PUBLIC ART

Palm Desert was the first city in Riverside County to create a public art program. In 1986, the City Council adopted an ordinance requiring Developers to place art or pay a fee to the Art In Public Places Fund for each new structure they build. These funds are used to purchase art for our community. The goals of the Public Art Program are to create an artistic harmony between the buildings, landscaping, and open spaces as well as to serve the people of the community and visitors by bringing art into daily life. The Art In Public Places Commission (AIPP) serves as a technical advisory committee to Council, and makes the initial selection and recommendation of artists and artworks for public and private projects.
II. WHY PUBLIC ART?
In its first twenty-five years, Palm Desert has taken the lead nationally in ensuring that its growth respects and complements the natural, built, and social landscape. Public art is one method of ensuring that the visual experience of the City is enriching and engaging. Increasingly, cities and major developments across North America, Asia, and Europe are discovering the power of art in creating opportunities for cultural tourism, economic development, and image building.
III. ART IN PUBLIC PLACES REQUIREMENTS
Through its Public Art Ordinance, the City requires that its own Capital Improvement Projects (CIP), including the City Redevelopment Agency (RDA), and private development projects contribute a percentage of the overall project construction budget (excluding land costs) to enhancing the visual appeal of the project and city. An Art In Public Places Fund was established as a depository for public art fees paid by City departments and private developers to secure a building permit from the City of Palm
City of Palm Desert
Art In Public Places Program Guidelines
Desert. For the private sector, this fee may be refunded if an artwork has been either placed on the development site or donated to the City. The fee remains in the Art In Public Places Fund for the discretionary use of the City should the Developer elect not to participate in the program. City generated funds are typically tied to the construction site, but unspent project funds may be pooled with other unspent funds and spent off site upon conclusion of the project.http://www.palmdesertart.org