A. Introduction. Good infrastructure, lighting, and spatial dimensions make the built environment work properly. However, the creative details that we add are what bring our towns and cities to life. We can use beauty to say something about who we are, where we came from, and who we wish to be. Works of art do not need to be grand monuments or sculptures. Everyday items can help tell the story of Santa Clara's culture and history—even an elegant light fixture or sculpted door knob. The intent of this Section is to provide ideas and encourage the incorporation of art, in big and small ways, into the private realm of Downtown's buildings, facades, entrances, and setback areas. In this way, Santa Clara can both reflect and inspire the people who live here.
B. Standard. All projects shall provide at least one piece of art—including artistically-executed functional elements—every 50 feet along its street frontage. Such elements serve as "gifts to the street" from private development. Qualifying pieces of art are subject to the following standards:
1. Art which meets this requirement shall:
a. be located within 10 feet of the front property line or within a publicly accessible on-site open space;
b. be visible or accessible to the public for a minimum of 40 hours per week;
c. be permanent or semi-permanent in nature, designed to last at least 5 years; and
d. go above and beyond the base requirements of the other Sections of this Code to contribute to the unique quality of Downtown Santa Clara’s public realm through artistic expression.
2. Art which meets this requirement may include—but is not limited to—the following:
a. painting—including permanently affixed works such as murals or frescoes;
b. reliefs—including carvings, frescoes, mosaics, and earth works;
c. sculpture—including statues, fountains, mobiles and monuments;
d. ornamental or commemorative structures;
e. mixed or conceptual media in any combination of forms or media—including drawings, collages, or the use of sound, light, or water. Water, neon, fiber optic and electronic sculptures are not encouraged due to difficulty of maintenance, though such art may be permitted if adequate assurance of continued maintenance is provided;
f. decorative and/or utilitarian crafts—including those in clay, fiber, wood, metal, glass, stained glass, and other materials; and/or
g. artistically designed elements which can also serve a functional purpose, such as a bench or bike rack, that have been specifically and originally designed as a unique artistic element for the project and are not a mass production or replication.
3. Art which meets this requirement may not include the following:
a. directional elements such as supergraphics, signage, or color coding except where these elements are integral parts of the original work of art or executed by artists in unique or limited editions;
b. objects which are mass produced of standard design such as banners, signs, playground equipment, benches, statuary, street barriers, sidewalk barriers, or fountains;
c. reproduction, by mechanical or other means, of original works of art—unless they are limited editions controlled by the artist(s) of original works;
d. landscape architecture, gardening, or materials, except where these elements are designed by the artist and are integral or part of the work of art created by the artist;
e. landscaping required by the City as part of development entitlements; or
f. artwork that is similar to, reminiscent of, or based on a corporate logo.
C. Examples. The following images serve as examples of art.
Murals
Murals can turn any vertical surface into an opportunity to bring beauty and share stories or local history.
Santa Clara, CA San Jose, CA Sidewalk Plaques
Sidewalk plaques can be a playful way of telling the history of a specific spot on a map while adding surprise and delight.
A reminder for people to look up
A whole section of sidewalk can becomes a commemoration plaque Urban Furniture
Urban furniture that goes above and beyond its function requirements can serve as art.
Bike rack
Outdoor seating
Trash bin Courtyard and Entryway Art
On-site works of art, from a beautifully designed building entry to a fountain installed in a semi-private courtyard, are a wonderful gifts to the city and its residents. They create an artistic interface between the architecture and the public realm.
Entries which incorporate sculptural reliefs and murals A sculptural fountain in a court which can be accessed or viewed by the public.
An sculptural and playful entry sign which isn't just the business logo.
