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Public Art Program

Art brings color, creativity, and connection to our community. From murals to creative installations, public art helps tell the story of Isla Vista and the people who call it home.

The Isla Vista Community Services District is proud to support the growth of public art in our community. Through our Public Art Program, we provide opportunities for property owners and local artists to collaborate on projects that beautify and inspire.

Utility box painted with a beach and ocean scene, next to a building with palm trees.
Utility Box- Tropicana Del Norte: Ella Carrigan
Utility box painted with colorful abstract tree and map design, labelled "Isla Vista."
Camino Corto Utility Box: Elsa Winter
Utility box painted with butterflies and flowers, warning sticker, gravel ground, apartment building in background.
Butterfly Utility Box (located in front of One Mosaic): Taite Jimerson
A colorful bench with floral and hummingbird artwork, set against a chain-link fence and parked cars.
Bus Bench Mural: Taili Sherwood-Kong
Colorful planter box with flowers and leaves, wooden benches, trees, and a small building in a sunny garden setting.
St Mikes Garden Box: Outlined by Diego Melgoza. Painted in by community members.
Utility box painted with a beach and ocean scene, next to a building with palm trees.
Utility box painted with colorful abstract tree and map design, labelled "Isla Vista."
Utility box painted with butterflies and flowers, warning sticker, gravel ground, apartment building in background.
A colorful bench with floral and hummingbird artwork, set against a chain-link fence and parked cars.
Colorful planter box with flowers and leaves, wooden benches, trees, and a small building in a sunny garden setting.

All murals featured on this page were created in partnership with the IVCSD.

Get Involved with Public Art in Isla Vista! 

Funding for Property Owners 

Are you a business or residential property owner interested in adding a mural to your property — or maintaining or revamping an existing one? IVCSD offers funding opportunities to help make it possible.

Project funding decisions are made in alignment with our Public Art Policy, which provides guidelines for selecting and supporting projects. These guidelines consider factors such as:

  • Site-specific design and scale
     
  • Durability and maintenance needs
     
  • Contribution to community pride and culture
     
  • Safety and appropriateness for public viewing
     
  • Engagement with Isla Vista’s history and diversity of voices
     

👉 Apply for mural funding or mural maintenance support here (Google Form link)
👉 Read the full Public Art Policy: 

IVCSD Public Art Policy.pdf

If you’re interested in bringing a mural to your property but need help with the application process or connecting with an artist, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly at ivbeautiful@islavistacsd.com — We would be happy to support you.

Please note: submitting an application does not guarantee funding. All requests are reviewed based on the criteria outlined in the Public Art Policy and are dependent on available funding.

 

Opportunities for Artists 

We’re always looking to connect with talented artists who want to be part of our public art projects.

If you’re interested in joining our artist pool, please email ivbeautiful@islavistacsd.com with the following:

  • Your name
  • Contact information
  • Portfolio or examples of previous work
  • Relevant experience or recognition
  • (Optional) Any mural ideas you’d like to share
     

Please note: Submitting your work does not guarantee selection for a project, but it ensures that you’ll be considered for future opportunities.