Public Art

The Boston Art Commission

The Boston Art Commission established in 1890, exercises legal authority to approve and site new public art on property owned by the City of Boston. Site-specific artworks, both permanent and temporary, woven through the urban landscape identify Boston as a place with long history and a great capacity for innovation. These artworks range from traditional and new media public art pieces to municipal design elements, such as wayfinding systems and artistic lighting. In addition, the Art Commission has care and custody of all paintings, murals, statues, bas-reliefs, sculptures, monuments, fountains, arches and other permanent structures intended for ornament or commemoration on City property. It is the conviction of the Boston Art Commission that, in order to engender and support a thriving artistic consciousness within the city, community involvement shall extend beyond everyday appreciation to meaningful engagement in the creation, evolving interpretation and ongoing care of artworks throughout Boston’s neighborhoods.

The Art Commission is appointed by the Mayor and consists of five Boston residents, nominated by a Boston cultural institution.  Art Commission meetings are held on the first Monday afternoon of each month.

If you question whether your project qualifies as public art, please contact Karin Goodfellow, Staff Director of the Boston Art Commission at Karin.Goodfellow@cityofboston.gov.

Please visit www.publicartboston.com for more information on the Boston Art Commission and public art in Boston.

PaintBox

PaintBox, organized by the Boston Art Commission and funded by Boston Shines/Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services as well as a number of local businesses, is geared towards the recognition and celebration of local artists. Once professionally painted, these utility boxes will be resistant to graffiti and will contribute to the vitality and attractiveness of the urban streetscape.

Adopt-a-Statue Program

This unique public/private partnership was developed to maintain and conserve our valuable monuments which convey so much of Boston's rich heritage. The program raises funds that establish a permanent endowment for the annual maintenance of public art in the City.

Funding Sources

Edward Ingersoll Browne Fund
In 1892, Edward Ingersoll Browne, a successful Boston trust attorney with a strong sense of civic pride and public spirit, wrote his will directing that one-third of his estate be set aside, in a special fund, for the improvement of Boston's public spaces. Grants from Mr. Browne's bequest are often utilized for the design, fabrication and installation of permanent works of public art in Boston.  The Art Commission has representation on this board and assists in determining that all proposals submitted comply with the terms of Mr. Browne's will.

Please send applications to:

City of Boston Trust Office
1 City Hall Ave, Room M5
Boston, MA 02108.

Deadlines  for all applications to the Browne Fund are September 15 and March 15. Please read the Boston Art Commission's Guildeines for Permanent Public Art in Boston above before submitting your application. For more information, plaese call the City of Boston Treasury Division at 617-635-4140.
Boston Public Art Commission
City of Boston Treasury Divsion

Fund for the Arts
Fund for the Arts (FFA) is an endowed fund at the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA). The Fund supports projects that pair artists and non-profit community organizations to create public artworks that engage audiences and encourage participation in the arts. Fund for the Arts seeks to advance and provide visibility for the arts in Greater Boston by placing artists and creative endeavors at the heart of community and civic life.
Download Application

Henderson Fund
Grants are made by the George B. Henderson Foundation in accordance with the Indenture of Trust by Mr. Henderson dated 21 May 1964.  This instrument directs that Foundation funds shall be devoted solely to the enhancement of the physical appearance of the City of Boston including projects concerning parks, city streets, buildings, monuments, and architectural and sculptural works.  Each project shall be visible by the public, preferably from a public way.  If funds are expended for work on building interiors, the building shall be open to the public a reasonable number of days in each year.
Hendersen Fund Application

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