The Boston Art Commission, established in 1890, is the oldest municipal art commission in the United States. It exercises legal authority to approve and site new public art on property owned by the City of Boston. In addition, the commission preserves and protects all monuments, paintings, statues, fountains and memorials. The dynamic behind these efforts is the belief that artworks should not be limited to the - sometimes -relative isolation of museums and galleries, but should be woven into the fabric of the City itself, providing a visual focus in the urban landscape. As art is thus integrated more successfully into the experience of daily life, one hopes that one result might be an increased appreciation both for art and for the quality of the visual environment of which it becomes a part.

• Summary of BAC Guidelines for Public Art in Boston



• Complete BAC Guidelines for Public Art in Boston

Services provided by the commission include:

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

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 open space improvement fund for the City of 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.
Download the application form (PDF).

Community process
The art commission initiates and facilitates a community process by drawing on the support and input of residents, businesses and houses of worship in communities where new art is to be sited. This involves the presence of the director of the art commission at specially called community meetings to discuss and review the necessary stages of the approvals process through City and regulatory agencies. New art is never sited until this process has been completed.

Call to artists
Following the initial community meetings and when the Concept has been agreed upon, a call to artists is made; at this juncture we generally engage the services of a slide registry firm or cull from our own files a selection of artists most appropriate for the project. The selection is based on an artists previous accomplishments in an area of public art that most closely replicates the preferences voiced by the community.

Arts, Tourism & Special Events
Room 802
Boston City Hall
1 City Hall Plaza
Boston, MA 02201