What is Public Art?

Public art is any work of art or design that is created by an artist specifically for interaction with the community in a public space. It can be functional or decorative, large or small, temporary or permanent, visual or performing. It can be cast, carved, poured, built, assembled, etched, screened, fused, written, performed, or painted. Whatever its form, public art attracts attention, provokes thought, stirs emotion, and inspires discussion. It has the power to energize our public spaces, inspire our thinking, calm our surroundings, and transform the public places where we live, work and play into environments that invite interaction among community members.