Year of Publication
2011
College
Martin School of Public Policy and Administration
Date Available
8-14-2014
Executive Summary
Public art master planning for municipal government is the process of strategically planning the placement of public art objects, and the processes used to administer a public art program. It is a broad process that combines urban design and planning, artistic practice, public policy, local government management, and many other elements.
Due to this broad background, the master plan of a public art program is a complex document with many requirements. This analysis attempts to answer the following research questions:
- What is the common process for developing a public art master plan?
- What are the core components of a public art master plan?
- What are the recommended practices in those core components?
These questions were explored by reviewing the public art master plans of ten selected cities in three population groups, and consulting data and literature on public art programs. The number of plans in each population group were weighted based on the amount of public art programs in population ranges according to data provided in A Detailed Statistical Report on the Budgets and Programming of the Nation’s Public Art Programs During Fiscal Year 2001 published by Americans for the Arts. Three plans were selected from small cities (500,000).
From the review of the plans and relevant literature on the topic, the most common process for developing a public art master plan is through a broad taskforce or commission of community representatives. This group typically has members from local arts community groups, political leaders, city staff, artists, engineers and design professionals, and other stakeholders. Literature recommends that this body be composed of seven to nine members and employ the use of expert consultants to assist in the creation of the plan.
Twelve core components of public art master plans were also identified from this analysis. These components are:
1. Goals and Vision
2. Integration with other planning
3. Creating a Public Art Authority
4. Funding
5. Site Selection
6. Artist Selection
7. Staffing or Contracting Program Administration
8. Documentation of Public Art
9. Maintenance or Public Art
10. Acquisition and Removal of Public Art
11. The Receipt of Public Art Gifts
12. Educational Opportunities
The common practices for these components have been researched in public art literature and through their inclusion in actual public art master plans. Additional and more current research on the behavior and activities of public art programs is needed in order to better understand how public art master planning affects outcomes in the community.
Recommended Citation
Hollinger, Jonathan, "Public Art Master Planning for Municipal Governments: Core Components and Common Practices" (2011). MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects. 100.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/mpampp_etds/100
Included in
Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration Commons, Urban Studies and Planning Commons
