In 2008, the Urbana Public Arts Program and Commission was established by the Urbana City Council to foster a city where all residents—emerging artists, established artists, and “non-artists” alike—may engage with the arts and where artists thrive and are valued. The Arts, as used in this program, include but are not limited to music, theatre, visual arts, dance, creative writing, film/video, crafts, performing arts, spoken word, environmental arts, multimedia arts, architectural arts, landscape architecture, and emerging media. Through public support for the arts, the City of Urbana increases opportunities for the creation of art, thereby enhancing the quality of life, economic development, citizen participation, cultural awareness, and vibrancy of the community.

The Urbana Public Arts Program includes:
- Urbana Arts Grants
- Art at the Market
- Art Now!
- Murals on Glass
- Artist of the Corridor
- Permanent and Temporary Public Art Projects, including Art in the Park, the Urbana Sculpture Project, and public art projects in progress for the Boneyard Creek Improvements Project and King Park
- Guide to Local Arts Classes and ResourcesNike