Percent for Art Resolution

Richmond Designates One and One-Half Percent to the Arts.

Richmond's City Council approved a Percent for Art Resolution in May 1997. In May 2021, Ordinance No. 08-21 N.S. repealed Chapter 12.62 One-Percent for Public Art on Private Projects Program and Resolution No. 70-97 establishing Public Works Improvements Arts Program, and added Chapter 6.50 Public Art Program to the Richmond Municipal Code. The ordinance authorizes the allocation of one and one-half percent (1.5%) of all eligible City Capital Improvement Project (CIP) costs with budgets in excess of $500,000 for the acquisition of public artwork. The money is calculated each fiscal year.

Fund Use

The Percent for Art funds may be used to purchase or commission works of art or design elements created by artists; to maintain, repair, or relocate public art or design elements; to fund staffing and administrative costs for implementing the Public Art Program, and to defray other expenses such as community education and outreach. Approximately one percent (1%) is earmarked for artists' fees and costs, and approximately one-half percent is set aside for maintenance and conservation of the city's public artwork, community outreach and education, documentation, publicity, promotion, and administration.

Public Art Program

The Arts and Culture Division administers the Public Art Program with oversight from the Richmond Arts and Culture Commission (RACC) and reports the activities to the City Manager and City Council. The RACC has established a Public Art Advisory Committee (PAAC) who serve up to two, two-year terms. Members of the RACC who may serve on the PAAC are responsible to the RACC for:

  • Recommending program policies and procedures
  • Recommending public art projects and budgets in the form of a public art annual plan
  • Reviewing proposals for public art acquisitions and forwarding acceptance or rejections
  • Reviewing and recommending acceptance or rejection of all proposed gifts or loans of artwork to the city, and from the city
  • Serving as community liaisons and providing advocacy for the public art program within the city

The Public Art Advisory Committee and the Arts and Culture Commission will develop a Public Art Annual Plan with the Division staff which identifies specific public art projects to be accomplished with the public art allocations. 

In adopting Ordinance No. 8-21 N.S., the City recognizes the substantial economic benefits to be gained through the aesthetic enhancement of its public spaces, and its increased ability to attract and retain commercial and industrial businesses through an enriched visual environment.

View Ordinance No. 8-21 N.S.