Help us transform South El Monte’s Industrial Canvas into a Cultural Destination

The City of South El Monte is inviting local businesses and property owners to be the face of the new Arts District. Through the Business Mural Program, your property becomes more than just a building—it becomes a landmark.

By hosting a mural, you contribute to the City’s revitalization while gaining unique marketing tools to drive customers to your door or online platform.

🚀 Program Benefits

When you participate in the Business Mural Program, the City provides a high-tech bridge between your physical location and the digital world.  Include "SEM.art" and the QR code in your art or on a plaque recognizing the artwork.  The Associated "SEM.art" and the QR code can be scanned and visitors are taken to a dedicated page featuring:

🛠 How to Get Started

Find Your Artist

The City is currently inventorying local talent. If you don't have an artist in mind, we can help connect you with creators interested in producing outdoor, durable, grand-scale art that reflects the spirit of the South El Monte Arts District.

Design 

Work with your artist and City staff to develop a vision. The program encourages designs that celebrate community heritage, creative placemaking, and "Instagrammable" moments that attract visitors, but that is also appropriate for all ages.

In accordance with the standards set forth in Municipal Code Section 17.150.20, the artwork shall positively contribute to the City’s aesthetics and must prioritize community-affirming content by strictly excluding nudity, profanity, violence, discriminatory, defamatory and other obscene language and imagery (See California Penal Code § 311, et seq.). The work should remain content-neutral except for direct advertising of the on-site businesses’ name, slogan, logo and content reflective of their business, avoiding any other commercial advertising, political campaigning, or trademarked logos that could be construed as unregulated signage. Professionally, the project must demonstrate community harmony with its surroundings and utilize high-grade, archival materials—including a UV-resistant, anti-graffiti coating—to ensure the work remains a visual asset rather than a maintenance concern. Artwork, like signage, is required to be maintained in good condition at all times per South El Monte Municipal Code Section 17.15.060.

Apply for Incentives

The City is exploring private installation incentive programs, please check back regarding incentives for private artwork installations.   

📋 Ready to Participate?

Join the movement and help us shape the future of our city.  Submit a copy of the artwork concept, location on the property or wall, letter of authorization from the property and business owner, business and artist spotlight information and email it to info@SEM.art for review and consideration.  Please allow up to 14 days for a response.  

• Obtain Approval: Email info@SEM.art with the Artist Artwork Waiver, signed property owner and business owner authorization, proposed art idea and location and obtain approval from the City.  
• Digital Integration: Include "SEM.art" and the QR code in your art or on a plaque recognizing the artwork after City approval.
• Visibility: Get featured on our Arts Map with direct links to your artwork’s location with a brief description of the artwork.  
• Marketing: Benefit from City-led cross-marketing featuring the art in the City newsletter and social media, an unveiling reception, and City Council recognition.

Note: This program is part of the Arts District Overlay implementation and may change at any time. Funding and formal ordinance adoption are scheduled for Summer 2026. Contact us today to participate!

🗺 Arts Map

Want to see where the art is happening? View our Arts Map to see current installations, artist bios, and participating business locations.