Public Art

Open Spaces + Art + Collaboration + Partnership = Public Art

What is “Public Art?"

Public Art is art placed in public places for the enjoyment of the general public.

From the traditional, to the contemporary, to the avant-garde, public art has an impact on our cities, villages, our communities and our lives. Often times public art has been a major contributor to beautifying our main street areas, revitalizing depressed areas and bringing a sense of pride to the communities in which we live.

Nationally, Public Art has graced our shores with the Statue of Liberty greeting visitors and can be seen in the many monuments around the country. It has enhanced our office buildings with sculptures, murals, paintings, has revitalized our neighbors with colorful images painted or projected on the sides of buildings and has made our stroll down a street a little more pleasant. From Chicago’s Cows, to Buffalo Groves Bison, Arlington Heights Ponies, Seattle’s Pigs and St. Louis People project (mannequins depicting an artistic idea), to children drawing a mural on store front windows, public art has enhanced commercial districts, has had a positive impact on economy and has revitalized depressed areas.

Public art brings the artist, governmental leaders, volunteers, the community and the creative process together for one purpose, that being the exploration of our inner creativity, in a healthy, productive, educational environment. Public Art has brought together creative individuals from many genres, which can include the artist, the photographer, the designer, the architect, the scientist, the musician, the performer, the crafters, the filmmakers, the businessman, as well as others, transforming our cities, buildings, and communities into a wonderful canvas of artistic expression.

From the highly paid professional to the grassroots campaign “Public Art” has allowed its citizens to celebrate our cultural diversity by creating cultural vitality thru education and collaboration, while at the same time, allowing everyone to experience a hands on educational process, in the scope, the planning, the design and finally in the finished artistic project.

The Cultural Arts Connection has been working diligently in researching the numerous “Public Art” opportunities. CAC has concluded that public art projects can create an exciting focal point by enhancing local buildings, can create a uniqueness in public gathering spaces, revitalizes otherwise depressed areas and improves the aesthetics of the area in which it is placed. Public art contributes to an areas identity, offers visual appeal, and encourages pride and celebration in the community, thus contributing to the overall health of the area.

Types of Public Art Programs

Percent-for-Art Programs

This program encourages or mandates that a percentage of the construction budget for public buildings and sites be used for public art. Currently there are approximately 225 city/county and state percent-for-art programs in the US, and they number of programs continue to grow. Artistic projects have included sculpture, fountains, paintings, murals, and landscape design.

Mandated Percent-for-Art Programs

An ordinance put in place by local government, stipulating that a percentage of the cost of constructing or renovating a public building or site be set aside for artwork. This allows one or many artist to create artwork in a building or on a site. This program is almost always administered through city government.

Voluntary Percent-for-Art Programs

Based on an investment factor, this program is privately sponsored by corporation owners and/or architects with the recognition that art and design projects enhance the environment of the building and groups. It is believed that this program establishes corporate visibility and improves image.

Public Art Loan Programs

Art loan programs give building owners both in business and government as well as neighborhood association the opportunity to temporarily display artwork on an on going basis. It presents the local and regional artist to display their work in community settings, allows an opportunity to educate people about public art, enhances surroundings, fosters dialogue and encourages a sense of community. These programs can include short-term loans for periods of one month to a year or more or long-term loans for a period of one year to an indefinite period.

Education Collaborations/Partnerships

These are independent or collaborative education programs, which include public art projects. This type of project is normally scheduled during the academic year involving artists, students and residents, culminating with a public celebration upon installation of the work. Grants, private donations, schools and community organizations support this type of program.

Community Projects

Public art programs sponsored by community-based groups, are often used to improve the real or perceived social issues within a community. In this program, the community works with local artists, architects or landscape designers to assist in developing an arts project. This program can contribute to the development of partnerships with local businesses, churches, organizations, schools and area youth in promoting and producing temporary and/or permanent public art projects.

The Cost of a Public Art Program

Public Art programs can range in cost from $500 to $250,000 to 1,000,000 depending on the scope of the project. In areas where public art has not been mandated by the local governmental agencies, organizers and planners rely on contributions. This includes grants, foundation, fundraising dollars, volunteers and volunteer services, as well as in kind donations.

Public art programs are successful because they benefit from the partnerships, collaborations and funding strategies developed. Bringing the community of diverse individuals together to develop, educate, coordinate, collaborate, and improve the aesthetics of the communities in which we work, play and live. The public art project often becomes a reflection of the community spirit.

What the Cultural Arts Connection Can Do

The Cultural Arts Connection is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts council serving the area of Ela Township and surrounding areas.

As a nonprofit arts council the Cultural Arts Connection has grant funds available to support public art projects and can provide resources for possible grants and foundation dollars. If you are interest in learning more about public art or would like to discuss the possibly of organizing public art projects in our area we will be happy to assist you.

As funding dollars are limited we would encourage you to consider becoming a member of our arts council. Please indicate your area of interest.

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For further information please fill out the form below:

____ I am interested in learning more about "Public Art" projects. (Please provide the requested information at Contact Me and a representative of CAC will contact you as soon as possible to discuss your project and any questions.)

____ I am interested in learning more about the Cultural Arts Connection Grant Program, please contact me. (link to grant page: Grants & Loans)

____ I would like to contribute to the establishment of a “Public Art” Fund. See Join CAC

	This website is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.
	P.O. Box 365, Lake Zurich, IL 60047 Telephone 847-540-1919 FAX 847-540-8457 General Information: ElaArts@aol.com Copyright © 2003 Cultural Arts Connection. All rights reserved