PUBLIC ART
|
1HIT THE
BOOKS Take a trip to local museums and galleries, or look at artworks online. Take a look at examples of public art from around the world, and think about how you would like to use your space. |
2
SET
GOALS Public art encompasses a wide range of possibilities. Decide what your goals are. Is the art temporary or permanent? Do you want it to reflect your neighborhood’s history? The city’s history? |
3CONNECT WITH LOCAL ARTISTS
After you have a better idea of what your community wants, reach out to local artists. Alternatively, you can create a ‘Request-For-Proposals’ (RFP) that artists can respond to with their ideas |
Materials Checklist
- HAND TOOLS (Tip: borrow from Brightside St. Louis)
- Gloves, shovels, rakes, trowels
- Tip: borrow from Brightside St. Louis
- Gloves, shovels, rakes, trowels
- NATIVE PLANTS
- CONCRETE MIX
- Use this to anchor posts and create foundation pads
- OUTDOOR ARTWORK
- HARDWARE
- When building load-bearing structures, make sure you are using the right bolts, screws, nails, etc for the job
Local Resources
Design & Maintenance Tips
CONSIDER CONTEXT
Whatever art you choose to install, it likely will not take up the entire lot, so consider how you might use plants and paths to create an interesting viewing experience for visitors.
MAINTAINING OUTDOOR ART
Installing and maintaining outdoor artworks is not as simple as hanging a painting on the wall—take steps to ensure your public artworks continue to look good throughout the seasons. Ask the artist for their advice.
Whatever art you choose to install, it likely will not take up the entire lot, so consider how you might use plants and paths to create an interesting viewing experience for visitors.
MAINTAINING OUTDOOR ART
Installing and maintaining outdoor artworks is not as simple as hanging a painting on the wall—take steps to ensure your public artworks continue to look good throughout the seasons. Ask the artist for their advice.
TYPES OF PUBLIC ART
MAP OF LOCAL PROJECTS
You can view the map legend by clicking the icon in the top left corner.
If you would like to add your community greening project to this map, please submit a contact form.
MEET THE TEAM
The Vacancy Collaborative is a coalition of community representatives, private and nonprofit stakeholders, and City agencies, committed to reducing vacant property in the City of St. Louis. Reducing the negative impact of vacancy is a complex puzzle that requires coordination to achieve a shared vision. The Vacancy Collaborative is not a stand-alone entity—it was created to coordinate existing vacancy efforts under one umbrella, and to support the public and private sectors in working together toward comprehensive solutions.
The Reinvestment & Reuse Working Group, one of six collaborative working groups, focuses on identifying and promoting financial and sustainable solutions to equitably reinvest in vacant property. Topics include small contractor and rehabber development, financial reinvestment tools and historic preservation, and alternative land uses like those presented in this guide.
The Reinvestment & Reuse Working Group, one of six collaborative working groups, focuses on identifying and promoting financial and sustainable solutions to equitably reinvest in vacant property. Topics include small contractor and rehabber development, financial reinvestment tools and historic preservation, and alternative land uses like those presented in this guide.
Green City Coalition (GCC) is a collective initiative of state, city, community organizations, and neighbors working collaboratively to develop and conserve green spaces that promote healthy, vibrant and engaged St. Louis neighborhoods.
GCC has cooperative agreements with the Missouri Department of Conservation, City of St. Louis, St. Louis Development Corporation, Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, and Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation, with additional members varying by neighborhood, program, or project.
GCC has cooperative agreements with the Missouri Department of Conservation, City of St. Louis, St. Louis Development Corporation, Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, and Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation, with additional members varying by neighborhood, program, or project.
Arbolope Studio is an award-winning Landscape Architecture, Urban Design and Public Art practice based in St. Louis, Missouri, focused on creating innovative and impactful landscapes that balance high-quality design, social equity, and environmental resilience.
Arbolope works with a variety of local, national and international clients including universities, institutions, corporations, and communities – at scales ranging from intimate landscapes to large urban plans.
Arbolope works with a variety of local, national and international clients including universities, institutions, corporations, and communities – at scales ranging from intimate landscapes to large urban plans.
If you have questions, comments, or additions for this toolkit, please submit a contact form.
