Public Art and Planning
By Kate McMahon, AICP

Public art is any work of art situated in or visible from a publicly accessible space. This may include visual art such as murals or statues or performance art such as musical or theatrical events. Public art is often used for placemaking and to bring communities together. Visual public art is especially effective in revitalizing formerly blighted areas. It can also be used to engage citizens from a wide variety of racial, ethnic, and social backgrounds.

Public art has been an important feature in two of the 2023 Great Places in Pennsylvania, Downtown Pittston and the Arc Community Greenspace in Meadville, which were both recognized in the Great Transformations category. In both places, visual arts such as murals and art installations helped to bring the community together and transform blighted areas into gathering places. Learn more about utilizing public art in planning here.