San Francisco spends approximately $22 million annually on graffiti cleanup; the Department of Public Works (DPW) alone spends $3.8 million annually on graffiti cleanup. During these trying economic times, think of the positive impact these funds could have if used on education or other needed initiatives.

As a response, the San Francisco Arts Commission (SFAC) and DPW created StreetSmARTS, which is comprised of two programs:

Where Art Lives places trained urban artists in public schools to teach youth the difference between public art and graffiti vandalism, which is simply permission. The curriculum concludes with a mural-painting project on school grounds.

StreetSmARTS mural program connects established urban artists with private property owners to create vibrant art and make the property less likely to be vandalized.

SFAC created a pool of established urban artists. Participating private property owners may select an artist from that pool to create an original mural on their property, aligning with the neighborhood’s aesthetic.

Artists who are interested in participating in the next round of StreetSmARTS should sign up for the CAE e-Newsletter to be notified of the call for artists. Property owners who are interested in having a mural placed on one of your exterior walls should contact Tyra Fennell at 415-252-2597 or e-mail tyra.fennell@sfgov.org. Priority will be given to properties in Chinatown, Bayview, Bernal Heights, Mission, Tenderloin, and Central Market neighborhoods, which are close to Where Art Lives school sites.

For more information on San Francisco Department of Public Works click here.