about the public art network
Americans for the Arts' Public Art Network (PAN) develops professional services for the broad array of individuals and organizations engaged in the expanding field of public art. More than 300 public art programs exist in the United States at the federal, state, and local level. PAN is designed to provide services to the diverse field of public art and to develop strategies and tools to improve communities through public art. To reach its goals PAN has established the following objectives:
- PAN Provides Tools and Resources to Strengthen the Field of Public Art
- PAN Advocates of and Participation in Public Art
- PAN Fosters Knowledge and Understanding of the Spectrum of Public Art
Public Art Network's History
At the Americans for the Arts' annual conference in 1998, leaders in the field determined the need for a national public art service program. An ad-hoc group was formed to solicit funds and work with Americans for the Arts to commission a feasibility study. Later that year, Americans for the Arts hired Jennifer McGregor of McGregor Consulting to conduct the Public Art Service Study, which confirmed the need for a national public art network.
In 2000, the PAN Council was formed to assess the findings of the study. Individuals and organizations from across the country who are committed to the field of public art donated over $22,000 to assist in the development of a program, and the Public Art Network was officially launched in the fall.
During the first year, Americans for the Arts hired Jennifer McGregor and Renee Piechocki to facilitate the implementation of this new program. PAN's first products were the 2000-2001 Public Art Program Directory, a guide to public art programs across the country, the public art listserv for Americans for the Arts' members which provides a quick way to increase networking and resource sharing in the field, the production of the 2001 public art conference, Compel + Provoke: Public Art 2001, and the first Year In Review slide set.
Today, PAN is working to develop hands-on resources including issue papers, annotated contracts, and resource guides. In addition, PAN continues to streamline access to information about the diverse field of public art.
