November 10, 2026 · Civic Arts Commission
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(Attachment 1). From: Mark Salinas, Public Art Program Lead (5 min.) Recommendation: Approve Cube Space exhibition by artist Ashley Spencer for January 25 through April 16, 2027.
From: Mark Salinas, Public Art Program Lead (20 min.) Recommendation: Approve an RFQ based upon the Public Art Project Plan for the African American Holistic Resource Center.
(Attachment 3). From: Mark Salinas, Public Art Program Lead (10 min.) Recommendation: Approve one-year loan of four artworks by David Solnit for display at 2180 Milvia Street and 2134 Martin Luther King Jr Way under conditions agreed upon by staff and artist in writing. 2 of 82
Presented by: Carianna Arredondo, Assistant to the City Manager (10 min.). Recommendation: Discuss and approve the 2027 Civic Arts Commission Meeting Schedule. Public Comment Presentations and Discussion Items
From: Carianna Arredondo, Assistant to the City Manager (20 min.)
From: Commissioner Eduardo Pineda, Public Art Subcommittee Chair (15 min.) Information Items and Updates
From: City Staff (15 min.) a) Grants Program Updates, Hilary Amnah b) Public Art Program Updates, Mark Salinas c) Civic Arts Program Updates, Carianna Arredondo Committee Updates
From: Civic Arts Subcommittees (10 min.) a) Grants • Dana Blecher, Chair • Lisa Bullwinkel • Cameron Woo • Audrey Truc-Dao Kramer b) Public Art • Eduardo Pineda, Chair • Jonathan Bachrach • Devi Dutta-Choudhury c) Policy Subcommittee • Lisa Bullwinkel, Chair • Dana Blecher • Cameron Woo • Audrey Truc-Dao Kramer d) Representative on Design Review Committee • Devi Dutta-Choudhury Items for Future Agendas These items are not scheduled for discussion or action at this meeting. The Commission may schedule these items to the Action Calendar of a future Commission meeting. 3 of 82 Minutes for Approval Draft minutes for the Commissions consideration and approval.
From: Commission Secretary (3 min.) Recommendation: Approve the draft minutes of the September 21, 2026, Special Civic Arts Commission Meeting Commissioner Announcements Adjournment Notices Notice of Public Record Communications to Berkeley boards, commissions or committees are public record and will become part of the City’s electronic records, which are accessible through the City’s website. Please note: E-mail addresses, names, addresses, and other contact information are not required but, if included in any communication to a City board, commission, or committee, will become part of the public record. If you do not want your e-mail address or any other contact information to be made public, you may deliver communications via U.S. Postal Service or in person to the secretary of the relevant board, commission, or committee. If you do not want your contact information included in the public record, please do not include that information in your communication. Please contact the secretary to the relevant board, commission, or committee for further information. Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the commission regarding any item on this agenda will be made available for public inspection at the City Manager’s Office located at 2180 Milvia Street, 5th floor, Berkeley, CA 94704 Communication Access Information This meeting is being held in a wheelchair accessible location. To request a disability-related accommodation(s) to participate in the meeting, including auxiliary aids or services, please contact the Disability Services specialist at ada@berkeleyca.gov, (510) 981-6418 (V), or (510) 981-6347 (TDD) at least three business days before the meeting date. Attendees at public meetings are reminded that other attendees may be sensitive to various scents, whether natural or manufactured, in products and materials. Please help the City respect these needs. Video and audio recordings of the Civic Arts Commission meetings are available upon request. Please contact the Commission