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Zuniga, Diana From: Michelle Wright < Sent: Saturday, March 14, 2026 6:32 PM To: eComment; Zurita, Bianca Subject: [Request for Community Feedback] Draft - City of Santa Ana Public Art Policy Due Monday, March 16 by 8am Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana.Use caution when opening attachments or links. As a Resident Artist at the Santa Ana Arts Collective and a recipient of the 2023 Investing in the Artist Grant, I believe it would be beneficial for the City to consider establishing an unbiased Arts and Cultural Liaison to help bridge communication between artists and the City. I understand this idea was originally suggested by Skeith DeWine more than 25 years ago, and it still feels very relevant today. A liaison could help ensure artists are aware of ongoing and upcoming opportunities while also providing a consistent point of contact who understands both City processes and the needs of the artistic community. It may also be helpful for the policy to more clearly emphasize opportunities for public input and input from artists who work specifically in public art. Because the policy focuses on integrating art into public spaces, perspectives from both the community and experienced public artists could be valuable in areas such as site selection, design considerations, and long-term maintenance. From my own experience with the 2023 Investing in the Artist Grant, project-based insurance coverage could also be helpful. While insurance costs can be included in the project budget, coverage must already be in place before financial assistance is released. Offering an option for project-based insurance could remove a barrier and make these opportunities more accessible to artists. The section banning AI-generated artwork may also be broader than intended. Many artists use Al tools during brainstorming or concept development, even when the final work is entirely original. Clarifying that the final artwork must be created by the artist,while allowing digital tools during early design phases, could avoid unintentionally excluding artists. Lastly,the restriction on political or religious imagery may benefit from clarification. Public art often reflects cultural history, identity, or social issues,which can sometimes intersect with those themes. Clarifying that the intent is to avoid promotional or partisan messaging could help ensure meaningful cultural expression is not unintentionally limited. 1