Our Services
While beautifying our shared spaces, public art goes beyond murals, monuments and memorials, offers more than decoration or information, should not be simply a new version of projects seen elsewhere.
Public art contributes to place-making, opens a process of seeing anew, shifts the ground beneath our feet, generating transformations in experience and perception.
Public art creates a sense of connection to place, of belonging, of community, of service, generates new forms of dialogue; a recognition of something shared, perhaps hard to define, often challenges by raising questions that may remain unresolved.
Research & develop Public Art Master Plans
Oversee public art concept development & installation
Facilitate National Art Calls
create innovative civic processes
develop Distinctive Donor Recognition
PUBLIC ART
MASTER PLANS
We go beyond site identification and prioritization. Basic elements such as protocols, committee formations, and maintenance plans are a great foundation, but our plans begin with grassroots community inputs and surveys of resources and partners. We offer plans to activate larger municipal goals and integrate public art elements with upcoming infrastructural changes. Our strongest interests lie with using artful temporary events to build engagement and participation. Train your sights on more than murals and sculptures on pedestals. Build networks between neighborhoods, gather community input, realize dramatic data visualization, and raise watershed awareness, instead.
OVERSEE PUBLIC ART
CONCEPT
DEVELOPMENT &
INSTALLATION
In addition to finding the right artist and artistic solutions we oversee the concept through implementation. We negotiate contracts with the artists, manage permit and approval processes, and manage the project through completion. Whether temporary or permanent, public parks or building lobbies, we complete projects that meet client goals, deadlines and budgets.
FACILITATE
NATIONAL ART CALLS
If you have a project that needs distinction or activation, don’t wait to get an artist involved. Artists can reframe your conversations and goals in ways that radically expand public interest. Intractable problems become unique solutions in the hands of skilled artists. We can draw on our network of local and national artists to find three to five who are exactly the right fit for your needs. If you’d like to search for unknown talent, we can also facilitate a national RFQ. In either situation, we’ll provide you with a competitive range of developed proposals for a low fee. You’ll have tailor-made solutions with concrete plans and beautiful imagery to help raise funds, assess budget levels, and gain stakeholder input.
INNOVATE
CIVIC PROCESSES
Our inaugural Artist in Residence and ‘social impact’ projects demonstrate how arts and culture can powerfully influence business and community development. Inexpensive compared to many other civic investments, artist involvement in municipal processes towards neighborhood and business goals can take many forms at a variety of timelines and scales. Artists solve a wider variety of problems than you’d expect. Economic development and neighborhood bonding doesn’t magically happen with a new mural. Let us help you identify opportunities and find a fit that’s right for your situation.
DISTINCTIVE
DONOR RECOGNITION
Plaque is not always a good thing! Donors supporting your new programs and infrastructure are eager to see your work stand out as distinctive and important. That’s why they’re lending their name and finances to your vision. Artists can approach the logical needs of donor recognition projects with truly beautiful approaches the embody your mission and honor the generosity that lets you make a difference. Unique solutions are frequently available at a savings versus costly and bland add-ons from architectural and engineering firms.
Brian Powers - Des Moines Register