CAA is deeply committed to the arts and cultural community through celebrating public art commissions, both public and private, and recognizes the value of public art in our communities. CAA was instrumental in gaining passage of the Clearwater Cultural Plan of which the Public Art & Design Plan is a key element. Furthering that plan, Clearwater passed a Public Art Ordinance in 2006 and this law has components for public art funded by both city and private developers.
Public art is artwork that is in the public realm, regardless of whether it is acquired through public or private funding or a combination. Public art includes everything from more traditional art objects such as sculptures, painting, fountains, and mosaics to more functional elements such paving patterns, lighting, retention walls and railings that are created by an artist.
Clearwater is blessed with an active and growing public art collection. Click here to see a map that identifies all these sites, along with all galleries and performing arts venues. Many of these installations were funded by the City under the Public Art Ordinance, and some have been voluntarily commissioned by private developers. Several local businesses have enhanced our community by supporting public art by incorporating it in their developments. Shining recent examples are BayCare, Sandpearl Resort, and Opal Sands Resort. All have voluntarily commissioned public art pieces that bring beauty and value to their facilities.
Cultural Map
To further the Clearwater Arts Alliance (CAA) mission to promote art, culture and artists in our community, it researched, designed and printed a map to bring all performing art venues, galleries, and public art installations to your fingertips
Twenty thousand copies of the first edition were quickly snapped up while the arts continued to grow in Clearwater. The new edition contains all these updates to our cultural landscape. Thanks to our sponsors and advertisers, the map is free and allows you to find and contact any cultural site from one simple map.
CAA recently completed a beautiful guidebook to help private developers understand the value of having public art in their projects and to assist them in following a process to bring a public art installation to fruition.
Public art is best exemplified in the relationship between art and space. The most successful public art installations not only inhabit the site in which they are placed, they enhance it through color, design, shape and texture. When commissioning pieces of public artwork, cities aim for a diverse collection of art. As such, installations will vary in medium and placement; some pieces may be interior, others exterior, but all are accessible to the public.
Public Art and Design Program
One of the goals of the Cultural Plan was the creation of a citywide Public Art and Design Program. The Program is designed to enhance the look of the City through high quality works of art and design, which create a sense of place and increase the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.
On October 6, 2005, after nearly three years of research and advocacy, the Clearwater City Council approved Ordinance No. 7489-05, creating the Clearwater Public Art and Design Program. The Clearwater Arts Foundation and city staff researched programs from as far away as Portland, Oregon, and closer to home with Broward County, Hillsborough County, Miami-Dade County, and Pinellas County.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Public Art?
Public art is artwork that is in the public realm, regardless of whether it is acquired through public or private funding. Public art can include anything from more traditional art objects like sculptures, paintings, fountains and mosaics to manhole covers, paving patterns, lighting and other functional elements created by an artist.
Why have Public Art?
Communities through the country have been using public art for decades to create a sense of place and improve the quality of design of buildings and private developments, streetscapes and public places. As a result, public art has been integrated into the daily lives of citizens from cities around the country including Seattle, WA where artists have designed manhole covers, fountains, benches and tree grates to Miami, FL where artists recently completed a sound wall for a highway that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Public Art creates a strong feeling of identity, which results in an increased amount of tourism and economic development.
There are approximately 350 municipalities with public art programs in North America that actively commission artist to create public art for all types of public infrastructure. Some cities, where art in public places is plentiful, have become known as “museums without walls” as their artwork has become so accessible to citizens and visitors.
How is Public Art Funded?
The Clearwater Public Art and Design Program is funded by Ordinance No. 7489-05 that requires that 1% of the aggregate job value (AJV) of City capital improvement projects (CIP), valued at $500,000 and above, is dedicated to the purchase and installation of on-site public art.
Where can I learn more about Public Art?
For more on public art or the Clearwater Public Art and Design Program, contact Amber Brice, Cultural Affairs Manager at 727-444-7569 or through e-mail at amber.brice@myclearwater.com.