Public Art or Art in the Public Realm 

What is Public Art?

Public Art or 'Art in the Public Realm' is the original work of a living professional artist, created for a particular place, usually commissioned by or working in collaboration with others such as arts development officers, architects, landscape designers, planners, developers, community representatives, funding partners etc.  

Public Art artists, can deliver new and traditional creative arts and crafts ideas, skill development opportunities and a hands on arts experience allowing a community to become involved with, influence and contribute to the design, environment and identity of their area.

Public Art adds value to the development of the natural environment and built projects by; creating a distinct and local identity, enhancing the environment and creating a sense of place, whilst acting as an attraction in its own right. 

Involving artists and crafts people in the design development processes, enables the Council’s corporate  priorities to be enhanced. These priorities are underpinned by the following key objectives in relation to public art:-

• Achieving high standards of design
• Respecting local distinctiveness
• Enhancing diversity
• Involving local people to encourage an appreciation of the natural and built environment
• Promoting a sense of community pride

The Council's Public Art Strategy has been designed to assist the Council, developers and the general public to fully understand the opportunities, and secure innovative projects for the benefit of residents and visitors. 

The Welsh Government who in 2002, developed a 10-year cultural strategy that contains specific support for public art. The strategy, 'Creative Future' A Cultural Strategy for Wales' explains:

"Public art in Wales is underdeveloped and is one means where many areas of public expenditure can deliver a cultural return. There's a need for far wider recognition of the part public art can play in creating more beautiful and secure public spaces and contributing to the regeneration of communities."

The Arts Council of Wales is currently reviewing its strategy and how it will be supporting the development of public art in Wales. They will be bringing forward a new framework for developing art in the public realm.

For More about the Arts Council of Wales plans for Public Art.

The Council seeks to negotiate a minimum of one per cent of the costs of all capital developments for the development of public art.

The opportunity to plan for Public Art as part of a development is identified in the following documents:

For more information about Public Art:  Strategy for the Integration of Artworks in the Public Realm, Technical Appendix, and SPG - Supplementary Planning Guidance document and Public Art Leaflet

Public Art - A Quick Guide:

Identifying the Opportunities

Public art works can be considered for most developments and areas in the public realm, including:-

• Residential developments
• Town centre and other regeneration schemes
• Development of business retails and science parks
• New schools and other public buildings such as lesisure and community centres
• Transport schemes including new roads, bridges, junctions, rails and pedestrian, public transport routes & hubs
• Landscaping, parks and other public realm places.

Developing a Public Art Strategy

The Council’s Art Development Officer can offer help and advise on the formulation of a strategy and the development and provision of public art in the scheme area.

Project Consultation

Consultation with the general public, individuals, groups and local organisations, education, arts and other establishments is a key part of developing public art in an area. This can take place in a number of ways 

including: presentations, exhibitions, participatory workshops and other appropriate forms relative to the development stage of the project. 

For more details read the 'Strategy for the Integration of Art Projects in the Public Realm'.

Commissioning Artists and Arts Consultants

The following provides an outline of the stages important for achieving a sucessful project.

At all times, the developer, should work with the Council's arts development officer who can provide valuable assistance and support for the project. There are also a number of freelance arts consultants that are, for a negotiated fee, able to help with the development of public art projects.

The Brief

The brief to artists should be written carefully and include the projects:

• Aims
• Budget
• Timescales
• Insurance requirements
• Technical Issues
• Maintenance Requirements
• Maintenance budget (if relevant) - it needs to be made clear and agreed at the earliest stage of the project possible who will be taking responsibility for maintenance of the work and where possible indicated in the artist's brief.

Collaboration with the full design team is essential at this stage to ensure common objectives.

An open procurement process should be used to select an artist. Interview panels should include representatives of each interested party and the involvement of a local councillor and or community member as required.  

"The object of art is not to reproduce reality, but to create a reality of the same intensity"
Alberto Giacometti