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Fine Arts · MS elective · 3 credit hours · 16 sessions

Public Art & Community Engagement

Art belongs to everyone. This course focuses on works created for the public sphere—murals, monuments, and social interventions. Students will learn the complex process of “Placemaking,” covering the legalities of permits, the chemistry of weather-proof materials, and the ethical responsibility of engaging with the community to ensure the art reflects the people who live there.

§ 01 By the end you can
  1. Navigate the Public Art Process: RFPs (Request for Proposals) and Commissions
  2. Execute large-scale Murals: Gridding, Projection, and Scaffolding safety
  3. Design 3D Public Sculptures: Material durability and engineering basics
  4. Practice "Socially Engaged Art": Workshops and community co-creation
  5. Debate the politics of Public Space: Gentrification, Vandalism, and Censorship
§ 02 Sixteen sessions

The whole semester.

  1. 01History of Public Art: Monuments to Murals
  2. 02Placemaking: Art as Urban Design
  3. 03The Commission Process: RFPs & Budgets
  4. 04Community Engagement: Surveys & Town Halls
  5. 05Ethics of Representation: Who is the art for?
  6. 06Site Analysis: Traffic, Sun, & Architecture
  7. 07The Proposal: Maquettes & Digital Mockups
  8. 08 · MidtermMidterm Examination
  9. 09The Mural: Surface Prep & Paint Systems
  10. 10Sculpture in Public: Metal, Stone, & Concrete
  11. 11Temporary vs. Permanent: Pop-ups & Festivals
  12. 12Social Practice: Art as Service
  13. 13Legal: Copyright (VARA) & Permits
  14. 14Maintenance & Conservation: Anti-Graffiti Coatings
  15. 15Controversy & Censorship in Public Art
  16. 16Final Project: The Public Art Proposal/Installation

Midterm around session 8. Final project briefed at session 8 or 9 and developed in stages until the juries.

§ 03 Final project

Final Project: The Public Art Proposal/Installation

How it’s judged

Recommended reading
  1. The Muralist's Manifesto (Contextual Guide)
  2. Dialogues in Public Art by Tom Finkelpearl
  3. Mapping the Terrain: New Genre Public Art by Suzanne Lacy
  4. Public Art: Theory, Practice and Populism by Cher Krause Knight
  5. The Artist's Guide to Public Art by Lynn Basa
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