Community Services Department
11111 Brookshire Avenue
(562) 904-7238
The goal of Downey's Art in Public Places Program is to provide permanent, outdoor artworks that are easily accessible to the general public throughout the City. The Art in Public Places Program is designed to offer a wide range of artistic styles, themes, and media, all of outstanding quality. The unique variety of artistic styles is chosen to provoke discussion and encourage comment. Art in Public Places is dependent on public-private cooperation between the City, artists, and the developer. All sculptures are privately owned, and are designed to enhance property values, encourage pride in ownership, and add value to the community.
- November 8, 2005, The Downey City Council approved and adopted Ordinance No. 05-1182 which amended the Downey Municipal Code, Article VIII, Building Regulations, by adding a new chapter 10 entitled "Art in Public Places".
- November 22, 2005, The Downey City Council adopted the Art in Public Places Policy Manual by Resolution No. 05-6882. This Manual describes the program policies, guidelines and application process.
- January 24, 2006, The Downey City Council amended the Policy Manual by Resolution No. 06-6894.
- August 22, 2006, The Downey City Council approved and adopted Ordinance No. 06-1194 clarifing the application of the "Art in Public Places" development fee.
- June 13, 2011, The Downey City Council approved and adopted Ordinance No. 11-1283 amending Article VIII, Chapter 10 Regulating "Art in Public Places" by removing the Art in Public Places Committee.
- July 13, 2011, The Downey City Council amended the Policy Manual by Resolution No. 11-7284.
“Section 8965. ESTABLISHMENT OF DEVELOPMENT FEE. An Art in Public Places fee is established on applicable building projects within the City as follows:
(a) Any person constructing or reconstructing a commercial building with a building valuation of $500,000 or greater, or a residential project consisting of more than four (4) units with a building valuation of $500,000 or greater, within the City shall be assessed a fee for acquisition of artwork based on the total building valuation. Where the installation of art is impractical or inaccessible, the developer will contribute the assessed fees to the Art in Public Places Fund. Art purchased from the fund will be installed within the City at the discretion of the City Council based on the recommendation of the Art in Public Places Advisory Committee.
(b) The fee shall be one percent (1%) of the building valuation as computed using the latest building valuation data as set forth by the International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO). The maximum fee per project will be set at one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000.00).”
The Art in Public Places Policy Manual includes the application process, review criteria and application instructions and checklist.
