Developer Public Art Requirements

Shifting Landscape by Alois Kronschlaeger

Located at Art Ovation Hotel (1255 N. Palm Avenue)

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Vertice by Dorian Vee

Located at The DeSota (Central Avenue and 2nd Street)

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Standing Bow by Matthew Mattox

Located at Ringling Blvd and S. Orange Avenue (330 S Orange Ave)

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Private development plays a key role in shaping Sarasota’s vibrant public art landscape. Through the City’s Public Art Program, developers have the opportunity to contribute to a lasting visual legacy that enhances the public realm, supports economic vitality, and adds value to surrounding properties. 

Per the City Zoning Code (Article III, Division 5), any property owner or developer who applies for a building permit to construct, renovate, or make improvements to a multi-family, mixed-use, or commercial building with a construction value of $1,000,000.00 or greater is required to make a public art contribution. Developers may choose to fulfill this requirement by installing artwork on site or by contributing to the City’s public art fund, which supports projects in public spaces throughout Sarasota.

Exemptions

Affordable / Attainable Housing

Buildings or portions of buildings (calculated by square footage) that include dwelling units designated for households with an income at or below 120 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) are exempt from the public art requirement.


Individual Condominium Units

Building permits for individual condominium units are exempt from the public art requirement.

 

Developer Contribution Options

Developers may fulfill the public art requirement in one of the following ways:

Option 1: Payment to the Public Art Fund

A payment of one-half of one percent (0.5%) of the total construction valuation of the building permit.*

* An additional 0.25% public art contribution is required for qualifying projects located within the Rosemary Residential Overlay District (RROD).

Option 2: Provide Public Art

Provide public art, valued atone-half of one percent (0.5%)* of the total construction valuation of the building permit, subject to approval by the Public Art Committee. Artwork may be located:

  • On the development site, or
  • In a public place off-site, as approved.

Options for providing artwork include:

  • Purchase of an existing piece of art, or
  • Commission of a specific piece of art. For commissioned works, a deposit of 115% of the value of the public art is required prior to the issuance of the building permit.

Developers are encouraged to consider artists from the City’s pre-approved Artists Roster, which may also be referenced by developers seeking to collaborate with local artists.

* An additional 0.25% public art contribution is required for qualifying projects located within the Rosemary Residential Overlay District (RROD).

Ongoing Responsibilities

  • Maintenance and Insurance: The private property owner shall be solely responsible for the maintenance and insurance of public artworks located on their property. The property owner must enter into a maintenance and insurance agreement with the City prior to final acceptance of the public art contribution.
  • Removal or Replacement: Once a piece of art has been approved by the Public Art Committee and/or the City Commission, it shall be retained on site in its approved location and shall not be moved or removed without prior approval of both the Public Art Committee and the City Commission, as required by code.
  • Change in Ownership: If the property is sold, the responsibility for maintenance and insurance shall be assumed by the new property owner.


 

Questions?

For questions or for more information, please contact PublicArt@SarasotaFL.gov.

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