Public and Installation Art Resources
Public Art Programs - Municipal and Regional
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Public art in Apex currently includes murals and sculptures. The program is led by the Apex Public Art Committee under their Public Art Policy.
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Cary’s public art program includes a collection of temporary and permanent public art works. Public art projects, both commissioned by the Town and by private entities, are overseen by the Cultural Arts Division of Cary Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Department.
Public Art Registry - The Town maintains an artist registry for its work. To join or simply find out more about this registry, call or email the public art supervisor.
Public Art Mentorship Program - This town program pairs emerging public artists with professional artists to work on a commission for the Town of Cary.
Public Art on Private property - Cary Cultural arts assists private landowners with review of projects on private property.
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Community Arts & Culture is a division of the Town of Chapel Hill, and advised by the Cultural Arts Commission. The three main areas of focus include public art, arts experiences, and Town-sponsored festivals and events.
Many opportunities for artists working in various media are offered throughout the year. Visit the application page to see current calls and sign up to receive Chapel Hill Community Arts & Culture’s artist calls via email.
Public Art projects currently include Art + Transit, murals, and Percent for Art.
Arts Experiences projects currently include Public Spaces Exhibit Series, Tracks Music Library, and the Chapel Hill Poet Laureate program.
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The City of Durham Cultural and Public Art Program manages and produces public art projects within the City. They maintain a pre-qualified Registry for artists to simplify the application process. The Durham Public Art Advisory Board
The Durham Public Art Advisory Board and its subcommittee, the Public Art Committee, serves as an advisory body to the City of Durham’s City Council and City Manager, and the Durham County's Board of County Commissioners and County Manager. The board and committee provide recommendations on the implementation of arts and cultural policy and advocate for the arts in Durham.
Pre-Qualified Artist Registry - “This registry will serve as a resource for the program’s selection of artists and artist teams to create City cultural and public art projects. Access to a predetermined network of qualified artists saves artists and staff members valuable time by making the process of responding to the numerous calls issued by the City more efficient. It also strengthens and streamlines the program by maintaining a database of artists in the community with particular skill sets.” Registry Guidelines.
Calls for Artists - Participants in the pre-qualified Registry will receive notice for city projects. Durham Calls for Artists can be found here.
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Durham County and the City of Durham use the same program administration processes to provide consistency within our community for artists, donors, and partners with whom we work. We rely upon the participation and advice of the Durham Cultural Advisory Board and Durham Public Art Committee as the subject experts who represent the County's diverse population.”
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As a subsidiary of Raleigh Arts, the Public Art and Design Board has implemented different public art programs, including temporary and permanent art, for the city of Raleigh.
“Community-Initiated Projects” includes public art that can be proposed by anyone as long as the art is on public property and it can be self-funded or funded externally.
Raleigh Percent for Art program allocates 0.5% of municipal construction funds for public art.
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The Wake Forest Public Art Commission of Wake Forest handles public art projects for the Town, so far including a temporary sculpture exhibit, permanent public art, and the sewer structure art project. These projects are funded through Wake Forest’s Percent for Art program, which allocates 1% of municipal construction funds to public art. New suggestions for sewer structure art projects installations are voluntary and can be proposed by anyone for an approved list of locations.
Other Resources
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Important Contract Tips Every Artist Should Know - Steve Schlackman, Artrepreneur - Nov. 2, 2021.
The Art of Contract: Public Art Commissions - Alana Kushnir, March 30, 2020scription
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Public Art and the Law - A Primer (June 18, 2021) - From the Center for Art Law.
Who Owns the Copyright for Public ArtWork - AFTA
Understanding Public Art Contracts and Legal Issues - Video by Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston
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These resources are for both private entities to determine how to best budget funding a public art project and for artists on how to budget the money they’re given and what they can expect to spend it on.
For agencies - How to Budget for a Public Art Project
Sample public art budget - From Pittsburg Office of Public Art
How to Budget for a Public Art Project - Distill Creative, Jan. 25, 2022
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Difference between RFQ and RFP - “Requests for Qualifications ask artists interested in a commission to submit information about their training, previous work, and other forms of evidence of their ability to create a public artwork. Requests for Proposals ask artists to develop and submit their ideas for a commission. “ Americans for the Arts. Artists should carefully consider responding to RFPs, as these entail creating original work without a guarantee of compensation. One should also have an understanding of what will happen to their submitted proposal, if not chosen.
Public Art Commissions - An Artist Handbook - An older document from NC Arts Council, but still helpful for understanding how public art projects work.
Helpful articles
How Artist Can Land Public Art Commissions - Nicole Martinez on Artrepreneur, May 18, 2017
Breaking into Public Art - CaFE - Jan 17, 2019
Wondering how to break into public art the world of public art - We’ve got answers - NYFA May 23, 2022
Americans for the Arts Public Art FAQ - Answers FAQs covering VARA, performance bonds, insurance and more
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Helpful guides about the value of and steps for including art in private development projects and neighborhoods.
Town of Cary’s Public Art = VALUE ADDED: A Public Art Resource Guide for Developers and Neighborhoods
Town of Wake Forest’s “Add Art/Add Value” guide for property developers.
Public Art & Private Development Resource Guide for Developers - From Americans for the Arts
Fabricators, Engineers, and Contractors
TAW has compiled a non-exhaustive list of fabricators, engineers, and contractors that have working relationships with artists. Inclusion on this list does NOT indicate endorsement by Triangle ArtWorks or any of its staff. If you have a local contractor to add to this list, let us know.
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Moretti Art Glass USA - smalti glass manufacturer and mosaic glass
Bollinger Atelier - bronze, aluminum, resin casting, metal fabrication
Digital Atelier - digital engineering, rendering, and fabrication
UAP - robotics, lost wax & sand casting, molds, engineering, paint, etc.
Ignition Arts - steel, stainless steel, aluminum, bronze, brass, titanium
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Calls for Public/Installation Art
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Triangle ArtWorks Job Board lists regional calls for artists, including public art calls.
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