An Expert's Guide to Commissioning Public Art
- david
- Jan 11, 2024
- 13 min read
Updated: Jan 14
Summary
In this guide, the reader will learn the timeline of how to commission public art, from initial idea to completion. The reader will learn what public art is and suitable places to commission it. Addressing necessary but important admin concerns, the reader will understand the basic fundamentals of public art contracts, briefs, plans, budgets and realistic costs. In 5 minutes, the reader will be confidently familiar with who is involved when commissioning site-specific installations. At the end, the guide provides firsthand tips on selecting suitable artists and materials with added industry tips on themes on sustainability and technology.
As public and landscape art consultants, Artelier has specialist expertise in developing art strategies and commissioning bespoke installations and sculptures. Our projects have spanned varied public realm spaces, including: mixed use developments, corporate contexts, public parks, sculpture gardens, residential developments, landscapes and temporary installations.
Before You Start
Know what makes a public piece of art officially 'public'
What makes an artwork 'public' is open to debate.
Does it follow guidelines by a governing body - oftentimes requiring compromise or readjustment - or does it require a gesture of spontaneity and schoolboy resistance to rules and regulations? While this article explores the official commissioning of public art, there will always be the ambitious artist ready to make a statement without necessary permissions (think the obvious, Banksy).
Essentially, what makes a public art 'public' is as below:
The proposed artwork is created for a site-specific installation
The proposed artwork is commissioned by or working in collaboration with others such as architects, landscape designers, planners, developers, arts officers, and community representatives.
The proposed artwork deliberately uses a trained artist or craftsperson
The proposed artwork work can be identified to the artist
The proposed artwork is unique
The proposed artwork has the purpose to enhance the use, enjoyment or interpretation of the site in a creative and aesthetic way
Public art refers to any artwork in the public realm, and is used for expressing and communicating key aspects of a place or community – be that through history, local culture, current topics in society or a project’s identity. For that reason, many public artworks are site specific, and respond to their locality in an intriguing and meaningful way. It can be indoors or outdoors, permanent or temporary. It can be created using a wide variety of materials, as well as more experimental mediums such as performance art or through the use digital technology. It can be commissioned by a government, local council, a public body, a charity, a corporation, or a developer.
Marie Boutignon, Senior Design & Styling at Artelier
Know where is suitable to commission a public artwork
If you represent a business such as a planning authority, corporate office, or local library, then you will have likely read about Section 106 .
In sum, Section 106 is a binding contract that helps authorities get benefits for the community and reduce the potentially negative effects of a development, ensuring it aligns with overall planning goals and helps the local area. It is common knowledge in the public sector that site-specific installations are a suitable response to this issue.
Public art has always been a desirable option by the council for major urban development projects, including retirement and residential homes, retail spaces, and employment developments. The council acknowledges that integrating public art into new developments significantly enhances the cultural well-being of communities and improves the overall quality of the environment.
Ella Forster, Senior Researcher, Curator & Editorial at Artelier
The Admin
Costs
How much should an art commission cost? The cost of public art can vary hugely, and depends largely on the location of the artwork and how high profile the selected artist is.
It would be expected to pay in excess of £30k for more affordable modern materials such as steel or resin; for a more classic cast bronze sculpture, this would be over £100k for a quality timeless piece. These figures, however, rise exponentially if working with a blue chip artist, where payment also factors in the artist’s prestige and reputation.
If intended for an outdoor space, an artwork has to be more durable, resistant, and also requires more stringent health and safety measures – materials suited for outdoor contexts therefore tend to be more expensive. This becomes especially important if the artwork is permanent, rather than a temporary installation.
Océane Pouélé, Curator, Researcher & Editor for Artelier
Introductory Plan
An essential part to get approval and guidance from local authorities, health and transport agencies.
The plan is then integrated into the local authority's development and planning framework.
Might include: vision, aims and objectives, possible sites and locations, contextual information, advisory group, selection criteria, roles and responsibilities, community engagement, financial strategy for funding and budgeting, management timeline, contracts on copyright, accessibility, maintenance plans, record-keeping plan, periodic evaluation, decommissioning plan (if applicable)
'Artist Brief'
It can be confusing what to say to an artist when commissioning art. The artist brief is an essential document with two key stages: first, it guides the artist's interpretation of the commission, and later, it becomes an important attachment to the artist's Commission Contract. It should be clear but still leave room for the artist's creativity to be explored.
