If you’ve been strolling through the streets of Sacramento this month, you might’ve noticed a little more color and conversation around the city’s walls, plazas, and parks. That’s because April is “Arts, Culture, & Creativity Month,” and the city is keen to, quite literally, paint the town red, blue, green, and every shade in between with its new Public Art GIS Mapping Tool. This beta version, as reported by Sacramento City Express, is an interactive online map not just to get lost in the art but to find one’s way as well.

Organized by California for the Arts, the month’s activities are to perfectly showcase how the arts contribute to community connection and overall well-being with a theme of “Health, Healing, Hope.” It’s an earnest attempt to remember that “Art Work is Real Work,” even if that reminder comes via an event that sounds a tad too serious than necessary. The map, which is now available, let’s users to casually explore the wide array of Sacramento’s public artworks, from the small, tucked-away pieces to the large, unmissable murals that dominate entire building facades.

Throwing some weight behind the initiative, the City’s Office of Arts and Culture has put out an invite — come one, come all — to the public to test drive the GIS public art map and then give some friendly feedback on it. Donald Gensler, Art in Public Places Manager, let slip to Sacramento City Express that “We’re excited to offer this new way for people to discover the breadth and vibrancy of Sacramento’s public art.” Meanwhile, the community can chime in by completing an online survey provided alongside the tool.

Coinciding with the month-long celebration, artists and cultural bigwigs across the state will descend upon Sacramento for the 2025 CA Arts & Culture Summit on April 22. Following close on its heels will be the Arts Advocacy Day on April 23 at Capitol Park, where presumably, policy talk will ensue, some to willingly partake, others to spectate. In a nod to supporting local talents, the Office of Arts and Culture is doling out summit scholarships to Sacramento-based artists, a good move considering these artists are not exactly swimming in the dough. As revealed to Sacramento City Express, these scholarships are made possible “through City support and contributions from community partners” and are partly funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. For more details on the summit, you’re to check the official event website.