The Public Art Program with the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture is specifically artwork that is approved by our program, located in a public space, and engages with the community!
The Public Art Program has over 300 works of art in the current collection as of the beginning of 2015. The collection is comprised of commissions, donations and heritage works completed prior to the Percent for Art Program in Dallas initiated in 1989. Public Art can be found in every corner of the city with concentrations in the downtown, at Fair Park and at Dallas Love Field airport.
The Public Art Program manages the commission and acquisition of new public art as well as the conservation and maintenance of the existing City of Dallas art collection. Works of public art, many created by local and regional artists, enliven parks, libraries, fire stations, recreation centers and many more public locations in Dallas. While many of the artists in the public art collection are from Texas, many are also from around the world. The Public Art Program makes Dallas a vibrant place to live and work and a great place to visit.
GET INVOLVED with PUBLIC ART:
PUBLIC ART WORKSHOPS: Sign up for our emails to stay updated.
REGISTER AS AN ARTIST: Visit CAFÉ (www.callforentry.org.) It’s free for artists and will provide you with information about public art calls for artists, including City of Dallas opportunities. Calls for artists for projects in Dallas over $50,000 are posted on CAFÉ.
APPLY FOR OUR PUBLIC ART OPPORTUNITIES: On our OAC website, visit Grants and Calls for projects over $50,000 and other regional opportunities here. Our new Emerging Artist Program is for artists who do not have previous public art experience. These artists are eligible for projects up to $50,000.
SERVE ON A SELECTION PANEL: The Public Art Committee reviews candidates for artist selection panels annually. Panelist serve on public art selection panels to review applicants for public art commissions. Requirements: artists and arts or design professionals (i.e., curators, collectors, administrators, architects) We encourage diversity candidates to ensure representation on each selection panel. Send your resume and statement of interest to s.rodriguez@dallascityhall.com.
VOLUNTEER TO MAINTAIN ART: Adopt a neighborhood sculpture and send us condition photos. Contact: Lynn Rushton at lynn.rushton@dallascityhall.com.
SURVEY UPDATE:
Thank you to all who completed the City of Dallas Office of Art and Culture Public Art Program Survey. There are a lot of positive and exciting things happening in Dallas public art, but there are aspects we can improve upon. It is our goal to be a resource for local artists who are interested in public art. In order to accomplish this goal, we need to hear from more artists about what opportunities and resources are needed.
Public Art staff has created three new informational programs based on responses to the public art survey. The first workshop in the series will focus on creating a professional artist portfolio. Please stay tuned for workshop dates and how to register.

STAFF: