Costa Mesa's official motto is the "City of the Arts," a title befitting of its world-class arts and culture scene.

The Costa Mesa Theater District is home to the Segerstrom Center for the Arts and its three performance halls, Center for Dance & Innovation/Judy Morr Theater and Education Center, the three-stage South Coast Repertory theater, the Julianne and George Argyros Plaza, and the Orange County Museum of Art .

The Segerstrom Center for the Arts is also home to three resident companies: Pacific Chorale, Pacific Symphony and the Philharmonic Society of Orange County. The South Coast Metro area surrounding the SCFTA features a wide array of public art commissioned by Henry T. Segerstrom, which includes the 1.6-acre Noguchi Sculpture Gardens.

Costa Mesa Playhouse also thrives in the City, along with a wide array of art galleries and spaces and a robust music scene.

The city of Costa Mesa Arts Commission is a seven member City Council appointed advisory group, with a diverse array of experience in the arts. The Arts Commission advises the City Council in all arts related matters and works in collaboration with the Arts & Culture division of the Parks and Community Services Department to support the new Arts & Culture Master Plan, and to promote arts and culture throughout the city of Costa Mesa by way of events, programs and arts advocacy.

The Arts Commission meets on the 1st Thursday of the month at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall Council Chambers.