Public art is artwork that is intended to be displayed within a public space for all to see. It can take many forms and may be temporary or permanent. Public art is often designed to interpret a place’s history, its people and/or address a social or environmental issue.
Art can be found in a wide range of public spaces including museums, galleries, stadiums, airports, plazas and parks. Art in a public space often serves to beautify the city, inspire future generations of artists or serve as a catalyst for conversation or social change. In recent years, murals have been particularly popular as a means of artistic placemaking and community engagement. Public art also provides economic benefits such as jobs and tourism.
The term “public art” usually invokes images of historic bronze statues or a decorative fountain in a park setting, but today the practice is much broader and encompasses a diverse range of forms. Artwork in the public space can be a monument, sculpture, integrated architectural or landscape architectural work, community art, or even digital new media. The term public art can also refer to the specific way a project is planned, executed and managed – such as through a Public Arts Commission or an art in architecture program that is incorporated into a building’s design.
While the idea of public art is relatively straightforward, it is difficult to define a public art program or evaluate its impact. Whether it is an individual monument, or an extensive community art program in a city, the evaluation process must be thorough and open to all stakeholders.
When a public art project is criticized, it is common for artists to defend the legitimacy of their intentions and argue that the critics are missing the point. While this tactic is necessary for preserving the integrity of an artwork, it can sometimes obscure the true meaning and purpose of a piece.
Moreover, in order to ensure that public art projects are responsive to their surroundings, it is important that they be able to evolve over time. This is why public art programs should be flexible and encourage ongoing engagement with the community.
While public art is not for everyone, it is a powerful tool for urban planning and development. It allows citizens to identify their own city, create memories and connect to the places that they live and visit. In the words of architect and urban designer Mitchell Reardon, public art elicits what is “the community’s fingerprint,” creating an identity that can be recognized and shared by all. As such, public art enables communities to thrive and grow. Its value can be seen in the thousands of tourists who flock to cities for the sole purpose of viewing their public art. This is why the removal of public art can be so controversial. For example, the Parthenon Marbles were removed from the Greek temple and are now on display in the British Museum, a move that has been met with outrage by many people who believe that the marbles should be returned to Athens.