Arts Education

Claremont Unified School District: The Public Art Series!!! "is one of the Claremont Unified School District’s newest efforts to beautify our schools while enriching the educational experience of our students. The students of Claremont Unified’s seven elementary schools will be invited, as a part of their curriculum for the 1997-98 school year, to work with community artist and teacher Merrilyn O’Neill to create a mural at each school showcasing the talent and creativity of Claremont’s youngest citizens."

Idaho Commission on the Arts "The Arts Education program provides support for diverse and challenging arts learning opportunities in schools and communities by: Managing the Arts Education Grant program; Providing Arts Education Planning Resources; Maintaining a Roster of Artists skilled at working with young people in schools and communities; Enhancing the quality of teaching and learning in Idaho Schools through ArtsPowered Schools; a weeklong professional development opportunity for elementary classroom teachers; Sharing information on the impact that arts programs have on youth; teaching, and learning. Evidence of Learning and Peer Refection Network; and Contributing to the policies that are essential to achieving comprehensive arts education as a core K-12 subject."

Michigan Programs

Art Hop "is a free event that features new art exhibits in a fun, casual atmosphere. Numerous galleries and businesses host a variety of artwork, and you can hop around from one exhibit to the other. You also have the opportunity to meet the artist." Art Hop takes place the first Friday of every month.

"ArtRide Project" "consisted of a series of five-exhibitions of U-M student artwork onboard AATA buses running from February 2004 to September 2004. Each onboard bus exhibition featured work by four student-artists selected through a jury process and ran for six weeks... The overarching goal of this initiative was to strengthen and build meaningful interactions between U-M students and the Ann Arbor area community... Arts at Michigan and AATA see this project as an exciting way to showcase the talents of the broad spectrum of U-M students to the community."

Art ‘Round Town "The idea is to: 1. Expose art patrons to outdoor arts, 2. Artists agree to loan art to Art ‘Round Town for a year, 3. The sculptures are for sale and can be purchased by private or public parties, 4. The A.R.T. organization will display and insure the sculpture in the exhibit, 5. A.R.T. will advertise and promote the art and the artists and 6. A.R.T. will handle, all the financial transactions."

The Culture Bus "is a series of bus trips from the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor to selected events and locations in the Detroit metropolitan and surrounding areas for U-M students and accompanying faculty and staff. The Culture Bus Program is designed to: provide access to arts and cultural experiences for undergraduate students who might have barriers to transportation, provide a diverse educational experience within a social group setting, serve as a tool for faculty by providing opportunities for learning through the arts in an out-of-classroom experience."

The Detroit People Mover "People Mover stations not only showcase the downtown area, but also are unique attractions themselves. Thousands of visitors and students continue to enjoy the People Mover’s renowned Art in the Stations, featuring more than $2 million in mixed media that you can photograph, touch and experience – all for free."

The Heidelberg Project "It’s about taking a stand to save forgotten neighborhoods. It’s about making people think and offer solutions. It’s an open-air art environment in Detroit, a restored park in Mt. Vernon, gallery shows, museum exhibits, art programs for children, lectures and workshops, art installations on the streets of Cambridge, Minneapolis and Bloomington, the exchange of ideas, sharing and embracing other cultures and looking at things in a whole new way. It’s about healing communities through art – and it’s working!"

The Mexicantown International Welcome Center and Mercado "will be built in the heart of Mexicantown, at the base of the Ambassador Bridge to Windsor, Canada. It will transform the image of the State of Michigan, the city of Detroit and Mexicantown as visitors encounter the cultural delights and retail collections offered in the Bagley Avenue district. It will optimize Mexicantown’s identity as a tourist and entertainment destination."

Michigan Legacy Art Park "located in Thompsonville, Michigan, offers an unparalleled experience of art, nature and history. More than 35 major works of art by Michigan artists line trails that loop through a serene densely wooded forest. These works reflect Michigan heritage and offer unique insight into the people and events that helped to shape the state."

Mt. Clemens – The Art Center "Through a major gift from the Gebran S. and Suzanne P. Anton Foundation, an innovative five year project, Art in Public Places, was initiated in 1997. The artwork is intended to evoke a sense of place and pride for the city of Mount Clemens and to further demonstrate the community’s support for the work of artists."