Secretary at carredondo@berkeleyca.gov cc: civicarts@berkeleyca.gov or 510-981-7007 to obtain a recording. Certification of public posting I hereby certify that the agenda for this meeting of the Berkeley City Commission was posted at the display case located near the walkway in front of the Maudelle Shirek Building, 2134 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, as well as on the City’s website, on November 4, 2026. Carianna Arredondo, Secretary 4 of 82 Cube Space January - April 2027 Artist: Ashley Spencer 5|ofCurator: 82 Kevin B. Chen Ashley Spencer is a cross-disciplinary artist and writer who is deeply rooted in her identity as a Black creator. With a rich background in ceramics, sculpture, and mixed media, she imparts a nuanced exploration of the lived Black experience through her work. Over fifteen years, Ashley has developed a distinctive approach to her work, blending various mediums and genres to address complex themes like haunting and inheritance. Her pieces often serve as a conduit for discussing generational grief, creating a dialogue that bleeds across time and material history. A graduate of the California College of the Arts, Ashley earned her Master of Fine Arts degree in 2025. Her academic journey is ongoing as she pursues an additional degree in writing, further exploring her narrative capabilities. She addresses generational grief through her work, which often uses a blend of various mediums to explore time and material history. Ashley initiates thinking about how the work is as much about the process as the final product, inviting viewers to engage with both contemporary issues and historical narratives. The materials she uses become tools for storytelling, rituals, and manifestations of folklore, weaving narratives that speak of heritage, beliefs, and the unseen. The act of arranging and rearranging such materials can also be seen as a dialogue with spirits and tales that hover just at the edge of perception. Every twist of a twig or coil of hair echoes with the voices of ancestors, myths, and legends, enriching the present with their whispers. Through them, she engages with a legacy that is living and breathing, inviting us to explore the enchanted and the unknown. 6 of 82 Previous Works 7 of 82 8 of 82 9 of 82 10 of 82 11 of 82 12 of 82 13 of 82 14 of 82 15 of 82 16 of 82 17 of 82 18 of 82 19 of 82 20 of 82 21 of 82 22 of 82 23 of 82 24 of 82 25 of 82 26 of 82 27 of 82 28 of 82 29 of 82 30 of 82 AFRICAN AMERICAN HOLISTIC RESOURCE CENTER DRAFT: PUBLIC ART PROJECT PLAN 31 of 82 32 of 82 33 of 82 34 of 82 35 of 82 36 of 82 BACK YARD 37 of 82 GROUND FLOOR 38 of 82 SECOND FLOOR 39 of 82 THIRD FLOOR 40 of 82 GROUND FLOOR 41 of 82 SECOND FLOOR Library Conference Room 208 – Art Display Wall (1) 2D or 3D artwork on wall (wall space appr H4’ x L8’): $15,000 total • Artwork must be designed to be professionally mounted, framed, and secured. • Educational label (4" x 6") printed on acrylic and mounted adjacent to the artwork. • Artwork will become part of the City of Berkeley Public Art Collection. • Note for construction: Wall to receive standard surface preparation, primer, and paint to match room. 42 of 82 SECOND FLOOR Quilt Quorum: $15,000 A Bay Area quilt organization will be contracted to present facilitated, circle-format educational presentation of quilts and related quilting subject matter on a seasonal basis. The public will engage in close-looking, questions, discussion, and interpretation of the artworks in a community setting. Each session will last approximately 60 minutes. Each Quilt Quorum is free and open to the public. • September 2028 — To honor the birthday of Romare Bearden • February 2029 — To honor Black History Month • June 2029 — To honor Juneteenth • September 2029 — To honor the birthday of Romare Bearden • February 2030 — To honor Black History Month • June 2030 — To honor Juneteenth Program Goals • Expand public understanding of African American quilt traditions and cultures. • Create opportunities for intergenerational learning and dialogue. • Establish a model for other community-centered arts programming. 