Public Art
What We Do
CAFAC’s approach to public art prioritizes diversity and equity, and provides emerging artists a point of entry into the field through our focus on experiential education. We aim to demystify processes around public art to make the field more accessible, build artists’ confidence in being able to assess commissioned elements, and understand what it takes for each element to be done well through their experiences here. At CAFAC, you can determine how hands-on you want to be in the fabrication process and what elements you’d prefer to contract out.
Our involvement in public art projects spans a wide range of services: Design, community engagement, budgeting and project management, artist mentorship and training, access to tools and equipment, fabrication, installation, and more. Whether you’re an artist looking for support with a project or an entity looking to commission a new public artwork, we can help!
See below for some important considerations that we keep in mind over different stages of public art design, fabrication and installation. If you’d like to schedule a consultation, reach out to us at info@cafac.org.
Visit our Public Art Portfolio page to see a collection of projects we’ve designed, led, or supported in the past.
Considerations For Artists
Who will be responsible for conserving the artwork?
How will the piece react to weather? (e.g. extended sunlight, high winds, heavy snow)
How is the light at the installation site? Will the piece be artificially lit?
What permits are required for the installation site? Who is reponsible for the associated costs?
What data does the artist need to produce? (e.g. safety data, soil studies)
Who will be responsible for site preparation and site restoration?
Considerations For Commissioning Bodies
Why do you want to create this artwork?
Is a site already selected?
What will it take to install at that site?
Who is responsible for engineering studies and design?
Are visitors meant to interact with the piece? If so, how?
How is the light at the installation site? Will the piece be artificially lit?
Who is responsible for required maintenance?
Who do you want to create this artwork?
What is the surrounding community like? How does the RFP/RFQ reflect that community’s diversity? What kind of artist would be representative?
How will this project contribute to equity in the public art space?
