The City of Whittier has a large and active arts community whose efforts are visible throughout the City and year-around. In 1987, the City of Whittier authorized the formation of the Cultural Arts Commission as the official agency for the encouragement and development of the arts in the community and schools.

In an attempt to achieve its mission, the Commission has several standing committees that report on cultural matters. Those committees include:

Cultural Arts in Whittier

• Art in Public Places
• Concerts in the Park
• Community Arts Coalition
• Whittier Cultural Arts Foundation
• Whittier Nights at the Hollywood Bowl
• Visual Art

Art in Public Places
In 1993 the City Council adopted the Art in Public Places Ordinance (12.52), which established a percent for art program in the City. The intent of the program is to provide a collection of nationally recognized artwork throughout the city to be of public benefit. The Ordinance requires new residential, commercial or manufacturing development having a total value of $250,000 or more to provide art work valued at one-half of one percent of the total project cost or pay in-lieu contributions equal to the same amount. The Art in Public Places Advisory Board advises the Commission and the Council on public art matters.Click on the links below for more information on City public art projects.

Rocket Robin Takes Off
“Rocket Robin,” the City of Whittier’s newest public artwork, soared into the spotlight with its official dedication on January 21.

The whimsical sculpture greets visitors at the entrance to the Parnell Park Storybook Zoo.

“Rocket Robin,” a multi-layered aluminum structure, is 20 feet long and 12 feet high. The artwork celebrates the beloved harbinger of Spring, the robin, while adding a humorous, science fiction quality with its construction, which is reminiscent of the Airstream Travel Trailers, is an icon of Spring vacations from years gone by.

“We began our search for public art for this location about four years ago, shortly after the Parnell Park Community Center was completed,” said Bruce Wood, Art in Public Places Committee Chair. “I feel very lucky to have Whittier be the recipient of this wonderful work, a piece that turns heads, even as the robin itself cocks its head to look back at us with its bright eye. I hope those who see it feel as I do, happy to have captured this eye-catching, smile-getting sculpture.”

“Rocket Robin” is the fifth City of Whittier commissioned public artwork, and is especially appropriate at the Zoo, where it joins a variety of beloved barnyard animals.

For more information on the City of Whittier’s Art in Public Places program, call the Community Services Department at 562-464-3360.

Arts in Public Places - Brochure
572 KB - (Requires Adobe Reader)

Community Arts Coalition

The Community Arts Coalition is a group of local non-profit arts organizations. Click here for more information.

Whittier Cultural Arts Foundation
To assist the Commission in its effort to keep the arts alive in the City, the Whittier Cultural Arts Foundation was established in 1991. The Foundation has been working to fund the arts through the generous help of its members and contributions from local organizations. The mission of the Foundation is to:

• Raise funds for incorporating the arts in all public and private sectors;
• Provide a network of support and supporters for the arts;
• Encourage and assist schools in making the arts a part of every student’s experience;
• Promote growth in the arts through increased community involvement and;
• Support and Appreciate the arts and nurture the artists

Since its inception, the Foundation has funded many programs. Arts education was identified as a community need and the starting point of a broader plan to support the arts. The Foundation utilizes a Request for Proposal (RFP) program to fund cultural programs and reviews grant requests on an annual basis. Local arts organizations and schools apply for grants from the Foundation by completing an RFP application. Applications are available January through February from the Community Services Department in City Hall at (562) 464-3360.

The Foundation is proud to have funded a wide variety of cultural arts programs, such as:

• Students from the Whittier Union High School District are able to take tours of museums such as the Huntington Library, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Getty Center.
• Live Shakespeare plays for seventh and eighth grade students presented by professional actors in an authentic theatrical setting.
• Music appreciation taught by professional musicians from the Rio Hondo Symphony for fourth and fifth grade students in the Whittier City and East Whittier School Districts. Students receive hands-on instruction.
• Creative visual arts instruction for talented youth in collaboration with the Whittier Art Association.
• Outreach programs provided by the Shannon Center for local elementary schools.
• Several local school music, dance, drama and visual arts programs that provide hands-on experience and increase students’ appreciation of the arts.

Community Street Banner Program
Artists of all ages are encouraged to submit designs for this unique annual public art program that is enjoyed by the entire community. More information will be forthcoming in December.

Whittier Nights at the Hollywood Bowl
A longtime summertime tradition, Whittier has taken concert-goers to the Bowl for over 60 years. A committee of dedicated volunteers and City staff work to coordinate the event in which buses are chartered to take residents to a concert so that participants don’t have to worry about driving or parking at the Bowl!

Visual Arts
In 1989, the City and the Commission began the City Hall Lobby Visual Arts Exhibition program. Demonstrating the City’s commitment to creating a culturally healthy community, the program has brought art and artists to the public at City Hall and Parnell Park for employees, visitors and residents alike to view and appreciate. Since that time, the lobby has exhibited a diverse collection of art including paintings, sculptures, textiles and photographs. The Visual Arts Committee reviews submissions and recommends to the Commission an exhibit schedule.