Public art brings artistic expression into the everyday lives of the community. It can interpret the community’s history, its people and culture or address a specific issue. It can take many forms and range in size from a single sculpture to a city’s entire cultural infrastructure. It can be temporary or permanent, and may be a mural, memorial, integrated architectural or landscape architecture work, outdoor sculpture, environmental sculpture, digital new media, community arts or other form.
Traditionally, the approach to public art was for governments to commission works by artists and have them realized in the built environment. In a more contemporary sense, the idea of Public Art has come to be about the public having the ability to express themselves through art and their participation in the democratic process. This is best exemplified by participatory artworks such as community-based projects and public art festivals.
A successful public art project requires collaboration among a variety of stakeholders, including the artist, designers, engineers, contractors, community residents and municipal officials and agencies. It also involves a process of community acceptance, which can be difficult. The best way to ensure that a public art project succeeds is to include representatives of the community in the design process, so that the project will have the support of local citizens.
The purpose of public art is to encourage a sense of pride in a place, provide opportunities for reflection and promote community engagement. It can inspire the next generation of artists and foster discussion on social issues and topics. Artwork that is a part of an urban planning process can reinforce the goals and aspirations of the community, promoting a shared vision for the future.
A great public art project reaches out to the people in a very personal and meaningful way. For the average citizen, it is often their first or only opportunity to interact with art. It can spark a sense of wonder and a desire to learn more, whether they love the work or not.
While many pieces of public art are created to bring beauty and interest to the community, some are intended to be controversial or to spark a response from the public. The diverse nature of society should not surprise anyone that some art is not appreciated by all. However, a healthy debate around controversial art can be a positive thing for a community.
Public art is typically meant to stand the test of time and be maintained for generations to come, just like any other municipal building or landscape feature. It is important to consider the environment in which the art will be placed and how that might affect its longevity, as well as its safety. For example, a piece of sculpture that contains electrical components will require more regular maintenance than an outdoor painting. Also, if the artwork is painted, it is important to understand the paint colors and their maintenance requirements. In addition, it is helpful to have a written contract with the artist that includes a timeline for creating and installing the work, a payment schedule, liability insurance and maintenance responsibilities.