Real world Why towns invest in art
Public art makes places memorable, tells local stories, sparks conversation and gives people landmarks to meet by. Unlike art in a gallery, it is free and in everyone's daily path.
Real world Percent for Art
In 1959 Philadelphia became the first American city to require that a small share of the cost of certain new buildings, about one percent, be spent on public art. Many cities and countries have since adopted "percent for art" rules, which have paid for thousands of sculptures, murals and installations.
Real world Making public art
A public artwork has to survive weather, sunlight and lots of touching, so artists choose tough materials such as bronze, stone, steel or weatherproof paint. Many projects involve local people in choosing the artist, sharing stories or even helping to paint a mural, so that the art reflects the community.
Art In this artwork
This illustration shows a bronze statue on a stone plinth, with benches and planting around it.
Look closer
- Look at the statue's pose. What do you think it means?
- Where could people sit and look?
Think about it
- What artwork would you create for your town, and where would you put it?
- Who should choose public art: experts, leaders or residents?
- Can art make a place feel safer or friendlier?
Key words
- Plinth
- A base that a statue stands on.
- Mural
- A large painting on a wall.
- Bronze
- A tough metal often used for statues.
Sources
The facts on this page are based on these sources:
- City of Philadelphia, "Percent for Art" program history (1959)
- Americans for the Arts, Public Art Network: public art programs in the United States
