Civic Public Art Program
A budget for projects which reflect civic priorities is allocated each year. Potential projects are selected from a list of infrastructure and parks development projects and other City undertakings such as the Greenways in 1997-98. Other project suggestions may be encouraged by the needs of particular communities.
Projects are reviewed by staff and the Public Art Committee and recommended to City Council. A consultant is hired to undertake community consultation, to assemble a jury and coordinate the artist call and submissions. The project prospectus, the artist call, and the makeup of the jury are reviewed by the Public Art Committee.
Selection may be by open calls, limited calls or invitation. Calls are often distributed through the Public Art mailing list, and are published on our Artist Opportunities page.
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Civic Project Highlights
Below is a small sample of civic works in the City's Public Art collection. Explore more of Vancouver's art online through the Public Art Registry.
- The Clark-Knight Corridor Public Art Plan began development in March 2010 and was completed in July 2011. Find out more about the project's process and results.
- The Olympic and Paralympic Public Art Plan Report
(4.26mb), approved by City Council in 2008, resulted in: eight Mapping and Marking projects; 14 commissioned art works as part of the Bright Light series; 3 Partnership Projects, and eight projects in the Legacies Series. Explore the many projects.
- Main Street Public Art Plan
details plans for Public Art along the Main Street corridor.
- The Carrall Street Public Art Plan (2.22mb) identifies themes and a range of artist opportunities for temporary and sited artworks. It will act as a guideline for development of potential projects as the Greenway evolves.
- Art in the Central Library currently includes "Broadsiding" by Michael Turner and Geoffrey Farmer. Recently, Esther Shalev-Gerz’s work was on display June through December 2009. Memory Palace curated by Karen Love with works: Carol Sawyer’s Trace Ingredients (21kb) and Angela Grauerholz’s Reading Room for the Working Artist completed showing May 31, 2009.
- A total of 643 Vancouverites participated in Art Underfoot which sought two designs to demarcate the manhole covers of Vancouver’s storm and sanitary sewers. Note: The detailed project page for these works is currently undergoing maintenance. Please visit again.
- In 2004 the City opened its new Works Yard which incorporates several new pieces of site specific Public Art. Vancouver artist Carol Sawyer worked with Cambie Yard staff to document and pay homage to the 100 year old works yard at its former location in Picture Cycle. Completed works also include Ken Lum’s A Tale of Two Children: A Work for Strathcona, Richard Prince’s Roller and Greg Snider’s Project for a Works Yard.
- Portrait V2K is stories and photographs collected from people of all ages and from all cultures, to form a unique portrait of the city at the turn of the Millennium. The project included: a CD containing the stories and images and audio of gripping stories; 230 Plaques and 10 Story Stones were placed at locations throughout the City; and an exhibit at the Vancouver Museum.
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