Public art is most commonly associated with a sculpture or painting in areas accessible or visible to the public, but it can and does go well beyond those media. Terrazzo floors, etched glass, ceiling panels, textiles, stair railings, risers, pavers, planters, landscape, fences and grates are just some of the possibilities for public art contributions to public spaces. The possibilities are as vast as the imaginations of artists and architects.
In 1985, the Legislature passed the Utah Percent-for-Art Act (Utah Code Title 9, Chapter 6, Sections 401-409), which designates 1% of construction costs of new and/or renovated state public buildings is added to the project for the purpose of commissioning, maintaining and conserving site specific art at, on, or in the facility. The collection includes a broad range of media from textiles and glass to stone and metal monumental works.
Public Art Collection
There are over 200 pieces in the Utah Public Art Collection, all created since 1985. Look here to find out what public art is in your community.
Find out about local, regional, national and international calls for public arts commissions.
The Creative Communities Initiative includes a grant to support the creation of innovative connections between culture, art, community building, civic engagement, community planning and use of public space for enhancement of economic opportunities and quality of life in Utah's communities.
Creative Communities is not currently funded by the Utah Legislature.