Public art is a visual artwork created for the general public to enjoy and interact with. It can take many forms including murals, sculpture, integrated architectural or landscape architecture work, community art and digital new media. It can interpret a site, celebrate local history or cultural heritage and promote civic pride and identity. It can even address a particular social issue or community concern.
A public art program can be a powerful tool to bring new life to an urban area. It can help attract tourists and new residents, improve street safety and increase a city’s overall image. It can also encourage a sense of place and civic pride, and help combat feelings of anxiety and isolation amongst citizens. Murals, in particular, have long been a great way to accomplish these goals.
However, there are a lot of issues involved with creating public art and managing it. The process of commissioning a piece, the cost and sustainability are just some of the concerns. Public art can be controversial, and it often sparks debate over its meaning or purpose. Some public works are removed from their sites after a certain amount of time, which can be a contentious decision. In some cases, this is done to preserve the work or prevent it from being damaged by weather or vandalism.
But the majority of public art remains in its original location. In fact, most public art has a strong connection to its community, as it is funded by the public and designed for the specific setting in which it is located. This often creates a sense of ownership and loyalty to the artwork.
Moreover, it’s not uncommon for local citizens to play an active role in its creation and implementation. The process is often lengthy, and a project can involve multiple stakeholders: the artist or artists, architects, designers, engineers, the community, funding agencies, approvals boards, politicians and construction teams. Unlike studio art or works of art in a museum collection, which may be sold or moved at will, public artworks are often permanently installed in their community settings and require a rigorous design process to ensure they can stand the test of time and the elements.
The benefits of public art can be profound for communities, as it provides a platform for expression that can be difficult to achieve in private spaces such as homes or art galleries. In addition to beautifying the community, public art can inspire future artists, spark conversation and encourage positive social change. Some artists use the medium as a means to challenge societal norms or memorialize important events or people.
In her 2013 installation, “Between the Door and the Street,” artist Jessica Lacy brought over 400 women to the stoops of their Brooklyn neighborhood to engage in unscripted conversations about various issues facing the modern feminist movement. These conversations helped to democratize the art form, and they gave the public the opportunity to connect with one another and discuss their own opinions in an open forum.