In 2005, in order to "promote the general welfare through balancing the community's physical growth and revitalization and its cultural and artistic resources", the San Mateo City Council passed an ordinance establishing the Art in Public Places Program. San Mateo's ordinance calls for a 0.5% building permit fee to be used directly by the developers to commission and install their own art in publicly accessible places within projects that are valued at or greater than $3 million, or to provide the City the required in-lieu fee that then is reserved for City acquisition, installation and maintenance of public art.

 You're invited to view the Art in Public Places Gallery showing projects installed to date as part of this program.

The Civic Arts Committee (CAC) was established in 2008 as an advisory board to the City Council to implement the Art in Public Places program. The CAC shall carry out the duties established by Chapter 23.60 of the Municipal Code (Art in Public Places), and follow these established Guidelines for the Art In Public Places. The Administrative Process outline for this program is specifically provided to assure all developers understand the obligation and know the process in which they will be expected to satisfy that obligation.

Current members are:

• Eric Rodriguez - City Council Member (non-voting member)
• Chair, Stephen Tabler - Chamber of Commerce Representative
• Vice Chair, Dianne Whitaker - City Arts of San Mateo Representative
• Robert Gooyer - AIA Architect Representative
• Ginger Slonaker - Professional Artist Representative
• Ramiro Maldonado - Planning Commission Representative