Mayor London Breed Announces National Call For Artists To Create Chinatown Artist Registry

The City is committed to investing over $2 million for three public art initiatives in Chinatown

SAN FRANCISCO, July 11, 2024 – Today, Mayor London N. Breed joined representatives from the San Francisco Arts Commission (SFAC) and CCC of San Francisco (Chinese Culture Center) to announce the launch of the Chinatown Artist Registry. The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is an unprecedented call for artists with connections to the neighborhood who will be eligible for consideration for several upcoming publicly funded art projects in the neighborhood.

Led by SFAC in partnership with CCC, the Chinatown Artist Registry will be used in the selection of artists to create and display artwork at three capital improvement construction projects taking place in Chinatown, including Portsmouth Square, Chinatown Public Health Center, and Chinatown Him Mark Lai Branch Library. 

The Chinatown Artist Registry will be used in the selection of artists who, upon approval by the Arts Commission, will enter into a contract for the Chinatown public art opportunities in early 2025.  

Artists from across the U.S., whether they currently reside, have resided in Chinatown, or have another significant connection to Chinatown, are encouraged to apply. Upon approval by the Arts Commission, the selected artists will enter into contract for the Chinatown public art opportunities in early 2025. 

“Chinatown Public Health Center, Portsmouth Square, and the Chinatown Him Mark Lai Branch Library are iconic locations where Chinatown residents, including immigrant families, access essential services and socialize," said Mayor London Breed. "The Chinatown Artist Registry will allow us to tap into the creative minds of artists who will spotlight and uplift this amazing neighborhood while creating beautiful and welcoming environments for future generations.” 

The idea of a Chinatown Artist Registry was conceived as a way to celebrate and enrich the cultural heritage of Chinatown and the Greater San Francisco community by integrating unique and inspiring artworks into these important community spaces. The City is committed to investing over $2 million in funding to the implementation of these public art initiatives:   

Portsmouth Square Improvement Project  
Known as the “Living Room of Chinatown,” Portsmouth Square is a bustling public space rich in history. The artworks here will honor the square’s historical significance and foster a sense of community and belonging. The new public art commissions include a sculpture and an integrated wall work. Additional funding for these projects came from the State of California.

Chinatown Public Health Center Renovation Project
Located on the corner of Broadway Avenue and Mason Street, this health center is a vital community resource, providing quality and cost-effective primary care people of all ages with expertise and competence in serving immigrants. Public art opportunities include one exterior art wall, three interior art walls, and two-dimensional artwork purchases; they will reflect the promotion of wellness, healing, and the cultural vibrancy of the community. The renovation is led by San Francisco Public Works.

Chinatown Him Mark Lai Branch Library Renovation Project
Located on Powell Street between Washington and Jackson, this public library branch is a cornerstone of education and cultural exchange. The public art opportunity for this location is an integrated wall-mounted two-dimensional artwork. The selected artwork will inspire learning, celebrate knowledge, and reflect the library’s role as a community hub. The project is led by San Francisco Public Works..

“The Arts Commission is honored to work closely with our community partners in Chinatown to incorporate new and exciting public art that speaks directly to, and is reflective of the neighborhood,” says Ralph Remington, Director of Cultural Affairs for the San Francisco Arts Commission. “Public art plays a pivotal role in shaping and enhancing the urban environment. By establishing a dedicated artist registry, we will be able to work directly with artists who have meaningful connections to Chinatown to create artwork that honors heritage and incorporates contemporary cultural expressions.” 

The historical call for artists to support the arts in Chinatown’s public spaces is building on a successful model from 2018, when the San Francisco Arts Commission issued a similar call for artists to establish a Bayview Artist Registry. Eligible artists were then selected for public art opportunities at the Southeast Community Center, Southeast Family Health Center, and Southeast Wastewater Treatment Plant, and India Basin Shoreline Park projects.   

The Bayview Artist Registry led to the commission of several monumental and site-specific public artworks in the Bayview by outstanding local artists with a meaningful connection to the neighborhood, many of them working with the Arts Commission for the first time. 

Financing for this new iteration of projects in Chinatown is made possible by a combination of funding generated through the Art Enrichment Ordinance, or 2%-for-Art-Program, which mandates two percent of eligible gross construction costs of publicly funded capital improvement projects be allocated for public art, with additional funding from other State and City funding sources. 

