The Civic Art Division (Civic Art) of the Department of Arts and Culture works with established and emerging artists to commission new artworks, community engagement activities, temporary art installations, and event-based programming for new and renovated County facilities. Completed projects and artworks are accessioned into the Civic Art Collection (Collection). Since 2004, the Collection has accessioned over 500 historic and contemporary artworks from over 300 artists, which include new civic art commissions, donations, and art purchases.
The Department of Arts and Culture envisions LA County as a region in which arts, culture, and creativity are integral to every aspect of civic life for all people and communities, with a goal of cultural equity and inclusion in all its programs. Civic Art seeks to create and steward a Collection that is inclusive of all communities of LA County; reflects diverse artists, approaches, mediums, cultures, and perspectives; and provides commission opportunities for artists and narratives that have been historically underrepresented in public art.
To further equity, we are undertaking a first-ever Civic Art Collection Demographics Study, a comprehensive analysis of artworks and artists in the Collection. It is one part of a broader initiative to review our Civic Art policies, procedures, commissions, and support for artists. This project is a collaboration between Arts and Culture’s Research and Evaluation and Civic Art divisions. Research consultant Special Service for Groups, Inc. (SSG) is administering the survey on behalf of Arts and Culture.
The study will be conducted in four phases:
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1) Civic Art Collection Data Review
- Data will be compiled about artworks accessioned into the Collection and artists commissioned by Civic Art from 2004-2021. This data will not include existing historical artworks, donations, and purchases before the 2004 Board adoption of the Civic Art Policy and Program.
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2) Civic Artist Engagement
- Ten artists who are represented in the Collection or who are currently working on a Civic Art commission were invited to participate in two focus groups to capture their ideas and perspectives on the goals of the survey and the survey design. Their recommendations have been embedded into the solicitation and final design of the survey.
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3) Civic Artist Demographic Survey
- A survey will be administered to artists who have artworks accessioned in the Collection. The survey will primarily gather information on artist practice and demographic representation. It includes an opportunity for artists to provide recommendations on how we can improve our practices.
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4) Final Report
- SSG will analyze the data from the Collection Data Review and Demographic Survey, and create a final report that summarizes key findings. This report will be published and made available to the public.
A note on confidentiality
Individual data collected from artists through this survey will be stored and maintained by the research firm, SSG, and will not be shared with Arts and Culture staff, nor with the LA County Arts Commission or any of its subcommittees, nor with the County of Los Angeles. All findings will be reported in the aggregate. If you are a Civic Artist and have questions about the survey, please contact Research Associate, Matt Agustin | MAgustin@arts.lacounty.gov
Civic Art Collection Goals
Collaboration and conversation with Civic Artists are fundamental to reaching our Civic Art Demographics Study goals and beyond. This study will support longer-term goals for the Collection, including activation and continued engagement with artists and artworks. Commitments for the Collection include:
- Acquire and care for the Collection that is representative and inclusive of all communities of Los Angeles County;
- Promote greater, meaningful community engagement with artworks in the Collection;
- Provide continual support and opportunities for dialogue with Civic Artists represented in the Collection;
- Provide opportunities for mentorship and collaboration between Civic Artists and Art Conservators during the preservation of artworks in the Collection.