Public Art Commission approves Kiana Ornaman as King Plaza artist in residence with $50,000 allocation

The Palo Alto Public Art Commission voted unanimously Feb. 20 to approve artist Kiana Ornaman as the next King Plaza artist in residence and to allocate $50,000 for the project.

The commission approved a funding package of $50,000 to support Ornaman’s residency. According to staff presentation, the allocation breaks down as $20,000 for research and community engagement, $10,000 for materials and creative community outreach, and $20,000 for fabrication and design of the temporary artwork planned for King Plaza.

Commission staff said Ornaman’s application emphasized work on cultural identity and engagement with BIPOC and immigrant communities in Palo Alto. The application statement read in the meeting said the residency would support research to establish connections with community leaders, plan outreach and creative workshops, and use workshop outcomes and survey responses to inform a final public piece reflecting community diversity.

Commissioners discussed contract timing and noted that specific schedule and contract details will be developed with the artist and returned to the commission as they emerge. A commissioner disclosed a nonfinancial studio affiliation with Ornaman; staff advised that disclosure did not preclude participation because no direct financial interest was stated.

The roll-call vote recorded Commissioners Miyagi, Shen, Waltuck, Smith, Stern, De La Garza and Gordon voting yes; the motion passed unanimously.

Staff will next return with contract details and a timeline for community engagement and fabrication.