that are required to participate in the program include new construction or renovation of civic buildings, libraries, museums, public plazas, and parks, as well as certain private development projects over a certain size or value.
The specific criteria for private developments to be subject to the program depend on the size and type of the development.
According to the San Francisco Administrative Code, the 1% for Art program applies to private developments that meet at least one of the following criteria:
New construction projects with a construction cost of $1 million or more.
Alteration or renovation projects with a construction cost of $1 million or more that result in a net increase in the building's square footage.
New construction or alteration projects for commercial or industrial buildings with a floor area of 25,000 square feet or more.
New construction or alteration projects for residential buildings with 50 or more units.
It's worth noting that not all private developments that meet these criteria are automatically subject to the 1% for Art program. The San Francisco Arts Commission reviews each project to determine whether it is eligible for the program and how much of the construction budget should be allocated to public art.
Notable projects that have been commissioned through San Francisco's program include:
"Cupid's Span" by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, located at Rincon Park
"Floral Gateway" at the San Francisco International Airport.
The Arts Commission also maintains a directory of public art projects online, which is regularly updated with new installations.
Oakland's 1%/1.5% for Art Program
Oakland's 1% for Art program was established in 1989 and is managed by the city's Cultural Affairs Division. Like San Francisco's program, it requires that 1.5% of certain public and private development project costs be allocated to public art. Projects that are required to participate in the program include public buildings, parks, open spaces, and transportation facilities, as well as certain private development projects over a certain size or value.
However, unlike San Francisco's program, Oakland's program allows for per-project negotiations of art spending, in which developers can either commission on-site public art or contribute to a fund that the city uses to commission public art elsewhere. The city also offers a developer fee alternative, in which developers can pay a fee in lieu of commissioning on-site public art.
Notable private projects that have included public art in Oakland include:
Hive, a mixed-use development that includes a mural by artist David Burke,
Alexan Webster, a residential development that features a sculpture by artist Bruce Beasley.
Other Bay Area Cities with 1% for Art Programs
Several other cities in the Bay Area also have 1% for Art programs, each with its own specific requirements and regulations.
Berkeley's Public Art Program, for example, requires that 1.5% of certain project costs be allocated to public art, and prioritizes artwork that reflects the city's cultural diversity.
San Jose's Public Art Program requires that 1% of certain project costs be allocated to public art, and prioritizes artwork that engages with community members.
Emeryville's Public Art Program requires that 1% of certain project costs be allocated to public art, and prioritizes artwork that enhances the city's public spaces.
In Redwood City, the city's Public Art Program requires that developers of certain projects allocate 1% of the construction cost of the project to public art or pay an in-lieu fee, and the program emphasizes the importance of artwork that reflects the city's cultural and environmental diversity.
In Palo Alto, the city's Public Art Program requires that 1% of the construction cost of public projects over a certain value be allocated to public art.
Overall, the Bay Area's 1% for Art programs provide a significant source of funding for public art, and have resulted in numerous notable installations throughout the region. Whether through per-project negotiations or fixed allocations, these programs demonstrate the importance of public art in creating vibrant and engaging urban environments
