Oxnard Cultural Arts Commission briefed on Public Art Fund rules, balance of $1.57 million

Julia Stratoculture, Arts Manager, told the Oxnard Cultural Arts Commission on Feb. 24, 2026, that the city’s Public Art Fund held $1,570,028.10 and that the fund’s uses are limited to project-related physical public art within city limits. "The current balance in the Public Art Fund as of 02/24/2026 is $1,570,028.10," she said.

Stratoculture said the fund is supported by a public art development fee collected as part of Oxnard’s development impact fees, currently set at 39¢ per square foot of new roofed space. Developers can comply with the requirement either by commissioning and installing on-site public art subject to Planning Division review or by paying an in-lieu fee into the Oxnard Public Art Fund for city-directed projects.

She referenced a November 2021 report from the city attorney’s office and a change in legislation effective Jan. 1, 2022, that narrowed permissible uses of in-lieu payments. According to the presentation, in-lieu funds must be used for installation of art in new development or like purposes rather than for unrelated programming or general operations.

Stratoculture outlined allowable expenses charged to the fund: acquisition and commissioning costs (artist selection, panel review, design fees, fabrication, installation and purchase of original works); site preparation and installation (engineering, structural supports, lighting, landscaping, permitting and inspection, transportation and installation services); conservation and maintenance (routine and specialized maintenance, conservation assessments, restoration, deaccessioning and relocation where appropriate); and administration directly tied to specific public art projects (professional services, project management, community engagement, documentation, signage and interpretive materials).

She emphasized that all expenditures must be directly related to physical public art projects and consistent with adopted policies and ordinances. The Cultural Arts Commission provides advisory review and recommendations, while final appropriations and approvals are made by the City Council under the city’s procurement and budget authorization procedures. "Funds collected through this program are deposited into the public art fund, which is a restricted account dedicated exclusively to public art purposes consistent with the city ordinance and policy," Stratoculture said.

Stratoculture said fund balances, revenues and expenditures are tracked in the city’s financial system and reported in the annual budget. She noted the city attorney’s office will return with additional legal guidance and any updates from the state about development impact fees at a future commission meeting or retreat. The presentation concluded with an offer for questions and a promise to refer legal or detailed questions to the city attorney’s office for a follow-up report.