Commissioners weigh programming, sponsorship and logistics for CodeArt 2025

Palo Alto Public Art Commission members spent a substantial portion of the meeting discussing CodeArt 2025 programming, proposed partners and sponsorship strategies to fund expanded festival activities.

Staff and commissioners outlined a range of potential performers and attractions, from Bandaloop's vertical dancers to taiko drummers, a silent disco, robotics demonstrations and appearances by local and Stanford-affiliated performance groups. Staff said the team is preparing a sponsorship draft that will describe sponsorship levels and the benefits sponsors would receive, including branding on projector housings, printed materials and projected slides that will run during the 10-night projection period.

Staff described Bandaloop's proposed vertical-dance performance as a major presence requiring rehearsal and infrastructure on the roof of city hall; the troupe's fee was given as an estimated $30,000 to $60,000 depending on number of dancers and performance length. Commissioners discussed that such a large expense would likely need outside funding rather than coming from the city general fund.

Smaller community items were presented with lower price points: staff estimated a silent disco at about $3,000 plus about 100 headset sets for an estimated capacity of roughly 100 participants at a time. The projection program itself is planned to run 10 nights from approximately 5 to 10 p.m., with staff noting optimal viewing typically begins after 6 p.m.; each artwork projection was described as about three minutes with countdowns between pieces.

Staff said sponsorship benefits under consideration include prominent logo placement on the large projector housings to be installed on Hamilton, inclusion on printed promotional materials, and brief projected sponsor slides between artworks during the nightly projection loop. Commissioners and staff agreed on the need to coordinate outreach so businesses and institutions are not repeatedly solicited; staff will maintain a master contact list and asked commissioners to notify them before making solicitation calls.

Commissioners and staff discussed outreach to local groups, including Gunn High School's jazz ensemble, Stanford performance groups and student clubs, as well as community groups such as robotics teams and jugglers associated with regional events like Game of Throws. Staff noted that some acts may accept modest stipends (for example, pizza or a small honorarium), while others will request formal fees; staff will collect rates and report back.

Staff confirmed the CodeArt website is live with event format and participating artists listed: PaloAlto.gov/public/codeart. The commission did not take any binding action on sponsorships or programming at the meeting; staff said a draft sponsorship package will be circulated to commissioners for follow-up.