Will include: aims and objective, project context, site description, expected contributions from artist, submission guidelines, anticipated level of community engagement, project management, maintenance plans, required documents, copyright and ownerships, budget for expenses such as fees, travel and production costs, timeline, primary contact information.
Budget
Public art projects are often expensive, ranging from 3D pieces, sculptures to large scale murals, so setting realistic budgets is crucial. Funding for public art typically comes from various sources, combining contributions from both the public and private sectors.
Health & Safety
Publicly installed art always carries health and safety risks, regardless of its size or prominence. Even the most prestigious artists in globally recognised public spaces can face these issues.
For example, in 2010, Weiwei's interactive installation 'Sunflower Seeds' at Tate Modern - using 100 million handcrafted life-sized porcelain sunflower seed husks - was eventually cordoned off due to the inhalation of the dust agitated from walking over it. In 2006, Maurice Agis' inflatable public sculpture commissioned within County Durham killed two people and injured 13 when the ropes holding down the huge sculpture were not strong enough, allowing the artwork to flip over and deflate.
Some common questions to consider with the assistance of a health & safety specialist: what sort of activities might take place in the context of the project, what is the nature of the hazard and to whom, how severe is the impact (major, serious, or minor), how likely is it to happen.
Contract
It is important for a contract to be agreed and signed between artist client and/or commissioner before any work takes place.
Usually includes: Names of involved parties (commissioner, client, artist, architect, contractor), budget, ownership of designs and materials, responsibilities of artist, commissioner, and curator/consultant, artwork originality warranty, defect periods, intellectual property and copyright, site preparation, transport, installation, formal acceptance, delivery schedule, ownership and maintenance, handling of alterations, loss, damage, sale, insurances, compliance with regulations (health, safety, disability), review and decommissioning, contract variations and termination, dispute resolution, final Artist’s Brief, and work schedules for other parties.
The Team
The Artist
The artist will undoubtedly contribute a unique vision to the project, ensuring it is both ambitious and unexpected.
It might seem straightforward to assume that commissioning a public artist involves just one person. However, many artists work collaboratively, teaming up with design groups, other creatives like writers or musicians, or even engaging with the local community.
An example of community / public artist collaboration is best shown with Southern Housing Group onboarding Artelier for the 'Glengall Passage' commission in South London. Working with the community, Artelier personally presented a shortlist of 15 artists, allowing residents to select their top four, ultimately choosing Ian Kirkpatrick. For visuals, the artist and community drew inspiration from the nearby Grand Surrey Canal, a 19th-century industrial hub originally used to make timber, gas, mineral water, quicklime, leather, and beer. Read more on the project here.
The Art Consultant / Curator / Advisor / Commissioning Agency
There are several job titles dedicated to commissioning public artworks, which might seem confusing when considering who to ask for help.
In simple terms, this role should support the artist while effectively communicating their needs to other industries. It is hands-on and practical, but also capable of envisioning and realising the artist's creative ideas. Unlike a development role, which focuses on construction, this role prioritises the artist's interests and vision.
Usually includes: Setting up recruitment panel, advocacy, coordinating and managing budgets, advising artist selection criteria, writing artists' briefs, negotiating artist contracts,, overseeing maintenance, insurance, and ownership issues, recruiting artists, acting as a liaison between artist and commissioner/contractors, managing permissions and reporting, addressing technical, health and safety, and risk assessment issues, public relations and marketing, community and stakeholder consultation, managing installation including site research and preparation, handling transport issues, monitoring and evaluation
The Selection Team
The selection team can greatly vary, ranging from 3 people (independent commission) to 30 (a governing body) , to 300 (community involvement).
You will expect to see the following:
A technical panel to tackle practical or site-related matters
Architects
Local council members or officers
Local stakeholders
Representative from the funding group
(Optional) The Public
A growing trend in large scale public art is to involve the public through participation, rather than considering them as passive viewers of the artwork.
