Behind every new piece of public art installed at Richardson civic buildings and parks is not only a talented artist, but a carefully crafted Public Art Master Plan that the Richardson City Council approved in 2015. The Plan is an extension of the City’s Cultural Arts Master Plan developed in 2013 that officially put into writing the City’s commitment to the arts. Its vision is to inspire a spirit of curiosity, openness and civic purpose, accomplished through public art projects that support local identity and shape Richardson’s city image.
The Public Art Master Plan (www.cor.net/arts) includes ideas for public art opportunities/locations, guidelines for the review process for City art projects as well as for philanthropic gifts and identifies a variety of ideas for funding sources for public art. One source, a “percent for the arts” fund, became part of a City ordinance in 2015, which designates that in future bond programs,
- up to 2 percent of funds will be set aside for public art related to voter approved parks and recreation projects, and
- up to 2 percent of funds will be set aside for public art related to voter approved public buildings that includes community use of the facility.
The City also participates in public/private partnerships to support art at developments such as CityLine.
Recent public art installations include five sculptures at CityLine and “Micro Magic Mojo,” a towering glass and steel sculpture that stands in a new pocket park near the southern tip of the Eastside development. Future public art is planned for the new public safety campus, Fire Station 3 (near Lookout Drive and Custer Parkway) and at Spring Creek Nature Area.
A Public ArtWalk was created by the City in 2017 in partnership with the Business Council for the Arts and Leadership Arts Institute to create awareness of some of the iconic public art pieces located in Richardson while also promoting fitness—signs guide visitors to the art along a 2.8-mile route utilizing already-existing trails and streets. A color map of the ArtWalk is available at the Library and City Hall information desk and at www.cor.net/artwalk.
For a comprehensive list of public art throughout Richardson, visit www.artsinrichardson.com.
