Program Directory

Columbus Metropolitan Club - 1-31-2024 - Is Public Art a Public Good?

Is public art a public good? Art in its most highly visible public form can serve as a point of pride for residents and a draw for tourists. In the era of Instagram, public art can enliven neighborhoods with color, joy, and inclusiveness, reflecting what a community values and holds dear. It can be a means for a society to showcase creativity and wonder but can also be used to send a not-so-subtle signal of cultural, economic, or social dominance. It can be highly controversial (think Columbus' now-removed statue of Christopher Columbus) or even illegal (think graffiti). What messages should public art in Columbus convey, and who gets to decide whose art becomes public art? Join us with a panel of art leaders as we discuss the release of the new State of Public Art Report by the Greater Columbus Arts Council with a passionate conversation on the role, message, and future of public art in Columbus.

Featuring Adam Brouillette, Artist, Muralist, and Public Art Advocate, Celeste Malvar-Stewart, Fashion Designer & Performance-Based Public Artist, and Adjunct Faculty, Columbus College of Art & Design, Marshall Shorts, Creative-N-Chief, Artfluential, and Creative Director, Ohio Organizing Collaborative, Shelbi Toone, Public Art Commissioner, and Project Manager, Poindexter Village Museum and Cultural Center, with host Corey Favor, Senior Director of Community Engagement, Talent, & Culture, Orange Barrel Media, Columbus College of Art & Design Alumni

January 31, 2024