The Story
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 a decade of calling San Francisco home, Sid and Karen Sijbrandij, founders of The Sijbrandij Foundation, saw an opportunity. Through supporting artist residencies in Zambia, Uganda, and Grand Bahama, and founding Art City in New Mexico, they’ve seen how public art invites connection, creates civic pride and brings energy to communities. The Big Art Loop is their bold investment in San Francisco’s future.
What We’re Building
Over three years, we’re installing up to 100 sculptures surrounding San Francisco.
Each piece will be at least 10 feet tall or wide. These aren’t new commissions. They’re existing artworks, often hidden away in storage, finally brought into public life where everyone can experience them. Together, they create a 34-mile walkable and bikeable path that turns the city into an open-air gallery of unprecedented scale.
Who Makes It Happen
Sijbrandij Foundation
Anchor funder and founder of Big Art Loop. Sid and Karen Sijbrandij’s family foundation, supporting under-explored ideas for measurable impact.
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 and possibility.
Specific installation sites along the Big Art Loop are identified in collaboration with the city agencies and community groups, focusing on public spaces that can safely host sculptures of this scale.
Each location goes through a feasibility review, considering engineering, safety, visibility, and community use. Artworks are then curated to sites based on scale, character, availability, stakeholder input, cost and cultural resonance.
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 & Review
We work with city agencies and community partners to identify public spaces that can safely host large-scale art. This considers engineering, visibility, foot traffic, and community use.
3. Curatorial Matching
Artworks are matched to locations based on feasibility requirements, scale, availability, and cost.
4. Approvals & Permitting
Proposals move through internal cost approvals, engineering review, artist negotiations, civic review boards with Port or SFAC, and regulatory and municipal permitting.
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.