Art and culture are important elements in Frisco’s growth and development as a community where people come to live, work, play, and grow. Public art strengthens our community’s cultural identity, especially in the development of new capital projects, through the beautification of our public areas, commemorating our heritage, and expanding our cultural diversity.
The initial concept for the Frisco Public Art Board came from the Parks & Recreation department, specifically Dudley Raymond. In 2002, the Frisco City Council passed an ordinance establishing Frisco’s Public Art Program. This ordinance calls for a percentage of Capital Project Funds to be used to commission public art. Known as “Percent for Art,” Frisco was one of the smallest cities in the country to implement program and it’s now used by more than 350 cities, states, and public agencies across the country.
The Frisco Public Art Board is a citizen organization appointed by the City Council to oversee the implementation of the Public Art Program. Working with City Staff, the PAB advises the Council on the commissioning of all Public Art works in Frisco which promote tourism and economic vitality in Frisco through the artistic enhancement of our public spaces.
The current Public Art Manager is Kathleen Stewart, but I had a chance to briefly chat with Board Chairman, Richard Oldham. As the Public Art Manager from 2007 to 2011, Richard was a part of the original volunteer board for the program. Richard says, “After moving back to the Frisco Independent School District, I applied and was accepted back onto the board and served as President last year. I was an art teacher for many years, and I have always been attracted to the idea of a percent of capital project funds being ear-marked for the art program in our city. That’s what drew me to service on the PAB.”
The Frisco PAB’s annual Art in the Atrium exhibition provides a venue for our local and regional artists to display their work directly to the citizens of Frisco. Showcasing selected works by 43 area artists through August 2014, visual artists who live or work in and around the North Texas area were invited to submit images of artwork available for loan during the exhibit. Selections were made by the Public Art Board in October.
Keep up with all upcoming events and how you as a citizen of Frisco can participate with the PAB on their web site and Facebook page. One way to engage with the PAB is through the Artist Selection Committee. Artists are selected by volunteer Artist Selection Committees (ASC) that review artist qualifications and proposals and ultimately make recommendations to the Public Art Board. A new, ad-hoc committee is formed for each project. All committee meetings are open to the public, and you’re always welcome to attend!
