How Do Public Art Projects Engage Communities?
Not only are public art projects a reflection of the community in which it stands, but it also attracts people to engage with it. It’s a powerful tool for bringing in tourism, enhancing community members’ health, and encouraging people to get involved in the arts. Even if it’s just appreciating what other people have created.
EG Structural is looking to change how people perceive public art by creating incredible art installations and brand identities that excite the public. However, our mission would amount to nothing without the strong expertise of the custom fabrication professionals we partner with. Read our blog post below on how interactive public art projects attract communities.
Public Art Creates Social Value and Placemaking
Art has the power to capture one’s imagination and encourage people to pay attention and perceive their environments more deeply. Not only that, it stimulates learning and thoughts about art and its correlation with society, our interconnected lives, and our place in society as a whole. Public art provides everyone in the community with direct and ongoing encounters with art. It engages social interaction—both during the selection process and following installation. And, artwork can lead the viewer toward self-reflection and awareness.
Art Has the Power to Inspire Collaboration
Another way public art projects engage communities is how it provides a way for people to collaborate. The effort of creating art for public spaces is not a solo venture, it takes a village. Creating public art involves the artist sharing their creative point of view and approach to art-making; often collaborating with others in its development. As a result, there may be a strong sense of ownership in the community as members may feel they were a part of the creative process.
A great example of this is our Roswell, New Mexico Welcome Signs. We included Roswell residents in our creative process to not only generate excitement towards the project but also gauge their opinions on our concepts. This allowed us to ensure everybody was happy with the work, including those who would see it every day on their commute.
Public Art Generates Greater Economic Value
As mentioned above, art installations have the potential to bring people into one’s community. According to Americans for the Arts, data strongly indicates that cities with an active and dynamic cultural scene are more attractive to individuals and businesses. What this means is that art can help grow interest in areas of the city and generate revenue for the organizations around it. That is why it’s important to consider investing in public art in community beautification projects, new business developments, and much more.
Public Art Does What Art Museums Don’t
Not to say art museums aren’t important, because they are. But, public art provides a stronger sense of community and opens people’s minds and eyes to free installations. It’s free admission to a piece of art that demands our attention on things that matter to us as people:
- Our community’s history.
- Our sense of place.
- Brings meaning within a community.
- Illuminates the quality of life of the city in which it is located.
EG Structural Creates Sculpture Pieces That Inspire
At EG Structural we have a passion for creating projects that inspire. For over 25 years, Eric Garcia has provided strong conceptual design to develop timeless public art projects that embody the spirit of our clients. Whether they’re a corporate entity or a municipality, we see what makes them special and design a sculpture 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!