To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: ELIZABETH HAUSE, WATERFRONT AND COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
TITLE
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DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE SELECTION OF ARTISTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL PROCESS FOR PHASE I OF THE ARTESIA BOULEVARD STRATEGIC ART PLAN AS RECOMMENDED BY THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Artesia Boulevard Strategic Art Plan includes two phases of artistic installations in select locations along Artesia Blvd. Phase I, which is fully funded, includes two median installations, two monument installations, enhancements to five existing concrete benches, a decorative crosswalk, and an LGBTQ+-themed installation. Following an open Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process that received 192 submissions, the Community Panel recommended a list of finalists to participate in a forthcoming Request for Proposals (RFP) for final consideration of the commission of each planned installation.
The Community Panel presented its recommendations to the Cultural Arts Commission (Commission) on September 23, 2026 and received unanimous support from the Commission. Staff recommends the City Council approve the proposed finalists to participate in the upcoming RFP, during which artists will develop concepts and designs for further consideration. It should be noted that the artists participating in this phase of the project will receive a stipend for preparing their concepts/designs. Funding for the stipends was included in the project budget.
BACKGROUND
In May 2025, the City contracted the services of LBP Consulting, LLC (LBP) to provide consulting services to develop a comprehensive public art placemaking and placekeeping plan for art installations along Artesia Blvd. between Aviation Blvd. and Inglewood Avenue. Following months of collaboration with staff and the Commission, as well as outreach with the community, the Artesia Blvd. Strategic Art Plan (Plan) was presented and approved by the City Council on December 16, 2025. The Plan incorporates an initial phase of artistic installations in specific locations, including: two median installations, two monument installations, enhancements to five existing concrete benches, a decorative crosswalk, and an LGBTQ-themed installation. An aerial map of Phase I installations is attached to this report.
Included in the plan is an articulated review and selection process for all installations that relies on a Community Panel to review artist submissions and make recommendations to the Commission throughout the RFQ and RFP stages of the project. Per the guidelines outlined in the Plan, the Community Panel includes the following individuals:
The selection and approval of the final artists and installations includes several layers of review by LBP (the consultant), the Community Panel, Commission, and City Council, and includes the following processes:
1. RFQ
a. Open Call for RFQ
b. LBP reviews all RFQ submissions to ensure the qualifications of all submissions and the completeness of submitted materials
c. Community Panel reviews the RFQ proposals and develops finalist recommendations for Commission review
d. Commission reviews the recommended RFQ finalists and recommends finalists for City Council consideration
e. City Council reviews and approves RFQ finalists to participate in the follow up RFP process
2. RFP
a. Release of the RFP to approved RFQ finalists
b. LBP reviews all RFP submissions to determine concept compatibility and vision alignment.
c. Community Panel reviews final RFP submissions and recommends final artists/artworks for Commission review
d. Commission reviews recommended artists/artwork and recommends final selections for City Council consideration
e. City Council reviews and approves final artists/artworks for installation
The RFQ was released in February 2026 for all Phase I installations. It was open for approximately 60-days and received a total of 192 responses, which demonstrated far-reaching interest in beautification efforts along Artesia Blvd. while providing a substantial pool of artists with ranging experience and expertise in a variety of mediums. After reviewing the most qualified artists, the Community Panel presented its recommended list of finalists to participate in the upcoming RFP to the Commission on September 23, 2026. Following an extensive review and discussion, the Commission unanimously recommended approval of the Community Panel’s recommendations, which includes the following artists:
• Median (x2)
o Anaisa Franco
o Nathan Mabry
o Mary Carter Taub
o Sijia Chen Studios
• East & West Monument
o Nathan Mabry
o Anaisa Franco
o Wil Natzel
• Crosswalk
o Mary Carter Taub
o Joey Rose
o Mobile Mural Lab
o Phoebe Nelson
• Benches (x5)
o Alex Cerutti
o Armelle Ngo
o Emily Tanaka
o Mobile Mural Lab
o Robert Gomez
• LGBTQ+ Installation
o Anaisa Franco
o Miki Iwasaki
o Shabazz Larkin
If approved by the City Council, these artists would be invited to participate in the upcoming RFP to envision and design a proposal of their original work for installation along Artesia Blvd. The RFP proposals also require an artist statement, proposed materials, fabrication and installation plan, estimated project budget, and anticipated timeline. LBP will work directly with the artists to ensure that the submitted concepts are compatible with site limitations and existing infrastructure. Stipends of $500 will be paid to the artists who participate in the RFP process, unless the artist is selected for final project commissioning. The payment of stipends is an industry standard and serves as compensation for concept development work that is time intensive and provides incentive for artists to participate in the competitive process. Stipends were anticipated and accounted for as part of the approved project budget.
Staff recommends the City Council approve the Commission’s recommended list of artists to participate in the RFP for Phase I installations of the Artesia Blvd. Strategic Art Plan. Following approval, staff expects the RFP to be released in late October or early November of this year.
COORDINATION
The Community Services Department coordinated the preparation of this report.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for the ARTesia Blvd. Capital Improvement Project was provided by the John Parsons Public Art Fund and included in the City’s CIP Budget.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
• Artesia Blvd. Strategic Art Plan
• Phase I Installations Aerial Map - Artesia Blvd. Strategic Art Plan
• Artesia Blvd. Request for Qualification