How Art in Public Spaces Brings Communities Together
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of art in public spaces?
For many, it may be a bronze statue of a famous figure or an abstract sculpture that leaves you puzzled over its meaning. But public art can be so much more!
Beyond being aesthetically pleasing additions to parks, plazas and street corners, art in public spaces has the power to bring communities together.
I’m sure we are aware of the important role of art in public spaces to any community and there are several statistics from the UK that support this claim. Here are some of them:
- According to a report by Arts Council England (Why art and culture matters), art and culture contribute £10.6 billion to the UK economy, and the UK has a creative economy worth £27bn
- The same report also states that culture brings £850m to the UK through tourism
- A joint statement by Arts Council England and the Local Government Association (LGA) (2023-2025) highlights the importance of public art in creating a country transformed by culture
- The statement also mentions that the Arts Council England is responsible for setting a national cultural strategy responding to local, national and international opportunities
- A report by Public Art Online cites several academic papers, evaluation studies, and reports of original work in the field from the UK and abroad that highlight the impact of public art on communities
- The report also mentions that public art can help to create a sense of place, foster community pride, and contribute to the regeneration of urban areas
Overall, these statistics suggest that public art is an important aspect of the UK’s cultural and economic landscape and that it can have a positive impact on communities by creating a sense of place, fostering community pride and contributing to urban regeneration.
Art in Public Spaces – Unifying Shared Spaces
Next time you’re walking through the town or city, take note of the public art you pass by.
Do certain murals or sculptures stand out as recognisable points of pride or local landmarks?
Public artworks beautify everyday spaces, providing visual relief from mundane concrete jungles. These artistic additions also give neighbourhoods a distinct sense of place that people can relate to.
For example, The Riverside Stadium Sculptures are located outside of the Middlesbrough FC football stadium. These kinetic steel sculptures designed by sculptor Neville Gabie evoke the movement of athletes.
Middlesbrough town is so proud and supportive of its football club. For those who do not know Middlesbrough, it’s a town located in the North East of England.
Another example is The Bottle of Notes. This 9-metre (29.5ft) steel sculpture in the shape of a bottle is located in Middlesbrough Centre. It was designed by the artists Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Burggen.
Drawing inspiration from the region’s industrial past, maritime ties and renowned explorer Captain Cook, the artists crafted intricate steel lettering that reflects the area’s heritage in steel production legacy.
Whether passing by them daily or visiting as a tourist, art in public spaces creates communal experiences and memories.
Public Art – Fostering Meaningful Connections
Public art also sparks important conversations and interactions between community members. Thrilling art installations invite people to stop, ponder, discuss and even interact or play together.
For example, The Temenos is a circular sculpture located in Middlehaven Dock Road, Middlesbrough, UK, designed by artist Anish Kapoor and structural designer Cecil Balmond.
The sculpture is 50 metres (164ft) high and is the largest sculpture in the UK by volume.
Temenos is Greek for a sacred piece of ground, complementing the locally worshipped turf of the nearby football club, Middlesbrough FC.
The sculpture’s mirrored surface reflects the sky, water and surroundings and it rewards an amble around its periphery, seeking out all its angles and eyelines.
The sculpture is part of a trend for supersized public works of art and is needed to match the scale of the landscape, which is full of huge objects such as the transporter bridge, the Middlehaven crane and two great container ships moored there.
The significance and importance of the Temenos to the local community is a striking contemporary artwork that brings together art and the engineering and industrial heritage of the area.
The sculpture’s location in Middlehaven Dock, Middlesbrough, suggests that it may be part of the area’s regeneration efforts.
The sculpture’s mirrored surface reflects the surroundings, which may contribute to a sense of place and community pride.
Overall, the Temenos is an impressive and unique sculpture that adds to the cultural landscape of Middlesbrough and may have a positive impact on the local community.
By creating spaces for shared experiences, art in public spaces helps foster meaningful connections and highlight our common humanity.
A mural depicting a community’s history can ignite dialogue between generations of residents. While diverse forms of cultural expression promote empathy and understanding between groups.
Art in Public Spaces – Supporting Local Talent
Communities should also tap into public art’s ability to nurture local talent. Emerging artists gain exposure and self-confidence when their work is displayed prominently in their hometown.
Commissions and competitions provide unique opportunities for artists to be supported and celebrated.
The benefits of supporting local art talent through art in public spaces
Here are some key benefits of supporting local art talent through public art:
- Provides exposure and visibility for local artists – Displaying local artwork in public spaces gives artists a platform to showcase their talents to the community. This can help launch or boost their careers.
- Creates a sense of pride and community identity – When local art is featured, it helps establish a unique sense of place and reminds residents of the creative talent that exists within their own community.
- Offers professional development for artists – Public art projects allow artists to gain experience with the process of creating art for public spaces, working with committees, budgets, etc. This can expand their skills.
- Engages and inspires youth – Commissions for schools and youth centres demonstrate to local kids that art careers are achievable. It gives them role models and encouragement to develop their talents.
- Keeps art dollars local – Funding public art means investing in local artists and the local economy, rather than spending on artwork created externally. The artists then re-invest in the community.
- Reflects the community’s diversity – Spotlighting local artists of all backgrounds ensures public art represents the community’s full cultural landscape rather than just one segment.
- Creates bonds between artists and community – When artists create works specifically for/in response to a locale, it strengthens their connection and commitment to the area.
