Public Art
What is Public Art?
Public Art is created by artists for publicly visible sites. It can increase the sense of place for individual neighbourhoods and the City as a whole. Some art pieces can be permanent (such as the "Pacific Sails" on the Harbourfront Walkway), while others are temporary (such as the Downtown Festival of Banners).
Why Public Art?
Art it its many forms has the power to energize public spaces, around thinking and debate, transform places we work, live and play into a more welcoming and beautiful setting. Public Art can make strangers talk, children ask questions and can enhance a sense of place.
Public Art Funding
Public Art projects can be funded from a number of sources, including service clubs, neighbourhood groups, private individuals, developers and civic budgets.
Community Plan for Public Art
Nanaimo's Community Plan for Public Art began in 2008 as a Legacy Project under the Cultural Capital of Canada Program and was adopted by City Council in May 2010. The plan was developed through a community planning process involving a number of artists, art managers, neighborhood representatives and members of the public. It identifies the benefits of public art in the urban fabric, Nanaimo's vision for public art and goals for implementing public art projects in the future. The plan also lays out a number of guidelines and tool kits for artists and decision makers developing and installing public art in an inclusive, fair and creative manner.
For more information, contact Kirsty MacDonald, Parks and Open Space Planner, at 250-755-7506 or kirsty.macdonald@nanaimo.ca.
Go to Top
