Arts & Culture

Bench at DeGarmo Park

All the arts are alive and well in Chico as demonstrated by the fact that Chico was included as #10 in the book “The 100 Best Art Towns in America.”

Throughout the city, and on the California State University, Chico and Butte College campuses, art galleries and artist studies abound, multiple theater companies grace a variety of stages, music of all genres is available every night of the week, dance in all its forms is available throughout the year, and literary events are plentiful. Every weekend there is some kind of arts and cultural festival, fair, or celebration.

Public art is everywhere. Stand-alone pieces, functional art, architectural art elements, and commemorative work can be found on sidewalks, at the airport, in traffic medians, in parks, on bridge abutments, and on and in public buildings. (Informative Brochure/Map of Public Art in Chico)

The City of Chico has been commissioning public art since 1996 and has over 40 works in its collection. Public art projects are funded in a variety of ways, but primarily with Redevelopment funds and as part of design budgets for Capital Improvement Projects. Some project funds are matched with funds from the private sector. Projects are initiated by the Arts Commission, the City Council, and City departments. Art is always created with a “sense of place,” a term that refers to the physical location, its history, function, and the demographics of those who live and work in the community.

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