Public Art on Campus Committee

The San Diego Community College District guarantees freedom of expression provided that such expression does not result in a disruption to the orderly operations of campus and District programs and activities.

Free Speech Areas

City College has recommended areas for a variety of free speech activities, i.e., speeches/presentations, rallies, distribution of literature, posting, and voter registration. The map on the back of this brochure identifies the recommended free speech areas. If you have any questions or need clarification, contact the Office of Student Affairs.

Restrictions shall not be placed on subject matter, topics, or viewpoints expressed in the recommended free speech areas.

The recommended free speech areas are listed on the map.

All visitors are encouraged to check in with the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs to advise campus officials of their presence on campus.

Tables, chairs, a sound system, and other support materials or supplies will not be provided by the college.

Parking permits will not be provided.

Posting

• Posting of materials by other than college affiliated groups, will not be permitted on campus except in the recommended free speech areas.
• Kiosks and/or bulletin boards located in the recommended free speech areas are recommended for general posting. See locations on the map.
• Posting is not permitted on building surfaces, trees, elevators, or grounds.
• Material content must convey lawful activities and not be misleading.
• Commercial literature must have the organization/institution affiliation, along with address and telephone number clearly stated.
• Materials posted on recommended “free speech” bulletin boards or kiosks will be removed weekly.
• City College does not endorse, approve, authorize, sponsor, or regulate any commercial business, commodity, or service posted or distributed on campus.

Distribution of Literature

• Petitions, circulars, leaflets, newspapers, and printed materials may be distributed in the recommended free speech areas.
• No person or organization distributing materials in the free speech areas shall coerce any person into accepting any material.
• Newspapers, leaflets, and other printed materials may be left for distribution in recommended areas only. Check with the Office of Student Affairs or check the map.
• Litter resulting from discarded materials in and around the free speech areas must be retrieved by persons distributing the material prior to departure.

Solicitation on Campus

• The college does not endorse or authorize solicitation of personal information or resources from students or staff.

Use of Campus Space by External Organizations

• Please contact the Office of Student Affairs for guidelines on use of campus space by external organizations.

Resources:

• Guidelines for Free Speech Activities
• District Guidelines for Free Speech Activities
• BP 3900 — Posting and Distribution of Literature, Political Activities, Free Speech and Freedom of Expression on Campus and District Sites

• A Building Schwartz Square
• M Building near Student Affairs entrance
• S Building courtyard
• Curran Plaza near North Entrance of C Building
• AH/BT Buildings Lower Quad
• MS Building Quad

• M Building near Student Affairs entrance
• Near East side of M Building
• Southwest Corner of M Building
• S Building East Entrance 
• East and West Corners of Curran Plaza near C Building
• Southeast Corner of MS Building Quad

As of August 8, 2025, these guidelines are currently being updated and reviewed by the Public Art on Campus Committee.

POLICY STATEMENT

San Diego City College (hereafter referred to as “the College”) affirms that art enriches campus life, fosters community engagement, and should be an integral part of the daily experience for students, faculty, and staff.

SCOPE

This policy applies to public-facing artwork displayed in common areas of the campus, including:

• Hallways
• Lobbies
• Building exteriors
• Outdoor spaces
• Other publicly accessible areas

EXCLUSIONS

• Artwork displayed inside classrooms or tied to instructional coursework is excluded unless it is placed in public-facing areas.
• Artwork displayed within the College’s art gallery is exempt from this policy and the Public Art Committee (PAC) review process.

DEFINITION OF PUBLIC ART

Public art includes any artwork installed or exhibited in public areas on College property. This encompasses both temporary and permanent works in outdoor and indoor public spaces such as building façades, fixtures, fences, lobbies, social spaces, and meeting rooms. Where existing building/campus art exhibition policies are in force, the existing policy will supersede this policy.

PUBLIC ART COMMITTEE (PAC)

PURPOSE

The PAC is responsible for reviewing permanent or semi-permanent public-facing artwork. It does not govern temporary or instructional displays unless they are placed in public view.

