Santa Monica Arts Commission

Santa Monica Arts Commission meetings generally start at 6:30pm, preceded by the monthly Public Art Committee meeting at 5:25pm. Meeting times and location subject to change, please check the posted agenda.

City art and culture programs are guided by the 9-member Santa Monica Arts Commission, which was formally established in 1982 to ensure a regular and ongoing assessment of art programs in the City. Appointed by the Santa Monica City Council, Arts Commissioners advise the Council on matters of policy, and strive to encourage the flow of art into the City and stimulate art activity here. 

The Arts Commission meets regularly on the third Monday of each month unless otherwise noted. 

The Arts Commission's Public Art Committee focuses on public art in the City and meets regularly on the third Monday of every month at 5:30pm prior to and in the same location as the Commission unless otherwise noted.

Check posted agendas for changes to date, time, location, etc.

Santa Monica Arts Commission Mission Statement

The Arts Commission of the City of Santa Monica exists to ensure a regular and ongoing assessment of arts programs in the City, develop arts programs of innovative form, recognize and encourage the arts as a service of local government and enrich the lives of all citizens by exposure to art in its various forms.

The City of Santa Monica considers support of the arts a basic city service. The Arts Commission affirms that a culturally diverse community of artists and arts organizations is essential to the vitality of our City. Commission members work to:

• Increase public participation, individual engagement and community involvement in the arts in Santa Monica;
• Integrate art into the daily life of our community through public art projects;
• Provide support and services to Santa Monica's individual artists and nonprofit arts organizations;
• Expand and deepen the role of the arts in education, including the arts of diverse cultures;
• Encourage the presence of galleries, museums, theaters and performance spaces, and help maintain affordable artists living and working spaces in the community;
• Be engaged in the national, state and local dialogue around public support of the arts;
• Honor and support artistic vision, artistic excellence and freedom of expression.

View Commission meeting agendas and past meeting minutes here.