43 of 82 Artwork Commissions: $65,000 Quilt Quorum: $15,000 Art Unveiling + Reception + Artist Talk: $5,000 Following the opening of the building to the public and scheduled during an evening or weekend to maximize public participation, the four commissioned artists will participate in an artist talk. Each artist will present a 15-minute overview of their artistic practice and portfolio in the Large Assembly Space. Free and open to the public. The Quilt Quorum Program will be formally announced at this event. Supporting Costs: $18,000 Panel Honorarium $5000 Finalists’ Proposals $5000 Display Costs $5000 Photography $3000 AAHRC Public Art Project Plan Total Cost: $103,000 44 of 82 45 of 82 46 of 82 47 of 82 48 of 82 Virginia Street Sanctuary City Visibility Project Short link to this page: bit.ly/SanctuaryCityVisibility 49 of 82 50 of 82 Download design images Here (Dropbox folder) Design by Jen Bloomer and David Solnit WHAT: We will make visible that we are a Sanctuary City and will fight to protect our neighbors’, and everyone’s, human rights, constitutional rights, and dignity. We neighbors have worked together to create large (24 x 32 inch) thin recycled plywood signs to display outdoors on our block and to offer to other neighbor groups and community groups to display publicly. We have also printed the design as a 12x16 inch color poster. People can also download and print the design themselves (download here). WHY: ● To protect our neighbors’ and everyone’s human and constitutional rights ● To make it clear that our community stands behind our Sanctuary City policies – and to be in solidarity with other communities under attack by ICE and the Federal Government ● To work together with our neighbors and to model and encourage neighborhood activism 51 of 82 52 of 82 53 of 82 To Whom It May Concern, I am writing on behalf of our small, locally owned restaurant to express our enthusiastic support for the beautiful signage created by local artist David Solnit. We strongly believe in his work and in the statement this piece makes. Art has always been an important part of Berkeley’s identity, and we believe that public art and visual expressions like this help create a stronger sense of place and community. This signage is more than simply something beautiful to look at. It serves as a visual reminder of the collective spirit that makes Berkeley special — a spirit rooted in community, creativity, inclusion, social justice, and the courage to stand up for what is right. Berkeley has a long history of being willing to speak up and lead when others have remained silent. We believe it is important to preserve that spirit and to continue creating visible reminders of the values that have shaped this community. As a small local business, we feel fortunate to be part of a neighborhood where artists, businesses, families, and community members all contribute to the character of our city. We are proud to support David Solnit. His work adds something meaningful, beautiful, and important to Berkeley. We respectfully encourage the approval and continued presence of this signage and are happy to lend our voice in support of it. With appreciation and support, Sylvie Osborne Calierno Co-Owner & Chef FAVA Berkeley, California To the members of the Public Art Subcommittee – We are writing to share our support for the Sanctuary City signs at Old and New City Hall. These signs are an expression of community, creative expression, and solidarity. They were designed by David Solnit and Jen Bloomer, two incredible community artists who also happen to be our neighbors on Virginia Street. Over the course of a spring day, community members of all ages from across Berkeley gathered on our street to construct, paint, and shellac these signs, and then took them to display