Subcommittee backs $23.6 million five‑year Phoenix public art plan

The Economic Development and the Arts Subcommittee recommended City Council adopt Phoenix’s fiscal year 2026–31 public art plan on May 14, endorsing a five‑year program of 62 projects with an overall budget of roughly $23.6 million.

Deputy City Manager Frank McHune introduced the plan and turned the presentation over to Carrie Brown, interim director of the Office of Arts and Culture, who said the plan builds on the city’s Percent for Art ordinance (established in 1986) and prioritizes projects that integrate artwork into capital improvement projects and expand equitable access to public art.

Katina Crumb, interim deputy director overseeing the public art program, outlined the plan’s portfolio: three new projects, seven major retrofits, nine projects tied to general obligation bond propositions, and several long‑range initiatives including shade, heat mitigation and Rio Reimagined. The plan includes an approximately $3.66 million allocation for GO bond public art projects and about $4.3 million for Sky Harbor Airport art elements, Crumb said.

Brown said community engagement is a requirement of artist contracts and that outreach—surveys, public meetings and multiple phased touchpoints with neighborhood groups—will be tailored to each project. Crumb highlighted completed projects from the prior year and noted continuing work such as integrated art for Lone Mountain Park and elements for the Terminal 3 expansion at Sky Harbor.

Council members asked about partnering with local arts education organizations, the design of shade and cooling elements, and how staff ensures broad community input. Carrie Brown responded that the office works closely with artists, project managers and village planning committees, and that engagement plans vary by project but typically include early concept outreach, design reviews and follow‑up during fabrication.

Councilwoman Pastor praised Sombra, a temporary public art project honored this year for heat‑mitigation work, and asked staff to ensure future shade projects deliver measurable cooling as well as artistic value. Katina Crumb noted the plan’s alignment with the Shade Phoenix master plan and the Climate Action Plan.

A motion to recommend council adoption was made, seconded, and the subcommittee voted “I” with no nays recorded in the transcript; staff will post the full plan on the city website and bring it forward to City Council for final action.

What’s next: the subcommittee recommended City Council adoption; the plan will be posted online for public review and scheduled for council consideration. The subcommittee recorded no roll‑call tally in the meeting transcript.

Quote: “The public art plan focuses on equitable distribution of funds and continued outreach to new artists and new arts organizations,” Carrie Brown said during the presentation.

Ending: With unanimous subcommittee support, the plan moves to City Council for final action and public posting.