The term public art may evoke images of historic bronze statues or a monumental sculpture in the middle of a park, but this type of artwork is now found in many forms and locations. Public art is often designed to interpret a history, culture or community and can be permanent or temporary in nature.
Public art aims to inspire, connect, and spark conversation in communities. It is an important component of a community’s infrastructure, adding beauty and providing an enjoyable experience for residents and visitors alike. Public art has a unique ability to engage people and spark their imagination, often making them reflect on the history of a place or how it might change in the future.
While some works of public art seek to commemorate or memorialize, others aim to challenge the viewer and question their relationship to a space or its history, such as land artists like Agnes Denes and Joseph Beuys, who used their work to explore ecological issues. In the 1970s, as urban cultural policies aimed to compel historical pride and connect communities through accessible culture, public art’s definition broadened to include street and graffiti art, and artist-initiated, site-specific works that were outside of commercial or partisan limitations.
Whether large-scale outdoor sculptures, integrated architectural or landscape architecture work, murals, mosaics, etched glass, ceiling panels, textiles, utility box art, or even a sidewalk planter or stair railing—public art takes on many forms and has the power to transform public spaces into engaging destinations that are more attractive, welcoming and equitable for all. Public art is a communal process and can include input from architects, designers, engineers, contractors, city officials, civic leaders, neighborhood residents, and more.
Public art programs are typically a part of municipal infrastructure and may include an ordinance requiring that a percentage of new construction project funds be allocated for commissioning an artwork. These projects are a great opportunity for local artists to develop and showcase their talent through the creation of unique, permanent artworks that can be enjoyed by all members of the community.