The City of Santa Monica works with local business districts and organizations to bring art to Santa Monica

January 19, 2022 9:45 am

Since its launch in 2020, the Art of Recovery initiative has received over 200 project ideas and funded 24 artworks and creative projects as part of the City of Santa Monica’s economic recovery, employing over 100 artists. These projects have transformed some of the city’s most famous landmarks and public spaces into living works of art. To expand these efforts, the city’s cultural affairs team is introducing a new model where projects are paired and produced in collaboration with a production partner. A key goal of the new model is to further build an ecosystem to support artists and projects, offering learning, networking and opportunities for artists to work across industries. This helps build capacity and sustainability among local art producers, with the ultimate goal of giving the community more access to artistic experiences.

The city is pleased to announce the first batch of six manufacturing partners, which will start in the first quarter of 2022. Ranging from business improvement districts and neighborhood associations to arts organizations, the group includes:

• Downtown Santa Monica – Manages the real estate-based downtown Business Assessment District and works with the City of Santa Monica to manage services and operations in the area and promote economic stability, growth and community life.
• Ocean Park Association – The neighborhood association in Ocean Park that works closely with the Main Street Business Improvement Association.
• Montana Avenue Merchants Association – The business improvement district representing the businesses on Montana Avenue, spanning 10 blocks and over 150 stores and storefronts.
• 18th Street Arts Center – Southern California’s largest artist residency, supporting artists from around the world with studio facilities at Santa Monica Airport and 18th Street and Olympic.

In addition, partners have been selected to facilitate the production and documentation of Art of Recovery projects:

• Community Arts Resources – Cultural events producers who create unique experiences where arts, culture, community and civic life collide.
• Halline Overby – A contemporary content creator with a diverse background in videography (recording, editing), photography, directing, graphic design, podcast production and social media.

The city intends to hold another tender for production partners this year and once the first round is up and running.

Applications for project concepts are accepted on an ongoing basis and artists, arts and non-arts organizations are invited to submit a project concept linked to one of the four goals of the initiative: economic recovery; racial justice and cultural justice; well-being and public health; and community connection. Project concepts can be submitted online at bit.ly/SantaMonicaArtofRecovery.

For more information about Art of Recovery, visit www.santamonica.gov/arts.

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media contact

Constance Farrell

Public Relations Officer

[email protected]

categories

Art, culture & fun, art

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community work

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Photo: ‘Warm Waves’ by Shplinton, part of the 2021 Black History Month art installations on Third Street Promenade.