Ten more artworks from San Jose-area high school students have been selected to enhance the downtown San Jose public landscape as part of San Jose Downtown Foundation’s Downtown Doors program, now in its 20^th year.

Downtown Doors starts as a pure artwork competition among students at on average 15 high schools representing the San Jose, East Side and Campbell districts, plus two private schools.  The latest class of artworks submitted their entries in spring and were celebrated Sept. 29 in the new school year.

The works are enlarged and transferred onto a vinyl coating and installed on downtown’s otherwise stark service doors and utility boxes.

Since the program began in 2003, 319 works from students at 23 different schools have been added into downtown’s highest pedestrian areas to make the walks of passersby more enjoyable.  The student artists learn a great deal about the business of art and the challenges of creating art for the general public, as well as gain confidence in their creative abilities. 

The Downtown Foundation is a charitable organization supporting arts and educational programming.  Students selected each receive a $300 honorarium plus a one-year subscription to  Adobe Creative Cloud products.

This year’s selections were from Willow Glen, Mt. Pleasant, Independence, Andrew Hill, Leigh, Del Mar, Westmont and Notre Dame high schools as well as Bellarmine College Prep.

Since 2020 and the start of the pandemic, SJDF – along with the teachers and students – kept the Downtown Doors going. It was one more positive for people returning to work downtown to see the new Downtown Doors in place.  Meant to be a temporary installation, some Downtown Doors artworks have maintained their vibrant colors and conditions for more than three years.

Look for another new set of Downtown Doors as we celebrate our 20^th year in 2023.

During its successful run, Downtown Doors has received the highest award from the International Downtown Association for enhancing Public Spaces in 2012, and was honored by the City of San Jose Office of Cultural Affairs for Creative Impact at the 2019 Cornerstone of the Arts ceremony.  In 2012, Downtown Doors was also recipient of a $25,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts’ ArtWorks program.

The program is mostly funded by local grants and individual giving. Donate here.