far and wide as a symbol of neighborly care and resilience. We are very proud that Berkeley has been a Sanctuary City since 1971; it would mean a lot to us for the city to participate in this community art by posting the signs at Old and New City Hall. Thank you for your consideration, Sarah Ranney and Deborah Silvey 54 of 82 Civic Arts Division To: Civic Arts Commission Date: November 11, 2026 From: Carianna Arredondo, Assistant to the City Manager Subject: Proposed 2027 meeting dates and relocation to North Berkeley Senior Center Recommendation Staff recommends that the Civic Arts Commission approve the proposed 2027 meeting schedule below and the relocation of its meetings to the North Berkeley Senior Center, subject to confirmation of room availability. Proposed meeting schedule Meetings would be held on Wednesdays from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., with room access beginning at 5:30 p.m. for setup. The schedule generally follows the fourth Wednesday of the month, with an earlier April meeting to avoid Passover and an earlier December meeting. No meetings are proposed for August or November. • January 27, 2027 • February 24, 2027 • March 24, 2027 • April 14, 2027 • May 26, 2027 • June 23, 2027 • July 28, 2027 • September 22, 2027 • October 27, 2027 • December 8, 2027 Proposed location North Berkeley Senior Center, Multipurpose Room 1901 Hearst Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94709 55 of 82 56 of 82 57 of 82 Budget Presented to the Public Art Subcommittee October 15, 2026 FY26 PRIVATE PERCENT FUND FY 27 Appropriation: $100k available for all Fund 148 Fund 148-21-211-000-0000-000-446-612990- $778,396.52 Approved by Civic Arts Commission June 25, 2025 Funding Sources AMOUNT BALANCE ADMINISTRATION (20%) CONSERVATION (10%) PROJECTS (70%) FY26 AAO Carryforward Total Balance $2,952,203.00 $3,018,448.00 $603,689.60 $301,844.80 $2,112,913.60 FY 26 Encumbrances (PROFESSIONAL SERVICES) -$403,975.00 from FY 26 FY 26 Balance (FY CLOSEOUT) FY 27 Transfer Ins (DEVELOPER PAYMENTS) $603,689.60 $301,844.80 $2,112,913.60 FY 27 Bayer Community Benefit Payment $66,245.00 $66,245.00 $16,292.50 $1,656.00 $11,748.50 TOTAL $587,397.10 $300,188.80 $2,101,165.10 ADMINISTRATION Budget Actual Balance Notes $603,689.60 FY27 (20%) Allocation Projected Administration Costs for Civic Arts Staff $186,830.00 Cari Arredondo (10%) $29,081.00 $186,830.00 Mark Salinas (52%) $118,963.00 Hilary Amnah (18%) $38,786.00 Encumbrance Carryforward: Chandra Cerrito Contract 32600003 Original Contract Amount (NTE $100,000) -- $59,380 FY 27 Balance $59,380.00 $46,087.50 Contract Extended through 06/30/2028 June Services Invoice 26072 $3,830.00 July Services Invoice 26081 $2,042.50 August Services: MS_FY27_VN#54264_CCerrito_INV#26093_$5822.50 $5,822.50 September Services: MS_FY27_VN#54264_CCerrito_INV#26102_$1567.50 $1,597.50 HOLD: October 2026 Services Invoice TBD HOLD: November 2026 Services Invoice TBD HOLD: December 2026 Services Invoice TBD Cube Space Curator: Kevin Chen FY 2027 Costs $12,000.00 MS_FY27_VN#54755_KChen_INV#07.25.2026_$2800 $2,800.00 $2,800.00 $9,000.00 HOLD: Lena Coletto Exhibit October 26 to January 15, 2027 CURATORIAL $2,800.00 HOLD: Ashley Spencer January 25 to April 16, 2027 CURATORIAL $2,800.00 HOLD: TBD $2,800.00 PO (NTE $800) for FY 27 BAC Artist Talk Costs: 22604552 (NTE) MS_FY27_VN#54755 KevinChen_INV#09.01.2026_$200 $200.00 $200.00 HOLD: Lena Coletto Exhibit October 26 to January 15, 2027 TALK $200.00 HOLD: Ashley Spencer January 25 to April 16, 2027 TALK $200.00 HOLD: TBD $200.00 Special Projects RFQs Artwork Archive / Registrar Updates $150,000.00 $30,000.00 $150,000.00 Arts and Culture Plan Update $100,000.00 Special Projects (Capacity Building, Grantwriting Workshops, etc.) $20,000.00 Contingency Reserve $195,479.60 Contingency Reserve for Admin Needs (Possible Match Funds for Grant Opportunities) $195,479.60 $195,479.60 Unallocated FY27 $0.00 Subtotal $603,689.60 $16,292.50 $587,397.10 CONSERVATION $301,844.80 Budget Actual Balance Notes FY27 (10%) Conservation 58 of 82 Standard Cleanings/Repairs of City of Berkeley Art Collection $43,301.02 Reserve for Emergency Conservation/Abatement Projects $43,301.02 $43,301.02 Atthowe Fine Art Encumbrance Carryforward: Contract 32300137 Original Contract Amount (NTE $400,000) -- $73,575.82 FY 27 Balance $73,575.82 $71,919.82 Contract Extended through 12/31/2026 Atthowe Invoice 173933 7/1/2026 Contract 32300137 $1,656.00 Preservation Arts Encumbrance Carryforward: Contract 32200133 Original Contract Amount (NTE $200,000) --$21,862.46 FY 27 Balance $21,862.46 $21,862.46 Contract Extended through 12/31/2026 Ohlone Mural PO: 22604290 (Invoice 7768 $14.977.14) (Invoice 7862 $14,977.14) M. Arcega Flower Restoration PO: 22604760 (Invoice #7783 18,058.00, #7997 18,058.00 ) ARG Conservation Encumbrance Carryforward: Contract 32400215 Original Contract Amount (NTE $150,000) -- $16,256.93 FY 27 Balance $16,256.93 $16,256.93 Contract Extended through 02/01/2027 M. Arcega wildflowers bloom! Signage Carryforward: PO 22603884 $10,000.00 $10,000.00 $10,000.00 M. Arcega flower legend sign New RFQ for Conservation Services $100,000.00 $100,000.00 $136,848.57 Contingency Reserve Contingency Reserve for Conservation $36,848.57 $36,848.57 Unallocated FY27 $0.00 Subtotal $301,844.80 $1,656.00 $300,188.80 PROJECTS Budget Actual Balance Notes $2,112,913.60 FY27 (70%) Projects Public Art Strategic Plan: Dyson + Womack Carryforward: Contract 32600069 Contract Amount (NTE $99,825.00) -- $84,825.00 FY 27 Balance Contract Extended through 4/30/2027 HOLD: D+W Payment for Phase 1 $33,000.00 $84,825.00 HOLD: D+W Payment for Phase 2 $25,000.00 HOLD: D+W Payment for Phase 3 $19,000.00 HOLD: D+W Payment for Phase 4 $7,825.00 Public Art Nexus Study: Willdan Financial Services: Contract XXXXXXXX $23,233.00 HOLD: Transfer to Planning Acct. Code $23,233.00 $23,233.00 Cube Space $16,487.50 Cube Space Artist Fees MS_FY27_VN#56276_AAlvarez_INV#2026.07.26_Berkeley_$2000 $2,000.00 $2,000.00 $12,283.58 HOLD: Lena Coletto Exhibit October 26 to January 15, 2027 $2,000.00 HOLD: Ashley Spencer January 25 to April 16, 2027 $2,000.00 HOLD: TBD $2,000.00 Cube Space Signage (Minute Man Press) MS_FY27_VN#26973_MinuteManPress_#56620_148_$425.71 $450.00 $425.71 MS_FY27_VN#26973_MinuteManPress_#56862_148_$425.71 $450.00 $425.71 HOLD: MM Press Ashley Spencer January 25 to April 16, 2027 $450.00 HOLD: TBD $450.00 Cube Space Photography (Chris Grunder Photography) MS_FY27_VN#53124_ChrisGrunder_Invoice1508_$340 $500.00 $340.00 HOLD: Lena Coletto Exhibit October 26 to January 15, 2027 $500.00 HOLD: Ashley Spencer January 25 to April 16, 2027 $500.00 HOLD: TBD $500.00 59 of 82 Cube Space Window Cleaning (A1 Stuart's Clear Choice) MS_FY27_VN#35831_A1TheClearChoice_Invoice36736_$250 $400.00 $250.00 HOLD: Lena Coletto Exhibit October 26 to January 15, 2027 $400.00 HOLD: Ashley Spencer January 25 to April 16, 2027 $400.00 HOLD: TBD $400.00 Cube Space Artist Talks (BAC Costs 562.50 x 4 = $2250 PO: 22604551) MS_FY27_VN#2301_BAC_INV#2026COBCS-2_$562.50 $562.50 $562.50 HOLD: BAC Costs Lena Coletto Exhibit October 26 to January 15, 2027 $562.50 HOLD: BAC Costs Ashley Spencer January 25 to April 16, 2027 $562.50 HOLD: TBD $600.00 Cube Space Artist Talks (Artist Costs: 22604552 (NTE) MS_FY27_VN#56276_AbiamAlvarez_INV#09.01.2026_$200 $200.00 $200.00 HOLD: Artist Talk Lena Coletto Exhibit October 26 to January 15, 2027 $200.00 HOLD: Artist Talk Ashley Spencer January 25 to April 16, 2027 $200.00 HOLD: TBD $200.00 Civic Arts Communications and Postage $600.00 Kavamore Press "Thank You for your Collaboration Card" with Poet Laurate $600.00 $600.00 Poet Laureate Program $16,600.00 "There's A Poem in Your Mailbox" Project Spring 2027 $6,000.00 $16,600.00 HOLD: Poet 2 year fee (for Jan 2028 - Jan 2030) $10,000.00 HOLD: Panelists fee (for Jan 2028 - Jan 2030) $600.00 Aquatic Park 2D Contract 32500188 $49,000.00