The San Francisco Arts Commission (SFAC) is mixing things up with its latest announcements, and the city's public spaces could look quite different come next year. SFAC has put out the Shaping Legacy Audit Report, a detailed dive into the 105 pieces that fill out the city's current Civic Art Collection. Along with this comprehensive review, there's an open call, through a Request for Proposals (RFP), for artists to pitch temporary public art installations designed to question, challenge, and rethink the whole concept of monuments.
As per the SFAC press release, Ralph Remington, Director of Cultural Affairs, said, "The Shaping Legacy Audit Report is a powerful step forward in reckoning with how we understand and tell our city’s stories through art in public spaces." He added, "Too often, monuments have centered narrow perspectives and excluded voices. Our continued work with Shaping Legacy, building on the work of the Monuments and Memorials Advisory Committee, challenges us to imagine a more inclusive, honest, and democratic public realm where all communities see their histories acknowledged and their contributions celebrated."
It's not just about looking at what's already there; the SFAC wants to stir the pot with new, temporary works that engage the community and tell more of the city's diverse stories. This fresh approach is a nod to those public calls for a cityscape more reflective of its rich cultural tapestry. The RFP is casting a wide net, inviting artists, collectives, and "cultural visionaries" to take a crack at reshaping San Francisco's commemorative landscape in 2026.
The SFAC's Instagram post highlighted the initiative, noting that this move comes as a reaction to a growing demand for historical and cultural framing around the City’s monuments and memorials - essentially, an opportunity for learning, healing, and inclusion. They emphasize that this is your chance to witness and participate actively in this shift.
