welcome
civic engagement and public safety
through the arts
Learn more
Video by:Insageproduction
WHAT IS
‘DEAR CITY OF OCEANSIDE’?
We see art as a bridge between the community and the city. We understand the challenges of gentrification and how it can impact public spaces for arts and social engagement.
Our community and artist-run public art project is designed by cultural leaders and artists to encourage funding by Measure X. We focus on SMART public safety programming to keep these spaces accessible and meaningful for BIPOC and marginalized communities.
OUR GOAL
a vision with the purpose of
civic engagement & public safety through the arts.
Public Art Mural at “La Casita” Crown Heights Community Center curated by Dinah Poellnitz
MEET THE TEAM
Art Director
Dinah Poellnitz
Artist, Far South/Border North Cultural Practioner, The Hill Street Country Club Co-founder
Research Analyst
David Ontiveros
Oceanside Community Adovocate
Community Liason
Lleymi Martinez
Oceanside Community Advocate
MEET THE TEAM
Public Relations
Sunny Soto
Culinary Artist, Founder, SunnyStreet Outreach Movement
Social Media Lead
Astrid Gonzales
Artist, Community Advocate
ABOUT MEASURE X
Learn More about Measure X here
TAKE ACTION
Send a letter to your District Council:
council@oceansideca.org
Attn Mayor Sanchez and Esteemed Council Members,
I _________________ am writing to you today to request your support in establishing a Civic Art Fund within the yearly Measure X allocation. In 2018 Oceanside voters voted 55.7% in favor of passing the half-cent sales tax with a focus on public safety and improved public infrastructure. The new Measure X Civic Art Fund would be one expenditure that could simultaneously support both goals.
Several studies have shown that public art can reduce criminal activity in public spaces. Some researchers posit that the increased foot traffic in an area helps reduce the anonymity which induces vandalism and other crimes to occur. Beyond these theories, we know that direct investments, such as those in public art create a stronger sense of community and identity. The overwhelming majority of arts spending happens in a very small sector of Oceanside. There is a tremendous opportunity to create a divergence of public art spaces and disperse the positive impacts of sustainable tourism to other parts of our city.
Public art investment is perhaps the second most publicly impactful improvement a municipality can make beyond the basic structural improvements to infrastructure. Setting aside 1% of the annual Measure X budget for Civic Art would create a sustainable and predictable fund for beautification and public inspiration centered on our municipal infrastructure.
It is with this in mind and the countless benefits not previously mentioned that I ask for your support in establishing the new Civic Arts Fund within the 2024-25 Measure X budgetary appropriation. Thank you for your careful consideration.
Sincerely,
Oceanside Resident
STAY IN TOUCH
@DEARCITYOFOCEANSIDE
DEARCITYOFOCEANSIDE@GMAIL.COM