Public Art Master Plan

The Utility Box art gallery is under construction but will be coming back soon!

Under the City’s Art in Public Places Program, “art,” “artwork,” or “work of art” refers to an original physical creation by a professional artist. Artwork can be newly commissioned or existing, and may be either standalone or integrated into buildings or public spaces in collaboration with architects, designers, or planners.

Qualifying artwork may include, but is not limited to:

• Sculpture: Free-standing, wall-mounted, suspended, kinetic, electronic, and made from any material(s).
• Murals & Paintings: Portable or site-specific, using various mediums.
• Mixed Media & Installations: Fiber, neon, mosaics, glass, photography, prints, calligraphy, earthworks, sound, light, literary elements, film, video, holography, and new genre hybrids.
• Functional Artworks: Artist-designed furnishings and fixtures like gates, railings, lighting, seating, and signage (must be unique or limited edition).
• Architectural or Landscape Elements: Pools, benches, planters, pathways, or vegetative components—if designed by a professional artist or an artist-led team.
• Temporary Works & Community Installations: Pieces intended for education, outreach, or seasonal display.
• Artist-Co-Designed Infrastructure: Elements such as sound walls, utility structures, and streetscapes that reflect artistic collaboration.

The program requires qualifying private developments to support public art by dedicating 1% of total construction costs for projects over $100,000.

Who must participate?

• All non-residential developments
• All residential developments with more than 10 units
• Projects that involve renovating or modifying 50% or more of an existing building
• New construction within existing planned developments

Compliance options

Developers must select one of the following within 90 days of receiving the first building permit or site work permit:

Option 1: On-site Artwork

• Submit documentation showing escrowed funds equal to 1% of total construction costs (up to $100,000).
• Apply for artwork approval under the City's guidelines.
• Local Artist Incentive: If commissioning an artist from St. Lucie or nearby counties, only 90% of the 1% is required.

Option 2: Contribute to the Fund

• Pay the full public art assessment before receiving a certificate of occupancy.
• For subdivision plats, payment must be submitted at final plat recording.
• Contribution Incentive: Developers are encouraged to contribute 80% of the 1% total cost to help implement impactful projects across public spaces.

Option 3: Hybrid Approach

Combine on-site artwork and fund contribution:

• Escrow funds for a work valued less than 1%, and
• Deposit 80% of the remaining balance of the 1% into the public art fund.

Option 4: Alternative Equivalent Proposal

• Submit an alternative proposal to the Planning and Zoning Director.
• May involve combining public art assessments from multiple projects into one larger, impactful work of art, in place of multiple smaller installations.

The Public Art Advisory Board is made up of seven members and two alternates, all of whom must be residents of Port St. Lucie for at least one year prior to joining. The board meets every third Monday of each month at 6 p.m.

Apply

Membership Composition

Organizational Representatives:

• One representative from the St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce
• One representative from the Treasure Coast Builders' Association

Community Experts:

Whenever possible, the remaining board members should reflect expertise in one or more of the following areas:

• Architecture or interior design
• Landscape architecture or land use planning
• Visual arts or art-related professions
• Art or architectural history
• Art education
• Practicing artist

This diverse mix of professionals helps guide and enrich the city's public art initiatives.