On Monday The Royal Oak City Commission voted — and unanimously approved — the second reading of an ordinance to establish an arts commission in Royal Oak.

The Royal Oak Commission for the Arts will bring more public art to Royal Oak and promote cultural activities.

In a letter to the mayor and city council members, supporters of the commission outlined an objective “to encourage artists and promote public art in downtown Royal Oak … by encouraging community involvement and family activities.”

The City Commission unanimously approved the adoption of the ordinance on first reading at their Dec. 19, 2011 meeting.

The arts commission is hoping to promote the arts and bring more people downtown. The seven-member panel, whose members will likely be appointed by the mayor and

approved by the City Commission, will be responsible for developing “a plan to encourage artists and promote public art in Royal Oak” and to help the city “be recognized as a destination for entertainment, recreation and cultural opportunities.”

The commission will work directly with local organizations and nonprofits and will create a city policy on the display of public art.

At this time, the art commission will be funded through grants, private donations and sponsorships.

Royal Oak already hosts some of the biggest art festivals in the region such as Arts, Beats, and Eats and the Clay, Glass, and Metal Show which is sponsored by the Royal Oak Chamber.

The nonprofit groups that put together those events are not direct affiliations of the city, City Manager Don Johnson told the Detroit News.

Main Street is known to be home to many restaurants, bars and clothing boutiques. David Jones, a Royal Oak local, suggests taking a stroll down Washington Avenue.

“There’s a lot of interesting art in that area,” Jones said. “I like to observe the fashions that people pursue.”

Main Street itself has some random acts of street art. Within the city is an abundance of street artists and street art.

Some of the art will appear on the sidewalks and some on buildings and some artists will even go as far as posting mysterious pictures on buildings throughout downtown. Mysterious photos showed up around downtown last Sept.

Marcus Lowery, a frequent Royal Oak, visitor said this is his quiet “New York.”  He loves to shop at the many boutiques for men.

“I love the exclusiveness and sometimes they have very good sales,” he said.

Lowery says he also enjoys the street art he notices while walking through Royal Oak.

Contact staff intern Misha Mayhand via e-mail at [email protected]