The Recommendations Center on Changes to the Mural Display and Surrounding Space
The Santa Monica City Council voted on Tuesday to proceed with ten actions resulting from the Reframe: City Hall Mural project. This decision opens the path for new artwork and educational materials aimed at recognizing and contextualizing the history, depictions, and omissions within the Stanton Macdonald-Wright mural in the City Hall lobby.
Proposed by consultant Meztli Projects and endorsed by the City Council, the recommendations center on two key areas: concrete changes to the mural display and surrounding space, and broader equity-focused initiatives aligning with the city’s commitment to Racial Justice, Equity & Social Diversity.
The initial set of actions concerning the mural includes commissioning additional artworks for the City Hall lobby, creating interpretive signage incorporating diverse perspectives, ensuring public art aligns with equity and belonging, and developing educational materials in collaboration with schools and community partners.
Implementation of those actions, led by the Recreation and Arts Department’s Cultural Affairs Division, will commence this year.
This initiative, part of Acknowledge + Reframe Together, aims to create public art and civic memory projects that prioritize community voices, fostering a more equitable Santa Monica by acknowledging and amplifying historically excluded voices.