Community Programs Around the Country

"Adams Avenue Project" "San Diego – Adams Avenue has been transformed into a public gallery with the placement of 120 banners on the antique lampposts from Vista Drive in Kensington to 30th street in Normal Heights... Banner districts promoting a community of businesses or a neighborhood are increasingly commonplace throughout the region and across the country... ‘Adams Avenue: A Work in Progress’ provides a qualitatively different product. One side of each banner contains a common graphic but the other side of each piece is what separates this banner project from others. The AABA selected 11 San Diego based artists to hand paint or design the other side. Each artist provided 10 original designs for a project total of 110 separate & unique images. The 11 artists selected, demonstrated an ongoing and outstanding level of commitment to public art."

Artrain USA "is America’s Hometown Art Museum. A non- profit organization, its mission is to enrich lives and build communities through the arts. As an art museum housed in vintage rail cars and traveling via the nation’s railways, Artrain USA brings world class art exhibitions and art education programs to communities and their residents. Artrain USA delivers exceptional opportunities for learning, growth and art appreciation while encouraging the development of local cultural programs and organizations."

Brea California Chamber of Commerce Art in Public Places "Brea’s Art in Public Places began in 1975 and was designed to integrate public art with private development. This nationally recognized program now includes over 140 sculptures, all in public view throughout the city. The Art in Public Places program features a wide range of mediums, styles and approaches by local, national and internationally renowned artists."

City of Austin: Art in Public Places "For over two decades this program has made it possible for talented artists of local and national renown to enhance public spaces throughout the city with works of art ranging from outdoor sculptures and murals to functional works integrated into architecture. Artists have successfully incorporated traditions, objects, and physical marks of community members to create cultural landmarks that have become cornerstones of community identity."

Denver Public Art Program "The Mayor’s Public Art Program promotes cooperative endeavors with children and residents of communities to create visual arts for neighborhoods, and for the downtown area... The mission of the Denver Office of Cultural Affairs Public Art Program is to enhance the quality of life in Denver through the rich context of the arts. The program brings artwork by local artists as well as internationally recognized artists to the city center and the neighborhoods around Denver. We hope to acquaint the population with traditional art considered to be cutting edge."

Palm Desert: Art in Public Places "Palm Desert was the first city in Riverside County to create a public art program. In 1986, Council adopted an ordinance requiring the city of Palm Desert and developers to place art or pay a fee to the Art in Public Place Fund for each new structure they build. These funds are used to purchase art for our community. The goals of the Public Art Program are to create an artistic harmony between the buildings, land and open spaces as well as serve the people of our community and visitors by bringing art into daily life." This site offers Maps with list of the artwork for four different tours the city has, it shows attractive photos of the pieces, provides information for artists and developers, along with an array of other quick links.

Philadelphia Public Art "This is an excellent page assembled by an interested public citizen who cares enough to photograph and index online the public works of art in his city."

"Public Art in Los Angeles" "This site documents public art works, sculptural works, mosaics, and murals, in the downtown Los Angeles area, the University of Southern California, and other places in the city. The Public Art in Los Angeles web site is part of a larger project of the University of Southern California libraries to document Los Angeles, its past, present, and future. The site is extensive in its resources."

Scottsdale Public Art "The mission of the Scottsdale Public Art Program is to make Scottsdale one of the most desirable communities in the country in which to live, work and visit by incorporating art and design projects throughout. As a central design characteristic of our community, public art enhances Scottsdale’s unique character, image and identity." This Web site includes a tours link, among other great things, that shows the different driving tour directions (with list of artwork and a description of the artist and where the piece is located). Also this site provides the master plan for this project. This plan includes examples of what the art could represent in a community and what questions the community asked itself before undertaking this project.

TRACES’ Traveling BUS Exhibits "The non-profit educational organization TRACES is bringing the stories of; Behind Barbed Wire: Midwest POWs in Nazi Germany, and Vanished: German-American Civilian Internment, 1941-48; to life through the creation of its BUS-eum — two 40-foot school buses converted into mobile museums. The exhibits consist of narrative display panels illustrated with photographs and documents, audio and DVD documentaries, artifacts and more."

