Port of San Diego Celebrates the Arts throughout October

The Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners approved a proclamation at its October 14 meeting recognizing October 2025 as "Celebration of the Arts Month" in support of National Arts and Humanities Month.

"The Port is proud to be a longtime champion for the arts by enriching our public spaces with artworks for both residents and visitors to enjoy," said Chair Danielle Moore, Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners. "This month is an opportunity to join together to celebrate the unifying power of the arts in bridging cultures and sharing the stories of the people, places and wildlife across our waterfront."

The Port began its public arts initiatives in the 1980s to help activate its parks, piers and businesses across its five member cities. Some artworks are commissioned directly by the Port, while others are created through tenant projects, community proposals, or special exhibitions. Artwork can be found all around - on the sides of buildings, set into sidewalks, and in open green park spaces. Throughout October and all year long, the community is encouraged to explore public artwork around San Diego Bay through six self-guided tours.

The Port regularly invests in commissioning public art and contributing to the San Diego region's creative economy. Currently, the Port is seeking artists to apply to develop artwork as part of a new splash pad that will be installed at Portwood Pier Plaza in Imperial Beach. This opportunity is open until October 24, 2025.

National Arts and Humanities Month was established more than 30 years ago and is the nation's largest celebration of arts and culture. This year's theme, Stories Unite Us, focuses on the importance of creativity in shaping our lives and our communities. The Port joins thousands of government agencies and arts and cultural organizations in raising public awareness about the role of the arts in our society. In addition to promoting and celebrating arts month with the public, the Port is also encouraging its staff to engage with public art throughout October.