Instead, the public becomes a co-author of the work, which increases the artwork’s connection to local identity as well as raising greater public support. The result of any of these methods is a greater emphasis on place-making – art becomes an occasion for the community, and garners wider public interest and ownership.
Participatory public art can take many forms, as there are multiple stages in which the public can become involved in the creation of the piece. The public can be included in:
Brainstorming visual ideas, therefore actively involving the public in the artistic creation of the work
The planning stages, such as through surveys or panel discussions
Through interviews, which the artist could choose to incorporate recordings or verbatim quotes into their artwork
Interactive digital technology, where the participants are encouraged to physically interact with the artwork
Commissioning a Public Artwork
Emerging vs High Profile Artists
Emerging
Artelier has a wealth of experience championing talented emerging artists, and our curators are accustomed to talent spotting early-career work which shows exceptional artistic ability. The advantage of working with emerging artists is that they often bring a new, fresh perspective, and are available at a lower cost. Alongside this benefit of greater value for money, the public art commission has the opportunity to promote an up-and-coming artist, which can incorporated as a key aim of the project and become a point of interest for the public. If an emerging artist is chosen under the guidance of a public art consultant, there is no compromise on the quality of the commissioned artwork – not only can a public art consultant help clients discover artists who are capable of fulfilling an ambitious commission to a high standard, but they help support the artist in developing the piece and ensure it exceeds expectations.
David Knowles, Founder & Creative Director of Artelier
High Profile
For some public art projects, a high-profile artist is a more appropriate choice. A high-profile public art commission should be viewed as a long-term investment for the client. It can therefore be considered as an addition to an art collection, and even moved for display in different locations. This approach can be especially well-suited for a development looking to raise its profile, since providing a platform for a well-known artist can act as a draw for the public and become a marketing opportunity through their association.
Alina Young, Senior Art Curator (Public Art & Exhibitions)
Suitable Materials
A permanent outdoor artwork needs to age well and remain in good condition for years to come.
Whether it is a 3d object, sculpture of large scale mural, the chosen material needs to be easy to maintain, resilient and robust; some materials can even improve with time and weathering. An experienced artist embraces these natural processes, rather than working against them, and considers how their work will age so that their sculpture becomes more beautiful with the coming years.
Metals
With time outdoors, the colours of the patina evolve to be vibrant, textured and visually more complex through oxidation.
More industrial-style metals like Corten steel can also be appealing, as the metal already has orange, rust-like appearances. Over time it blackens, bringing a dynamic natural evolution to the piece. Some metals, like stainless steel, whilst having long-term resistance to weathering, however can still show imperfections. For instance, areas where the metal has been welded or bolted together can open up weaknesses in the material.
Stone
Igneous rock like granite are exceptionally hard and therefore highly resistant to weathering; however, its hardiness can make it difficult to carve. It is suited to simplified forms rather than excessive detail.
Limestone, like other sedimentary rocks, allows for more detail than granite, and is a relatively resilient option for outdoor 3D art.
Marbles are an attractive option for sculpture as they allow exquisite detail with polished effects; however, acidic rain can deteriorate or discolour it over time.
Sustainable
The possibilities for sustainable art have evolved over recent years, in response to the rising interest in lowering our collective impact on the environment.
Sustainability in itself can also prove to be a rich concept and subject matter, as many sustainable artworks respond to the site in a meaningful way by interacting with the landscape or by recycling local materials.
Land Art
By its nature, land art is an example of sustainable public art: land art is made directly in the landscape, by sculpting the land itself through the use of found natural materials.
Since the artwork is created from organic and local resources, the piece is inherently in harmony with the ecology of the site and is non-disruptive. Many land art pieces are inevitably temporary, as nature continuously interacts with the artwork long after the involvement of the artist themselves.
Medium
Wider awareness of the environment has prompted many contemporary artists to use sustainable practices in their work, even if sustainability isn't the main theme.
For example, they might use natural, low-impact materials like wood, ceramics, textiles made from natural fibres, and organic pigments.
Creativity, skill and high-end aesthetic are therefore maintained while using natural ways to protect their artworks and ensure durability.
Recycled Materials
The use of recycled materials can also be an intriguing and engaging prospect.
For instance, recycled materials recovered from the local area provide connections to the locality and encourage the public to view mundane objects in new ways.
