The Value Proposition of Public Art
Carolyn Lee, Past President, FAB 2/25/2025
The Value Proposition of Public ART
A few years ago, my husband, Wayne and I were visiting Quebec, Canada with friends. One night strolling thru the city we came across a building that had a projection on the side with an early pioneer theme. And I remember thinking that is so cool, it was so unexpected, Years later I still remember our visit to Quebec and that piece of art is one of the reasons.
Social Impact
Public art serves as a catalyst for social connection and community engagement. Art installations, murals and sculptures often spark conversations and encourage dialogue between residents. For example, in Hollywood, monthly Art Walks spanning several blocks serve as a catalyst for social connection and community engagement. Exploring these building -sized canvases, individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and beliefs come together. These murals represent local culture and foster a sense of pride and belonging among residents.
Economic Benefits
Art is not just about aesthetes; it also has a tangible economic benefit to a community. A 2022 study by Americas for the Arts found that the arts and culture industry in Broward County alone generated $386m in economic activity. Art installations attract tourism, drawing visitors who spend money in local businesses such as restaurants, shops, and hotels. Areas known for their vibrant public art scenes, such as the Wynwood Walls in Miami or the High Line in New York City, have transformed into cultural and economic hubs.
Appealing to All Age Groups
Public Art can engage people across all age groups. For children, art installations that are colorful, interactive, or whimsical spark curiosity and playfulness, creating opportunities for learning and exploration. Teenagers and young adults often connect with public art that is visually striking or tied to social and cultural movements, encouraging self-expression and dialogue.
Adults appreciate public art for its craftsmanship, cultural significance, and economic impact, while seniors value its role in beautifying spaces and preserving history.
Mental Health and Well Being
Public art also just makes people smile. It can uplift moods, reduce stress and contribute to emotional and mental wellness.
Fab goes public
For all these reasons and more I am proud to be a part of Funding Arts Browards (FAB) first time investment in public art in Broward County. We call it”FAB goes Public”. We have
commissioned local artists and the Broward creative industry (Mad Arts) for a projection mapping installation on the side of the Parker, located at the West entrance to Holliday Park. Projection mapping is a highly visible art form which uses light and technology to project dynamic visuals onto surfaces such as buildings. The dynamic nature of this medium attracts attention and encourages people to gather, interact and is a great tool for community building.
Conclusion
The value proposition of public art in South Florida is multifaceted. It enhances community identify, fosters community engagement, stimulates economic growth, and inspires future generations. Weather through storytelling, economic revitalizations or social connection, public art has the power to transform communities into places where everyone feels a sense of pride and belonging.
Broward Arts Advocacy Council (BAAC)
By Ed Hashek, Immediate Past Chair, FAB 1/17/2025
Funding Arts Broward (FAB) led the formation of the Broward Arts Advocacy Council in 2024 with a first meeting on December 2, 2024. The purpose of the Council is to provide a unified effort and approach to promote, educate, and enhance the importance of arts in Broward County. The Council includes representatives from Broward Cultural Division (Phillip Dunlap), Business for the Arts (Robyn Vega), Community Foundation of Broward (Kirk Engelhardt), Our Fund (David Jobin), Fort Lauderdale Cultural Affairs (Joshua Carden), and FAB (Mary Riedel, Ed Hashek, Joy Satterlee, Hon. Suzanne Gunzburger).
FAB’s role in leading this initiative was a result of a FAB study done in 2023 that investigated the biggest challenges facing arts organizations in Broward. The yearlong effort resulted in a published report entitled “Enriching The Arts – Opportunities in Broward County’s Arts Community” that was releases on October 16, 2024. The report identified 10 top major focus areas that summarized all the findings from the many organizations that participated in the study. One of those mentioned was Arts Advocacy.
The first task of the Council was to determine which of the 10 target areas for advocacy to focus on. Some of the target areas include state and local government, the business community, civic and community groups, arts organizations, the general public, and media and influencers. The Council chose arts organizations to begin the work of the Council.
Reasons why arts organizations were selected as our first target area:
- We share goals – they already prioritize the promotion and sustainability of the arts, aligning naturally with our advocacy mission.
- There’s established networks – they often have strong ties to schools, businesses, and policymakers in order to expand the reach of advocacy
- There’s an existing resource pool – they can bring expertise, venues, programming ideas and funding opportunities to the table
- There’s a large collaborative potential – they have patrons that already value and support the arts, making them ideal allies in advocacy efforts.
Directly aligned with the Council’s priority target area was a workshop that was held on January 7, 2025, advocating for arts and culture funding in Broward County. The Community Foundation of Broward partnered with the Broward Cultural Division and Funding Arts Broward to welcome Florida Nonprofit Alliance who will lead the workshops specially designed for the local arts community. The three sessions included over 50 representatives from smaller, established, and arts organizations’ boards.
The current focus for the Council is to help lead both financial and professional assistance for marketing and PR help for arts organizations. Another key finding from the 2024 FAB Report found the marketing was a key need to help organizations increase attendance to their performances and events. More Council updates to this blog will track the initiatives and results from our initiatives.