“The Chinatown Artist Registry builds on my office’s add-back proposals over the last few years to set aside funding specifically for culturally competent and in-language outreach to Chinese and API artists, as well as new artwork in our public infrastructure projects,” said Board of Supervisors President and District 3 representative Aaron Peskin. “We fought hard for these capital projects, but found that project-specific funding often only covers preserving existing art and monuments. Particularly for a community with a rich cultural history like Chinatown, it’s critical that our artists, residents, storytellers, and workers have a strong role in shaping these projects today. I’m thrilled to see this finally happening.” 

“Chinatown is at the forefront of key initiatives on cultural equity. This is a bold move, the first of its kind call that will have a robust community engagement and outreach, to ensure that under-represented artists have an opportunity to be a part of the public art and community’s future. There is a great opportunity for Asian American artists to shine in creating works for Chinatown,” says CCC of San Francisco’s Executive Director Jenny Leung. “We are grateful for Mayor Breed’s Office and Supervisor Peskin’s Office's leadership and support of diverse artists.” 

“The new art installation at the SF Chinatown/Him Mark Lai Library will spotlight our community's heritage and resilience,” says City Librarian Michael Lambert. “It serves as a powerful reminder of our shared history and a beacon of hope and unity for all who visit.”  

“The installation of this public art not only highlights the heritage and contributions of the City’s Chinese American and AAPI community with the Chinatown Public Health Center, but also serves as an important touchstone between DPH and the patients we serve,” said Dr. Grant Colfax, Director of the San Francisco Department of Public Health. “Providing culturally competent care is essential to ensuring the health and well-being of our communities, and we look forward to the artwork representing cultural connections to Chinatown at this vital community resource.” 

"We are thrilled to be part of this public process to engage the arts community and our Chinatown neighborhood as we work to reimagine Portsmouth Square," says San Francisco Recreation and Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg. “Art in parks isn't just about beautifying spaces; it's about creating shared experiences that invite us to connect, reflect, and celebrate the history and culture all around us. This collaboration with our partner city agencies is an opportunity to infuse our parks with creativity and community spirit, making them places where art and nature unite to enrich lives and spark inspiration." 

Basic Requirements  

• This RFQ is open to all artists with meaningful connections to Chinatown.  
• Eligibility is open to professional, practicing artists who reside in the U.S. or have representation from a U.S.-based art organization willing to contract with the Arts Commission on the artist’s behalf.  
• Practicing visual artists working in a variety of mediums and artistic approaches or those whose practices include direct engagement of the community in the design or making of their artwork are encouraged to apply. 
• Past public art experience is not a prerequisite to submit an application for consideration. 
• Entries not meeting eligibility guidelines will be withdrawn from consideration.  

Applications can be submitted online through the SFAC website RFQ page at sfartscommission.org/chinatownartistregistryrfq. 

The deadline to submit qualifications is September 11, 2024, by 11:59 p.m. PDT 

For more information, please contact the Arts Commission at art-info@sfgov.org or call 415-252-2229. For Chinese language assistance, contact CCC staff at: art@cccsf.us. 

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About the San Francisco Arts Commission   
The San Francisco Arts Commission is the City agency that champions the arts as essential to daily life by investing in a vibrant arts community, enlivening the urban environment and shaping innovative cultural policy. Our programs include: Civic Art Collection, Civic Design Review, Community Investments, Public Art, SFAC Galleries, and Art Vendor Licensing. To learn more, visit sfartscommission.org.   

CCC of San Francisco
For over 50 years, CCC of San Francisco (Chinese Culture Center) has uplifted Chinatown through the arts, as both a vibrant neighborhood and a powerful metaphor for the immigrant experience. In recent years, the CCC has continued to evolve, through its thought-provoking international exhibitions and educational programs, the organization spotlights the most pressing and often complex issues of our time, sparking crucial dialogues that unite diverse perspectives and inspire meaningful actions toward a more inclusive and equitable society. Some of its iconic programming includes “Chinatown History and Art Walking Tour,” “XianRui: Artist in Excellence Series,” “41 Ross: Artist-in-Residence,” and the new “Hungry Ghost Festival.” www.cccsf.us.