06/20/2009
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press@artsusa.org
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America's Best Public Art Projects Recognized at National Arts Conference
SEATTLE, WA — June 20, 2009 — Forty of the best public art works in the United States, including projects from 32 cities in 15 states, were recognized at the 2009 Americans for the Arts annual convention held in Seattle from June 18–20. The works were chosen from more than 300 entries across the country.
At the annual Public Art Year in Review conference session on June 20, two independent public art experts—artists Janet Echelman and Mildred Howard—presented their choices for the most exemplary, innovative permanent or temporary public art works created or debuted in 2008. This is the ninth year that Americans for the Arts, the nation's leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America, has recognized public art works. The artists and commissioning organizations involved in creating and citing these public art works will receive letters of recognition and congratulations from Americans for the Arts President and CEO Robert L. Lynch.
Click here to see the 40 public art works selected for the Year in Review.(65KB, pdf)
"As these Year in Review selections illustrate, public art enhances our lives like nothing else can." Lynch says. "Whether subtly beautiful or vibrantly jolting, its power lay in the singular ability to make citizens stop, think, and appreciate an artistic moment, no matter how brief."
Photos and descriptions of these works will be included on Americans for the Arts' 2009 Public Art Year in Review CD-ROM, which is available for purchase at the Americans for the Arts store, and is used as a planning tool for communities developing public art programs and projects. The CD-ROM is considered an invaluable visual resource by public art administrators, artists and designers, educators, libraries, universities, art commissions, and consultants.
Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America. With offices in Washington, DC, and New York City, it has a record of 49 years of service. Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Additional information is available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org.
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