It also offers practical solutions to making long-lasting artworks whilst helping the environment: complex materials that are challenging to industrially recycle or do not biodegrade can be repurposed in a new context.
Unusual locations
Public art is often associated with outdoor sculpture, yet in reality it can take many other forms. These alternative options for curating public art can provide a solution for sites without an ideal location for an outdoor sculpture. Not to forget, public art is also a great marketing and branding tool, often becoming a spotlight income earner especially when drawing attention to unexpected locations.
Some alternative and unusual ways site specific installations can be commissioned is for:
Christmas Markets
Seating
Street furniture
Glassworks
Banners
Railings
Security features
Signage
Architecture
Integrating proposed public artworks into architecture is a space-efficient and visually appealing way to make art more interactive, as people can experience it while moving through a building.
These projects are ambitious and require collaboration between public artists, architects, contractors, engineers, and developers. An art consultant helps coordinate this communication, identifying spaces for art in the design and finding artists whose work fits those spaces.
Mural
A popular way to incorporate art into architecture is through murals, which can be indoor or outdoor and made from various materials like glass, mosaic, ceramics, metal, textiles, or paint. Murals can also be designed for easy installation, allowing them to be added later in a project.
However, there are many other creative ways to integrate art into architecture, such as incorporating it into windows, ceilings, or floors, or using art as functional pieces like sculptural lighting or furniture.
Temporary
Temporary projects have a lifetime of 5 years or less.
Because of this, commissioning a temporary public artwork can often open up unexpected opportunities with unique creative twists.
It can use more diverse materials, as extended weathering is less of a concern. More natural and less resistant mediums such as woods, delicate and ephemeral materials like woven willow, or highly technical pieces that require more upkeep and maintenance all become an option.
It invites alternative practices, such as performance art or complex installations that only last for the duration of an event
It can be created quicker at a lower cost without the need for as many legal and administrative costs, therefore providing opportunities to emerging artists
It encourages new and up-to-date ideas, as the new artist will respond to shifting contexts while connecting to new ideas
It won't be out of date, instead remaining relevant and dynamic – the public may feel more engaged with such artworks, which feel contemporary and interact with current society.
Technology
Developments in digital technology have opened new opportunities for artists to interact with public spaces, and incorporate members of the public.
Some advantages include:
Larger Scale
Public art that uses digital technology can often be created to a much larger scale – art can be projected onto a structure, for instance, transforming an existing landmark into something entirely new.
Non Invasive
Another advantage is that it can also be non-invasive, requiring only temporary rigging of projectors and lights; this allows the art to interact with protected sites, such as Grade-listed buildings or heritage sites.
Data Sensitive
Digital technology also allows the incorporation of changing data, such as artworks that respond to weather conditions, are programmed to change throughout the day, or visually present live statistics.
Audience Participation
Technology can also enable a digital artwork to change depending on audience participation, featuring sensors that capture the movement of passers-by and reflect it in the artwork.
QR Codes
More traditional types of artworks, such as sculptures or murals, can feature QR codes or other interactive media on signs and labels. This can allow members of the public to experience additional audio or visual elements to the artwork, or discover more about the project through accessing educational materials.
About Us
With specialist expertise in art strategy & large-scale artwork commissions, Artelier delivers a turnkey consultancy service for public art, landscape & garden projects.
Our projects have spanned varied public realm spaces, including: mixed use developments, corporate contexts, public parks, sculpture gardens, residential developments, landscapes and temporary installations.
The Writer
Ella Forster, Curator, Researcher and Editor
Ella holds a BA in History & French from King's College London, complemented by a year of international study focused on History of Art at the University of Montréal. Fluent in English and French, Ella has immediate experience consulting private clients on Section 106., environmental solutions, artist selection and public engagement. Meet the team here.
Recommended further reading:
https://www.artelier.com/post/a-guide-to-public-art-from-public-art-consultants
https://www.artelier.com/post/70-top-contemporary-public-art-around-the-world
https://www.artelier.com/post/section-106-public-art-2024-guide
https://www.artelier.com/post/a-walk-through-the-public-art-landscape-unpacking-its-deeper-meanings
https://www.artelier.com/post/the-role-of-public-art-consultants-in-urban-development