Public Art
The Arts Council considers public art to be works of art in any media created for and in the context of the civic realm, be it the built or natural environment. Essentially, it is site-specific art outside the gallery setting.
Image: 'Rise' public sculpture, Belfast. Photo: Donal McCann Photography We promote the inclusion of public art in urban and rural spaces, in regeneration projects and new build and refurbishment schemes. We encourage collaboration between artists and architects/design professionals, and advocate the development of public art strategies.
The Arts Council embraces a wide range of media and art forms as public art – painting, sculpture, photography, installation, video and emergent media, temporary works, crafts and applied arts.
We can advise on all aspects of the commissioning process, from planning the commission, developing the brief, selecting artists, and drawing up contracts. When planning a commissioned artwork, the commissioning body should contact the Arts Council before any work is undertaken if it intends to apply for funding.