General references
Arts in public places programs
ArtsLynx on-line directory of municipal and state public art programs in United States, and some in Canada, Japan, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. Website
GVRD – Public art comparative funding survey
A survey of the public art programs of municipalities in the Greater Vancouver Regional District. Conducted by John Rice, Public Art Coordinator, City of North Vancouver, July 2004. Document (Excel, 77K)
Public Art 101 curricular guide – Seattle, WA (United States)
Workbook published by City of Seattle on creating and operating a public art program. To order, contact the Office of Arts & Culture, 700 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1766, Seattle WA, 98109-4501, T: 206.684.4186, F: 206.684.7172.
Public art toolkit – United Kingdom
Developed by ixia and OPENspace (Edinburgh College of Art and Heriot-Watt University). In response to the U.K. government's evidence-based approach to the development and implementation of policy, two tools have been developed: the matrix and personal project analysis. They help users appraise feasibility, identify stakeholder goals and agree on outcome measures and systems for collecting, storing, analyzing and reporting on data gathered. In addition ixia has constructed a database to hold information about public art commissions evaluated using the toolkit. The team will present the toolkit in workshops throughout 2007-8. Website
Canadian
City of Burlington, ON – Art in Public Spaces Policy
The Art in Public Spaces Policy, approved by City Council in November 2003, provides guidelines for the selection, acquisition and/or display of art by the City of Burlington, and authorizes a Public Art Citizens Advisory Committee to play a key role in the public art process. Subsequent to the approval of this Policy, City Council approved the establishment of a public art reserve fund and allocated $25,000 in seed money to the fund. November 2003. Document (PDF, 176K)
City of Calgary, AB – Public Art Program
January 2007. Public Art Program. Website
City of Calgary, AB – Public Art Policy and Operations Guidelines
December 2003. Public Art Policy and Operation Guidelines. Document (PDF, 251K)
Township of Esquimalt, BC – Public art policy
The Township of Esquimalt (population 17,000) is a neighbouring community of Victoria and part of the Capital Regional District. Following a year-long process of public consultation, supported by staff of the Municipal Planning Department, a Public Art Policy for the Township of Esquimalt was approved in 2002. Document (PDF, 276K)
Town of Gibsons, BC - Public Art in Public Places - Policy and Procedure Manual
Document (PDF, 188 KB)
City of Hamilton, ON – Draft Arts in Public Plances Policy
The City of Hamilton in its draft Art in Public Places Policy (% for art) – not yet approved – includes clauses for sustainable funding of conservation and maintenance activities and support for the care of its collection.
Draft Conservation & Maintenance. Document (PDF, 104K)
City of Kelowna, BC – Public Art Committee and Public Art Selection Process
City of Kelowna Public Art Committee Terms of Reference. The Public Art Committee is an advisory committee of Council. Endorsed by Council: December 2000. Document (PDF, 21K)
Public art selection criteria. Document (PDF, 72K)
Public art evaluation criteria. Document (PDF, 80K)
City of Kelowna, BC – Guidelines for Private Donation of Public Artwork to the City of Kelowna
Kelowna Public Art Committee. Document (PDF, 84K)
City of Kitchener, ON – Public art policy
The goal of the public art policy is to contribute to the City’s cultural identity and its strategic priorities. Better quality of life, increased social cohesion, good urban design, broad community involvement, increased potential for economic development and public access to the arts are some of the intended benefits. December 8, 2008. Document (PDF, 36K)
City of London, ON – Public art policy (Draft)
Appendix A of Creative City Task Force report, released April 2005. Document (PDF, 3.4M) Creative City Task Force report. Document (PDF, 2.6K)
City of Markham, ON – Local artwork acquisition policy
A 2002 civic art policy to acquire art from York Region artists to replace artwork in public spaces currently leased through Visual Arts Ontario. Document (PDF, 96K)
City of Markham, ON – Public Art Policy Framework and Public Art Advisory Committee
In October 2003, Markham's City Council endorsed the Public Art Policy Framework, which serves as a general framework and process for making decisions about the placing of art on municipal lands as well as a guideline for the future development of specific public art policies. Since its adoption, Council directed staff to establish a Public Art Advisory Committee having roles and responsibilities as outlined in the policy document. Public Art Policy Framework. Document (PDF, 7MB)
City of Medicine Hat, AB - Public Art Policy
Policy to guide acquisition and placement of all public art. Adopted June 2005. Document (PDF, 180K)
City of Moncton, NB – Percent for Public Art Policy
Adopted on November 7th, 2005. The policy will see the City of Moncton allocate 1% of the budget of certain capital projects to the inclusion of a public art component, to a maximum of $200,000.
– Percent for Public Art Policy. Document (PDF, 64K)
– Municipal Percentage for Public Art Draft Policy Presentation. Presentation (PDF, 1.2MB)
City of Nanaimo, BC - Community Plan for Public Art
2010. Document (2.6MB). Nanaimo's Community Plan for Public Art began in 2008 as a Legacy Project under the Cultural Capital of Canada Program. This plan updates and expands upon the "Art in Public Places Guidelines and Procedures" document that was approved by Council in 2003. 2003 Guidelines (PDF, 312K)
City of Niagara Falls, ON – Public Art Policy
This document provides a vision, purpose and goals for the City’srelationship with all public art, while specifically addressing management guidelines and policy forthe public art that currently exists. Effected November 4, 2002. Revised May 26, 2008. Document (PDF, 80K)
City of Niagara Falls, ON – Arts & Culture Wall of Fame
In 2006, the Niagara Falls City Council approved the Arts & Culture Wall of Fame initiative to improve the awareness of the arts in our community, as well as recognize some very worthy residents and pieces of art that made Niagara Falls famous. Website
– Policies & Procedures. Document (PDF, 16K)
– Nomination form. Document (PDF, 44K)
District and City of North Vancouver, BC – Public Art Program and Policies
Available on the District and City of North Vancouver arts website are an Overview, Policies & Guidelines, and current Opportunities & Calls for Proposals.