West Palm Beach: Art in Public Places This Web site is a very captivating site that includes their mission, focus, committee, and criteria information. It also, showcases some of the pieces and provides information about their dimensions and locations. Furthermore this site offers a map to "Art in Public Places".

State Programs

Colorado Council on the Arts, Arts in Public Places Program "In 1977 the Colorado General assembly passed the Art in Public Places Act, requiring allocation of one percent of capital construction funds for new or renovated state buildings for the acquisition of works of art for the project site... By uniting artists, architecture, and host community, the Art in Public Places Program (AIPP) integrates the art experience into the built environment and civic spaces. The AIPP program has successfully commissioned or purchased over 350 works of art for the enhancement of state buildings and the enjoyment of Colorado citizens."

Connecticut’s Art in Public Spaces Program "The purpose of the Art in Public Spaces program is to provide the citizens of Connecticut with an improved public environment by investing in creative works of high quality of public buildings. The program adds visibility to the cultural heritage of the state and its people." This site is a great, because it provides links to its’: Artist Selection Process, Upcoming Public Art Projects, Public Art Tour, Location to Public Art Sites, and also Recent Installations. It also provides photos of the art pieces.

Florida’s Art in State Buildings Program "The Art in State Buildings Program places strong and impressive artwork by state, national and international artists in public spaces where our citizens and visitors can enjoy and learn on a daily basis. Vibrant and appropriate public artwork enhances our state’s built environment, says that we care about our public spaces and is an important element in spurring economic development and tourism." This Web site also allows you to view recent projects and highlights from their collection, it also provides resources for artists.

HAWAI’I State Foundation on Culture and the Arts "The Art in Public Places Program was created to strengthen the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts capability to ‘stimulate, guide and promote culture and the arts, history and the humanities’ through the field of the visual arts. The APP Program seeks to: enhance the environmental quality of state public buildings and spaces throughout the state for the enjoyment and enrichment of the public; cultivate the public’s awareness, understanding and appreciation of visual arts in all media, styles and techniques; contribute toward the development and recognition of a professional artistic community; and acquire, interpret, preserve and display works of art expressive of the character of the Hawaiian Islands, the multicultural heritage of its people, and the various creative interests of its artists."

Minnesota Percent for Art in Public Places "acquires works of art to be exhibited in and around state buildings in areas regularly accessible to the general public. The Minnesota State Arts Board in cooperation with the Department of Administration administers the program. Percent for Art secures artwork in two ways: by purchasing existing work, or by commissioning artists to create new work especially for the state building or site. In order to reflect the rich diversity of the citizens of Minnesota, the Percent for Art program chooses artwork that represents a wide range of social, cultural, and historical values. The work also must be enduring and thought provoking, as well as fiscally responsible and appropriate for the space."

Ohio Percent for Art Projects "In 1990, the Ohio Legislature, recognizing the state’s responsibility to foster culture and the arts and to encourage the development of artists and craftspeople, established the Ohio Percent for Arts Program. The law provides funds for the acquisition, commissioning and installation of works of art for certain new or renovated public buildings. Whenever the legislature appropriates more than $4 million for a public building, the law requires one percent of the total appropriation to be allocated for artwork. Since the legislation went into effect nearly 90 projects have been completed. Those projects have brought public art into many cities and small communities around Ohio."

Oregon Arts Commission "Living up to its pioneering reputation, Oregon was one of the first states in the nation to pass Percent for art legislation, placing works of art in public spaces throughout the state... For 22 years, citizens in an open, democratic process that encourages dialogue have selected public art across Oregon. The overall collection enhances the state’s public spaces and contributes to our well-recognized quality of life."

Wisconsin Arts Board "Wisconsin’s Percent for Art Program was established in 1980 for the purpose of placing artwork in the public setting, both to beautify our public buildings and urban environments, and to draw attention to the wealth of artistic expertise within our region. Under the legislation for the program, two-tenths of one percent of the total construction costs of new state building or renovation projects is designated for the commission or purchase of artwork. Only state buildings with a high degree of public access are eligible for Percent for Art funding. The Wisconsin Arts Board is the agency responsible for administering the Percent for Art Program."

Updated 11/30/2006

Cultural Economic Development, Department of History, Arts and Libraries
Contact cculha@michigan.gov with your question or comment about this page.