The Stuart Collection at the University of California, San Diego, is a collection of site-specific public art in settings where people can encounter it as part of their everyday lives. The artists invited to contribute proposals by the Stuart Collection's Advisory Committee are prominent conceptual artists, including some not typically associated with environmental sculpture. As of 2006, 16 works have been completed: SUN GOD (1983), Niki de Saint Phalle; TWO RUNNING VIOLET V FORMS (1983), Robert Irwin; LA JOLLA PROJECT (1984), Richard Fleischner; TREES (1986), Terry Allen; SOMETHING PACIFIC (1986), Naum June Paik; UNDA (1987), Ian Hamilton Finlay; VICES AND VIRTUES (1988), Bruce Nauman; LA JOLLA VISTA VIEW (1988), William Wegman; UNTITLED (1991), Michael Asher; TERRACE (1991), Jackie Ferrara; GREEN TABLE (1992), Jenny Holzer; SNAKE PATH (1992), Alexis Smith; RED SHOE (1996), Elizabeth Murray; STANDING (1998), Kiki Smith; READ/WRITE/THINK/DREAM (2001), John Baldessari; BEAR (2005), Tim Hawkinson. The records include design materials from eleven of the artists whose works have been built for the Stuart Collection, and proposal materials from thirteen artists whose works have not been built, as well as photos of an early non-constructed proposal from Richard Fleischner. The greatest portion of the materials are blueline print or whiteprint plans, although drawings, photographs, and other graphic materials are also present. Also included are audio and videorecordings of interviews, installations and other events, and brochures.

The Stuart Collection was created in 1981 through a partnership between the University of California, San Diego and the Stuart Foundation with a gift from businessman and philanthropist James Stuart deSilva (1919-2002). DeSilva's goal was to establish a collection of public art in a setting where people who might not otherwise seek out art could encounter it as a part of their everyday lives. In addition to its original $1.5 million endowment, the collection has received financial support from organizations such as the National Endowment for the Arts, the Russell Foundation, the Lannan Foundation, and the California Arts Council. Since 1998, the Friends of the Stuart Collection International Advisory Committee has also provided an important network of support both for new projects and the long-term care of built works. Founding director, Mary Beebe, has overseen the collection and its growth since 1981.

29.2 Linear feet 1 archives box, 8 records cartons, 37 oversize folders, and 18 tubes

Publication rights are held by the creator of the collection.