Public Art

By the 1990s, public art had evolved far beyond the lonely monument on an open plaza. Now public artists might design the entire plaza, create an event to alter the social dynamics of an urban environment, or help reconstruct a neighborhood. This provocative volume presents a rich variety of interviews with people who create and experience public art — from an artist who mounted three bronze sculptures in the South Bronx to the bureaucrat who led the fight to have them removed. 

This is the first report from the Los Angeles County Arts Commission to begin the documentation of County artworks across districts and departments. Research began in 2006 and is ongoing. The report includes information on 68 historic artworks found to date. Public art in Los Angeles is directly related to the actions in December 2004 when the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors passed a Civic Art Policy mandating that 1% of eligible costs for new County capital projects and renovations over $500,000 be used to create public artworks. An additional mandate of the policy was to create a comprehensive survey of the civic artworks the County already possesses, to assess the condition of those works, to repair them if needed, and to provide the public with information about them. (Also available: an interactive mapping and online photo database of the collection.)

From the description: 

How to Find and Win Commissions

The Artist’s Guide to Public Art is a must-have for everyone who wants to succeed in the growing field of Public Art. The book shows how to start and build a career in public art and assists in navigating the “system,” working efficiently, and standing up for the rights of artists. First-hand accounts from experienced public artists and arts administrators provide tips for the best ways to find, apply for, and win public art commissions.

This guide includes chapters on contracts, working with fabricators, committee presentations, coordination with project managers, preparation of proposals and budgets, dealing with conflict and controversy, and running an efficient business. Author Lynn Basa has produced site-specific art for hospitals, universities, corporate headquarters, and private collections. She is the former chair of the Seattle Arts Commission’s Public Art Committee and currently teaches at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Americans for the Arts Public Art Network 2008 Year in Review CD-ROM recognizes innovative public art projects completed in 2007 as selected by jurors Jody Pinto, artist and Ted C. Landsmark, President of the Boston Architectural College. The more than 200 images and project descriptions are an exceptional planning and advocacy tool for communities developing public art programs, and an invaluable resource for public art administrators, artists, educators, arts commissions, students, and allied design and planning professionals.

The CD-ROM includes more than 40 unique public art projects with multiple images of each project, as well as information on the artists, the budget, and the project materials. The 2008 Year in Review was first presented at the Americans for the Arts Annual Convention in Philadelphia on June 22, 2008.