Newark Municipal Code Ch. 2.14 Public Art Committee

There is created a committee to consist of nine members, which shall constitute a quorum and one non-voting advisory member, which shall be designated as the Public Art Committee of the City of Newark. The committee is to support the provision of visual public art in the city.

(Ord. No. 558, § 3(Exh. A), 1-8-2026; Ord. No. 564, § 3(Exh. A), 4-23-2026)

A. The committee shall consist of nine members, constituting a quorum and meeting the qualifications identified in Section 2.14.030.

B. The committee shall also consist of one non-voting advisory member who shall be a high school student residing within the city meeting the qualifications identified in Section 2.14.040.

C. The mayor shall appoint members to the committee, subject to approval of the city council.

D. In making appointments, the city council shall consider the following categories:

1. Active members of a city-based, art focused, registered nonprofit organization, entity or facility.

2. Persons with experience in the public art field as either an artist, installer, or designer, including any person with professional credentials and work experience as exhibiting or performing artists, contemporary museum and gallery art curators, arts management professionals, arts educators, or design professionals such as architects, landscape architects, and urban planners.

3. Members of the general public, including students and community members with a passion for art.

(Ord. No. 558, § 3(Exh. A), 1-8-2026; Ord. No. 564, § 3(Exh. A), 4-23-2026)

Members of the committee shall have demonstrated, through community service or business experiences, a strong commitment to and knowledge of the artistic, aesthetic, and cultural quality of life in Newark, and will appreciate the role the arts can play in the cultural development and economic vitality of the community. In addition, the non-voting advisory member must be a high school student residing within the city.

(Ord. No. 558, § 3(Exh. A), 1-8-2026; Ord. No. 564, § 3(Exh. A), 4-23-2026)

The terms of office of the voting members of the committee shall be for four years; provided, however, that of the nine members first appointed four shall be appointed for the term of two years, and five for the term of four years. The term of office for the non-voting advisory member of the committee shall be one year. All committee members, including the non-voting member, may be considered for reappointment, subject to the mayor's recommendation and city council approval.

(Ord. No. 558, § 3(Exh. A), 1-8-2026; Ord. No. 564, § 3(Exh. A), 4-23-2026)

A. Any appointed members of the committee may be removed either by the mayor, subject to the approval of the city council, or by a majority vote of the city council. Any time a committee member has unexcused absences during a consecutive six-month period in excess of three meetings, their seat shall be automatically vacated. The following shall constitute valid excuses for failing to attend a meeting:

1. Serious illness and/or injury of the committee and/or their immediate family;

2. Death in the family;

3. Employment conditions requiring travel outside the Bay Area, evening meetings, etc.;

4. Lack of transportation to the meeting;

5. Previously scheduled vacation or travel.

B. Any vacancies among the appointed members shall be filled by appointment by the mayor, subject to approval of the city council, for the unexpired portion of the term.

(Ord. No. 558, § 3(Exh. A), 1-8-2026)

As soon as practicable following the termination of the term of office of any committee member, the public art committee shall organize, by electing from its members a chairman and vice chairman to serve at the pleasure of the committee. A secretary shall be designated for the recording of minutes of the committee and to keep a record of its resolutions, proceedings and transactions. The secretary may be, but need not be, a member of the committee and shall serve at the pleasure of the committee.

(Ord. No. 558, § 3(Exh. A), 1-8-2026)

The committee shall fix the times and places of regular meetings of the committee, which shall be held a minimum of twice per year. All meetings of the committee shall be open to the public.

(Ord. No. 558, § 3(Exh. A), 1-8-2026)

The public art committee shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

A. The powers and duties conferred and imposed upon the public art committee by Chapter 12.36 of this code and the city council approved guidelines.

B. In accordance with city council-approved guidelines, conducting public art proposal processes (such as requests for proposals, reviewing and acting on artist/artwork selection panel for public art fund projects,) for city-sponsored projects requiring public art installations.

C. Establishing and approving the public art program mission and curatorial and programmatic goals, policies, and guidelines and developing and updating a public art workplan outlining specific public art projects, locations, and budgets.

D. Reviewing and approving recommendations for maintenance and conservation of artwork, deaccession of artwork, and acceptance of artwork gifts and loans, in accordance with each respective policy.

E. Encouraging and promoting art programs and activities within the city.

F. Making recommendations to the city council regarding local visual and performing art needs, activities and programs.

G. Receiving and gathering input from the community on issues relevant to art policies.

H. Enhancing community awareness of art resources.

I. Performing such other functions and render such other reports and recommendations as may be directed by the city council.

J. Exercising only the powers herein above enumerated or as otherwise designated by the city council.

(Ord. No. 558, § 3(Exh. A), 1-8-2026)