The City of Santa Monica with three miles of the most spectacular coastline in the United States -- has taken its naturally beautiful setting to heart. Dubbed "Art City," Santa Monica offers over 70 galleries; museums ranging from the avant garde to airplanes, doll houses to the best of American crafts; over a dozen theaters and performance spaces presenting a wide range of music, dance and cutting edge performance art; bookstores, photography, video, film and prize winning architecture -- all thriving in its many walkable and attractive neighborhoods. Los Angeles Magazine declared that "Santa Monica has become a hotbed of contemporary art thanks to one of the most ambitious civic art programs in California" commending the over 31 murals and 21 public sculptures within the city borders.
Some of the most spectacular public art projects in the City include Helen Mayer Harrison and Newton Harrison's California Wash: A Memorial and the recently completed Beach Improvement Group project with artist Jody Pinto. The Harrison environmental art work honors the historic environment of the beach while providing one of the most beautiful public accesses to the Ocean that can be found anywhere. Jody Pinto's art elements in the Beach Improvement Group (BIG) Project create pathways and promenades, gardens and playgrounds, shaded glens and spectacular lookouts that encompass a sweeping stretch of coastline from Palisades Park in the north to the beachfront and promenade south of the Santa Monica Pier. These projects mark a zenith of Santa Monica's efforts to incorporate art into the daily life of its citizens and visitors.
Cultural Affairs Division
Policies & Ordinances
Santa Monica Arts Commission
Santa Monica Arts Foundation
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