Public art installations have long been recognized as an asset for communities. However, because many of its benefits are intangible, its priority is often overlooked. Yet, several communities around the world that prioritize open-air sculpture pieces see increased levels of community engagement and social unity.
For over 25 years, EG Structural’s founder and artist, Eric Garcia, has worked with a number of communities to develop sculpture pieces that identify their unique identities. We believe art is a powerful tool and when it’s created by the right hands, it can elevate your city’s wellbeing. Read our blog post below and learn what open-air sculptures and other public art installations can do for your town.
Open-Air Sculpture Pieces Promotes Social Cohesion
A study conducted by Knight Foundation in 2012 highlights how important public art is in community socialization. They surveyed approximately 43,000 people in various cities, and found “social offerings, openness and welcome-ness” and “aesthetics of a place — its art, parks and green spaces” ranked higher than education, safety, and local economy as a driver for their loyalty to their towns.
It is up to the city planner and recreation department to bind its resources, facilities, and settings to create spaces that inspire social openness. One way they’re achieving this is by combining their beautification projects with public art installations. In that Knight Foundation study, the organization found Philadelphia residents, in particular, ranked viewing public art as the second most popular activity. Ahead of hiking, jogging, biking, and other recreational activities.
Sculpture Pieces Can Drive Tourism
One of the biggest things communities benefit from when installing open-air sculptures and other public art pieces is its ability to draw in tourists. Take Cloud Gate, or The Bean, in Chicago. Everyday people flock to Millennium Park to see this enormous reflective monument and engage with the piece. According to Stone Fox Chicago, 12 million tourists visit the bean each year and it generates a lot of revenue for the city and the surrounding businesses.
Though, Chicago is a major city and attracts out of towners regardless of the public art they install. Smaller towns and cities that install their sculpture pieces attract people from all over as well. For example, our Roswell, New Mexico Welcome Signs have enticed passersby with inviting designs that highlight the town’s fun history of the paranormal. As seen from the people who plaster their stickers from all over the world, the structures promote a high level of engagement. Additionally, it’s become a hot spot for travelers to take photos and share them across their social media profiles, spreading their brand even further.
Open-Air Sculpture Pieces Can Involve The Entire Community
One of the things we learned from our Roswell Welcome Signs was how important it is to gauge how the residents feel about your public art. While tourists will enjoy the signage, they won’t have to look at them every day. So it was important for us to hold town meetings and get feedback from residents before fabrication and installation. Fortunately, they loved the signage and we moved forward with the concepts.
Additionally, residents can be a part of the construction and maintenance process for the structure. According to Snyder & Associates, citizens and organizations who volunteer to help in these areas minimize the overall cost for the city. Moreover, it gives locals the ability to feel like they’re a part of the community, and down the line feel proud they’re a part of this public art piece.
EG Structural is Passionate About Public Art and How it Resonates
At EG Structural we have a passion for creating projects that inspire. We create timeless public art projects that embody the spirit of our clients and their community. Whether they’re a corporate entity or a municipality, we see what makes them special and design an open-air sculpture piece that highlights their exceptionality.
If your organization is looking for a private commission sculpture piece, contact EG Structural today and we’ll be in touch with you as soon as possible!
