Public art is art in a non-gallery setting, often placed outdoors. It can take a broad range of forms and may include sculptures, memorials, integrated architectural or landscape architectural work, murals, community art and even digital new media. It interprets the history and people of a place or may address a social issue. In addition to its aesthetic qualities, it enhances the character of a neighborhood, fosters civic pride and serves as an economic development tool.
Unlike artwork in museums, which are often deemed elitist, public art exists in the visible sphere of public life. It is not designed to please all viewers; rather, it communicates a specific ethos of the community or a particular historical period. Consequently, it attracts diverse popular opinion. In fact, some artists devote their entire careers to creating public art. Gustav Vigeland spent over 20 years building his collection of sculptures in Norway’s Vigeland Sculpture Park, while Diego Rivera and the graffiti artist Banksy created large murals across their respective cities.
The concept of public art has evolved significantly over the past several decades. The Civil Rights Movement’s claims on public space, the alliance between urban cultural policies and artistic efforts at the end of the 1960s, and revisions of ideas about sculpture shaped the nature of this form of art. As a result, it is now more likely to be placed in the context of contested histories, cultural values and public policy debates.
Because it is installed in a public environment, a public artwork must meet rigorous standards. In contrast to a work of studio or gallery art, which can be sold or withdrawn at any time, a public artwork is expected to last for decades and, in some cases, for centuries.
As a result, these works of art are designed and executed with a greater degree of collaboration than the typical museum exhibit. Depending on the scale, complexity and scope of the project, a public artwork can take years to fund, design, build and install. It may involve the artist or artists, architects and designers, community residents, local civic leaders, politicians, approval agencies, funding agencies and construction teams.
Public artworks are a form of media infrastructure that convey shared meanings to all viewers who are tuned into their frequency. Public art, like any other communication medium, can be offensive, inspiring or illuminating. It can evoke emotional and spiritual responses, provoke a dialogue and even spark controversy. For example, the proliferation of confederate monuments throughout the United States demonstrates that public artworks can be highly controversial and invoke a wide variety of views and opinions.
The City of Salt Lake has established a public arts program that incorporates high-quality, site-specific artists’ work into the built and natural environments. The program is funded through a Percent for Art ordinance, in which the City requires a percentage of public construction funds be allocated to commissioning art. The City offers numerous resources to help artists find public art projects, fellowships and juried visual arts competitions.