About
Why Big Art
In 2024, the Big Art Loop began from an unconventional belief: Big Art can be a magnet to attract people, jobs and investments to a city.
After more than a decade of calling San Francisco home, Sid and Karen Sijbrandij and the Sijbrandij Foundation helped seed and incubate Big Art Loop in its earliest chapter. Their early support made it possible to imagine and launch a new model for public art, one rooted in connection, civic pride, and shared energy across the city.
Today, Big Art Loop is growing into something bigger. We are building on that foundation and inviting new founding supporters to join us in shaping the future of public art in San Francisco.
What We’re Building
Over the next three years, we’re installing up to 100 sculptures across San Francisco, laying the groundwork for a much bigger vision.
Each piece will be at least 10 feet tall or wide. Rather than commissioning new works, we’re bringing existing artworks, often hidden away in storage, into public life where everyone can experience them. Together, they create a 34-mile walkable and bikeable path that transforms the city into an open-air gallery.
Our long-term vision is a vibrant, continually evolving Big Art Loop, with ambitious public sculpture rotating over time to keep the experience fresh and inviting, and to give residents and visitors new reasons to step outside, explore San Francisco, and connect more deeply with the city.
Who Makes It Happen
Founding Supporters
Early supporters like the Sijbrandij Foundation helped seed and incubate Big Art Loop, bringing its first chapter to life. As the Loop grows, we’re welcoming new supporters to help shape its next chapter.
Rbhu Engineering
Structural engineers ensuring safety and feasibility.
Civic Partners
City agencies include the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD), the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department (SFRPD), the Port of San Francisco (Port), and the San Francisco Arts Commission (SFAC).
Building 180
A women-founded art agency leading curation, land and artist partnerships, permitting and installations.
Community Partners
Local groups such as Illuminate, Mid-Market Foundation, and Friends of Sunset Dunes.
Big Art Liaisons
Brings together thought partners who help shape the vision, engage communities, and champion the art. Learn more
How Art Gets Placed
Big Art Loop placements are guided by partnerships, possibility, and community insight.
Specific installation sites along the Big Art Loop are identified in collaboration with city agencies, local partners, and community groups, focusing on public spaces that can safely host sculptures of this scale and reflect the character of the surrounding neighborhood.
Each location goes through a feasibility review, considering engineering, safety, visibility, and community use. Artworks are then matched to sites through a collaborative process that considers scale, character, availability, cost, stakeholder input, and community feedback.
Our Process
1. Call for Art
Through an open call for art, artists submit existing sculptures (10 feet or larger) for review. Building 180 manages submissions and maintains a curated pool of possibilities.
2. Site Selection & Neighborhood Input
We work with city agencies, neighborhood groups, and community partners to identify public spaces that can safely host large-scale art, considering engineering, visibility, foot traffic, and community use. Community feedback helps shape which sites move forward.
3. Curatorial Matching & Community Engagement
Artworks are matched to locations based on feasibility, scale, availability, cost, and input from local partners, stakeholders, and community members. This is a deeply collaborative process, and our approach to community engagement continues to evolve as we grow.
4. Approvals & Permitting
Big Art Loop follows the Guidelines for Temporary Public Art established by SFAC, where the initiative is listed as a model for this process. Big Art Loop follows the Guidelines for Temporary Public Art established by SFAC, where the initiative is listed as a model for this process.
5. Installation
Final works are installed with full engineering oversight and inspection.
6. Activation
Each piece launches a civic moment. It’s a chance for neighbors to gather, artists to shine, and San Francisco to celebrate.