Public Art

Art Walk Public art has a role in, improving the experience and perceptions of a place. Art also provides a means to exhibit the culture inherent to a community. A plan that guides the opportunities for art installations can maximize these investments by increasing their exposure. The exhibit below identifies areas with higher pedestrian traffic and available space to accommodate exhibits. Placing art along a trail or particular street further leverages art to be a unique amenity by creating a route in which people can experience multiple art installations. The following items should be considered for art installation in downtown: • For site specific work the artist and the architect/ engineer should work collaboratively to integrate artist ideas into the building or space. • Participatory art initiatives may be used to create a community centered process drawing attention to downtown as a place for art. • Placement should be visible and in areas that help

activate a site or improve experience. • Art should not impede pedestrian traffic, block windows, entrances, or be in a place where the surrounding landscape will be maintained. • Constructed of durable, weather, and vandalism resistant material, the artist should develop a maintenance program for the exhibit. • Temporary art exhibits may be used in the near term to allow for gradual accumulation of art exhibits.

Additionally, spaces may be designated for rotating exhibits to increase the variety of experiences with public art. • Interactive art should be considered in areas expected to have more of a family draw, adding elements of whimsy and play into the space.

Not to Scale

Art Installation location

Art Walk

Community Exhibit

The Cows On Parade is an art showcase for local artists, where the fiberglass sculptures are used as a canvas for artistic expression. Similar exhibits have been localized such as Austin’s GuitarTown and Cadiz Kentucky’s Meet the Pigs of Cadiz. Businesses often host the exhibits and the pieces are sold as part of a fundraising effort.

Interactive Art

Art can serve dual purposes, being both a sculpture and an interactive feature. The large Radio Flyer wagon “The Childhood Express” in Spokane Washington’s Riverfront Park was installed in 1989 and is still a popular attraction for kids and adults.

Functional Art

This piece in Baltimore, Maryland is both an art exhibit and functional bus stop. The art exhibit was designed to provide both cover and seating for transit riders as they await boarding.

Murals

The City of Little Rock, Arkansas has used public murals as a component to the City’s art exhibits. These exhibits are found throughout the City to a degree that it has allowed for the establishment of a tour for the murals.

Kinetic Art

To add further interest, art may respond to surrounding environmental forces. Kinetic art installments use movement as a planned element for the viewer to experience.

Interpretive Art

Some art that is a part of the landscape can be both interpretive and interactive. Large pieces provide opportunities for interactions that are unscripted, such as climbing, sitting, or general leisure.

Dumpsters and Refuge Stations Dumpsters and refuge stations (a consolidated group of trash receptacles) are necessary supporting infrastructure in the downtown. These support both public and private businesses and spaces within the downtown area. The waste containers by themselves can be an unsightly and unpleasant addition to highly popular areas. Efforts in the downtown area should be made to properly locate, screen, and secure dumpsters and refuge stations. Locations for refuge stations should be adjacent to active public space, while keeping them away from key focal points. Dumpsters should be located adjacent to streets and away from gathering areas, for ease of access for servicing vehicles and effective out of sight of areas where people congregate.

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Primary screening material should be durable, preferably masonry or stone, and match surrounding architecture.

Secondary material accents provide additional architectural interest to better match surrounding design character. Screening structure should be tall enough to fully block the view of the dumpsters.

Gates should be a solid material to continue desired screening.

Doors should be secure for access by owners/ tenants and waste disposal providers only.

Dumpsters should be placed and designed on accessible pavement for easy access for servicing vehicles.

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Secure Service Area Other opportunities for screening and securing dumpsters would include the use roll up doors and rolling dumpsters. This would allow businesses to store dumpsters behind a secured door and role them to into the adjoining alley on collections day. This solution will likely require some alteration to a building rear exterior, but could help address the concern with cluttered alleys. This type of screening should only be used where there is an ability for head in access from a service truck.