Indio Arts Commission approves $200,000 public arts plan, prioritizes local artists

A newer mural in the city, “Practical Galactical” by artist Lauren McElroy, can be found on Miles Avenue between Towne Street and Oasis Street.

The Indio Public Arts Commission laid the groundwork for four new pieces of art that will soon add to the city’s vast public art collection. The city is about to get even more colorful after the commission approved a $209,000 work plan Tuesday that will fund four new public art projects while prioritizing artists from Indio and the greater Coachella Valley.

The commission unanimously approved the fiscal year 2025-2026 plan during its meeting after removing one proposed project from the original budget. The approved plan now heads to the City Council for final approval and budget appropriation.

The four approved projects include a $34,000 mural at the building on the southwest corner of Oasis Street and Miles Avenue, a $62,000 mural project in the John Nobles neighborhood, and $38,000 for anti-graffiti murals on restroom buildings at three city parks. The plan also allocates $31,000 in partial funding for a piece of art for the Coachella Valley History Museum.

Though the money has been okayed by the commission, they still have to decide on an artist and artwork for each location.

Commissioners voted to remove a $49,000 project that would have installed decorative railing and sculpture near Monroe Street and Highway 111. Commissioner E.J. Neumeyer made the motion to strike the project, citing concerns about the location and budget allocation.

The new projects represent part of a larger $765,800 total arts budget that includes $558,800 in carryover projects from previous years. Those ongoing projects include a delayed 9/11 memorial, murals on the Fred Waring bridge, and sculptures at various city locations.

Commissioner Gilbert Marrujo used the meeting to advocate for future equestrian-themed artwork that would honor Indio’s historical mounted police unit from the 1950s and 1960s.

“We had actual police officers and their horses,” Marrujo said. “We had the CV vaqueros, and that was huge. We had a lot of people who owned horses here and actually used them in parades, in searches.”

The anti-graffiti mural project will target Jackson Park, Dr. Carreon Park and Miles Avenue Park, with $10,000 allocated for each location. Staff said the murals are designed to deter vandalism, particularly when combined with anti-graffiti coating that makes removal easier.

The commission’s recommendation will go before the City Council for final approval and budget appropriation. Any changes to individual project budgets or themes will require future commission review before implementation.