- City of North Vancouver Public Art Program: Policy & Procedure Manual.
Document: Section A-B (PDF, 495KB)
Document: Section C-N (PDF, 1.9 MB)
- District of North Vancouver Public Art Policy (2004) Document (PDF, 108KB)
- District of North Vancouver Developer Policy (2003) Document (PDF, 38KB)
City of Ottawa, ON – Report to increase access to Corporate Art Collection and improve the Percent for Art policy and process
Due to increased public demand for access to public art, because of the success of the program adopted by the City of Ottawa in 1985 that also made it a model for other Canadian cities, this report recommends new strategies to meet demand and to improve the Percent for Art Policy and Process. May 1993. Document (PDF, 97K)
City of Prince George, BC – Public art policy and guidelines
The policy speaks to the importance of public art, the leadership role the city will take in public art development and how, in reference to its public art guidelines, it will undertake this work. The guidelines include the 7 components of the Public Art Program: Public Art Task Force, Art Acquisition Process, Art Removal Process, Public Art Inventory, Public Art Maintenance, Public Art Education and Promotion, and Public Art Fundraising.
- Public art policy (2003). Document (PDF, 60K)
- Public art procedural guidelines (2003). Document (PDF, 136K)
City of Richmond, BC – Public art program
The Richmond Public Art Program, endorsed by City Council in 1997, sets a framework for creating opportunities for people to experience art in everyday life and for artists and the community to participate in the design, look, and feel of our city. The Program consists of three distinct initiatives: civic projects, private sector, and community. Website
– Richmond Oval Precinct and Surrounding Area Public Art Plan. Website
District of Saanich, BC – Public art policy
A part of the Saanich Comprehensive Arts Policy, it includes a 1% for art policy for large civic capital projects and a private sector public art program. Website
City of St. Catharines, ON - Public Art Advisory Committee - Terms of Reference
(2004) Document (PDF, 132 KB)
City of St. John's, NL – Public art program
The City of St. John’s Public Art Program consists of goals, definitions, policies, and procedures relating to the acquisition, maintenance, funding, and promotion of public art. 2002. Document (PDF, 136K)
City of Saskatoon, SK – Public art placement policy
Saskatoon's Public Art Policy, to enhance open spaces, provide focal points to gathering spaces, showcase artists, and build public awareness regarding the arts. Adopted by Saskatoon City Council, 1999. Document (PDF, 92K)
City of Surrey, BC – Public art policies
Surrey's newest version of its public art policy and terms of reference was approved in December, 2004.
– City of Surrey public art policy & terms of reference. 2004. Document (PDF, 88K)
– Previous policy. 2002. Document (PDF, 164K)
– Guidelines and procedures: Gifts, donations and bequests of artwork. 2002. Document (PDF, 208K)
– Public Art Donation – Application Form. 2002. Document (PDF, 64K)
– Contract Template. Document (PDF, 252K)
– Inventory Form. Document (PDF, 52K)
– Public art program evaluation. An evaluation process to measure the City of Surrey's Public Art Program. Document (PDF, 320K)
City of Thunder Bay, ON – Public Art
Thunder Bay is renowned for being one of the initial municipalities in Canada to recognize the value of Public Art. A Policy outlining the definition, value and administration of Public Art has existed since 1988. Weblink
City of Toronto, ON – Public art program and policies
– Percent for public art program: Website
– Art Committee for Public Places: Terms of reference. For public art on City-owned land. Document (PDF, 72K)
– Percent for Public Art Guidelines. Approved June 2006. Document (PDF, 4.9M)
City of Vancouver, BC – Public art program
In 1990, Vancouver City Council adopted a program that provides for public and private-sector funding of public art. The Public Art Program seeks to incorporate contemporary art practices into city planning and development, and encourages art-making of many kinds, from single-artist commissions to collaborations with engineers, architects, and neighborhood groups. Website
Region of Waterloo, ON – Public art policy
The first public art policy for the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, adopted in 2002. Document (PDF, 156K)
City of Windsor, ON - Public art policy
On November 1, 2005, Windsor City Council voted to create a new Department of Corporate Cultural Affairs. On November 7, 2005, Council then adopted a public art policy, which includes the creation of a public art advisory committee. Document (PDF, 160K)
City of Winnipeg, MB - Public Art Program
The Public Art Program develops projects in public spaces, facilitates community-based projects, holds workshops and organizes forums and other public events. Weblink
International
Americans for the Arts (United States) – National Arts Policy Database
Public art listings in this database. Website
Berkeley, CA (United States) – A guide to the public art process
A 38-page guide to the City of Berkeley's public art process, including the Civic Arts Commission, the Percent for Art Program, and guidelines for public art. Weblink (HTML) | Document (PDF)
Portland, OR (United States) – Public parks memorials policy
Acceptance criteria for donations of memorials in public parks. The document defines seven different types of memorials, the approval criteria, the maintenance of the memorials, and the review process. Website
Seattle, WA (United States) – Department of Transportation arts plan
Artist-in-Residence, Daniel Mihalyo has put together a comprehensive plan of action detailing how Seattle can become a national leader in creating a more humane, layered, beautiful and relevant transportation system. The structure of this art plan has been subdivided into three distinct books available in PDF format. Website