Bringing Art into Public Spaces Can Improve the Social Fabric of a City
You know when you’re walking through town and you stumble upon a colourful mural that makes you pause and admire its beauty? Or maybe you’ve stumbled upon an abstract sculpture in the park that gets you thinking about what it represents.
Moments like those are examples of how art in public spaces can liven up a city and bring its community together.
I’m reminded of a recent visit I took to Margate here in the UK. I was blown away by how vibrant and revitalised this seaside town felt, in large part thanks to its commitment to public art.
The streets are speckled with murals by local artists, injecting creativity into overlooked alleys and walls. And at the centre of it all is the Turner Contemporary gallery, with its rotating exhibitions of contemporary art.
The gallery was having a free outdoor festival while I visited. Live music echoed through the plaza as people gathered to enjoy the art, food stalls and each other’s company.
Kids ran around with handmade kites while street performers entertained the crowds. There was a palpable sense of community – people from all walks of life brought together by a shared appreciation of art in public space.
It’s spaces like that, activated by art, that strengthen the social fabric of a city. By spotlighting local talent and facilitating public gatherings, art gets people to engage with each other and their surroundings.
It sparks conversation, brings people into contact with new perspectives and gives the community a stronger sense of pride.
So next time you’re wandering through your own town, keep an eye out for art that can bring people together.
You may just stumble upon a new mural or sculpture that will make you pause, uplift your day and remind you of how art builds community. Take a moment to appreciate the diverse benefits of art in public spaces.
Transforming everyday spaces, fostering connections and supporting local talent, public artworks have so much to offer communities.
Most importantly, they bring people together to unite around beauty, culture and dialogue. Public artworks provide a shared sense of place we can proudly call home.
The artist Tracey Emin in Margate
How amazing is it when a renowned artist gives back to their town? That’s exactly what Tracey Emin did for Margate, the seaside town in Kent, UK, where she grew up.
Margate is not Emin’s hometown, but she has a strong connection to the town and has been plotting her return to the coast of Kent after more than 30 years of living mainly in London.
You’ve likely heard of Tracey Emin. She’s one of the Young British Artists who rose to fame in the 90s with provocative autobiographical artwork.
But despite her wild success, Margate always had a special place in Emin’s heart. She fondly remembers spending her youth roaming its beaches and neighbourhoods.
Emin opened her own art school in Margate called TKE Studios. The school is housed in a former bathhouse and mortuary. This beautiful building provides workshops, courses and facilities to support both budding and established artists.
The mortuary has been turned into a “mini museum” filled with her own work and the school also includes an accompanying artist’s residency programme at a separate location to encourage artists to permanently move to Margate.
Emin has said that she wants to transform Margate into an “artist’s haven”.
For the locals, it’s a source of community pride having a Turner Prize nominee choose their little town for such a personal artistic endeavour.
Having a world-renowned artist so generously give back to nurture the next generation of creators has been huge for Margate.
The town is now buzzing with artistic energy and cultural tourism. Murals splash colour onto facades as the community is brought together through a shared passion for the arts.
And it all traces back to one of their own who cared enough to create inspiring artistic spaces.
Examples of Notable Public Art Installations Around the World
- The Angel of the North – Antony Gormley’s iconic 66ft sculpture of an angel in Gateshead has become a cherished North Eastern landmark.
- The Kelpies – These dramatic 30-metre-tall (98ft) horse head sculptures overlook the Forth and Clyde Canal in Falkirk, Scotland. They were created by artist Andy Scott.
- Broken Chair – A giant 12 metres-tall (30ft) chair with one leg missing, erected outside the UN in Geneva, Switzerland, advocates against landmines.
- The Metamorphosis in Prague – David Černý’s kinetic sculpture features rotating figures representing Franz Kafka’s head.
- Street art by MyDogSighs at Cardiff’s Northcote Lane, UK.
- Street art, Melbourne, Australia.
Final Thoughts About How Art in Public Spaces Can Bring Communities Together
After walking through some examples of how public art impacts communities, it’s clear to see the unique role it plays in bringing people together.
Unlike art enclosed in museums or galleries, public art is accessible to all. There are no tickets or dress codes required. Just simple appreciation.
And that appreciation draws us in, creating common ground with our neighbours.
The mural depicting local shopkeepers ignites memories of chatting over morning coffee. The sculpture honouring workers reminds us of the diverse backgrounds that shape our hometown. The community poetry board gives a platform for anyone to share their artistic voice.
These public art pieces become touchpoints – visual representations of our shared experiences that reflect back who we are as a community.
They reinforce our sense of place and identity. When we recognise the artistic expressions of our own culture on display, we feel more connected to where we live.
Beyond provoking a sense of pride, art in public spaces also facilitates connections and conversations.
It catches the eye of passersby, prompting impromptu interactions with strangers who pause to admire the same work. It gives us inspiration to discuss what matters most to our community.
So while museums and galleries certainly have their purpose, there is something uniquely special about art in open, public spaces. It enables creativity to be woven into the fabric of everyday life.
It reminds us that we walk together on these streets, experiencing the ups and downs of life and finding beauty along the way.
Public art brings us one step closer – giving us moments of meaning that unite us as a community.
How has art in public spaces impacted your community? Share your thoughts below!
Other blog posts you may find interesting:
The Influence of Abstract Art on Culture: A Global Impact
Storytelling Through Abstract Painting
Boost Your Creativity Through The Art of Abstract Art
No Great Artist Ever Sees Things As They Really Are
The Surprising Connection Between Art and Workplace Productivity
