Cultural Arts Division
Tracy Arts Commission, Civic Art Program and the operations and programming of the Grand Theatre Center for the Arts.
The City of Tracy Fee Schedule includes the annual rates and fees for facility rentals, equipment and staffing at the Grand Theatre Center for the Arts.
Tracy Arts Commission
The Tracy Arts Commission (TAC) was established in 1991 for the purposes of: maintaining the Civic Art Plan, contributing to the quality of life of the residents of Tracy through the high-quality civic spaces and access to a broad array of artistic experiences, expanding the knowledge and understanding of the community’s history and culture, supporting the economic vitality of the City through increased property values and cultural tourism, and reinforcing downtown as a cultural destination.
The TAC advises the City Council on the subjects of public art and other community arts-related projects. This includes private development and public/private partnerships supporting the creation of public art. In addition, the TAC supports artists and arts organizations by promoting their events, and providing resources and educational tools. The TAC commits to nourishing artistic vision, honoring diversity, supporting creativity and promoting cooperative partnerships through the Re-Granting Program.
Re-Granting Program
On behalf of the City of Tracy, the TAC welcomes applications for the Re-Granting Program for Tracy-based artists of all kinds, arts educators, and arts organizations who seek to develop and presents arts and cultural-based projects in Tracy. Projects must be accessible to the public in the form of events and activities such as classes, exhibits, festivals, performances, screenings, readings, and workshops.
The purpose of the Re-Granting Program is to:
- Strengthen resources available to the creative community;
- Encourage and support collaborative projects;
- Promote arts education while serving diverse audiences;
- Increase public access to the arts.
A Call For Applications will be issued in the fall of 2025, for projects to be completed by June 2026.
Civic Art Program
Tracy City Council adopted the Civic Art Plan in 2003. This art in public places and spaces programming invests in, celebrates, and beautifies our community. The TAC, City Staff and project stakeholders work on dynamic teams to develop a wide array of design and fine art components.
Civic Art projects contribute to the economic vitality of Tracy in many different ways including downtown redevelopment, cultural tourism, quality of life and branding. The arts are a partner in the enhancement of the urban environment, bringing innovation and excitement to a range of projects from streetscapes to parks. These efforts foster a sense of community pride and celebrate our diversity. In Tracy, Civic Art not only honors history, but also builds new relationships between the past and the future.
As part of the Civic Art Program, the City holds and displays a collection of two and three-dimensional artworks in public places, lobbies, offices, and throughways of public facilities. Acquisition of these works is facilitated through the issue of Purchase Prize Awards from the annual Expressions! exhibition presented by the Tracy Art League, from the programming at the Grand Theatre Center for the Arts, and through gift and loan procedures.
The Collection is managed by the Cultural Arts Supervisor, and currently holds over 100 items including original works of art, limited editions, and historic objects by more than 60 artists/makers.
Downtown Tracy Mural Project
The Downtown Tracy Mural Project began in the summer of 2015 in conjunction with the Tracy Artwalk. The Project invites local and regional artists to create murals and street art on the walls of the Grand and the adjacent West Side Market Building. This innovative project features temporary murals owned by the City of Tracy. They remain on display from weeks to years, rotating as new works are presented. The public appreciation of these projects has led to creation of murals at other locations in downtown Tracy.
Several themes have been explored in a variety of media, ranging from spray paint to wheatpaste, energizing the streetscape and celebrating the arts in our community. We are open to any ideas which add interest and excitement to the downtown district! Artists and creative collectives are invited to submit proposals on-going. Project development is managed by the Cultural Arts Supervisor, who is available to assist artists through the process. Proposals are evaluated by the Tracy Arts Commission, kept on file and remain the property of the City of Tracy. Recommended artists will be contacted to participate in current and future opportunities.
If you are interested in the Downtown Tracy Mural Project, please provide these materials:
- Contact Info – name/address/phone/email/website
- Bio/Resume/Work Samples – tell us who you are and what you do
- Renderings – scale concept drawing(s) of the mural(s) you want to create
Proposals can be dropped off at the Box Office or mailed to:
Mural Project c/o
Grand Theatre Center for the Arts
715 Central Avenue
Tracy, CA 95376
Opportunities for Public Artists
Civic Art Projects are periodically announced, ranging from capital improvement projects to public/private collaborations. These projects create art, designed-objects, and environmental signage in public spaces, for the enjoyment of and interaction with the public-at-large.
A Request for Qualifications is anticipated to be issued for new projects in the fall of 2025.