The city of Austin has announced that its Economic Development Department Art in Public Places Program (AIPP) is actively seeking professional visual artists and artist-led teams with a passion for creating artwork for public spaces. The commission budgets, ranging from $70,000 to $400,000 for three distinct projects, are open to Austin-based artists, Texas-based artists, and national artists.
Austin-based artists have the opportunity to contribute to the Family Violence Shelter & Protection Center project. This initiative provides shelter for women and children experiencing family violence and has an artwork budget of $70,000. Texas-based artists can participate in the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center project. This endeavor focuses on facility expansion and renovation with an allocated budget of $190,000. National artists are invited to engage in the Palmer Events Center project which involves creating visually engaging artwork in the main entrance lobby space. With an emphasis on the natural context and incorporating technology, this project offers an artwork budget of $400,000 according to a press release by the city of Austin.
"Art has the power to shape the soul of a city, reflecting its essence and weaving together the diverse threads of its identity," explains Sylnovia Holt-Rabb, Director of the Economic Development Department according to a press release by the city of Austin. "Through the Art in Public Places Program, we are not just working with artists to create installations; we provide opportunities that result in experiences that resonate with the heartbeat of Austin."
The AIPP program managed by Austin's Economic Development Department serves as the city's public art initiative. This program engages visual artists across various mediums to produce site-specific installations and distinctive public art pieces that reflect the rich history and values of Austin's communities. These artistic landmarks have evolved into integral components of Austin's cultural identity according to information provided on AIPP's webpage by the city of Austin.