Goodyear council approves FY26 public art plan, expands traffic‑cabinet and trail art projects

The Goodyear City Council on March 24 approved the Arts and Culture Commission's recommended FY26 annual public art plan, which identifies projects ranging from additional decorated traffic signal cabinets to integrated artwork for trail and recreation projects.

Kylie Noz Lansky, Parks and Recreation deputy director, and Lisa Paulus, chair of the Arts and Culture Commission, presented highlights including continued expansion of decorated traffic cabinets (10 additional cabinets this year, bringing the city's total to 52 once complete), temporary mural installations tied to events, and integration of art in capital projects such as the Bullet Wash trail extension, Fire Station 189 and phase 2 of the Goodyear Recreation Campus. The plan also noted partnerships with regional programs and the opening of the Solid Rock Teen Center on April 26, which will include a youth‑generated art installation.

Arts staff emphasized the approval is a plan, not a budget: funding for individual projects will be presented during the city's annual budget process and may be increased or decreased by council at that time. The council voted 7-0 to approve the plan.

Commission chair Paulus highlighted recent temporary and permanent projects, including Veterans Day murals, and said public art contributes to sense of place, visitor attraction and community pride. Arts and culture coordinator Lane Ruiz reviewed proposed site‑specific projects for FY26 and near‑term capital integrations.

Council members praised the program and urged continued community engagement and clear budget presentation during the FY26 process.