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The Malibu Arts Commission must approve the temporary installation of artwork displayed at City properties and facilities. In considering approval, the Malibu Arts Commission must evaluate proposals to ensure it meets the City’s mission to promote a rich, diverse, and stimulating cultural environment for residents, visitors, and employees. Additionally, the artwork must enhance the city’s image nationally and internationally.

Below are the steps necessary to obtain Malibu Arts Commission approval for temporary artwork installation on City property and facilities. 

Note: The City cannot provide financial support for temporary art installations. The artists must cover all costs associated with the display of artwork.

Criteria for Approval:

• The artwork should enhance the public’s experience of the site.
• The artwork should provide an opportunity to expose the public to diverse artists and artistic styles.
• The artwork should not contradict the City’s values of environmental sustainability, accessibility, and cultural inclusiveness.
• Artwork should be appropriate in scale, media, and context with its intended display location.
• In an outdoor environment, the artwork should withstand coastal climate conditions and be maintained by the artist throughout the public display period.
• The artwork must not present a safety hazard. It must comply with all applicable building codes and disability access requirements.
• The proposed artwork will be evaluated and will not impede the typical uses of the site.
• The artist must be willing to pay all costs associated with the temporary display. Costs may include framing or display stands, required insurance, and permit fees.

1.  Determine Installation Site

Determine the installation site, which must be on City property or in a City facility.

2. Prepare a Proposal for the Malibu Arts Commission Review

Please submit the following:

• Complete a Temporary Public Art Proposal Form (this application).
• One letter of community support, which may be from a Malibu Arts Commissioner.
• A brief artwork description. Please address how the artwork relates to the site.
• An image of the artwork.
• An image of the proposed site.
• A timeline, including dates of installation and deinstallation.
• A maintenance plan for the duration of the display.
• If required, structural engineer drawings to ensure the safety and stability of the proposed installation to conduct a risk assessment.
• Resume of the artist(s).

3. Proposal Review by the Community Services Department

City staff will review submitted documents to determine if the artist needs to provide additional proposal details. The artist may be asked to meet with staff to explain further or clarify the proposal.

4. Approval of Proposal by the Arts Commission

The Malibu Arts Commission will review temporary art display proposals during a Regular Commission meeting. The Commission meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 9:30 AM at Malibu City Hall (23825 Stuart Ranch Road, Malibu, CA 90265).

• The City and the artist would enter into a one-year Art Loan and License Agreement.
• The Malibu Arts Commission will have final approval of the display location. The display location may change throughout the Art Loan and License Agreement.
• The City will provide a nameplate for the artwork.
• The City will promote the artwork and artist on social media and City websites. 
• Artist applications will be on file for two years.
• The Malibu Arts Commission has no permanent collection and will not accept artwork donations.

• The Malibu Arts Commission will select one artwork from an artist showcased in the Malibu City Gallery. The Commission would choose one piece of artwork from the multi-artist shows.
• The City and the artist would enter into a one-year Art Loan and License Agreement.
• The Malibu Public Art Exhibitions Ad Hoc will select the display location at Malibu City Hall.
• Up to seven pieces will be in the Malibu City Gallery Temporary Art Collection.
• The City will provide a nameplate for the artwork.
• The City will promote the Malibu City Gallery Temporary Art Collection program, artwork, and artists on social media and City websites.

The Temporary Art Display Guidelines are not part of City Council Resolution No. 17-35 implementation of guidelines for the Art in Public Places Ordinance under Malibu Municipal Code Section 17.74.020.

Each of the signatories hereto warrants and represents that he or she is competent and agrees to the waiver terms. The waiver will be considered signed when the signature of a party is delivered physically or electronically on the online form. Such electronic signatures will be treated in all respects as having the same effect as an original signature.