Civic Arts Program

Mission Statement

The Civic Arts Commission was established to advise the City Council on all matters affecting the beauty and culture of the city. The Civic Arts Program administers and develops projects which accomplish this mission by: 

• Encouraging programs for the cultural enrichment of the city and helping to make city resources available to cultural groups 
• Providing assistance to groups and individuals wishing to sponsor neighborhood events 
• Coordinating and strengthening existing organizations in the arts and developing cooperation with regional organizations 

Programs and Services

Civic Arts Grants Program  - provides financial assistance to the arts community. 

Public Art - Implements a city-wide Public Art Percent for Art Program. 

Public Art Galleries - Supports visual art exhibitions space that exhibits regular shows by local artists and art organizations 

Business and Technical Assistance - provides free consultations to artists and organizations in fundraising, marketing, event management, program development, and grant writing. 

Information Referrals - provides information to the general public, arts community, other City Departments, and City Council on cultural concerns and resource networking 

Publications - publishes Web Page; the City-wide Art & Culture Guide; Berkeley Public Art, How to Become a Public Artist; Public Art Registry; the Guide to the Addison St. Sidewalk Art; The Berkeley Arts and Cultural Plan, and the poetry book, "The Addison Street Anthology" 

Programming - representation to local, regional and state arts advocacy agencies. 

Civic Arts Staff

Mary Ann Merker, Civic Arts Coordinator
(510) 981-7533
Email: mmerker@ci.berkeley.ca.us

Michael Caplan, Manager of Economic Development
(510) 981-7530
Email: mcaplan@ci.berkeley.ca.us