Top Public Art 2026

Public Art Projects: Bridging communities and cultures

Public art projects – sometimes also called "Percent for Art" – can encompass a wide variety of artistic forms, including sculptures, murals, installations, digital and video art, and even community-led or participatory artworks. They can be temporary or permanent, standing alone or integrated into the urban infrastructure. These projects serve a variety of purposes, such as being used as landmarks, initiating dialogue, or enriching public spaces.

Indeed, the realization of public art projects can be challenging for artists, requiring not only their artistic talent and creativity but also their organizational and project management skills. Public art projects also provide an expansive platform for artists. They are a great opportunity to advance one's career, foster creative growth, and make a lasting impact on communities, thereby increasing the artist's visibility and influence.

FAQs: Public Art

Continue reading to learn more about answers to the most frequently asked questions concerning public art projects.

What is public art?

Public art is art created in public spaces for everyone's enjoyment. It comes in many forms, including sculpture, murals, installations, and video art. Public art enriches the environment, and often reflects the unique history and culture of a place. It involves collaboration between artists, communities, and various commissioners, seamlessly integrating art into our daily lives and fostering a sense of shared cultural identity.

Who commissions public art projects?

Public art projects are typically commissioned by a variety of entities. These may include local or national government agencies, public art agencies, cultural organizations, community groups, or even private businesses and developers. Sometimes public art is funded through "Percent for Art" programs, where a percentage of a city's budget for new development is set aside specifically for public art. Each commissioning process may vary, depending on the specific goals, resources, and regulations of the commissioning entity.

What is the goal of public art projects?

The goal of public art projects is to integrate art into public spaces to enrich their aesthetic and cultural value, and to support artists and community engagement.

What are examples of public art?

Public art takes many forms and can be found in many places around the world. Here are some examples (in no precise order):

• Sculptures: Monumental Spider "Maman" by Louise Bourgeois
• Murals: "We the Youth" by Keith Haring, in Philadelphia, USA
• Statues: "The Statue of Liberty" by Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi in New York, USA
• Video art: "Datascape" by Ryoji Ikeda in Sydney, AU
• Installations: "L'Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped" by Christo and Jeanne-Claude in Paris, FR
• Land art: Robert Smithson's "Spiral Jetty" on the northeastern shore of the Great Salt Lake in Utah, USA

How do I get commissioned for public art projects?

To be commissioned for a public art project, artists should actively seek public art opportunities. Open calls for public art projects often have specific eligibility criteria, including factors such as the applicant’s art discipline, nationality, residence location, and career stage.

Our website features a carefully chosen list of high quality public art opportunities for a range of different artist profiles. You may want to use our search filters to simplify your search and focus only on those open calls that align with your profile.

How do I apply for public art projects?

Most open calls for public art projects require artists to submit a comprehensive application, including a project description, budget plan, project timeline, project simulations, portfolio, and resume.

Do you need help in this matter? Check our online courses that will teach you all the different aspects you need to be aware of in order to build a successful application.