Public Art Programs
By Karen Atkinson, courtesy of Side Street Projects
The information below is part of a series of guides that outline the pros and cons of various types of venues.
ABOUT: Commission and sale opportunities to artists sponsored by federal, state, municipal agencies and independent organizations for work in a public context.
EXPECTATIONS: Art councils often administer these programs. Artists are selected by panel process and are then asked to submit a proposal. They are often curated from slide registries.
PROS: Good opportunity to have work seen by many, which can lead to other opportunities. A chance to do art on a scale that you can’t otherwise afford.
CONS: Working in public can require the artist to adapt intent, and work within strict budgets and guidelines. Many programs want artists with previous public art experience. Work can be vandalized.
RESEARCH: Contact local arts council and consult with public art program directories. Conduct online searches.
RESOURCES: Americans for the Arts, Public Art Directories.
Excerpted from Get Your Sh*t Together, an artist's professional development software produced by Karen Atkinson. This came out of her involvement wth Side Street Projects, Los Angeles.