CHAPTER 2.1. Art in Public Buildings [15813. - 15813.8.]

Cal. Government Code - GOV 2.1.
in effect

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 15813. Section 15813.

The Legislature finds and declares that the State of California has a responsibility for expanding public experience with art. The Legislature recognizes that other states have enacted legislation requiring the expenditure of 1 percent of funds allocated for the construction of state buildings for works of art for such buildings.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 15813.1. Section 15813.1.

For purposes of this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings: (a) “State buildings” includes state office buildings, hospitals, and prisons, and such other state buildings which the State Architect deems appropriate for the inclusion of art as provided in this chapter. (b) “Work of art” means any work of visual art, including but not limited to, a drawing, painting, mural, fresco, sculpture, mosaic, or photograph, a work of calligraphy, a work of graphic art (including an etching, lithograph, offset print, silk screen, or a work of graphic art of like nature), crafts (including crafts in clay, textile, fiber, wood, metal, plastic, glass, and like materials), or mixed media (including a collage, assemblage, or any combination of the foregoing art media). The term “work of art” does not include environmental landscaping placed about a state building. (c) “Council” means the Arts Council. (d) “Acquisition” includes acquisition by purchase, lease, or commission.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 15813.2. Section 15813.2.

(a) Financing for works of art in state buildings shall be subject to an appropriation in the annual Budget Act. The Governor shall include a budget item for art in state buildings in the budget of the council in the annual budget submitted to the Legislature. (b) The State Architect and the council, jointly, may accept from the council any federal money made available to the council and may expend such funds for the purposes specified in this chapter.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 15813.3. Section 15813.3.

In order to carry out the purposes of this chapter, the State Architect and the council, jointly, shall do all of the following: (a) (1) Determine and implement procedures for the purchase or lease by written contract of existing works of art from an artist or the artist’s authorized agent. Works of art to be purchased or leased shall be selected by the State Architect and the council, jointly, from lists of works prepared and submitted by the council or by advisory committees empowered by the council. In making such purchases or in executing such leases, preference may be given to artists who are California residents. No lease obligation shall be incurred under the provisions of this chapter without the prior approval of the Department of Finance. (2) Determine and implement procedures, one of which shall provide for competition among artists, for the selection and commissioning of artists by written contract to create works of art. Commissioned artists shall be selected by the State Architect and the council, jointly, from lists of qualified and available artists prepared and submitted by the council or by advisory committees empowered by the council. In making such contracts, preference may be given to artists who are California residents. (3) If competition among artists is the procedure for selection of an artist pursuant to paragraph (2), a panel of three judges shall be appointed to make such selection. The panel shall consist of the State Architect or a person designated by the State Architect, a member of the council or a person designated by the council, and one person selected by the other two who shall be a visual artist, an architect or designer, a person employed by an art museum, or a collector of visual art. At least one judge on each panel shall be a working visual artist. (b) Consult with each artist commissioned regarding the design and placement of a work of art. (c) Ensure that works of art acquired pursuant to this chapter are placed in a manner so that they are within public view. (d) Ensure that the program for acquisition of works of art pursuant to this chapter results in participation by many different artists and in acquisitions from among many of the different art forms referred to in subdivision (b) of Section 15813.1. A person who is, or is related to, a member of the council or is employed by the council, or a person related to or employed in the office of the State Architect may not be selected or commissioned pursuant to this chapter. (e) Cooperate with other affected state agencies and consult with the artist to insure that each work of art acquired pursuant to this chapter is properly maintained and is not artistically altered in any manner without the consent of the artist. (f) Promulgate rules and regulations, as necessary, in consultation with the council, and any other person, group, or association in the State of California related to architecture, design, or the arts, so as to facilitate the implementation of the State Architect’s responsibilities under this chapter. (g) Authorize payments to artists for works of art acquired pursuant to this chapter.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 15813.4. Section 15813.4.

Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the selection and commissioning of artists, and the purchase and execution of works of art for state buildings shall be exempt from the provisions of the State Contract Act and other state bidding requirements.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 15813.5. Section 15813.5.

(a) The state shall receive sole ownership of each work of art acquired pursuant to this chapter, including all tangible rights and privileges thereof, subject to the following intangible rights retained by the artist: (1) The right to claim authorship of the work of art. (2) The right to reproduce such work of art, including all rights to which the work of art may be subject under copyright laws. Such rights may be limited by written contract. (3) If provided by written contract, the right to receive a specified percentage of the proceeds if the work of art is subsequently sold by the state to a third party other than as part of the sale of the building in which the work of art is located. (b) The rights granted to the artist by subdivision (a) may by written contract be extended to such artist’s heirs, assigns, or personal representatives, until after the end of the 20th year following the death of such artist. (c) Prior to execution of a written contract, the artist shall be informed in writing of the rights specified in subdivisions (a) and (b) which may be granted by contract to the artist or to the artist’s heirs, assigns, or personal representatives.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 15813.7. Section 15813.7.

If a work of art acquired pursuant to this chapter is to be sold by the state, such sale shall be made to the highest bidder, conditioned on the work of art first being offered to the artist at the bid price.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026

Starting a business in California? California LLC guide: costs and requirements