Surprise arts commission cites growth, $14,000 state grant and prioritizes mural replacements and traffic-cabinet projects

The Surprise Arts & Cultural Advisory Commission reviewed its fiscal year 2025 programs and public-art priorities on Sept. 19, hearing that the city’s arts activity and attendance rose substantially, staff secured a $14,000 grant from the Arizona Commission on the Arts and that the public-art fund balance available for FY27 planning is roughly $770,000.

Ally, a staff member in the Arts & Culture Division, opened the presentation by announcing, “We received a $14,000 grant from the Arizona Commission on the Arts.” She said the funds will be used for “professional development programs with our arts organizations.”

The staff annual report summarized program growth and operational highlights. “We had a 50% increase in the number of events and a 20% increase in attendance,” Ally said, and described partnerships with the library, seven local teaching artists who ran 28 summer workshops and the expansion of evening/weekend programming such as the monthly Live at Asante series.

Why it matters: commissioners will present FY27 public-art requests to city council in November, and the fund balance and project priorities determined now will shape what staff asks for in the next budget cycle.

Key program and funding details reported by staff: - Grant funding: $14,000 from the Arizona Commission on the Arts to support professional…