Title
Upcoming Calls for Art Review
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a Committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Review Calls for Art for the Art Crossings and murals in Parks projects and provide feedback to the Arts Commission and staff.
Report
Issue:
Whether to review Calls for Art for the Art Crossings and murals in Parks projects and provide feedback to the Arts Commission and staff.
Staff Contact:
Stephanie Johnson, Arts Program Manager, Parks, Arts and Recreation, 360.709.2678.
Presenter(s):
Stephanie Johnson, Staff Liaison, Arts Commission
Katherine Ransom, Vice Chair, Arts Commission
Background and Analysis:
Olympia Art Crossings
This project evolved out the 2014 Comprehensive Plan, to create wayfinding markers at eight locations roughly a mile from downtown Olympia, to mark land use change from neighborhoods to entry into the urban core. Three of eight projects have been completed to date. With assistance from an NEA matching grant, staff is preparing to embark on Art Crossings 4 and 5 simultaneously.
The Calls for Art are standard and haven’t changed much since the first release in 2018. Each Call for Art includes a site description developed in conjunction with neighborhood representatives. This is one of four touchpoints for each project: Neighborhood participation in the 2017 Plan; development of the Call for Art; community workshop with the selected artist; public hearing for the Concept Design. In addition, neighborhood representation is sought for the selection panel.
Art Crossing 4 is the intersection of Harrison and Division in West Olympia. Art Crossing 5 is at Henderson and Eskridge in SE Olympia. The Arts Crossings Plan suggested Henderson/Eskridge be project 7, but upcoming constructions projects and neighborhood interest moved it up the list.
Staff will identify areas of Arts Commission focus during the presentation and ask for Committee response on the Call for Art as a whole. The matching grant is on a timeline of two years, and staff is working to have the Concept Design approved by July of 2027, which leaves one year for fabrication and installation.
Murals in Parks
This pilot project evolved out of the Parks, Arts & Recreation’s Equity, Inclusion and Belonging efforts. The intent is to create more welcoming spaces for all community members within parks, beginning with Yauger Park and Sunrise Park. Following CLPS review, the Arts Commission will identify jury members for the selection committee, and finalize the schedule.
Climate Analysis:
The Art Crossing Public Art Program can contribute to the overall City strategy of encouraging alternative transportation through enhancement of transportation corridors. Several of the completed projects celebrate elements of the natural world as a shared community value. The Art Crossings project also incorporates solar lighting. The Murals in Parks project will not significantly contribute toward or mitigate the causes or effects of climate change.
Equity Analysis:
Multiple touchpoints for community members are included in each project, in addition to inclusive jury selection. During the time between Call for Art release and City Council approval of the project artists, staff will be working to making contact within each neighborhood with community members not involved in their neighborhood associations, so that they can be part of the neighborhood workshops with the selected artists.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Staff presented the upcoming project to the Coalition of Neighborhood Associations on July 13, 2026, met with representatives from Southwest and Northwest Neighborhood Association plus West Central Park Foundation on August 20, and held a community meeting for the Southeast project on September 2. That meeting drew 16 people without an adjacent neighborhood association. In all meetings, neighbor expressed interest in the project. Quote from the Westside “I’m so glad we’re finally getting one those!”
For the mural project, staff has reached out to Anna Schlecht, of Rainbow Community Arts, for their expertise in mural projects in developing the Call for Art.
Financial Impact:
$110,000 for two Art Crossing projects from the Municipal Art Fund, plus $60,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
$10,000 for two Murals in Parks projects from the Municipal Art Fund.
Options:
1. Review Calls for Art for the Art Crossings and murals in Parks projects and provide feedback to the Arts Commission and staff.
2. Do not review Calls for Art for the Art Crossings and murals in Parks projects and provide feedback to the Arts Commission and staff.
3. Take other action.
Attachments:
Art Crossing Project Page and Plan
Art Crossing Process Checklist
Draft Art Crossings Call for Art
Draft Murals in Parks Call for Art
2026 Municipal Art Plan