In 2005, in order to "promote the general welfare through balancing the community's physical growth and revitalization and its cultural and artistic resources", the San Mateo City Council passed an ordinance establishing the Art in Public Places Program. San Mateo's ordinance calls for a .5% building permit fee to be used directly by the developers to commission and install their own art in publicly accessible places within projects that are valued at or greater than $3 million, or to provide the City the required in-lieu fee that then is reserved for City acquisition, installation and maintenance of public art. To learn more about the details of the program, please visit the Civic Arts Committee webpage.
This Art in Public Places Gallery introduces visitors the artistic displays around the City installed as part of the program and encourages the public to explore and engage with these and other works of art around San Mateo. Art is added to the gallery as projects are formally completed.
Art in Public Places
Click on images to learn more about the artwork, its artist, location, the story behind the piece, installation year, and to see a photo slide show.