Public art is an artistic expression that is placed in a public space and meant to be seen by the general public. It can celebrate the local history or culture, encourage civic pride, beautify a city or neighborhood and be a valuable economic development tool.
Some artists spend much of their lives creating public works, sometimes by commission and other times out of sheer passion. For example, sculptor Gustav Vigeland spent more than 20 years building over 200 pieces in his famous sculpture park in Norway, and Mexican muralist Diego Rivera dedicated much of his life to the creation of large-scale public artworks. Graffiti and street artist Banksy also creates public artworks of a different kind, although he tends to avoid the formal structures and approval processes that define traditional Public Art.
The concept of public art has evolved from its earliest, officially sanctioned works designed to compel historical pride and connect communities through accessible culture to a broader definition that encompasses everything from large-scale community-based projects to individually-initiated individual artistic expressions. Public Art can be found all over the world, from monumental tourist attractions like the Statue of Liberty and Mount Rushmore to urban renewal-based commissioned works to artist-initiated graffiti and street art that has become an integral part of contemporary culture.
Unlike museum-quality or privately owned art, which can move from one location to another, Public Art is usually rooted in the place where it is located and is not intended for touring exhibits. This permanence separates Public Art from commercial or political art that may change venues or evoke controversy as its meaning and relevance shift with changing social dynamics.
Public Art is usually commissioned and funded by the municipality in which it resides. It can be permanent or temporary, and the process of designing it often involves a lot of input from the community. The major muralism movements of the twentieth century (post-Revolution Mexican murals and WPA-sponsored murals in the United States) incorporated community members into the creative process to communicate important messages to an even more illiterate population, fostering national pride and asserting core values for the nation.
Many public art projects can take a long time to develop and complete, and they can cost a significant amount of money. In order to ensure that a project stays on budget and is delivered on time, it is imperative that the community and the artist are both engaged in the planning process from the very beginning.
As with all forms of art, not all public artworks are universally acclaimed and appreciated. Some provoke controversy, and a variety of views are not only expected but encouraged. This is a key element in a democratic society and a healthy sign that the artwork is provoking discussion. It is the nature of art to attract attention, after all; this is what it is supposed to do. This also makes it a good way to get people to talk about issues in their everyday lives.