The Arts Commission must approve the temporary or permanent installation of any work of art on City and County of San Francisco (CCSF) property, or any proposal funded in whole or in part by City funds (regardless of its proposed location).

This includes proposals initiated or funded by other City departments, or by outside sponsors, such as individual artists, organizations or commercial enterprises. In considering approval, the Arts Commission must evaluate proposals within the context of its mission to promote a rich, diverse, and stimulating cultural environment for the city’s residents, visitors and employees, and to enhance the city’s image both nationally and internationally.

Steps for Approval by the Arts Commission

Below are the steps necessary for obtaining Arts Commission approval for a temporary installation of artwork on CCSF property or funded by CCSF. Please note that approval process may take approximately 2 months from date of submittal of complete proposal package to SFAC staff. 

For questions, please contact Paris Cotz, Program Associate, Special Initiatives and Civic Design, paris.cotz@sfgov.org, (415) 539-6213.

Note: With the exception of funds awarded on a competitive basis through its various programs, the Arts Commission cannot provide financial or staff support for the project. It is incumbent on the project sponsor to cover all costs associated with the project.

Criteria for Approval

• There should be a compelling reason to site the exhibition on City property, such as the relevance of the exhibit within the natural, architectural, cultural, historical, social/political or environmental context of the site.
• Artwork should, have merit as a work(s) of art, independent of other considerations.
• The exhibition of the artwork should be judged to enhance the public’s experience of the site.
• The exhibition should be an opportunity to expose the public to diverse artists and artistic styles.
• The exhibition should not contradict the City’s values of environmental sustainability, accessibility, and cultural inclusiveness.
• Exhibitions proposed should be appropriate in scale, media and context with its intended display location.
• There is evidence that the exhibition has community support. The artwork should be judged to be able to withstand unprotected display in an outdoor environment, and be able to be maintained by the sponsor throughout the public display period.
• The exhibit must not present a safety hazard. It must comply with all applicable building codes and disability access requirements.
• The proposed exhibit must be evaluated to be feasible, with convincing evidence of the sponsor’s ability to mount the exhibit as proposed. Factors to be considered include, but are not limited to: timeline, the artist’s experience, soundness of materials, The proposed exhibit must not impede the typical uses of the site.
• Project sponsors must pay all costs associated with the exhibit, including any Arts Commission staff time involved in assisting the sponsor with the exhibit, any required insurance, and permit fees.
• The artwork should be appropriate for a diverse audience.

Special Criteria for Temporary Art Installations in the Civic Center Complex

The Arts Commission must hold art installations proposed for the Civic Center environs to the highest standards due to the close proximity to City Hall and by association, identification with the standards and values of CCSF. In considering approval of proposed installations, the Commission should apply the criteria below.

1. There should be a compelling reason to site the exhibition in the Civic Center complex, such as the relevance of the exhibit within the architectural, cultural, historical, social/political or environmental context of the site.
2. Artwork should be of representative of highest aesthetic standards, and have merit as a work(s) of art, independent of other considerations.
3. The exhibition of the artwork should be judged to enhance the public’s experience of Civic Center, and enhance the city’s cultural profile and prestige.
4. The exhibition should be an opportunity to expose the public to diverse artists and artistic styles. exhibitions in the Civic Center environs should not only emphasize Bay Area artists, styles and movements, but also present the work of artists nationally and internationally so that local culture may be seen within a global context.
5. The exhibition should not contradict the City’s values of environmental sustainability, accessibility, and cultural inclusiveness.
6. Exhibitions proposed should be appropriate in scale, media and context with its intended display location.
7. As the exhibition may be seen to reflect on the entire Civic Center complex, project sponsor must provide the Commission with evidence of community support, including that of the Mayor’s office, Main Library and Asian Art Museum.
8. The artwork should be judged to be able to withstand unprotected display in an outdoor environment, and be able to be maintained by the sponsor throughout the public display period.
9. The exhibit must not present a safety hazard. It must comply with all applicable building codes and disability access requirements.
10. The proposed exhibit must be evaluated to be feasible, with convincing evidence of the sponsor’s ability to mount the exhibit as proposed. Factors to be considered include, but are not limited to: project budget, timeline, the artist’s experience, soundness of materials, City approval requirements, and level of community support.
11. The proposed exhibit must not impede the typical uses of the site.
12. Project sponsors must be willing to pay all costs associated with the exhibit, including any Arts Commission staff time involved in assisting the sponsor with the exhibit, any required insurance, permit fees.
13. Sponsor shall be required to indemnify the city against any and all claims that may arise as a result of the installation.