Civic Centers

Public Art

This is a primer on setting up and funding a public-arts program. Included is info on designing a public-art policy, potential sources of funding, building a constituency, and marketing the program.

  • Public Art: An Introduction

    An explanation of what constitutes public art, as well as the ways it differs from other, more commerical art forms.
    Project for Public Spaces

  • How Art Economically Benefits Cities

    Hard facts about the financial impact of public art, including case studies of the arts communities in New York City and Oregon.
    Project for Public Spaces

  • Report Says Arts Nonprofits Generate $134 Billion in Activity

    Findings from Arts & Economic Prosperity: The Economic Impact of Nonprofit Arts Organizations and Their Audiences, published in June 2002 by an arts advocacy group.
    Americans for the Arts

  • Design and Review Criteria for Public Art

    This nuts-and-bolts guide to establishing and maintaining a public art process includes info on types of projects, design review, site selection, and artwork conservation.
    Project for Public Spaces

  • Making Public Art Work

    Written by PPS Public Art Program Director Cynthia Nikitin, this article explains how to make art with -- and not just for -- the public.
    Sculpture Magazine

  • Funding Sources for Public Art

    A guide to finding financial support for public art. Included is info about private/public sector collaborations, percent- and non-percent-for-art programs, getting developers involved, and alternate funding sources.
    Project for Public Spaces

  • Using PR to Build a Public-Art Program

    Ways to get public-art program buy-in from government organizations, private partners, and the local community.
    Project for Public Spaces