The Boston Art Commission is responsible for reviewing public art installations in Boston and ensuring community input. It has recently updated its processes and appointed new members to be more responsive to public desires for more art. The Commission's strategy is to increase early community engagement, explore new projects, partner with arts organizations, and update policies. It is also seeking to commission more projects and thinks creatively about future funding, as recent city investments in three Dudley Center artworks have been exciting. The Commission hopes to grow alongside Boston but recognizes this will require establishing an arts office and exploring new funding models.

1. Love, Hate, and Public Art
How does BOSTON come to terms with public art?
publicartboston.com
@publicartboston

2. We think we might want to see other people.
Through our publicly displayed artworks, we invite people into a
conversation about our style, our heroes, our values, and our intellectual
struggles.
As a community, Boston has been experiencing some significant cultural
shifts and this can be seen in the artworks local artists and arts
organizations have been installing throughout the city. It can also be seen
in all the public dialogue that has recently sprung up around public art.
The Boston Art Commission (BAC) is composed of a small staff who works
with a board of volunteer arts experts appointed for 5-year terms to
review applications for public art and promote new public installations
while preserving and protecting the community process. The Art
Commission also works to preserve our existing collection and provide
information and educational materials to the public.

3. theboardthestaff
The BAC is also in a transitional period. We recently updated our ordinance, appointed
two new members (three more to go!), elected a new chair and vice-chair (both ladies!),
and formed sub-committees (funding & permitting) - all to respond to public desire for
more art.
? ? ?
It’s not us, it’s you. And you. And you…

4. Os Gêmeos’ The Giant of Boston
Sometimes the drama is exciting.
(photo © Geoff Hargadon)

5. George Zisiadis’ Pulse of the City
Sometimes it touches our heart.
(photo © George Zisiadis)

6. Sometimes it doesn’t feel quite right…at all.

7. Relationships take work.
The BAC’s STRATEGY is to increase early engagement and provide
transparency:
o Art Commission public meetings
o new ordinance: increase diversity of BAC expertise
o community driven permanent process
o exploring city driven projects: Dudley, Symphony, Liberty Tree
o partner with existing arts organizations
o encourage temporary installations
o update policies: permanent, temporary, funding streams,
maintenance, insurance, etc.
o website: bios, guidelines, upcoming, concepts for public input
o social media presence

8. And we know what we need.
For the BAC to be able to do the kinds of
projects that people want now, we actually
need to start commissioning them.
Recently the City started doing this by
investing significant capital funds in three
public art projects for the new Dudley
Municipal Center…including one to be
created by a BPS student!
It’s exciting! But it’s also important to think
creatively about how we are going to fund
these types of projects in the future.

9. We’re ready to take this to the next level.
Dear New Mayor,
The Art Commission, like public art, should reflect Boston. And we are
ready to grow with Boston. We’re on our way there, but we can’t do it alone.
Public art, like love, isn’t easy or uncomplicated. Going forward, we are
looking forward to the establishment of an Arts and Culture office. We’re
happy that we both want the same thing. We are also excited to explore new
funding models to help us get the exciting art that Boston truly deserves.
xoxo

10. But will you love us tomorrow?
Tatyana Fazlalizadeh’s Stop Telling Women to Smile
Ann Hirsh’s Bill Russell Legacy Project
Florian Dombois’ Talking Towers: uboc No. 1 and stuVi2
Lisa Greenfield and Daniel van Ackre’s Starry Night
coming
soon