It is the policy of the City of Lethbridge to support the acquisition of public art, which is a vital ingredient in the cultural fabric of Lethbridge. Public art builds a visually rich environment, plays a role in attracting creative businesses and workers to our city, provides arts opportunities that are freely accessible to all, and encourages the growth of a culturally-informed public. Public art creates a distinct and vibrant legacy for the residents of Lethbridge.
Lethbridge is home to an impressive and ever-growing collection of public art. Artwork within the City's public art collection can be viewed online here: https://www.publicartlethbridge.ca/art/.
To take a virtual tour of the public art throughout the city, check out the following interactive maps:
Lethbridge adopted its Public Art Policy in 2007 as a framework to direct the acquisition of public art, the public art governance structure, and the management of public art collections. Funding is provided from 1% of Community Services capital projects (Section D) in each Capital Improvement Program (CIP.) The Policy also established the City of Lethbridge Art Committee as an advisory body to guide the further development of policies and guidelines.
The City’s Public Art Program is guided by a Policy and a Master Plan. The Policy provides a
framework for developing public art while the
Master Plan offers a forward-looking vision
statement and values.
In 2020, City Council approved changes to the Public Art Policy which include the adoption of a new "gating" process for City Council. To enable greater clarity and increase transparency, Council now approves public art projects before they are initiated. In February 2022, City Council approved a four-year Public Art Work Plan that is aligned with the City's Capital Improvement Program (CIP) which funds the Public Art Program. This Plan includes information on in-progress public art project and outlines project to be initated from 2022 to 2025.
Public Art Small Projects
The City of Lethbridge enables small public art projects designed to provide Lethbridge and area artists and local organizations with opportunities to engage, enhance, and inform the community. Past and ongoing projects include utility box wrapping, construction fencing public art, and murals. Calls seeking artists for these types of projects are posted here: https://www.publicartlethbridge.ca/current-calls/.
Public Art Large Projects
All calls for submission for Public Art Large Projects are posted on the City of Lethbridge
Bid Opportunities page.
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