TO: CLAREMONT CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JAMIE EARL, ACTING CITY MANAGER
DATE: MAY 12, 2026
Reviewed by:
Acting City Manager: JE
SUBJECT:
Title
AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH ARTS BRIDGING THE GAP AND APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS FOR A TEEN COMMUNITY MURAL (FUNDING SOURCE: PUBLIC ART FUND)
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SUMMARY
On May 12, 2025, the Public Art Committee reviewed a proposal from the City of Claremont Teen Committee to fund a community mural project. The Teen Committee proposed partnering with Arts Bridging the Gap, a nonprofit arts organization that collaborates with local artists to design and paint murals with a focus on community engagement and placemaking. The proposed mural would be informed by input from Claremont teens.
The Teen Community Mural is envisioned as a community-based project, with themes and design elements developed through input sessions with local teens and youth. Arts Bridging the Gap would facilitate these workshops and oversee both the mural design and its execution by a local artist.
In coordination with the Teen Committee and the Claremont Village Marketing Group, staff identified a suitable location in the Village for the mural. The proposed site is the east-facing wall of Lizzie’s Gold Mine, a business located on Second Street, with the proposed wall along Alley 43. The property owner has consented to the use of the wall for this project.
The Public Art Committee recommended entering into an agreement with Arts Bridging the Gap (Attachment A) and allocating $10,000 from the Public Art Fund to support the project.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the City Council:
A. Authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Arts Bridging the Gap in the amount of $10,000 for the facilitation of community engagement events, mural design, and installation; and
B. Appropriate $10,000 from the Public Art Fund to fund the purchase and installation of the artwork.
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ALTERNATIVE TO RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the staff recommendation, there is the following alternative:
• Request additional information.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The proposed agreement with Arts Bridging the Gap includes facilitating public engagement events, developing a mural design, and painting the mural with assistance from the community. The amount of the agreement is $10,000.
Sufficient funds are available in the Public Art Fund for this agreement and if approved, the balance of the Public Art Fund will be $106,307.
The staff cost to prepare this report and administer the program is estimated at $450 and is included in the operating budget of the Administrative Services Department.
ANALYSIS
On February 19, 2025, the Teen Committee received an oral presentation regarding potential opportunities for collaboration with the Public Art Committee during the school year. During this meeting, the Teen Committee introduced a proposal to develop a public art mural in partnership with Arts Bridging the Gap, a nonprofit arts organization specializing in community-based mural projects.
At its March 10, 2025 meeting, representatives from the Teen Committee presented the proposed mural project to the Public Art Committee. The Committee expressed support for the concept and directed staff to return with the item on a future agenda for further discussion. On May 12, 2025, staff brought back the project for review and funding consideration. The Public Art Committee unanimously recommended the project for approval and recommended funding the project of $10,000.
The proposed mural project would begin with a community engagement process focused on teens and children in Claremont. Arts Bridging the Gap would facilitate this process, which includes a series of visioning workshops designed to gather input and ideas from participants. The Teen Committee would assist with outreach and help facilitate the workshops.
Following the engagement process, an artist selected by Arts Bridging the Gap, in coordination with the City, would develop a mural design incorporating community input. The proposed design would be reviewed by both the Teen Committee and the Public Art Committee. Upon approval, the artist would prepare the mural for community participation by outlining the design in a “paint-by-numbers” format. Community members would then be invited to assist with painting during designated workdays, after which the artist would complete the mural. The completed mural would be coated with an anti-graffiti sealant.
The Public Art Committee requested that the selected artist be based in Claremont or the surrounding area. The Executive Director of Arts Bridging the Gap confirmed with staff that local artist Isabel Flores would be the lead artist on the project.
After reviewing and pursuing several potential mural sites, the east facing wall of Lizzie’s Gold Mine was selected for the mural. The blank wall is in Alley 43. Staff contacted the owner of Lizzie’s Gold Mine and secured approval to use the wall for the project. A MOU between the City and Lizzie’s Gold Mine has been drafted that allows the City to maintain the mural for at least 10 years. The Public Art Committee was given an update on the proposed location at its April 13, 2026 meeting.
COMMISSION REVIEW
The Public Art Committee received an oral report from Teen Committee representatives on the proposed Teen Community Mural project at its March 10, 2025 meeting as described in the minutes (Attachment B). Staff brought back a report on May 12, 2025 for review and funding consideration as noted in the meeting minutes (Attachment C).
RELATIONSHIP TO CITY PLANNING DOCUMENTS
Staff has evaluated the agenda item in relationship to the City’s strategic and visioning documents and finds the item applies to the following City Planning Documents: Council Priorities and the 2024-26 Budget.
CEQA REVIEW
This item is not subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
The agenda and staff report for this item have been posted on the City website and distributed to interested parties. If you desire a copy, please contact the City Clerk’s Office.
Submitted by: Prepared by:
Jamie Earl Bevin Handel
Acting City Manager Public Information Officer
Attachments:
A - Letter of Agreement with Arts Bridging the Gap
B - 03/10/25 Public Art Committee Meeting Minutes
C - 05/12/25 Public Art Committee Meeting Minutes