Investing in cultural and creative sectors (CCS) is important due to the direct and indirect benefits they generate for the economy and society. Public art funding promoted culture as a “worthy good” like education and health care. However, with a growing understanding of the role that culture and creativity can play in economic development, there has emerged a more diversified approach to funding the cultural and creative sectors, with greater emphasis on economic returns from public spending and a more prominent role for private investors.
Ensuring decent public art funding is the cornerstone of any art program. In addition to donations from individuals and corporations, there are a number of approaches through which art can be financially supported.
Public art funding paths can be broken down into four broad areas:
Public/Private Sector Collaborations
Opportunities for public art can be developed through current existing local programs. A city or business can partner with these organizations to get artists involved in:
Percent- and Non-Percent-for-Art Programs
Passing percent-for-art legislation encumbers a percentage (usually .5 to 2) of CIP (publicly funded capital improvement projects) per year for the commissioning of public artworks, which will usually be sited in, on, or adjacent to the building or project being constructed. Percent-for-art ordinances guarantee a funding stream for public art projects regardless of what happens to city budgets or public art funding.
Several examples of well-known, successful, non-percent public art funding programs exist in the following cities:
Participation by Developers
Even if a city does not have an arts interest ordinance or a significant number of city-funded CIP projects, it may still be possible to obtain public art funding from capital projects for public art by working with the private sector.
In cities across the country, private developers are realizing that art in urban planning is more than profitable. It can create a unique look or landmark feature for the project or translate into higher rents and a more desirable office location.
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