Today we’d like to introduce you to Naomi Nussbaum.
Hi Naomi, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
In 2003, I had just launched my own business in public art consulting when those devastating firestorms hit San Diego and a close artist friend perished because of them. Having been in the art field for many years, I recognized that the firestorms impacted many of our artists. I gathered a few close colleagues and together we e-blasted out to our local databases of artists, visual and performing, to discover many had lost their studios, their homes, their instruments. And, of course, most did not have insurance. It was at that moment, I realized these people needed help. Together with a close friend, we co-founded Synergy Arts Foundation, a San Diego based non-profit arts organization.
We reached out to artist friends for donations and had our first fundraiser at the San Diego Firehouse Museum in Little Italy. It was a major success in which we were able to extend funds to twenty-eight local artists severely impacted by the firestorms. Today, Synergy has grown and flourished. We still offer limited financial grants to our local artists (of all disciplines) as well as our local non-profit arts organizations. During COVID, we were overwhelmed with applications but creatively managed to fulfill submissions through a videographer whom we had helped. He produced a dynamic video with which we raised additional funds so we could continue our good work.
From our inception, we recognize the power of the arts, especially with ‘at-risk’, underserved populations. Our mission incorporates this and we have worked with countless ‘at risk’ communities using seasoned visual arts and performing arts therapists. These programs continue to grow fueled by grants and our own funding. We do believe that the arts, in all its forms, facilitate healing. Some results of our work have been astonishing. A female patient of Scripps Encinitas, suffering with aphasia (facial paralysis resulting from a stroke), smiled fully after the visual arts therapist placed her painting in a frame. Several non-verbal adults, developmentally disabled, sang during our music sessions. These little miracles happen often through the arts. The less obvious miracles include building self esteem, comfort in a safe environment, and, of course, self-expression. My work as Executive Director of Synergy is all volunteer.
The other part of my life is my consulting business. As a seasoned public art consultant, every public art project is different and generates professional growth. Every project I have undertaken has been challenging, interesting and rewarding. I have worked with our County, various cities, developers, architects, landscape architects, design firms, hospitals, universities and private commissions. Public art, by its nature, is controversial. As the consultant, I oversee the entire public art component, from studying the architectural plans and recommending specific locations and associated budgets, to authoring the Request for Qualifications/Proposals, and managing the selected artists through installation. As the consultant, I remain neutral in the selection process which is undertaken by the client’s arts committee. I provide guidelines to the committee to assist (especially non-art savvy members) evaluate each submission.
In one of my latest projects, I battled with the Client’s legal department about the artist’s contract. Since 1990, there exists a federal law which protects visual artists called the Visual Artists Rights Act (VARA). This particular client waived all artists rights and refused to budge. I warned the client and members of his arts committee that seasoned public artists would decline the opportunity and in fact, that held true. There were ten diverse public art opportunities and it was ultimately a very successful project. However, I shall never work with that client again, unless the artist’s contract includes VARA. The artists who were selected were more than hungry for work, but paid a high price by waiving their rights.
With the help of grants, Synergy has grown our healing arts programming. For over ten years, we have partnered with Scripps Encinitas providing visual arts programming to their brain injured patients. Currently, we also work with the Northwest Boys & Girls Club offering their developmentally disabled adults/youth both music and arts therapy. Furthermore, partnering with Vista Hill, we offer music and arts therapy to their developmentally disabled adults as well as their women in recovery (from drug/alcohol addition, domestic violence, mental illness). We have taken our programs to another level by evaluating the impact of our programming. Without doubt, it confirms our belief that the arts facilitate healing, build self-esteem and confidence, generate comradery, engender joy, and relieve stress, not only for participants but also for staff and care givers.
In 2026, we shall continue all our programming and hopefully continue to grow and flourish and of course, continue to provide financial assistance to our local artists and arts organizations in times of crisis.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Overall, it has been a fairly smooth road, other than the COVID years. However, we navigated that challenge through our own creativity and resourcefulness. Thanks to our own fundraising efforts and grants, we continue to grow.
We’ve been impressed with Naomi Nussbaum Art & Design, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Since 2003, my business, public art consulting, has successfully completed a multitude of projects, collaborating with developers, architects, landscape architects, cities, counties, healthcare facilities and small businesses. Most often, my services are retained for new construction. Once the architectural plans are approved, I study the plans and recommend public art opportunities together with appropriate budgets and genres. The client’s arts committee normally comprises key stakeholders of the project. It is my responsibility to author and disseminate the Request for Qualifications/Proposals and oversee the entire public art process. I present to the client’s art committee and they make final selections for each opportunity. I liaise with all artists and the client’s construction/engineering teams to ensure fabrication and installation will be seamless.
Integrating public art is an art in itself and requires the consultant to be savvy about building codes, construction materials, construction timelines and the like. More importantly, it requires the consultant has a broad net to capture submissions from seasoned public artists and to author the Request for Proposal astutely so as to receive appropriate, creative and innovative submissions.
I am proud of every project I have completed, however large or small. Each project provides an opportunity to expand my knowledge, raise consciousness about the value of art in public places, and grow my database of artists.
Any big plans?
Synergy Arts Foundation will continue to grow and flourish. 2026 will see an increase in our healing arts programming.
Naomi Nussbaum Art & Design is hoping to secure a large project with a healthy art budget locally and provide opportunities to regional public artists.
Pricing:
- Pricing depends of the scope of the project
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nnartd.com and www.synergyarts.org
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naomi-bianca-nussbaum-4354303