COMPOSITION

The PAC is an ad-hoc committee reporting to the President’s Council and includes:

• 2 faculty members (appointed by the Academic Senate) • 2 students (appointed by the Associated Students Government)
• 2 classified staff (1 from the Classified Senate, 1 from Facilities)
• 1 administrator/manager to convene the committee Community representatives may be added at the discretion of the PAC and the College President.

MEETING SCHEDULE

The PAC meets as needed during the academic year and does not meet during the summer.

REVIEW AND APPROVAL PROCESS

All proposals for public art—regardless of duration, size, or form—must be reviewed by the PAC and approved by the College Council. The PAC evaluates proposals based on:

1. Site Appropriateness Artwork must suit the scale, materials, and context of the proposed location.
2. Durability and Safety Artwork must be structurally sound, well-crafted, and pose no safety or environmental hazards.
3. Display Duration The intended display period must be clearly defined. The PAC will also consider timelines for potential removal or relocation.
4. Installation and Maintenance A funding source must be identified to cover acquisition, shipping, installation, insurance, appraisal, storage, and ongoing maintenance.

PROCEDURES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Funding may come from:

• Building project budgets
• Institutional funds
• Public grants
• Private contributions (endowments, bequests, direct gifts)

These funds may be expended for art acquisitions, travel, consultation, freight, site preparation, installation, maintenance, conservation, insurance, labeling, lighting, publications, administration, and collection management.

All activities involving the solicitation, acquisition, and acceptance of private gifts on behalf of the community college must be in accordance with Board Policy. Prospective gifts and grants for artwork will be cleared for solicitation and coordinated with the College’s overall fundraising efforts.

Proposals that require the integration of artwork into building plans must comply with this policy and Board Policy.

OWNERSHIP AND REMOVAL

Accepted public art becomes a College asset. A responsible department or unit must be designated for management and recordkeeping. A master list of all College-owned artwork will be maintained by the President’s Office.

SEASONAL REMOVAL DISCLAIMER

Facilities staff may temporarily remove artwork during intersessions or deep cleaning periods. Example: “Facilities regularly cleans public areas during breaks; artwork may be removed at that time.”

UNAUTHORIZED POSTINGS

Artwork or postings displayed without prior approval may be removed by Facilities when identified.

REMOVAL CRITERIA

Artwork may be removed if:

1. Its condition or security cannot be reasonably maintained
2. It is damaged beyond feasible repair
3. It poses a safety risk
4. Site changes compromise its relevance or integrity
5. It no longer aligns with College or District standards
6. It requires excessive maintenance or has design flaws

The College will make a diligent effort to notify the artist or heirs before removal. If no response is received within 90 days, the College may proceed.

FREE SPEECH AND BANNER POSTING GUIDELINES

BANNER LOCATIONS

Highly visible locations (e.g., the bridge between buildings) are reserved for College-sponsored banners only.

Banners unrelated to College business (e.g., personal, club-related, or non-sanctioned displays) are not permitted in these spaces.

ENFORCEMENT

Repeat offenders (e.g., departments or centers) will be notified that all postings must follow the proper approval process. All banners and flyers must be approved and/or stamped before display.

ARTIST APPLICATION FORM

The PAC will maintain and update Artist Application Form to guide submissions and ensure consistency.

Documents: SDCC Public Art Policy (2014)

San Diego City College invites artists, students, faculty, and community members to share their creativity through public art on our campus. This form is designed to guide you in submitting a proposal for artwork to be displayed at the college. Proposals will be reviewed based on site appropriateness, durability, and installation requirements to ensure the art enhances our campus environment in meaningful and lasting ways.

Please send the completed form to Vice President John Parker ([email protected]) and Administrative Assistant Dena Prater ([email protected]) for the Public Art on Campus Committee to review.

Download Public Art Proposal Form