Public art has evolved and spread over the past few decades beyond murals, monuments and memorials to innovative work that engages communities and transforms our shared spaces. For the past 35 years, U.S.-based Forecast Public Art has supported regional public artists, provided consulting services to businesses and government agencies, and published Public Art Review (PAR), the world's leading magazine devoted to contemporary public art. PAR—in print and online—shares the stories of innovative work and gives voice to thought leaders in an accessible manner to increase awareness, understanding and appreciation.
Yet with public art's often significant connections to and focus on local communities, it can be challenging to learn about public art happening in regions and continents distant from one's own community. To further this work on an international scale, we have partnered with Public Art (China) magazine and their publisher, Shanghai University, to establish an International Award for Public Art alongside the formation of a new, global Institute for Public Art (IPA). Our first award was given in April 2012 in Shanghai and featured in the PAR article here.
We are now at the early stages of researching recent projects to be considered for our second award, to be announced at a ceremony in Cape Town, South Africa, in October 2014. To begin the process, we're seeking suggestions of public art projects from around the world to be considered for recognition—and possibly the next award.
Specifically, we are looking for public art projects that fit the following criteria:
- Completed between January 2007 and December 2012
- Demonstrates excellence in artist-led place-making, community building, or social practice art
- Reflects best practices, innovative design, and high-quality execution
- Demonstrates positive long-term impact or potential impact on the area in which it is sited
Suggested projects could be realized anywhere and artists can be of any nationality. To view projects researched during our first year (not eligible this round), please visit the IPA website (ipublicart.org). Send your suggestions and/or questions to Jessica Fiala, Research Coordinator, at [email protected].
Information on the award, as well as the Request for Suggestions, can also be found online at www.forecastpublicart.org.