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

Public Art

This course moves art out of the gallery and into the shared spaces of the city. Students will explore the history and practice of “Placemaking,” designing large-scale works that respond to architectural, historical, and social contexts. The curriculum covers the practicalities of public commissions—from writing RFPs (Request for Proposals) and securing permits to engineering durable structures that withstand weather and interaction.

§ 01 By the end you can
  1. Analyze the relationship between Art, Architecture, and the Public
  2. Create professional proposals, maquettes, and budgets for public commissions
  3. Master material selection for outdoor durability (Weathering steel, concrete, resin)
  4. Understand the legalities: Liability, Copyright (VARA), and Public Safety
  5. Engage with community stakeholders to create site-specific and relevant work
§ 02 Sixteen sessions

The whole semester.

  1. 01History of Public Art: Monuments to Memes
  2. 02Site Analysis: Traffic, Light, & Context
  3. 03The Proposal: Rendering & Maquettes
  4. 04Budgeting for Public Art: Contingency
  5. 05The RFP Process: How to get the job
  6. 06Engineering Basics: Wind Load & Gravity
  7. 07Community Engagement strategies
  8. 08 · MidtermMidterm Examination
  9. 09Material Science: Weatherproofing & Anchor bolts
  10. 10Fabrication I: Scale & Structure
  11. 11Fabrication II: Welding & Casting for Outdoors
  12. 12Murals & 2D Public Interventions
  13. 13Temporary vs. Permanent Installations
  14. 14Installation Logistics: Cranes & Road Closures
  15. 15Maintenance & Conservation Plans
  16. 16Final Project: The Site-Specific Proposal & Maquette

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 Site-Specific Proposal & Maquette

How it’s judged

Recommended reading
  1. The Artist's Guide to Public Art: How to Find and Win Commissions by Lynn Basa
  2. Public Art: Theory, Practice and Populism by Cher Krause Knight
  3. Dialogues in Public Art by Tom Finkelpearl
  4. Space and Place: The Perspective of Experience by Yi-Fu Tuan
  5. Going Public: A Field Guide to Developments in Art in Public Places
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