Public art is artwork that is created to be displayed in a public space. This can include sculptures, murals, installations, or architecture. It is often commissioned and designed to be site specific in order to reflect the particular characteristics of a space, including its function, natural surroundings or architecture. Public art is often designed to evoke a sense of wonder or be a social or political statement. Some examples of public art can be found in museums, but the vast majority is located outdoors and a part of the community fabric.
Public artworks can take a long time to be approved and funded, particularly those of a large scale. They may take years to design, and many people will be involved in the planning, approval and creation of a public artwork – especially if it is permanent. This includes the artist or artists, architects and designers, local residents, civic leaders, politicians, local arts agencies, funding agencies and approval agencies, and sometimes construction teams.
Some artists spend their whole careers creating public art – for example, the Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland spent more than 20 years building his monumental series of sculptures in Oslo’s Vigeland Sculpture Park. Others choose to create public artworks on a more regular basis. This can be done by commission or on their own initiative. Examples of such work include Diego Rivera’s murals, and street artists such as Banksy.
Creating and maintaining public art can be very challenging because it is intended to last for generations and is expected to be a place where the community will come together regularly. This makes it important that the community is engaged from the beginning of the process and that the artwork reflects their needs and concerns. It is also important to ensure that the public is able to access and interact with the artwork in a way that is appropriate for the site.
In addition to promoting and supporting the creation of public art, MSAC also administers, coordinates and promotes the placement of existing and new works of art in the public spaces of Maryland. Public art projects can be temporary or permanent and can address a wide range of subjects and issues ranging from preserving the environment to bringing joy to people’s daily lives.
The purpose of public art is to share a community’s stories and engage the public in the creative process. The artworks can also help to make a community feel represented and to foster a sense of belonging in the city or town. In addition, public art is a great way to celebrate a community’s history and heritage. It can be used to inspire pride in the city and to help entice tourists. The most successful public art projects are those that involve extensive input at the onset of the project from the artist and community members.