The arts commission is authorized to establish goals and policies for the selection, funding, procurement, and maintenance of public art to provide guidance to the city council and all city departments. The arts commission may solicit and accept monies dedicated to public art on behalf of the city. Within funds appropriated by the city council for the specific purpose, the arts commission may, alone or in cooperation with any other private or public entity, initiate, sponsor or conduct programs calculated to further public awareness of and interest in the visual arts.