State Street Flag Program
A living gallery of color, culture, and community — celebrating Santa Barbara's nonprofit organizations through the art of the flag.
Public Art in Motion
The State Street Flag Program is administered by the Downtown Santa Barbara Improvement Association (DSBIA) and transforms the State Street corridor — from Cabrillo Boulevard to Micheltorena Street — into a dynamic, open-air gallery of nonprofit pride.
Each set of flags serves as a "sculpture in motion," signaling to residents and visitors alike that they've arrived in the heart of Downtown Santa Barbara. The program honors historically and culturally significant institutions and the community organizations that make Santa Barbara vibrant.
- 125+ flags displayed along State Street
- 4 ft × 6 ft portrait-orientation flags
- Nonprofit organizations only
- One week week installations
- Storage provided
- Flags can remain in service 5–10+ years
From Concept to Corridor
The design and approval process ensures every flag upholds the program's high artistic and structural standards. Plan ahead — the full timeline takes a minimum of four months.
Upload up to 4 mockups (.AI, .EPS, PDF)
Placemaking & Identity Committee evaluates impact and design.
DSBIA inspects physical prototype.
Produce 125+ flags and schedule install.
Three Tiers of Community Impact
Priority scheduling reflects the depth and duration of an organization's contribution to Santa Barbara's cultural identity.
Long-running festivals, museums, theaters, libraries, and cultural attractions in downtown Santa Barbara with 5+ years of history.
Historical, cultural, and educational organizations serving greater Santa Barbara for 5+ years.
Agencies providing general community services throughout Santa Barbara.
Design Guidelines
Crafting a Flag That Flies with Pride
Your flag is public art — not a billboard. These design principles ensure every flag enriches the historic streetscape of El Pueblo Viejo.
Lean into artistic expression. Logos and text may not exceed 3% of the flag area. No dates, times, or trademark symbols.
Choose colors that hold up outdoors. Avoid white or pastel backgrounds, fluorescents, and Day-Glo shades that fade quickly.
Consider red tile roofs, beige walls, and green trees as your backdrop. Designs should complement downtown's architectural character.
Serif or script fonts are preferred per El Pueblo Viejo guidelines. Blocky or sans-serif fonts are discouraged unless part of your official logo.
Logistics & Requirements
What You Need to Know
A Certificate of Insurance with minimum $1M in liability coverage is required for each scheduled installation period.
Weekly fees must be paid in full at least one month before the scheduled installation date. Late payments may forfeit your reservation.
All flags must be stored at The Flag Factory in Carpinteria. Storage fees are waived with the purchase of a full flag set. Maintenance is billed directly.
DSBIA inspects flags after every installation. Sets showing significant fading, fraying, or structural failure must be fully remanufactured to remain in the program.
Key Facts & Numbers
Participate
Ready to Fly Your Colors?
If your nonprofit organization serves the Santa Barbara community and you're ready to join one of downtown's most beloved public art traditions, we'd love to hear from you.
- Registered nonprofit organization
- Not a political campaign or for-profit business
- Able to commit to design and approval timeline
- Able to provide Certificate of Insurance ($1M+)
- Able to cover installation and maintenance fees
How to Apply
Schedule a call with DSBIA Staff to get started. Once approved for participation, work with a professional graphic designer to develop your flag concept.