WATSONVILLE — Santa Cruz County is a major arts hub, so it is no surprise that Watsonville would be an artist community too.

While the city has a plethora of artists, studios and galleries who call Watsonville home, one only has to look around to find evidence of its status as an arts haven. Public art such as murals and sculptures abound, but the city is looking to increase the amount of public art even further through its Watsonville Arts Plan.

To engage the community in what they truly want to see, the city has issued a survey via SurveyMonkey.

Watsonville first launched its Public Art Program in 2011 when it was unanimously approved by the City Council. A second phase was adopted in 2019. This summer, the city began mobilizing its Watsonville Arts Plan, with the goal of implementing a public art program that highlights the city’s heritage and culture while providing a vision for expanding it even further through programs and events. The community dialogue phase commenced in the fall and is expected to continue through the winter.

The next step is a public survey intended to solicit feedback from Watsonville residents and visitors on the current status of arts in Watsonville and what they would like to see. The survey features questions on the goals of arts and culture in the city, most desired cultural activities, barriers to being able to access existing activities and more.

“This process is informed by the public, with upcoming opportunities to share your voice and perspective on the role that the arts will play in your community,” city officials wrote on the Watsonville Arts Plan website. “The first step in bringing your ideas to the table is taking the survey and staying on the lookout for upcoming engagement events and opportunities.”

The city is hoping to adopt a final arts plan in spring or summer.

The survey and more information about the arts initiative can be viewed at Watsonvilleartsplan.com.