Public art is artwork created to be enjoyed by a large audience and often located in a publicly accessible space. It can take many forms and can interpret the history of a place or address a current community issue. It can also serve a variety of purposes, from encouraging communication and engagement to providing opportunities for private reflection in a public setting. Public art may be a monument, sculpture, memorial, integrated architectural or landscape architectural work, or digital new media, among other types of visual art.
The idea of public art has existed for thousands of years, in numerous cultures and societies. Public sculpture was originally used as a form of propaganda, communicating particular attributes of a leader to the masses, such as the idealized sculptures of Roman Emperor Augustus Caesar in the Piazza Della Signoria in Florence, Italy, which still stand today (though some are replicas, including Michelangelo’s David).
Today, public art takes many forms and is often intended to inspire a dialogue between artist and viewer or to encourage the exploration of issues surrounding a specific place and its people. It can range from legally commissioned public artworks, like statues and monuments, to unsanctioned graffiti and street art interventions. While it is important for a work of Public Art to appeal to the broadest possible range of viewers, some artists prefer not to be constrained by such concerns and are willing to challenge the notion that public art should be inoffensive and unobtrusive.
What is the City’s process for creating Public Art?
The City of Alexandria appoints a Task Force for each project to set goals, support community engagement and recommend an artist. Task Force members are primarily community residents and may include representatives from organizations focused on promoting arts, culture and education. They are not required to have prior experience with public art, but they do need a passion for the project at hand and the desire to contribute to the success of the initiative.
The City’s Public Art Task Forces are a great way to get involved in the planning and implementation of public art projects in our neighborhoods and parks. Interested residents and businesses can fill out an online application to join a Task Force. While the time commitment varies per project, Task Force members play an integral role in the success of the City’s public art program. Learn more about the tasks and responsibilities of each Public Art Task Force by reviewing the Task Force Overview.