Public art is visual artwork designed for the general public, and typically found in public spaces like parks, squares and streets that are easily accessible. It can be temporary or permanent, and it often interprets the history of the location or people, or addresses a community issue or question. Public art can include murals, sculpture, integrated architecture or landscape architectural work, memorials, digital new media, and performances.
Some artists dedicate their entire lives to creating public art, sometimes by commission but other times on their own. The Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland spent the majority of his life working on the nearly 200 sculptures at his Vigeland Sculpture Park, and Mexican muralist Diego Rivera created many works considered to be public art. Street and graffiti artist Banksy has also dedicated his career to making art that is considered public in nature.
The definition of public art broadened in the 1970s, with the civil rights movement’s claims to publicly owned space allowing the concept of public artwork to move beyond officially sanctioned works that visualized official national histories and connected communities through accessible culture. This re-envisioning of the definition of public art led to the establishment of urban cultural policies such as the Public Art Fund and urban or regional Percent for Art programs across the United States and Europe.
Whether they are a monumental statue of a heroic figure or a series of colorful murals, public artwork is an important asset to communities and can serve a variety of functions. Studies show that public art attracts visitors, improves street safety, boosts economic development, and provides opportunities for learning and creativity.
While it can be tempting to photograph or film public artwork, it is critical that you respect the copyright of each piece and get permission from the owner before doing so. Using the image or sound from a public artwork without permission violates the artist’s intellectual property and can lead to legal action.
Some public artworks have become iconic to their cities or countries and can be recognized by visitors from all over the world. The Statue of Liberty, the Angel of the North in Newcastle, England and Antoni Gaudi’s structures in Barcelona are some examples. Other notable examples of public artwork include the murals in San Francisco’s Mission District and the large outdoor sculptures at Raleigh’s Dorothea Dix Park.
Creating and caring for public art is a complex undertaking. MSAC supports the development and care of public art through direct commissions, grants, technical assistance, and professional training. Learn more about MSAC’s Public Art Across Maryland Program here.